Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mother and child health in Sub-Saharan Africa - a review.

Prior to the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there was a decrease in the maternal mortality rate in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) by 38%. This corresponds to a decline of 2.9% on average each year. In spite of this reduction, it falls short of the 6.4% annual rate required to reach the global Sustainable Development Goal of 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. This study reviewed the impact of COVID-19 on maternal and child health. Due to the major challenge of the health systems and lack of strategies in preparation for emergencies, several studies have reported significant impacts of COVID-19 on women and children in SSA. Global estimates of the indirect impacts of COVID-19 suggested a 38.6% increase in maternal mortality and a 44.7% increase in child mortality per month across 118 low- and middle-income countries. The COVID-19 pandemic has threatened the continuity of essential mother-to-child healthcare service delivery in SSA. It is important for health systems to address these challenges as lessons learnt for future health crises and to develop adequate response policies and programs for emerging diseases of public health importance. IMPACTS: This literature review will provide in-depth insight into the impact of COVID-19 on maternal and child health, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. The findings of this literature review suggest to the concerned health systems the need to prioritize women's antennal care for the safety of the baby. The findings of this literature review will aid the basis for intervention in maternal and child health and reproductive health in general.

Polyphenol-rich extract of Ocimum gratissimum leaves prevented toxic effects of cyclophosphamide on the kidney function of Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is one of the potent and low cost chemotherapy used in clinical setting against a variety of tumors. However, its association with nephrotoxicity limits its therapeutic use. Ocimum gratissimum leaf is a medicinal plant with numerous pharmacological and therapeutic efficacies, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and anti-apoptotic properties. METHODS: The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of Ocimum gratissimum (OG) against CP-induced kidney dysfunction in rats. Rats were pre-treated with 400 mg/kg b.w. of leave extract of Ocimum gratissimum (Ocimum G.) for 4 days and then 50 mg/kg b.w. of CP was co-administered from day 5 to day 7 along with Ocimum G. Markers of renal function and oxidative stress, food and water intake, electrolytes, aldosterone, leukocytes infiltration, inflammation and histopathological alteration were evaluated. RESULTS: Obvious renal inflammation and kidney injuries were observed in CP treated groups. However, administration of leave extract of Ocimum G. prevented oxidative stress, kidney injuries, attenuated inflammation, increased aldosterone production and reduced sodium ion and water loss in rats. The plasma creatinine, urea and urine albumin concentration were normalized after the administration of Ocimum G. extract in rats treated with CP. Ocimum G. also decreased the plasma concentrations of Interleukin-(IL)-6, C-reactive protein and activity of myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde in CP treated rats. CONCLUSION: Ocimum G. prevented kidney injury and enhanced renal function via inhibiting inflammation and oxidant-induced CP toxicity. The efficacy of Ocimum G. is related to the presence of various phytochemicals in the plant.