Journal of Practical Medicine and Medical Science

JOURNAL OF PRACTICAL MEDICINE AND MEDICAL SCIENCE
Integrity Research Journals

ISSN: 3122-0193
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/JPMMS
Start Year: 2018
Email: jpmms@integrityresjournals.org

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Pattern of paediatric admissions in a nascent private tertiary healthcare facility in southwest Nigeria: A 12-month Retrospective Study

https://doi.org/10.31248/JPMMS2025.023   |   Article Number: 6E535F2D1   |   Vol.3 (2) - October 2025

Received Date: 09 August 2025   |   Accepted Date: 30 September 2025  |   Published Date: 30 October 2025

Authors:  Lere Peter OLUWADARE , Pauline Kasarachi AKOWUNDU , Sampson Chukwuemeka ALIOZOR , Oyindamola Olabisi ADERINTO , Olubunmi Olufunke OGEIN , Oluwaseye Foluso OYENIRAN , Adebowale Tunde ODUNAFOLABI , Samuel Titilola OLADEJO , Oladotun Victor OLALUSI , Christian Esidogho AMIWERO , Joshua Oladimeji AWOFESO , Olatunbosun Omololu OLAWANLE , Temitope OYEWOLE , Adedamola DADA and Odutola Israel ODETUNDE

Keywords: Nigeria., mortality, retrospective study., Paediatric admissions, morbidity, tertiary hospital.

ABSTRACT

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Promotion of good health and well-being is the third goal on the list of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (SDG #3). Attaining that goal faces a significant threat in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Nigeria, with rapid population growth, high childhood mortality, suboptimal healthcare budgets, and diminishing resources. Understanding admission patterns in a new private tertiary hospital provides insight into disease burden, healthcare access, and health system challenges in Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to describe the pattern of paediatric admissions in a new private tertiary hospital in southwest Nigeria, to compare these findings with previously documented patterns in other Nigerian facilities and to highlight implications for public health education and policy. A descriptive, retrospective study was conducted over 12 months (July 2024 – June 2025). The clinical notes of all the children (aged 0-16 years) who were admitted into the paediatric wards of the study centre were reviewed. The data were extracted from the electronic medical records system of the facility. The statistical approach was descriptive. The results show that the total number of in-patient paediatric admissions was 88. The male-to-female ratio was 1.4:1.0. Children younger than 5 years accounted for 61.4% of the total admissions. Median duration of admission was 4 days. Severe Malaria and Acute Diarrhoeal Disease were the leading causes of admission, while extreme prematurity accounted for the highest number of mortalities. Eighty (90.9%) of the children were discharged, two (2.3%) were referred, while six (6.8%) died. In conclusion, most admissions involved children under 5 years, with infections being the leading cause, and mortality at 6.8%. This highlights the need for preventive interventions targeting early childhood illnesses.

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