Pediatric infectious diseases admissions: Sex differences and seasonal variations

Samuel Olorunyomi  Oninla; Michael Olaniyan  Onigbinde; Akinyemi Olaleye  Fadugbagbe; Emmanuel Olaseinde  Bello; Omolayo Adebukola  Olubosede

doi:10.30574/gscbps.2021.15.2.0124

Authors

Samuel Olorunyomi Oninla Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
Michael Olaniyan Onigbinde Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
Akinyemi Olaleye Fadugbagbe Department of Family Medicine, University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital Complex, Akure, Nigeria.
Emmanuel Olaseinde Bello Department of Paeditrics, University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital Complex, Akure, Nigeria.
Omolayo Adebukola Olubosede Department of Paeditrics, University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital Complex, Akure, Nigeria.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30574/gscbps.2021.15.2.0124

Keywords:

Pediatrics, Infectious diseases, Sex differences, Season

Abstract

Objective: This study set out to assess sex differences and seasonal variations in Pediatric Infectious Diseases (PID) admissions.

Methods: One year retrospective study of PID admissions was conducted among children aged one month to 15 years. Relevant information retrieved from patients’ hospital records were dates of admission and discharge, age, sex, final PID diagnoses and outcome.

Results: Of 1,035 patients’ records assessed, 603 (58.3%) were males and 432 (41.7%) females (p<0.001). Males in ages 1-12 and 13-59 months contributed largely to the gender difference. Over the 12 months period, PID admissions mean was 86.25±21.92, with rainy and dry seasons means of 92.57±20.7 and 77.4±20.9, respectively (p<0.001). Ages 13-19, 60-119 and ≥120 months had significantly higher admissions mean during the rainy season (p<0.001 in each group), while higher admissions occurred among ages 1-12months in dry season (p<0.001). Top six PID managed were malaria, gastroenteritis, pneumonia, septicemia, meningitis and typhoid, and males had higher incidence in all except for typhoid, with only malaria having significant difference (p<0.001). Malaria, septicemia and typhoid incidence were higher significantly during the rainy season, while gastroenteritis occurred more in the dry season. Overall fatality rate was 4.6%; females and males rates were 6.3% and 3.5%, respectively (p=0.661). Rainy and dry seasons mortality means were 5±1.77 and 2.6±0.8, respectively (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Male children were more vulnerable to PID, with significant higher malaria incidence among them than females. PID incidence and mortality were significantly higher during the rainy season than dry. Malaria and gastroenteritis occurred significantly in rainy and dry seasons, respectively.

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