Morbidity and mortality patterns among malnourished children in Benin City, Nigeria
Ogbeide, O.; Osuhor, P.C.
Tropical Doctor 14(4): 178-180
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0049-4755 PMID: 6437030 DOI: 10.1177/004947558401400413Document Number: 267310
A morbidity and mortality survey was carried out among 196 malnourished children attending the Nutrition Unit, Ministry of Health, Owina Street, Benin City, Nigeria between January 1971 and December 1973 (morbidity) and also between October 1974 and March 1975 (mortality). Gastrointestinal disorders (77, 39.3%) and measles (67, 34.2%) predominated in both morbidity and mortality patterns. Kwashiorkor in 74 children (37.8%) was the most frequent malnourished condition. Of the 196 malnourished children, 30 (15.3%) died. Kwashiorkor had higher overall mortality and case fatality rates than the other 2 nutritional disorders. Of the 74 kwashiorkok cases, 14 died--a case fatality rate of 18.9%, and a mortality rate of 46.7% of the total deaths. The correspoding case fatality rates for marasmus and undernutrition were 13.6% and 12.7%. Malnutrition associated with respiratory diseases and measles had higher case fatality rates than the other morbid conditions. 75 (38.3%) were 1-2 years; 67 (34.2%) were less than 1; 46 (23.5%) were 2-3; and 8 (4.1%) were 3 or over. The corresponding deaths for these age groups were 14, 9, 6, and u respectively. Malnourished children in the 1-2 year age group had the highest case fatality rate (18.7%). This age group is within the traditional weaning age in Nigeria.