A new study from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital sheds light on the factors influencing the length of hospital stays among pediatric patients. Published in Ukwuru Public Health in October 2024, part four of the Multi-Level Study of a Pediatric Population Attending a Teaching Hospital in South-South Nigeria (MuSPePATHS) investigates the number of hospital days among children and reveals significant findings.

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The study tracked 484 in-patient children and found that the average number of days spent in the hospital was 34.1 days, with most children staying less than one week. The majority of patients were under the age of five, a vulnerable age group that often requires longer hospital admissions due to poorly developed immune systems or congenital conditions. Neonates with birth defects, for instance, frequently require extensive monitoring.

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Interestingly, the study discovered that there was no statistically significant association between the length of stay and common demographic factors such as age, gender, or educational status. However, the number of antibiotics administered showed a strong correlation with hospital stay. Children who received more than one antibiotic tended to stay longer, suggesting that these patients required careful monitoring due to the severity of their conditions.

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The authors of the study, Dr. Edmund Ikpechi Ukwuru and Dr. Onyinye Lydia Okeke, highlight the importance of monitoring young children, particularly those under five, when they are prescribed multiple antibiotics. This ensures early intervention in case of complications and reduces the risk of prolonged illness. The study emphasizes that despite most children being admitted for fewer than 14 days, certain factors—such as comorbidities and antibiotic use—can increase the duration of hospital stays.

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The findings of this study underscore the need for better hospital resource allocation and the importance of preventive healthcare measures to reduce the need for long hospitalizations. The research team calls for further action to improve health outcomes for children through targeted monitoring and early treatment interventions, which could help reduce the burden on healthcare facilities and improve pediatric care.