Background: At the beginning of March 2020, Cameroon experienced its first cases of infection with the new coronavirus (SARS-COV-2). Very quickly, there was a drop in the rate of hospital attendance. The purpose of this study was to observe the variations in the uptake of pediatric consultations and vaccinations in a pediatric hospital. Methods: A descriptive and retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out using consultation and vaccination statistics from a pediatric hospital in the city of Yaoundé, political capital of Cameroon, from January 2016 to May 2020. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel and exported to R software (Version 3.3.3) for statistical analysis. First, time series raw data (before and after COVID-19) were plotted and the trend estimated by locally weighted scatterplot smoothing (LOWESS) methods. Then a classic seasonal decomposition was performed to distinguish between seasonal trends and irregular components using moving averages. The Webel–Ollech overall seasonality test (WO test) was also run to formally check for seasonality. The results of the study are presented as narrative tables and graphs. Results: Following the partial confinement recommended by the government of Cameroon, the number of pediatric consultations decreased by 52% in April and by 34% in May 2020 compared with rates during the same periods in 2019 ( p = 0.00001). For antenatal visits, the rates dropped by 45% and 34%, respectively, in April and May 2020 compared with 2019. The demand for immunization services also declined. As a result, the demand for BCG vaccines, third-dose tracer vaccines (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), polio, and MMR in children as well as tetanus vaccines in childbearing women dropped significantly. Conclusion: The start of the COVID-19 pandemic was accompanied by a significant drop in consultation and vaccination activities. If no action is taken to correct this phenomenon, the ensuing months could be marked by a considerable increase in patients, sometimes suffering from vaccine-preventable diseases. The death rate could increase considerably in the pediatric population.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic reached Cameroon in March, 2020. The aim of this study was to unveil the consequences of this pandemic on hospitalizations and on mortality in a pediatric hospital. Methods: A descriptive and retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out using hospitalization and death statistics collected from a pediatric hospital. We compared the data before and after the pandemic and made predictions for the next 12 months. Results: A drastic drop in hospitalizations was noted coinciding with the partial lockdown in Cameroon. Paradoxically, at the same time, the number of deaths per month doubled though the causes remained the same as in the past. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic was marked by drop in hospitalizations and paradoxically, an increase in child mortality. These deaths were probably due not to SARS-Cov-2 infection, but rather due to the usual illnesses whose management was delayed, a probable consequence of the confinement.

Background: Anemia is a common and serious health problem, especially in premature infants. The objective of this study was to identify the determinants of anemia in premature infants and the factors influencing their hospital outcome. Methods: This was a retrospective study in the neonatal unit of the Mother Child Center of the Chantal Biya Foundation. Were included, all premature babies admitted between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2017, who at least had a full blood count done. Data collected from medical records focused on maternal and neonatal characteristics, clinical and laboratory features, treatment received and hospital outcome. Results: Among the 425 premature babies included, 140 (32.9%) had anemia and 14 (10%) died. The risk factors for anemia in the premature infants were age at admission over 24 hours (p = 0.002) and gestational age less than 32 weeks (p <0.001). The factors associated with mortality were female sex (p = 0.030), birth weight <1500g (p = 0.029), gestational age <32 weeks (p = 0.024). The presence of respiratory distress (p = 0.009), thrombocytopenia (p = 0.011), the need for oxygen (p <0.001) and the need for blood transfusion (p = 0.004) were risk factors for death. However only bradycardia was an independent clinical feature associated with death (p = 0.037). Conclusion: Anemia is very common in premature babies, and remains a high risk factor for death. The clinical and laboratory monitoring of anemic premature babies must be rigorous especially in babies born very preterm and with very low birth weight.