Pattern of admissions to the pediatric emergency unit of Tikur Anbessa Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (2012-2013 G.C)

Background: Patterns of disease vary across time depending on changes in human health activities and lifestyle, environmental factors and disease epidemiology. Health facility-based studies can provide information on the burden of disease within the community. Having information on the main causes of childhood morbidity and mortality enables planners to more effectively design, implement, and evaluate prevention-focused interventions. Objective: To describe the disease pattern of patients admitted in the pediatric emergency unit at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and identify the main causes of admissions and deaths. Methodology: A cross-sectional retrospective study of admissions to the pediatric emergency unit of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital was made for a period of one year from April 2012 to March 2013. Results: A total of 1796 patients were admitted from April 2012 to March 2013, out of which 1044 (58%) were males while 752 (42%) were females, a male to female ratio of 1.4:1. The mean age of the study subjects was 3.4 years for males and 3.7 years for females. The mean length of stay in the emergency unit was 4.7 days. Out of 1796 patients, 116 (6.5%) died. The most common cause of admission was severe pneumonia (24.7%) and also among the 116 deaths pneumonia was the leading cause of death (23.3%), followed by late onset sepsis (11.3%) and acute gastroenteritis (9.5 %). Conclusion: Interventions targeting prevention of pneumonia, sepsis, acute gastroenteritis, acquired heart disease and meningitis have paramount importance in reducing childhood illnesses and deaths. Since most of the causes of death in the unit could be avoidable by improving early case detection and management.