RESUMEN
Background: Even though there has been some decline in childhood mortality, figures still remain high in sub- Saharan Africa. The pattern of morbidity and mortality in health care institutions may be a reflection of the disease burden of the community which it serves and will facilitate prevention/ control strategies. This study was conducted to determine the pattern of paediatric morbidity and mortality in a secondary level hospital in a sub – urban area in Jos, North – central Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study is a review of paediatric admissions into the Vom Christian Hospital. Relevant data on all children who were admitted into the Vom Christian Hospital between May 2012 and April 2013 with medical conditions were retrieved from the admissions records. Data were entered into excel spread sheet and analyzed using Epi info 7. A p< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 334 children aged between one day and 15 years were admitted during the period, out of which 235 (70.4%) were children less than 5 years old. Infections (221, 66.2%) were the major causes of morbidity. Out of all the 334 admissions, 304(91%) were discharged, 7 (2.1%) left against medical advice, 6(1.8%) were referred, while 17 (5.1%) died. Malaria was the commonest cause of morbidity (102, 30.5%) and mortality (6, 35.3%). Severe protein energy malnutrition had the highest case fatality rate (25%). Conclusion: The burden of paediatric morbidity and mortality is in children under 5 years and are mainly preventable. An emphasis on malaria eradication and child survival strategies will help to reduce childhood morbidity and mortality.
RESUMEN
Introduction: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and drugs taken for this infection are known to cause QTc interval prolongation which in turn can lead to severe arrhythmias. The prevalence and associated factors of prolonged QTc in HIV-positive children in sub- Saharan Africa have not been described.Objectives: To compare the mean QTc interval and prevalence of QTc prolongation in HIV-positive children and HIV-negative controls; and to determine the factors associated with prolonged QTc in HIV-positive children.Methodology: In a cross-sectional comparative study; the corrected QT intervals (QTc) of 100 HIV-positive children were compared with those of age- and sex-matched HIV-negative healthy controls. QTc 0.46 seconds was regarded as prolonged.Results: Subjects were aged 9 months to 14 years. Mean QTc was significantly longer-43.31 (95 CI 43.30; 43.32) seconds in HIV-positive children (62 of whom were on anti-retroviral therapy) compared with controls-41.43 (41.42; 41.44) seconds (P 0.0001). Mean QTc was also significantly longer in subjects receiving zidovudine (ZDV) - [0.46 (0.45; 0.47) versus 0.43 (0.42; 0.44) seconds] - P