Incidence, severity and outcomes of hypoxemia in paediatric emergencies seen at a tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria

Moses T. Abiodun; Gabriel Oziegbe; Imuwahen A. Mbarie; Wilson O. Osarogiagbon; Collins E. Etin-Osa; Rosena O. Oluwafemi; Godwin E. Okungbowa; Ovonomo Ewhe; Rahmon Olusola; Benjamin Nandom; Adesuwa Kpongo-Ogieva; Jane Aghama; Cyril Oputa

doi:10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20252209

Authors

Moses T. Abiodun Department of Child Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria; School of Medicine, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
Gabriel Oziegbe Department of Paediatrics, State Specialist Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria
Imuwahen A. Mbarie Institute of Child Health, University of Benin city, Nigeria
Wilson O. Osarogiagbon Department of Child Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria; School of Medicine, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
Collins E. Etin-Osa Department of Production Engineering, University of Benin city, Nigeria
Rosena O. Oluwafemi Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo State, Nigeria
Godwin E. Okungbowa Department of Radiography, School of Basic Medical Sciences. University of Benin, Nigeria
Ovonomo Ewhe Department of Child Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria
Rahmon Olusola Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria
Benjamin Nandom Department of Child Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria
Adesuwa Kpongo-Ogieva Department of Child Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria
Jane Aghama Department of Physiotherapy, University of Benin, Nigeria
Cyril Oputa Department of Production Engineering, University of Benin city, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20252209

Keywords:

Hypoxemia, Incidence, Severity, Outcomes, Paediatric emergencies

Abstract

Background: Hypoxemia refers to a low oxygen level in the blood, and is a significant morbidity in children. We evaluate the incidence, severity and outcome of hypoxemia as well as the prognostic usefulness of selected features in hypoxemic children.

Methods: This was an analytic, cross-sectional study. Participants were acutely-ill children. Data were collected on their demography, clinical features, pulse oximetry, diagnoses and outcomes. Descriptive and inferential analyses were done. Multiple logistic regression identified variables that independently predict hypoxemia and outcomes of the participants, using odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: Four hundred and seventy-six children participated in the study with a median (IQR) age of 2.0 (0.92–6.0) years; female: male ratio was 1:1. The incidence of hypoxemia was 59.2%; 96 (20.2%) were classified as mild, 62 (13.0%) as moderate and 124 (26.0%) as severe. Children aged 1–5 years were significantly more likely to have hypoxemia compared to those older than five years (OR=0.588, 95% CI: 0.358–0.964, p=0.035). Acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma showed a statistically significant association with hypoxemia severity (χ²=13.616, p<0.001). A majority (89.9%) of the participants survived. The overall outcome of participants varied significantly based on SpO₂ levels (p=0.025). Severe hypoxemia was strongly linked to mortality (95% CI: 1.292–6.615, p=0.010).

Conclusions: Hypoxemia is common in childhood emergencies. Age of the affected child and nature of underlying disease as well as the severity of hypoxemia influence overall survival.

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