A Ten-year review of all cause paediatric mortality in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria (2006 – 2015)

Abstract

Introduction: Morbidity and mortality reviews provide platforms for quality controls and improvement in systems already put in place for health care delivery.  A 10-year retrospective analysis of paediatric morbidities and mortalities was carried out in the Department of Paediatrics, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital to establish their patterns and trends.

Methods: Data on children admitted into the Department from 1st January 2006 – 31 Dec 2015 were extracted from admission books and mortality review cards in CHEW, SCBU, Wards and DTU. were analysed. Information retrieved included name, age, sex, dates and times of admission and deaths, admitting diagnosis, and working diagnosis, and causes of deaths.

Results: There were 20,215 admissions and 1,592 (7.87%) mortalities with more neonatal (4.53%) deaths. Deaths due to Perinatal conditions, infections, malaria and surgical conditions were commonest causes of death. Neonatal mortality rate per neonatal admission was 16.5% and that of the post neonatal age group was 4.608%. Factors identified as contributory to mortalities were delays in recognition of conditions, delays in actions, and systems errors.

Conclusion: Mortality due to pneumonia has reduced more than that due to diarrhoea and malaria, but perinatal conditions are still the most frequent causes of mortality in the neonatal period.