Clinical Characteristics and Admission Patterns of Hospitalized Children in a Pediatric Department at Tobruk Medical Center: Retrospective Study

• Salem Zaed

  Department of Laboratory Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Tobruk, Tobruk, Libya

  Author

• Asfiedeen Saleh

  Department of Laboratory Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Tobruk, Tobruk, Libya

  Author

• Sara Ali

  Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Alsslam International University, Tobruk, Libya

  Author

• Mawada Dbdel Salam

  Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Alsslam International University, Tobruk, Libya

  Author

• Asmaa Idris

  Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Alsslam International University, Tobruk, Libya

  Author

• Danya Saeed

  Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Alsslam International University, Tobruk, Libya

  Author

• Nawal Misbah

  Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Alsslam International University, Tobruk, Libya

  Author

Background: The neonatal period is the most vulnerable stage of life. Although the perinatal and neonatal phases are short, they represent some of the most critical moments in human development. Objectives: The goal of this study is to determine the patterns of pediatric hospital admissions, identify the types of illnesses and their distribution across different age groups at Tobruk Medical Center. Methods: A descriptive retrospective study was conducted in the Pediatric Department of Tobruk Medical Center from January to April 2025, including children aged 1 month to 15 years. Data analysis was performed using SPSS to assess relationships between variables. Results: Respiratory diseases were the most common reason for admission (25.2%), followed by central nervous system disorders (17.5%), with neonatal sepsis (13.7%) and neonatal jaundice (11.1%) identified as the leading individual diagnoses. Admission patterns differed significantly across age groups, demonstrating a strong association between age and diagnostic category (χ² = 210.816, df = 36, p < 0.001; Cramér’s V = 0.410), which reflects distinct age-related clinical profiles. Conclusion: Admissions were mainly among infants and young children, with respiratory and neonatal conditions predominating, and most patients presenting directly to the hospital. These findings underscore the need for effective assessment and referral systems to manage pediatric admissions efficiently.

Abhulimhen-Iyoha, B. I., Pooboni, S. K., & Vuppali, N. K. K. (2014). Morbidity pattern and outcome of patients admitted into a pediatric intensive care unit in India. Indian Journal of Clinical Medicine, 5, 1–5.

Agbesanwa, T. A., Babatola, A. O., Fatunla, O. A., et al. (2023). Pattern of admissions and outcomes in the children emergency department of a tertiary health institution in Southwestern Nigeria: A four-year review. African Journal of Emergency Medicine, 13, 45–51.

Al-Momani, M. M. (2020). Admission patterns and risk factors linked with neonatal mortality: A hospital-based retrospective study. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 36(6), 1371–1376. https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2281

Bassat, Q., Blau, D. M., Ogbuanu, I. U., et al., & Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance Network. (2023). Causes of death among infants and children in the CHAMPS Network. JAMA Network Open, 6(7), e2322494. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.22494

Chalmers, J., Leigh-Brown, A., & Tait, J. (2009). Childhood hospital admissions & mortality: Statistical publication notice. Author.

Chalmers, J., Leigh-Brown, A., & Tait, J. (2010). Childhood hospital admissions & mortality: Statistical publication notice. Author.

Chiabi, A., Kan, K., Massom, A., et al. (2025). Patterns of admissions and outcomes in the general pediatric unit of a regional hospital in Cameroon. Pediatric Oncall Journal, 22, 131–135. https://doi.org/10.7199/ped.oncall.2025.32

Chiabi, A., Tchokoteu, P. F., Mboka, F., et al. (2002). Morbidity and mortality trends in children in the East Province of Cameroon: A hospital-based experience at Bertoua Provincial Hospital. Bulletin de Liaison et de Documentation de l’OCEAC, 35(3).

Census of India. (2011). Population enumeration data. Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India.

Eck, C., Pierre, R. B., & Hambleton, I. R. (2006). Medical pediatric admission patterns at the University Hospital of the West Indies: Issues for future planning. West Indian Medical Journal.

Gresh, H., & Othman, R. (2018). Admission patterns and outcome in a pediatric intensive care unit at Tobruk Hospital. Al-Mukhtar Journal of Sciences, 33(4), 298–305. https://doi.org/10.54172/mjsc.v33i4.293

Gupta, N., Krishnamurthy, V., Majumder, N., Sampath, S., & Senthilnathan, S. (2022). Changing spectrum of pediatric admissions to a tertiary care hospital in South India: A longitudinal study. Indian Journal of Pediatrics, 89(4), 324–330. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-021-03866-7

Okoronkwo, N. C., Onyearugha, C. N., & Ohanenye, C. A. (2018). Pattern and outcomes of paediatric medical admissions at the Living Word Mission Hospital, Aba, South East Nigeria. Pan African Medical Journal, 30, 202.

Pranab, K. D., Arindam, G., Sunil, K. H., et al. (2021). Morbidity pattern, treatment outcomes, and predictors of mortality of children admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit in a peripheral medical college in India. Indian Journal of Pediatrics, 59(8), 482–490. ProQuest

Seifu, A., Eshetu, O., Tafesse, D., & Hailu, S. (2022). Admission pattern, treatment outcomes, and associated factors for children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital: A retrospective cross-sectional study. BMC Anesthesiology, 22, 13.

Sharma, R., Agarwal, P., & Kumar, V. (2023). Neonatal admissions to tertiary care hospitals: Patterns, outcomes, and healthcare implications in Northern India. Indian Journal of Neonatology, 12(2), 45–52. https://doi.org/10.7860/IJNM/2023/58934.2456

• pdf (الإنجليزية)

الحقوق الفكرية (c) 2026 Salem Zaed, Asfiedeen Saleh, Sara Ali , Mawada Dbdel Salam , Asmaa Idris , Danya Saeed , Nawal Misbah (Author)

هذا العمل مرخص بموجب Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.