Pattern of Paediatric Emergency Admissions and Outcomes at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, North West Nigeria

Understanding the pattern of paediatric emergency admissions is critical for health system planning and resource allocation. This retrospective descriptive study analyses the pattern, clinical diagnoses, and outcomes of paediatric emergency admissions at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, Kaduna State, North West Nigeria over a three-year period from January 2021 to December 2023. Data were retrieved from the emergency paediatric unit admission registers and individual case files of 1,240 children aged one month to 15 years. Variables assessed included age, sex, diagnosis, length of hospital stay, and outcome at discharge. Malaria accounted for the highest proportion of admissions (32.6%), followed by severe pneumonia (18.4%), gastroenteritis with dehydration (14.3%), and meningitis (9.1%). The overall case fatality rate was 11.3%, with the highest mortality recorded among children under two years. Male children constituted 56.8% of admissions. Most cases presented late, with over 60% arriving more than 24 hours after symptom onset. Seasonal variation was noted, with malaria cases peaking between June and September. The findings underscore the persistent burden of preventable and treatable conditions in the paediatric emergency setting. Recommendations include strengthening community-based recognition of danger signs, improving ambulatory care access, and enhancing emergency triage and stabilisation protocols. Keywords: paediatric emergencies, admissions pattern, Zaria, case fatality, North West Nigeria.