Risk Factors for Death in Severely Malnourished Children in Uganda
Author Information
Author(s): Bachou Hanifa, Tumwine James K, Mwadime Robert KN, Tylleskär Thorkild
Primary Institution: Makerere University
Hypothesis
What are the risk factors for excess deaths among hospitalized severely malnourished children under five years of age?
Conclusion
Blood transfusion and intravenous infusion are significant risk factors for excess hospital deaths among severely malnourished children.
Supporting Evidence
- 52 out of 220 children died, with 24% mortality rate.
- Over 70% of deaths occurred within the first week of admission.
- Blood transfusion was associated with a 5.0 odds ratio for death.
- Intravenous infusion was associated with a 4.8 odds ratio for death.
- Children who received transfusions or infusions had less favorable outcomes.
Takeaway
This study found that giving blood or fluids to very sick children can make them more likely to die, so doctors need to be careful when treating them.
Methodology
The study followed 220 consecutively admitted severely malnourished children in a hospital, assessing their health conditions through various examinations.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the non-compliance with treatment guidelines and the observational nature of the study.
Limitations
Children who left the hospital against medical advice were not followed up to determine their outcomes.
Participant Demographics
Children below 60 months of age, with a median age of 16 months, and over 50% were aged 6-24 months.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI = 2 – 12
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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