Original article / research
Post-COVID-19 Three-year Trends of Clinical Profile and Outcome of Infants (1-12 months) Hospitalised at the Paediatric Department of a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital of Gujarat, Western India: A Retrospective Study
SC01-SC04
Correspondence
Dr. Krutika Rahul Tandon,
E-702, Sahjanand Status Co-operative Society, Opp. J V Patel ITI College, Anand-Sojitra Road, Karamsad-388325, Gujarat, India.
E-mail: krutikatandon2023@gmail.com
Introduction: The post-neonatal period (1-12 months) also represents a critical vulnerability window in child health. Despite substantial global progress in reducing under-five mortality, infant hospitalisations beyond the neonatal period continue to pose considerable challenges, particularly in developing countries where 10-15% of hospitalised infants succumb to preventable conditions. Understanding the clinical profile, temporal trends, and outcomes of hospitalised infants is essential for both, clinicians as well as administrators or policymakers.
Aim: To study the 3-year trends of clinical profile and outcome of infants (beyond Neonatal Period) hospitalised at tertiary care teaching hospital after the end of the “Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic”.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Paediatrics, Shree Krishna Hospital, Pramukhswami Medical College, Karamsad, Gujarat, India over three years (July 2022 to June 2025). All consecutive indoor infants aged 1-12 months during the study period were included. The demographic details and clinical details including outcome were retrieved from medical records and pertinent information collected using a predesigned, structured proforma. Data were analysed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical methods.
Results: A total of 177 infants were enrolled (Year-wise n=78, 76 and 23, respectively). The overall study cohort showed male predominance of 114 (64.4%). Respiratory infections emerged as the leading diagnosis in 60 (33.9%), followed by cardiovascular disorders 30 (16.9%). About 64 (36.2%) required Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) admission with critical illnesses. Successful discharge in 151 (85.3%) and mean±SD length of stay was 6.7±8.7 days. Significant relationship was found in trends for increasing prematurity (1.3% to 17.4%, p-value=0.002), declining immunisation completion (65.4% to 26.1%, p-value <0.001). Socio-economic status showed highly significant associations with both outcomes (p-value=0.003) and PICU admission (p-value <0.001).
Conclusion: Post-COVID-19 epidemic, 3-year trends showed the temporal trends of rising prematurity rates, declining immunisation rates, and persistent high Discharge Against Medical Advice (DAMA) rates. This study provides essential baseline data for designing evidence-based interventions at tertiary care settings that serve vulnerable populations.