%0 Journal Article
%T Epidemiological, Clinical and Therapeutic Aspects of Acute Respiratory Distress in Children in Medical Emergencies at the Bangui Pediatric University Hospital
%A Simplice Cyriaque Kango
%A Marie Christine Awa Sepou Yanza
%A Jess Elio Kosh Komba
%A Mireille Mand&#233
%A -Njapou
%A Jean Chrysostome Gody
%J Open Journal of Pediatrics
%P 111-118
%@ 2160-8776
%D 2025
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/ojped.2025.151011
%X <b>Introduction:</b> Respiratory distress is a clinical condition accompanied by an increase in work of breathing, with the respiratory accessory muscles brought into play to ensure normal arterial oxygenation. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatrics. The aim of our study was to investigate the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of respiratory distress in children aged between 1 month and 15 years seen in the emergency department of the Bangui paediatric university hospital. <b>Methodology</b><b>:</b> This was a 3-month descriptive cross-sectional study, from January 1 to March 31, 2023. All children aged 1 month to less than 15 years presenting with respiratory distress were included. <b>Results:</b> A total of 3021 children were admitted to the emergency medical services of Bangui&#8217;s pediatric university hospital. Of these, 164 were included in the study. The predominance was male, with a sex ratio of 1.09. The 0 - 2 age group was the most represented, with 67 patients (42.85%). The majority of patients came from Bangui, accounting for 146 (89.02%) of cases. Respiratory difficulty (59.15%), characterized by dyspnea and cough, associated with fever, vomiting, physical asthenia and diarrhea, were the main reasons for consultation. The main pathologies noted were respiratory 92 (56.10%), followed by cardiac pathologies 21 (12.8%). Antibiotic administration (76.82%) was the most common therapeutic procedure used in the management of respiratory distress. <b>Conclusion:</b> Respiratory distress remains an important cause of infant mortality in our context, with major management problems.
%K Respiratory Distress
%K Medical Emergencies
%K Pediatric University Hospital
%K Bangui
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=140061