Pattern of Admissions and Short-Term Outcomes of Children Age 1 Month to 18 Years Admitted to University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Pediatrics Emergency, Northwest Ethiopia 2021

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: -The pattern of pediatrics emergency admissions varies amongst different regions of the world and this depends on many factors including the prevalent medical diseases in a pediatric emergency. Early identification and treatment of pneumonia, sepsis, malaria, heart failure (secondary to anemia), acute respiratory tract infections, and diarrheal diseases have been shown to reduce childhood mortality. University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (UOGCSH) Pediatrics Emergency was established around five years back. So far there is no research done on the pattern of admissions and short-term outcomes of children admitted to the UOGCSH Pediatrics Emergency. Objective: -To assess the pattern of Admissions and Short-term outcomes of Children aged 1 month to 18 years admitted to the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Pediatrics Emergency, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: - A Prospective cross-sectional study design was conducted from July 1, 2021, to September 30, 2021 G.C among children admitted to UOGCSH Pediatrics Emergency Northwest Ethiopia. Structured questionnaires were prepared and a total of 364 participants were interviewed serially. Epi info version 7.2 for data entry and SPSS version 25 software for data analysis was used. By using descriptive analysis results were tabulated Result: - The study participants were children aged 1 month to 18 years who were admitted to UOGCSH Pediatrics emergency. The commonest cause of admissions was severe pneumonia 138(37.9%) followed by cardiac diseases (congenital and acquired) 31(8.5%), AGN 22(6%), HAAD/childhood asthma 22(6%), severe malaria 20(20(5.5%). Concerning the outcome of admission diagnosis, 322(88.5%) were discharged, 27(7.42%) were discharged against medical advice, 10(2.7%) were transferred/referred to other health facilities and 5 cases died at pediatrics emergency. Conclusion and recommendation: - Severe pneumonia was the commonest cause of admission in the study period followed by cardiac diseases. The majority of cases were discharged, a significant number of patients were discharged against medical advice and 5 cases died at pediatrics emergency. Vaccination and other preventive strategies should be discussed with the community. Keywords:-pattern, admission, pediatrics emergency, short-term outcome, Gondar