Paediatric Mortality: Aetiologies and Predictors among Children Aged 1 Month to 15 Years in a Tertiary Hospital in Douala, Cameroon

Abstract

Background: Children and adolescent mortality remains a public health concern in developing countries. This study aimed to describe risk factors and aetiologies of mortality among children and young adolescents at a tertiary hospital in the town of Douala, Cameroon. Methods: We carried out a retrospective cohort study from January 1 st to May 31 st , 2019 among deceased patients aged 1 month to 15 years admitted to the paediatric ward of the Gynaeco-Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital. Data of interest were collected and analysed. Results: Out of 3088 children admitted, 123 death cases were recorded. The overall hospital mortality rate was 3.98%. Females accounted for 51% of the deceased patients. Fever was the main reason for consultation. Severe malaria was the most common diagnosis. In univariate logistic regression analysis, factors associated with mortality included hyperthermia (OR = 0.24; 95% CI 0.80 -1.33; p = 0.012), coma/impaired consciousness (OR = 0.30; 95%