title: Analysis of surgical admissions to the Ethio-Swedish Children's Hospital (1984-1988) in Addis Ababa.
abstract: Surgical problems in children result in significant morbidity and mortality. A retrospective analysis of all surgical patients admitted to the Ethio-Swedish Children's Hospital (ESCH) over a five year period from 1984 to 1988 was made. There were a total of 2,281 surgical patients admitted, accounting for 22% of all hospital admissions (total = 10,364). The gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal systems were the most common systems involved. Acute appendicitis accounted for 13.9% (N = 318), cleft-lip and palate 8% (N = 183), and burns 6.9% (N = 157) of all surgical admissions. Accidents and trauma accounted for 25% of the surgical admissions (N = 564). Of these, the most common conditions were burns, car accidents, accidental falls, and foreign body aspirations. The over all mortality rate was 4% (N = 98). Acute appendicitis, intussusception, acute laryngotracheobronchitis (ALTB), and burns were associated with a high mortality. Of the neonatal admissions, one third died shortly after surgery, probably due to anaesthetic, fluid and electrolyte imbalance. Examination of the general pattern of surgical admissions revealed that many of the conditions were preventable, or amenable to medical therapy if detected early. Health education of the public is therefore necessary in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality of these conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Daniel
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Melaku
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Agzew
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gebre
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005002:Ethiopia; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006782:Hospitals, Special / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000639:trends*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000401:mortality*; D013548:Sweden