title: Severe Childhood Anaemia and Blood Transfusion in a Nigerian Secondary Level Facility.
abstract: This study aimed to describe the pattern and immediate outcome of severe childhood anaemia requiring blood transfusion at a secondary level of care in Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey of children hospitalized in a secondary health facility in Ogun State, Nigeria, with packed cell volume <20% and who received blood transfusion was done. Of the 253 children admitted between March 2013 and June 2014, 79 (31.2%) had severe anaemia and were transfused with blood. Two-thirds had multiple transfusions. Higher rates of blood transfusion were obtained among underweight children. Fever (98.7%), hypoglycaemia (65.8%) and tender liver (54.4%) were the leading co-morbidities. The case fatality rate was 21.5%. Respiratory distress, convulsions and altered sensorium were significantly associated with mortality. In conclusion, severe anaemia was associated with major morbidities and mortality at the secondary level of paediatric care in Nigeria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria tinuade_ogunlesi@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Tinuade
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ogunlesi
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Bolanle
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fetuga
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olowonyo
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adesola
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adekoya
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Oluseyi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Adetola
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adebimpe
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ajetunmobi
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007565:Jaundice / Q000453:epidemiology; D008288:Malaria / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010372:Pediatrics; D063728:Secondary Care Centers; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: blood transfusion; paediatric emergency care; secondary level of care; severe anaemia