Hospital mortality in children aged 0 to 15 years at a pediatric service in Tunis over a period of 5 years (1983-1987)

The authors studied the hospital mortality among 0-15 years old children hospitalized in a department of pediatrics in Tunis from 1983 to 1987. A significant decrease in the mortality rate was observed (from 12.21 to 8.23%). Neonates and hypotrophic children made up the at-risk groups. Causes for mortality mostly consisted of infectious diseases. The maximum of deaths were observed during the Summer-Autumn period and especially in the evenings. The decrease in the mortality rate was correlated with the time when mothers began to be hospitalized with their children.