What does this research mean for the field?

Diphtheria mortality remains exceptionally high in resource-limited settings and is significantly associated with lack of immunization, non-receipt of antitoxin, and the presence of cardiorenal complications. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the clinical presentations, therapeutic interventions, and determinants of mortality among pediatric patients admitted with suspected diphtheria.

August 28, 2026BMC Infectious DiseasesOpen Access

Diphtheria mortality at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria: a review of 98 consecutive cases

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Authors

AUA. Usamatu KIK. R. Iseh SAS. B. Amutta

Discussion

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Implication

Retrospective review reveals a 75.5% fatality rate among pediatric diphtheria cases, highlighting the critical role of vaccination coverage and timely antitoxin administration.

Key Points

To evaluate the clinical presentations, therapeutic interventions, and determinants of mortality among pediatric patients admitted with suspected diphtheria.
Retrospective review of 98 consecutive pediatric patients aged 0–15 years managed for suspected diphtheria between January 2017 and October 2024 at a tertiary teaching hospital in Nigeria.
Extracted clinical manifestations, vaccination history, microbiologic confirmation of Corynebacterium diphtheriae, antitoxin treatment, and documented premortem complications.
Evaluated categorical associations between clinical variables and mortality outcomes using Fisher’s exact test (statistical significance at p < 0.05).
The overall case fatality rate was 75.5% (74/98), with 83.0% of all patients being unimmunized; mortality was 86.5% among unimmunized cases and 58.1% among those not receiving antitoxin.
Antitoxin administration, culture-confirmed Corynebacterium diphtheriae (present in 49.0% of cases), and documented premortem complications were significantly associated with mortality (p < 0.05), whereas age and sex were not (p > 0.05).
Premortem complications were documented in 100% of fatalities, with cardiorenal failure (43.2%) and isolated cardiac involvement (37.8%) representing the most frequent fatal presentations.

Cite This Study

Usamatu et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a914613d15324a1df3a960d https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-026-14298-z

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Implication

Retrospective review reveals a 75.5% fatality rate among pediatric diphtheria cases, highlighting the critical role of vaccination coverage and timely antitoxin administration.

Diphtheria mortality at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria: a review of 98 consecutive cases

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Diphtheria mortality at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria: a review of 98 consecutive cases

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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