Epidemiology and Outcomes of Children with Respiratory Illness at a Referral Hospital in Douala, Cameroon
Location
Philadelphia, PA
Start Date
17-4-2026 1:30 PM
End Date
17-4-2026 2:30 PM
Description
Children in low-and middle-income countries have a high risk of mortality from acute respiratory illnesses (ARI), even in tertiary referral centers such as Laquintinie Hospital (LHD) in Douala, Cameroon. To prioritize limited resources and inform future investigations, it is critical to characterize the current burden of ARI in LHD. We sought to analyze children under age 5 years presenting with an ARI at LHD to identify characteristics associated with in-hospital mortality. This was a retrospective chart review completed on admissions from 2022-2023. Children with known cardiopulmonary disease, trauma, or prematurity were excluded. This study was approved by the CHOP (23-020901) and LHD IRBs.
One hundred fifty-two patient records were analyzed. The most common admission diagnosis was pneumonia (56%), followed by bronchiolitis (32%). Most children (78%) did not receive chest radiographs. 95% of children received antibiotics. Low-flow oxygen was utilized in 94%. Mortality was 43%; 42% of these children died in the first 24 hours of presentation. Length of stay inversely correlated with mortality. Patients who died had higher median temperatures, white blood cell counts, and lower hemoglobin. A diagnosis of bronchiolitis was associated with a decreased odds of mortality while a diagnosis of COVID was associated with increased odds of mortality.
Mortality was high and occurred early in admission, suggesting late presentation. Given the frequent use of oxygen, access to additional respiratory support such as bubble CPAP could improve outcomes for children with ARI in Douala. Future directions include prospective observational studies, including closer evaluation of factors like malnutrition.
Embargo Period
5-19-2026
Epidemiology and Outcomes of Children with Respiratory Illness at a Referral Hospital in Douala, Cameroon
Philadelphia, PA
Children in low-and middle-income countries have a high risk of mortality from acute respiratory illnesses (ARI), even in tertiary referral centers such as Laquintinie Hospital (LHD) in Douala, Cameroon. To prioritize limited resources and inform future investigations, it is critical to characterize the current burden of ARI in LHD. We sought to analyze children under age 5 years presenting with an ARI at LHD to identify characteristics associated with in-hospital mortality. This was a retrospective chart review completed on admissions from 2022-2023. Children with known cardiopulmonary disease, trauma, or prematurity were excluded. This study was approved by the CHOP (23-020901) and LHD IRBs.
One hundred fifty-two patient records were analyzed. The most common admission diagnosis was pneumonia (56%), followed by bronchiolitis (32%). Most children (78%) did not receive chest radiographs. 95% of children received antibiotics. Low-flow oxygen was utilized in 94%. Mortality was 43%; 42% of these children died in the first 24 hours of presentation. Length of stay inversely correlated with mortality. Patients who died had higher median temperatures, white blood cell counts, and lower hemoglobin. A diagnosis of bronchiolitis was associated with a decreased odds of mortality while a diagnosis of COVID was associated with increased odds of mortality.
Mortality was high and occurred early in admission, suggesting late presentation. Given the frequent use of oxygen, access to additional respiratory support such as bubble CPAP could improve outcomes for children with ARI in Douala. Future directions include prospective observational studies, including closer evaluation of factors like malnutrition.