Alpha 2.0
Login Register
» Articles » PMID: 26810940

Pediatric Intestinal Obstruction in Malawi: Characteristics and Outcomes

Overview
Journal Am J Surg
Specialty General Surgery
Date 2016 Jan 27
PMID 26810940
Citations 5
Authors
Mansi Shah
Jared Gallaher
Nelson Msiska
Sean E McLean
Anthony G Charles
Affiliations
Soon will be listed here.
Abstract

Background: Intestinal obstruction (IO) is a common pediatric surgical emergency in sub-Saharan Africa with high morbidity and mortality, but little is known about its etiopathogenesis in Malawi.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients seen from February 2012 to June 2014 at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi (n = 3,407). Pediatric patients with IO were analyzed (n = 130).

Results: Overall, 57% of patients were male with a mean age of 3.5 ± 4.1 years. A total of 52% of patients underwent operative intervention. The overall mortality rate was 3%. Leading causes of IO were Hirschprung's 29%, anorectal malformation 18%, and intussusception 4%. Neonates and patients with congenital causes of IO underwent surgery less frequently than infants and/or children and patients with acquired causes, respectively. These groups also demonstrated increased number of days from admission to surgery.

Conclusions: Increasing pediatric-specific surgical education and/or training and expanding access to resources may improve mortality after IO in poor medical communities within sub-Saharan Africa.

Citing Articles

The status of pediatric surgery in Malawi: a narrative mini-review.

Monaghan C, Pittalis C, Byrne E, Hussein I, Chilunjika T, Nandi B Front Pediatr. 2023; 11:1195691.

PMID: 37484773 PMC: 10357470. DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1195691.

The etiological spectrum of bowel obstruction and early postoperative outcome among neonates at a tertiary hospital in Uganda.

Otim P, Elobu E, Mbiine R, Kakembo N, Komakech D World J Pediatr Surg. 2022; 5(4):e000377.

PMID: 36474742 PMC: 9648575. DOI: 10.1136/wjps-2021-000377.

Artificial Intelligence Algorithm-Based Computed Tomography Images in the Evaluation of the Curative Effect of Enteral Nutrition after Neonatal High Intestinal Obstruction Operation.

Dong Y, Wang Z, Zhang Z, Niu B, Chen P, Zhang P J Healthc Eng. 2021; 2021:7096286.

PMID: 34824765 PMC: 8610672. DOI: 10.1155/2021/7096286.

Deaths from surgical conditions in Malawi - a randomised cross-sectional Nationwide household survey.

Varela C, Young S, Groen R, Banza L, Mkandawire N, Moen B BMC Public Health. 2020; 20(1):1456.

PMID: 32977777 PMC: 7519556. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09575-8.

Acute mechanical intestinal obstruction in children at zinder national hospital, Niger: Aetiologies and prognosis.

Adamou H, Magagi I, Habou O, Adakal O, Ganiou K, Amadou M Afr J Paediatr Surg. 2018; 14(3):49-52.

PMID: 29557351 PMC: 5881286. DOI: 10.4103/ajps.AJPS_96_16.

References
1.
Oladele A, Akinkuolie A, Agbakwuru E . Pattern of intestinal obstruction in a semiurban Nigerian hospital. Niger J Clin Pract. 2009; 11(4):347-50. View
2.
Madziga A, Nuhu A . Causes and treatment outcome of mechanical bowel obstruction in north eastern Nigeria. West Afr J Med. 2008; 27(2):101-5. View
3.
Kendig C, Samuel J, Varela C, Msiska N, Kiser M, E McLean S . Pediatric surgical care in Lilongwe, Malawi: outcomes and opportunities for improvement. J Trop Pediatr. 2014; 60(5):352-7. PMC: 4271107. DOI: 10.1093/tropej/fmu026. View
4.
Lawal O, Olayinka O, Bankole J . Spectrum of causes of intestinal obstruction in adult Nigerian patients. S Afr J Surg. 2005; 43(2):34, 36. View
5.
Ekenze S, Mgbor S . Childhood intussusception: the implications of delayed presentation. Afr J Paediatr Surg. 2011; 8(1):15-8. DOI: 10.4103/0189-6725.78662. View