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Mancini V, Borellini M, Belardi P, Colucci MC, Kadinde EY, Mwibuka C, Maziku D, Parisi P, Di Napoli A. Factors associated with hospitalization in a pediatric population of rural Tanzania: findings from a retrospective cohort study. Ital J Pediatr 2024; 50:53. [PMID: 38500138 PMCID: PMC10949679 DOI: 10.1186/s13052-024-01622-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite pediatric acute illnesses being leading causes of death and disability among children, acute and critical care services are not universally available in low-middle income countries, such as Tanzania, even if in this country significant progress has been made in child survival, over the last 20 years. In these countries, the hospital emergency departments may represent the only or the main point of access to health-care services. Thus, the hospitalization rates may reflect both the health system organization and the patients' health status. The purpose of the study is to describe the characteristics of clinical presentations to a pediatric Outpatient Department (OPD) in Tanzania and to identify the predictive factors for hospitalization. METHODS Retrospective cohort study based on 4,324 accesses in the OPD at Tosamaganga Voluntary Agency Hospital (Tanzania). Data were collected for all 2,810 children (aged 0-13) who accessed the OPD services, within the period 1 January - 30 September 2022. The association between the hospitalization (main outcome) and potential confounding covariates (demographic, socio-contextual and clinical factors) was evaluated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. RESULTS Five hundred three (11.6%) of OPD accesses were hospitalized and 17 (0.4%) died during hospitalization. A higher (p < 0.001) risk of hospitalization was observed for children without health insurance (OR = 3.26), coming from more distant districts (OR = 2.83), not visited by a pediatric trained staff (OR = 3.58), and who accessed for the following conditions: burn/wound (OR = 70.63), cardiovascular (OR = 27.36), constitutional/malnutrition (OR = 62.71), fever (OR = 9.79), gastrointestinal (OR = 8.01), respiratory (OR = 12.86), ingestion/inhalation (OR = 17.00), injury (OR = 6.84). CONCLUSIONS The higher risk of hospitalization for children without health insurance, and living far from the district capital underline the necessity to promote the implementation of primary care, particularly in small villages, and the establishment of an efficient emergency call and transport system. The observation of lower hospitalization risk for children attended by a pediatric trained staff confirm the necessity of preventing admissions for conditions that could be managed in other health settings, if timely evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Mancini
- Chair of Pediatrics, NESMOS department, Faculty of Medicine & Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
- Doctors with Africa CUAMM, Iringa, Tanzania
| | | | | | - Maria Carolina Colucci
- Chair of Pediatrics, NESMOS department, Faculty of Medicine & Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Pasquale Parisi
- Chair of Pediatrics, NESMOS department, Faculty of Medicine & Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Anteo Di Napoli
- Epidemiolgy Unit, National Institute for Health Migration and Poverty (INMP), Via di San Gallicano, 25a - 00153, Rome, Italy.
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Personnic J, Titomanlio L, Auvin S, Dozières-Puyravel B. Neurological disorders encountered in a pediatric emergency department. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2021; 32:86-92. [PMID: 33862442 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2021.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
AIM Neurological disorders are one of the reasons for admission in pediatric emergency departments (PEDs). We aimed to evaluate the frequency of neurological disorders seen in a large tertiary PED. METHODS We conducted a one-year retrospective study that included 1471 medical records. Inclusion was based on the main complaint recorded by nurses at triage. We also retrieved the final diagnoses and the investigations performed in the PED. RESULTS About 3.4% of the yearly admissions was based on a neurologic complaint on arrival. The final diagnosis was of a neurologic disorder in 1237 children, 2% of which were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. An opinion from a child neurologist was requested for 33% of the children. Seizures were the most frequent reason for admission, followed by headaches. A previous visit to the PED in the past six months was a frequent finding (40%), and about one third of the patients with a neurologic diagnosis (except headaches) was already being followed by a child neurologist. INTERPRETATION Neurological disorders are frequent in our PED and are mainly represented by seizures and headaches. Appropriate training in epileptology might be helpful for healthcare professional working in PEDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Personnic
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, Robert Debré Hospital, Boulevard Serrurier, 75019, Paris, France
| | - Luigi Titomanlio
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, Robert Debré Hospital, Boulevard Serrurier, 75019, Paris, France
| | - Stéphane Auvin
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, Robert Debré Hospital, Boulevard Serrurier, 75019, Paris, France
| | - Blandine Dozières-Puyravel
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, Robert Debré Hospital, Boulevard Serrurier, 75019, Paris, France.
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3
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Brugnolaro V, Fovino LN, Calgaro S, Putoto G, Muhelo AR, Gregori D, Azzolina D, Bressan S, Da Dalt L. Pediatric emergency care in a low-income country: Characteristics and outcomes of presentations to a tertiary-care emergency department in Mozambique. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241209. [PMID: 33147242 PMCID: PMC7641453 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background An effective pediatric emergency care (PEC) system is key to reduce pediatric mortality in low-income countries. While data on pediatric emergencies from these countries can drive the development and adjustment of such a system, they are very scant, especially from Africa. We aimed to describe the characteristics and outcomes of presentations to a tertiary-care Pediatric Emergency Department (PED) in Mozambique. Methods We retrospectively reviewed PED presentations to the "Hospital Central da Beira" between April 2017 and March 2018. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of hospitalization and death. Results We retrieved 24,844 presentations. The median age was 3 years (IQR 1-7 years), and 92% lived in the urban area. Complaints were injury-related in 33% of cases and medical in 67%. Data on presenting complaints (retrieved from hospital paper-based registries) were available for 14,204 (57.2%) records. Of these, respiratory diseases (29.3%), fever (26.7%), and gastrointestinal disorders (14.2%) were the most common. Overall, 4,997 (20.1%) encounters resulted in hospitalization. Mortality in the PED was 1.6% (62% ≤4 hours from arrival) and was the highest in neonates (16%; 89% ≤4 hours from arrival). A younger age, especially younger than 28 days, living in the extra-urban area and being referred to the PED by a health care provider were all significantly associated with both hospitalization and death in the PED at the multivariable analysis. Conclusions Injuries were a common presentation to a referral PED in Mozambique. Hospitalization rate and mortality in the PED were high, with neonates being the most vulnerable. Optimization of data registration will be key to obtain more accurate data to learn from and guide the development of PEC in Mozambique. Our data can help build an effective PEC system tailored to the local needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Brugnolaro
- Pediatric Residency Program, Department of Woman's and Child's Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Laura Nai Fovino
- Pediatric Residency Program, Department of Woman's and Child's Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Serena Calgaro
- Pediatric Residency Program, Department of Woman's and Child's Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | | | - Dario Gregori
- Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Danila Azzolina
- Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Silvia Bressan
- Pediatric Residency Program, Department of Woman's and Child's Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Pediatric Emergency Unit, Department of Woman's and Child's Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Liviana Da Dalt
- Pediatric Residency Program, Department of Woman's and Child's Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Pediatric Emergency Unit, Department of Woman's and Child's Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Schinkelshoek G, Borensztajn DM, Zachariasse JM, Maconochie IK, Alves CF, Freitas P, Smit FJ, van der Lei J, Steyerberg EW, Greber-Platzer S, Moll HA. Management of children visiting the emergency department during out-of-office hours: an observational study. BMJ Paediatr Open 2020; 4:e000687. [PMID: 32984551 PMCID: PMC7493126 DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2020-000687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim was to study the characteristics and management of children visiting the emergency department (ED) during out-of-office hours. METHODS We analysed electronic health record data from 119 204 children visiting one of five EDs in four European countries. Patient characteristics and management (diagnostic tests, treatment, hospital admission and paediatric intensive care unit admission) were compared between children visiting during office hours and evening shifts, night shifts and weekend day shifts. Analyses were corrected for age, gender, Manchester Triage System urgency, abnormal vital signs, presenting problems and hospital. RESULTS Patients presenting at night were younger (median (IQR) age: 3.7 (1.4-8.2) years vs 4.8 (1.8-9.9)), more often classified as high urgent (16.3% vs 9.9%) and more often had ≥2 abnormal vital signs (22.8% vs 18.1%) compared with office hours. After correcting for disease severity, laboratory and radiological tests were less likely to be requested (adjusted OR (aOR): 0.82, 95% CI 0.78-0.86 and aOR: 0.64, 95% CI 0.60-0.67, respectively); treatment was more likely to be undertaken (aOR: 1.56, 95% CI 1.49-1.63) and patients were more likely to be admitted to the hospital (aOR: 1.32, 95% CI 1.24-1.41) at night. Patterns in management during out-of-office hours were comparable between the different hospitals, with variability remaining. CONCLUSIONS Children visiting during the night are relatively more seriously ill, highlighting the need to keep improving emergency care on a 24-hour-a-day basis. Further research is needed to explain the differences in management during the night and how these differences affect patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina Schinkelshoek
- Department of General Paediatrics, Erasmus MC Sophia Children Hospital, Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Dorine M Borensztajn
- Department of General Paediatrics, Erasmus MC Sophia Children Hospital, Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Joany M Zachariasse
- Department of General Paediatrics, Erasmus MC Sophia Children Hospital, Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Ian K Maconochie
- Department of Paediatric Accident and Emergency, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Claudio F Alves
- Department of Paediatrics, Professor Doutor Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Paulo Freitas
- Intensive Care Unit, Professor Doutor Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Frank J Smit
- Department of Paediatrics, Maasstad Hospital, Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Johan van der Lei
- Department of Medical Informatics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Ewout W Steyerberg
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Susanne Greber-Platzer
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Henriëtte A Moll
- Department of General Paediatrics, Erasmus MC Sophia Children Hospital, Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands
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Lahmini W, Bourrous M. Mortality at the pediatric emergency unit of the Mohammed VI teaching hospital of Marrakech. BMC Emerg Med 2020; 20:57. [PMID: 32703150 PMCID: PMC7376937 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-020-00352-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The death of a child at the emergency ward is one of the most difficult problems that the clinicians of these wards have to deal with. In our country the published data concerning the causes and the factors related to pediatric mortality especially in the pediatric emergency wards is very rare. This study aimed to study the epidemiology of the pediatric mortality in the pediatric emergency department (PED), to determine its rate and identify its most frequent causes. Methods It is a retrospective and descriptive study, over five years (1st January 2012 and 31st December 2016) including all children aged from 0 to 15 years old who died at the PED in the Mohamed VI Hospital in Marrakech. Results During the period of the study a total of 172.691 patients presented to the PED, among which 628 died (pediatric mortality rate: 3.63%). The masculine gender was predominant (n = 383) with a gender ratio of 1.59. Two-thirds of the patients died in the first 24 h (n = 421). The median of time from admission to death was around 12 h. Majority of the deceased children (n = 471, 75%) were from a low socioeconomic status. The most frequent cause of admissions for deceased patients in the PED was respiratory distress (n = 296, 47%) followed by neurological disorders (n = 70, 11%). Neonatal mortality (≤ 1 month of age) was predominant (n = 472, 75.1%), followed by postnatal mortality (1 month to 1 year old) (n = 73, 11.6%). The most frequent causes of pediatric mortality, whatever the age range, were dominated by neonatal pathologies (n = 391, 62.3%), followed by infecious causes bronchopulmonary infections included (n = 49, 7.7%), birth deformities (n = 46, 7.3%) while traumas were merely at 0.9% (n = 6). The most frequent causes of neonatal mortality were neonatal infections (n = 152, 32.2%) and prematurity (n = 115, 24.4%). Conclusion Our data once again underline the crucial importance of prevention. This requires correct follow-up of the pregnancies, an adequate assistance of births, and perfecting healthcare provision to newborns in order to attain proper assistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Lahmini
- Department of Paediatric Emergency, UHC Mohamed VI, Cadi Ayyad University, PO Box: 7010, Sidi Abbad Street, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - M Bourrous
- Department of Paediatric Emergency, UHC Mohamed VI, Cadi Ayyad University, PO Box: 7010, Sidi Abbad Street, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco.
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