CASE FATALITY RATE OF CHILDHOOD TUBERCULOSIS: EXPERIENCE FROM FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL GOMBE: A TWO DECADE REVIEW.

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) was the leading cause of death from an infectious agent worldwide, until the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, ranking above HIV/AIDS. Nigeria ranks 6th among the 30 TB high-burden countries (TB, TB/HIV, DRTB) and 1st in Africa. The estimated case fatality rate (CFR) of TB in Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) is 15%. Objective: To review the Tuberculosis case fatality rate (TCFR) in children diagnosed with TB from 2000-2019 in Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe. Methodology: All cases of Tuberculosis (TB) diagnosed in children using ICD 10 classification were retrieved and analyzed. These included deaths from TB. The mainstay of TB diagnosis was clinical using TB Score (81%), Gene Xpert was 7%, and AFB was 10%. Results: 26,716 children were admitted; 383 had TB out of which 208(54.3%) were males and 175 (45.7%) females. TB constituted 1.4% of Paediatric admissions. Children 0 -5 years constituted 46.7% (179/383) of cases and 11 - 18 years were 31.3% (120/383). Fulani, Hausa, and Tangale constituted 43.6% (167), 21.1% (81), and 6.8% (26) of TB cases respectively. TB admissions were highest between 2015 and 2019 (31.8%). TB adenitis was the most common extrapulmonary TB. Tuberculosis/HIV co-infection accounted for 103(27%), out of which 74% (44) died. Overall TCFR was 15.6%; TCFR was 16.3% in males and 14.8% in females. The TCFR was 46.7% in 0-5yrs; 15% in 6-9yrs and 38.3% in 10-18yrs.Fulani had the highest CFR (11.9%). Tuberculosis CFR was highest between 2010-2014 (30.0%) and lowest in 2005-2009 (21.6%). Conclusion: The Tuberculosis CFR is comparable to SSA CFR.

REVEALING THE VARIED REALITY OF MALARIA-RELATED DEATHS IN CHILDREN ACROSS GENDER, AGE, AND ETHNICITY IN FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL GOMBE OVER 20 YEARS: AN ESSENTIAL EPIDEMIOLOGIC IMPERATIVE.

Introduction: Nigeria recorded 31% of 619,000 malaria deaths globally and accounts for 25-30% of all childhood mortality in the country. Few studies in Nigeria, have reported malaria's case fatality rate over a long period. Objective: To determine Malaria Case Fatality Rate among Children admitted from 2000-2019. Methodology: All severe malaria cases and deaths amongst children aged 0-18 over the last two decades were analysed using ICD-10. The diagnosis was based on clinical and microscopic findings. Results: 26,716 children were admitted, 2494 (9.3%) were diagnosed with malaria and 209 died. Malaria constituted 5.3% (209/3956) of all childhood mortality. Males constituted 58.9 % (1468/2494) while 65% (1642/2494) were aged 0-5 years. Of the malaria admissions, Fulani and Hausa constituted 948(38%) and 438(17.6%) respectively. Admissions were highest in October (15%) and in 2012 (9.6%). The overall malaria CFR was 8.3%; 8.8% in Females (91/1026) and 8.03% in Males P-value <0.05 (X2=54.735); 8.6% in children aged 0-5years, 8.2% in 6-10 years and 7.4% in 11-18 years, P-value <0.05 (X2=893.164). CFR was highest in April (11.4%)and lowest in November (5.2%). Kanuri and Igbo had CFR of 70% and 38.4% respectively while it was lowest in Tera tribe (4.3%), P-value<0.05. The CFR was highest in the year 2004 (22%), 3.5% in 2000 and 2006. Over the years, case fatality rate was 15.9% between 2000-2004, 6.1% from 2005-2009. Between 2010-2015, it was 7.3% and 8.5% from 2016-2019. Conclusion: This study revealed the deadly reality of severe malaria with increased CFR among females, aged 0-5 and the Kanuri tribe.

EPIDEMIOLOGIC TREND AND CASE FATALITY OF CHILDHOOD TETANUS IN FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL GOMBE; A 20YEARS REVIEW.

Introduction: Tetanus is a vaccine-preventable disease, it remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in both neonatal and post-neonatal periods, especially in developing countries with limited health facilities and inadequate vaccination. The overall case fatality rate (CFR) is 13.2% globally, highest in the neonatal period and in sub-Saharan Africa. CFR is 64%, 47%, and 43% in Nigeria, Uganda, and Tanzania respectively. Objectives: To determine the Case Fatality Rate of Childhood tetanus in FTHG from 2000-2019. Methodology: All cases and deaths from tetanus amongst children aged 0-18 years in paediatric medical ward of FTHG over the last two decades diagnosed clinically and classified using ICD-10 were analysed. Results: 95 cases of tetanus out of 26,716 total admissions constituting 0.004%. There were 49 tetanus deaths out of 3956 total childhood deaths (0.012%) over the study period. Males constituted 66% (63/95). 30% (28/95) were aged 0-28 days; 23.1% (22/95) were adolescents. Fulani and Hausa constituted 37% (34/95) and 31% (29/95) respectively. Admission was highest in the dry season 52% (50/95 %). The overall tetanus CFR was 51.6%; 78% of deaths were in males (38/49), 30% in neonates, and 23% in adolescents. CFR was highest during the dry season (67.3%). Hausa and Fulani had CFR of 51% and 40% respectively. P-value <0.05 The CFR was 88% between 2000-2004, 72% from 2005-2009, 71% between 2010-2014 and 33% from 2015-2019. Conclusion: Tetanus CFR is still high among neonates and adolescents. Maternal tetanus vaccine and booster doses in children need strengthening.

IN-PATIENT PNEUMONIA BURDEN AND CASE FATALITY RATES IN CHILDREN OVER TWO DECADES IN FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, GOMBE (FTHG).

Introduction: Pneumonia is the leading cause of death among children globally accounting for an estimated 1.2 million (18%) total deaths annually. The number of childhood-related deaths from pneumonia is approximately 2000-fold higher in developing than in developed countries. Nigeria contributes the highest of pneumonia-related deaths globally. Objectives: To determine the case fatality rates (CFR) of pneumonia from 2000-2019 in paediatric ward, FTHG. Methodology: All cases of pneumonia admissions and deaths in patients aged 0-18 years, using ICD-10 classification, were retrieved and analysed. The mainstay of diagnosis is clinical and/or radiographic features. Results: A total of 26,716 children were admitted during this period, 1151 had pneumonia (4.3%) and 118 died. Males constituted 647 (56.2%) and females 43.8% of the total pneumonia admissions. Children aged 0-5 years had the highest pneumonia admissions, followed by 6-9 years. Admissions were highest in the wet than the dry season. Pneumonia CFR was 10.2%; 10.9% in females and 9.7% in males. Under-5 constituted 84% (969/1151) of pneumonia admission with a CFR of 9.3%. CFR were 10.3% and 21% in 6-10 years, and 11-18 years respectively. The CFR between2000-2004 was 14.1%, 2005-2009:21.1%, 2010-2014:10.2% and 2015-2019:7.2%. Kanuri had the highest CFR of 56.2%.(P <0.05) Other ethnic groups were 29.4% in Waja, 25% in Tula, 21.4% in Igbo, 16.6% in Yoruba, 12.1% in Tangale, 10.2% in Hausa, 8.8%in Bolewa and 8.3% in Fulani. The CFR was highest in February20.2%. Conclusion: Pneumonia Case fatality is high.