Abstract

A study of paediatric deaths in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria during a 4-year period (January 1984-December 1987) showed an overall mortality of 80 per 1000 paediatric admissions. A majority (47%) of the deaths were the newborn with a decline (7%) in children aged 61 months to 14 years. Major causes of death were tetanus, low birthweight and birth asphyxia in the newborn; malnutrition, pneumonia and measles in the pre-school age, and anaemia in the older children. Neonatal tetanus and malnutrition played a leading role in the overall mortality.

PIP:

A study of pediatric deaths at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria, during a 4-year period (January 1984- December 1987) showed a overall mortality of 80/1000 pediatric admissions. A majority (47%) of the deaths were among newborns, with a decline of 7% seen in children ages 61 months-14 years. Major causes of death were: tetanus, low birthweight, and birth asphyxia in the newborn; malnutrition, pneumonia, and measles in the preschool age child; and anemia in older children. Neonatal tetanus and malnutrition were leading causes in the overall mortality rate.author's modified

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