Post-discharge mortality in suspected pediatric sepsis
Insights from rural and urban healthcare settings in Rwanda
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19590777 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Christian Umuhoza (0000-0003-0249-4721, University of Kigali, corresponding author), Anneka Hooft (0000-0002-9684-419X, University of California, San Francisco, corresponding author), Cherri Zhang (0000-0001-7059-4922, Children's & Women's Health Centre of British Columbia, corresponding author), Jessica Trawin (0000-0003-3296-8668, Children's & Women's Health Centre of British Columbia, corresponding author), Cynthia Mfuranziza (Rwanda Diabetes Association, corresponding author), Emmanuel Uwiragiye (INES-Ruhengeri, corresponding author), Vuong Nguyen (0000-0001-9070-9803, Children's & Women's Health Centre of British Columbia, corresponding author), Aaron Kornblith (0000-0002-1344-575X, University of California, San Francisco, corresponding author), Nathan Kenya Mugisha, Nathan Kenya‐Mugisha (0000-0002-2100-1833, corresponding author), J Mark Ansermino (0000-0001-8427-2035, Children's & Women's Health Centre of British Columbia, corresponding author), Matthew O Wiens (0000-0002-3287-5181, University of British Columbia, corresponding author) |
| Editors | Julia Robinson (0000-0003-0719-3995) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue | 12 |
| Pages | e0005622 |
| Publication date | 2025-12-11 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | PLOS Global Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2767-3375 • E-ISSN: 2767-3375 |
| Publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1371/journal.pgph.0005622 |
| PMID | 41379776 |
| OpenAlex | W4417248155 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 31 |
Post-discharge death is a key contributor to pediatric mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. To address this period’s morbidity and mortality, evidence is needed to inform resource prioritization and policy development. No studies have been conducted in Rwanda, limiting understanding of post-discharge mortality. This study aimed to determine the incidence of and risk factors for post-discharge mortality among children under five admitted with suspected sepsis in Rwanda’s rural and urban healthcare settings. We conducted a prospective, epidemiologic cohort study of post-discharge mortality in children ages 0–60 months admitted for suspected or confirmed infection in two Rwandan hospitals, one rural (Ruhengeri) and one urban (Kigali), from May 2022 to February 2023. We collected clinical, laboratory, and sociodemographic data on admission and follow-up vital statistics at 2-, 4-, and 6-months post-discharge. Of 1218 children enrolled, 115 (9.4%) died, with half in-hospital (n = 57, 4.7%) and half post-discharge (n = 58, 4.7%). Post-discharge mortality was lower in the 6–60-month cohort (n = 30, 3.5%) than in the 0–6-month cohort (10%) and higher in Kigali (n = 37, 10.3%) vs. Ruhengeri (n = 21, 2.7%). Median time to post-discharge death was 38 days (IQR: 16-97.5) in the 0–6-month cohort and 33 days (IQR: 12–76) in the 6–60-month cohort. In the 0–6 months’ cohort, malnutrition (weight-for-age z-score ;1 hour (aOR 3.54, 95% CI 1.26-9.93), and referral for higher care (aOR 4.13, 95% CI 1.05-16.27). Children aged
Child mortality · Cohort · Cohort study · Health care · Mortality rate · Odds · Odds ratio · Global Maternal and Child Health · Neonatal and Maternal Infections · Sepsis Diagnosis and Treatment
The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) Statement
WHO Child Growth Standards based on length/height, weight and age
Research electronic data capture (Redcap)—A metadata-driven methodology and workflow process for providing translational research informatics support
Prediction models for post-discharge mortality among under-five children with suspected sepsis in Uganda
Associations between quantitative measures of women's empowerment and access to care and health status for mothers and their children
Learning from Success
| Highly cited | No |
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