[Retrospective study of the reasons for admission and the principal causes of mortality in the pediatric service of the Port-Gentil General Hospital of (Gabon), June 1985-May 1986].

A retrospective study of 534 bed-rests permitted us to specify the reasons of admissions and mortality in the hospital service of pediatrics, Port-Gentil, Gabon, from June 1985 to May 1986: a high mortality rate (7.5%) with, specially, diarrheas (46%) and proteinocaloric malnutrition (19%). The other reasons of mortality are constituted by infections and neonatal diseases. Priority in public health seems to be child welfare (vaccinations, primary health care in the whole province of Ogoue, health certificates...).