Bulletin of the World Health Organization ()

Excess child mortality after discharge from hospital in Kilifi, Kenya: a retrospective cohort analysis

  • Jennifer C Moïsi,
  • Hellen Gatakaa,
  • James A Berkley,
  • Kathryn Maitland,
  • Neema Mturi,
  • Charles R Newton,
  • Patricia Njuguna,
  • James Nokes,
  • John Ojal,
  • Evasius Bauni,
  • Benjamin Tsofa,
  • Norbert Peshu,
  • Kevin Marsh,
  • Thomas N Williams,
  • J Anthony G Scott

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0042-96862011001000011
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 89, no. 10
pp. 725 – 732

Abstract

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OBJECTIVE: To explore excess paediatric mortality after discharge from Kilifi District Hospital, Kenya, and its duration and risk factors. METHODS: Hospital and demographic data were used to describe post-discharge mortality and survival probability in children aged -4 but 13 days (HR:1.8).Older age was protective (reference <1 month): 6-23 months, HR:0.8; 2-4 years, HR:0.6. Children with at least one risk factor accounted for 545 (33%) of the 1655 annual discharges and for 39 (47%) of the 83 discharge-associated deaths. CONCLUSION: Hospital admission selects vulnerable children with a sustained increased risk of dying. The risk factors identified provide an empiric basis for effective outpatient follow-up.