Paediatric Gastrointestinal Surgical Pathologies in Cameroon: Prevalence, Clinical Patterns, and Outcomes in Three Referral Hospitals: Paediatric gastrointestinal surgical pathologies in Cameroon

Ekani Boukar Mahamat; Nwandum P; Mokake D; Djike Yolande; Mbelle R; Ousmana O; Savom Eric; Ngwane A; Bang Guy Aristide; Chichom M; Ngowe Ngowe Marcellin; Essomba A

doi:10.5281/zenodo.18316063

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Abstract

Background. Pediatric gastrointestinal (GI) surgical conditions are frequent in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. In Cameroon, limited data are available on their burden. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence, clinical presentations, and outcomes of pediatric gastrointestinal surgical pathologies in three referral hospitals in Cameroon. Materials and method. A retrospective study was conducted between January 2019 and December 2021 at Douala General Hospital, Laquintinie Hospital Douala, and Buea Regional Hospital. Records of children aged 0–18 years admitted with GI surgical conditions were reviewed. Data were analyzed with SPSS v25. Results. Of 1349 pediatric surgical admissions, 198 (14.7%) were due to gastrointestinal pathologies. Intestinal obstruction was the most common diagnosis (42.5%), followed by appendicitis (28.2%), intussusception (14.6%), and perforated typhoid ileitis (10.5%). The majority of patients (61%) presented late, after more than 72 hours of symptom onset. Complications occurred in 17%, including peritonitis and sepsis. The overall mortality rate was 7.8%, with neonatal intestinal obstruction contributing most deaths. Conclusion. Gastrointestinal surgical conditions account for a significant proportion of pediatric surgical admissions in Cameroon. Intestinal obstruction and appendicitis predominate, with high morbidity and mortality driven by late presentation. Strengthening early diagnosis, referral pathways, and neonatal surgical capacity is critical to improve outcomes.

Keywords

Pediatric gastrointestinal surgical disease Intestinal obstruction Appendicitis Cameroon Cameroun athologies chirurgicales gastro-intestinales pédiatriques occlusion intestinale Appendicite

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Ekani Boukar Mahamat, Nwandum P, Mokake D, Djike Yolande, Mbelle R, Ousmana O, … Essomba A. (2026). Paediatric Gastrointestinal Surgical Pathologies in Cameroon: Prevalence, Clinical Patterns, and Outcomes in Three Referral Hospitals: Paediatric gastrointestinal surgical pathologies in Cameroon. HEALTH SCIENCES AND DISEASE, 27(2). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18316063

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References

1. Poenaru D, Ozgediz D, Gosselin RA. Burden of surgical disease in children in low-income countries. World J Surg. 2010;34(3):441–9.
2. Ameh EA, Bickler SW, Lakhoo K, Nwomeh BC, Poenaru D. Paediatric Surgery: A Comprehensive Text for Africa. Global HELP; 2011.
3. Ekenze SO, Ajuzieogu OV, Nwomeh BC. Neonatal surgery in Africa: a systematic review. World J Surg. 2016;40(1):1–9.
4. Addiss DG, Shaffer N, Fowler BS, Tauxe RV. The epidemiology of appendicitis and appendectomy in the United States. Am J Epidemiol. 1990;132(5):910–25.
5. Dakurah TK, et al. Gastrointestinal surgical conditions in children in Ghana. Afr J Paediatr Surg. 2019;16(3):45–50.
6. Abdella K, Admassie D, Worku A. Pattern and outcome of pediatric intestinal obstruction in Ethiopia. East Cent Afr J Surg. 2019;24(1):43–9.
7. Anyanwu LJ, Aliyu I, Adeleke SI. Pediatric appendicitis in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria: challenges and outcomes. Niger J Clin Pract. 2018;21(11):1474–8.
8. Kayange NM, Kidszun A, Mankhambo LA, et al. Spectrum and outcomes of pediatric surgical conditions in Malawi. BMC Pediatr. 2020;20(1):164.
9. Adeyemo AO, Osinowo AO, Shonubi AM, et al. Pediatric intestinal obstruction in Lagos, Nigeria. Niger Postgrad Med J. 2017;24(2):101–6.
10. Ein SH, Stephens CA. Intussusception: 354 cases in 10 years in a children’s hospital. J Pediatr Surg. 1971;6(1):16–27.
11. Mock CN, Amaral J, Visser LE. Improvement in survival from typhoid ileal perforation: results of 221 operative cases. Ann Surg. 1992;215(3):244–9.
12. Chirdan LB, Uba AF, Ameh EA. Intestinal obstruction in children in Nigeria. Ann Trop Paediatr. 2001;21(1):59–63.
13. Holcomb GW, Murphy JP, Ostlie DJ. Ashcraft’s Pediatric Surgery. 6th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2014.

References

1. Poenaru D, Ozgediz D, Gosselin RA. Burden of surgical disease in children in low-income countries. World J Surg. 2010;34(3):441–9.

2. Ameh EA, Bickler SW, Lakhoo K, Nwomeh BC, Poenaru D. Paediatric Surgery: A Comprehensive Text for Africa. Global HELP; 2011.

3. Ekenze SO, Ajuzieogu OV, Nwomeh BC. Neonatal surgery in Africa: a systematic review. World J Surg. 2016;40(1):1–9.

4. Addiss DG, Shaffer N, Fowler BS, Tauxe RV. The epidemiology of appendicitis and appendectomy in the United States. Am J Epidemiol. 1990;132(5):910–25.

5. Dakurah TK, et al. Gastrointestinal surgical conditions in children in Ghana. Afr J Paediatr Surg. 2019;16(3):45–50.

6. Abdella K, Admassie D, Worku A. Pattern and outcome of pediatric intestinal obstruction in Ethiopia. East Cent Afr J Surg. 2019;24(1):43–9.

7. Anyanwu LJ, Aliyu I, Adeleke SI. Pediatric appendicitis in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria: challenges and outcomes. Niger J Clin Pract. 2018;21(11):1474–8.

8. Kayange NM, Kidszun A, Mankhambo LA, et al. Spectrum and outcomes of pediatric surgical conditions in Malawi. BMC Pediatr. 2020;20(1):164.

9. Adeyemo AO, Osinowo AO, Shonubi AM, et al. Pediatric intestinal obstruction in Lagos, Nigeria. Niger Postgrad Med J. 2017;24(2):101–6.

10. Ein SH, Stephens CA. Intussusception: 354 cases in 10 years in a children’s hospital. J Pediatr Surg. 1971;6(1):16–27.

11. Mock CN, Amaral J, Visser LE. Improvement in survival from typhoid ileal perforation: results of 221 operative cases. Ann Surg. 1992;215(3):244–9.

12. Chirdan LB, Uba AF, Ameh EA. Intestinal obstruction in children in Nigeria. Ann Trop Paediatr. 2001;21(1):59–63.

13. Holcomb GW, Murphy JP, Ostlie DJ. Ashcraft’s Pediatric Surgery. 6th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2014.

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Paediatric Gastrointestinal Surgical Pathologies in Cameroon: Prevalence, Clinical Patterns, and Outcomes in Three Referral Hospitals

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