Hospitalized Infant Morbidity in the Prospective Cohort Study of Thai Children Project
Vorasith Sornsrivichai MD*, Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong MD, PhD*, Ladda Mo-suwan MD, MSc**, Utcharee Intusoma MD**
Affiliation : * Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla ** Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla
Background : Infant morbidity causes a substantial resource burden, however, its magnitude and pattern in
developing countries is still unknown.
Material and Method: The authors prospectively followed a cohort of 2,739 children over a one-year period
in three rural areas of Thailand to detect the hospitalized infant morbidity.
Results : The incidence of morbidity was 454.9/1,000 live births. The top five morbidities were perinatal
conditions, respiratory diseases, pneumonia, infectious diarrhea, and disorders related to short gestation/
low birth weight, and had an incidence of 88.7, 35.4, 34.3, 30.3, and 23.0 diagnoses/1,000 live births,
respectively. They accounted for 1,973 days (76.6%) of hospital stay. Of all morbidities, 34.8% occurred in the
early neonatal period and 3.1% occurred in the late neonatal period.
Conclusion : The present study confirmed that perinatal conditions in the early neonatal period and pneumo-
nia and diarrhea in the post neonatal period are still an important health problem. Further attempts for
prevention and control will be needed.
Keywords : Cohort studies, Developing countries, Diarrhea, Hospitalisation, Infant, Morbidity, Pneumonia, Respiratory tract infections, Thailand
