Clinical Observations of Pediatric Inpatients: Morbidity and Mortality

ABSTRACT

This paper represents the clinical observations including the causes of admission and of deaths in pediatric age admitted during Jan. 1971 to Dec. 1975, into the pediatric ward of St. Paul's Hospital, Catholic Medical College located in the east zone of Seoul, covering the middle socio-economical classes in the regional and suburban populations. The results obtained were as follows: 1. Total admissions during 5 year-period were 2005, with the ratio of male to female 1.63/1. 2. In age distribution, the neonates and the infants less than 1year of age occupied 47.5%of total admissions and 65.9% of total deaths. 3. Major leading diseases of admission were bronchitis and pneumonia, gastroenteritis, pre-maturity, tuberculosis and upper respiratory tract infections, in order of incidence. 4. Total deaths were 129 and the mortality rate was 6.4%. 5. Major leading causes of deaths were pneumonia, pre-maturity, tuberculosis, septicemia, in order of incidence. The diseases of higher fatality rate were idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome, septicemia, encephalitis and encephalopathy, birth trauma and heart disease. 6. The death occurred within 48 hours after admission was 65.9% of total deaths.