Surveillance of the Most Prevalent Medical Diseases among Pediatric Age Groups and Evaluation of the Control Measures Used At Tabuk Hospitals, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: During the last decades, medical recordings has increased dramatically leading to more awareness of the diseases commonly affecting paediatric age groups opening a wide entrance to the prevention of possible complications and decrease its incidence. AIM: This article aims to assess the prevalence of the commonly encountered paediatric medical diseases by affected system among admitted paediatric patients of different age groups in Tabuk and to identify their burden. METHODS: This is a retrospective research studying disease pattern according to age, gender, nationality, admission status and length of stay. RESULTS: Admissions due to respiratory system disorders were the most common among children under the age of six years (39.7%). Acute gastroenteritis was the most common disease leading to hospitalisation of children below the age of three years and cast a financial burden heavily on family and society. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory diseases and acute gastroenteritis constitute a significant burden of childhood illnesses in Tabuk City. Efforts are required to reduce the impact to achieve the Saudi ministry of health (SMOH) Goal. Even though Rota vaccine is added to the national Saudi program of vaccination schedule, other causes should be looked for, and preventive measures are important as a part of public education.