[Evaluation of the glycemia of low-weight newborns within the 24th hour of life at Lomé University Hospital (Togo)]. / Évaluation de la glycémie des nouveau-nés de petits poids avant la 24(e) heure de vie au CHU-Tokoin de Lomé

OBJECTIVE: To assess the glycemia of low-weight newborns (LWNBs) during their first 24h of life as well as their mother's glycemia. PATIENTS AND METHOD: This was a cross-sectional prospective study within a case-control group, conducted at Lomé University Hospital (nationwide main hospital) from January to May 2006. One hundred thirty-nine LWNBs and 150 eutrophic term newborns (ETNBs), 98 mothers of LWNBs (MLWNBs), and 145 mothers of ETNBs (METNBs) were screened and monitored on glycemia dosage. RESULTS: The average glycemia level of the LWNBs (0.34 ± 0.27g/l) was significantly greater than the ETNBs' glycemia level (0.30 ± 0.14 g/l); it was nearly the same for the mean glycemia level of the MLWNBs (0.82 ± 0.2g/l) and the METNBs (0.77 ± 0.1g/l). Neonatal hypoglycemia during the first 24h of life was less frequent (RR=0.8) in the LWNBs (61.15%) than in the ETNBs (80%). The positive correlation between gestational age and glycemia was higher in the ETNBs (r=0.17) than in the LWNBs (r=0.07). This positive correlation between birthweight and glycemia was lower in the LWNBs (r=0.17) compared to the ETNBs (r=0.37); this was not the case within the group of the ETNBs (r=0.02) compared to the group of the LWNBs (r=0.34) concerning the correlation between the glycemia of mothers and newborns. CONCLUSION: The early hypoglycemia was much greater in the ETNBs compared to the LWNBs. Therefore, it is necessary to systematically start breastfeeding all newborns within their first hours of life whatever their gestational age, in order to solve these metabolic disorders.

[Treatment of children born of AIDS mothers in Tsevie hospital regional center, Togo]. / Prise en charge des enfants nés de mères infectées par le VIH au centre hospitalier régional de Tsévié, Togo.

The aim of this survey was to describe the components of the children medical care follow-up in the protocol of prevention of HIV/Aids from mother to child by nevirapine intake. A four-year retrospective study was carried out in Tsevie hospital regional center 90 children and their pregnant mothers who received nevirapine were recorded. 75 children received breast feeding. There was no follow-up for 42% of the children. The weight growth was correct in 90% of the children effectively followed. 49% of the children were completely vaccinated to PEV. The average children medical check up was 3.1 (minimum 1 maximum 8). The average age for breast feeding weaning was 6.2 months. The mother to child transmission rate was globally estimated at 12.5% at 18 months. 12 children (13%) died before HIV serology. The survey confirms the potency of nevirapine in preventing HIV transmission from mother to child and lays emphasis on real problems for which appropriate solutions should be found.

[Diluted injectable quinine in the intramuscular and intrarectal route: comparative efficacity and tolerance in malaria treatment for children ]. / Quinine injectable diluee en intramusculaire et en intrarectal: efficacite et tolerance comparees dans le traitement du paludisme de l'enfant.

The intramuscular (i.m.) route is generally used for treatment of childhood falciparum malaria in outlying health care units in Togo. The purpose of this randomized therapeutic trial was to compare the efficacy and tolerance of diluted injectable quinine administered by the i.m. versus intrarectal (IR) route. A total of 64 children ranging in age from 8 months to 15 years were treated, i.e. 32 for each administration route. All children presented uncomplicated falciparum malaria in association with vomiting in 30 cases, a single unrecurring seizure with postictal coma lasting less than 30 minutes in 25 patients, or prostration without neurological manifestations in 9. Injectable quinimax (an association of cinchona alkaloids) was diluted to a concentration of 60 mg base/ml for i.m. injection into the thigh and 30 mg base/ml for use by the IR route. Administration was performed every 12 hours for 72 hours at a dose of 12.5 mg/kg for patients in the i.m. group or at a dose of 15 mg/kg in the IR group. The anus and lower rectal mucosa were examined using an anal valve before and after treatment using the IR route. Analysis of mean temperature curves demonstrated no significant difference between the clinical effectiveness of quinimax administered by the i.m. versus IR route (p > 0.05). Similar effect were also observed on parasitemia which disappeared completely in all patients by the end of the 72-hour treatment. The main problems were insufficient product retention requiring re-administration in 25% of patients in IR group and residual pain at the injection site in 12.5% of patients in the i.m. group. Endoscopic examination revealed no evidence of ulceration or necrosis of the anorectal mucosa. These findings indicate that administration of diluted injectable quinine by IR route is an effective, well-tolerated alternative for treatment of childhood falciparum malaria. It should be used preferentially in outlying health care units in patients presenting severe malaria pending transfer to an hospital, or signs of "intermediate severity" such as hyperpyrexia, hyperparasitemia, unrepeated seizure, or intensive vomiting.

[Treatment of cerebral malaria in African children by intravenous quinine: comparison of a loading dose regimen to a regimen without a loading dose]. / Traitement du paludisme cérébral de l'enfant africain par les sels de quinine: comparaison d'un schéma avec dose de charge à un schéma classique sans dose de charge.

OBJECTIVE: To compare in a randomized study the efficacy and the toxicity of the new WHO intravenous quinine treatment of cerebral malaria including a loading dose regimen to a regimen without loading dose. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-two children eight months to 15 years of age with cerebral malaria were included. Quinine formiate was administered to a group of 35 patients in an initial loading dose of 20 mg salt/kg (equivalent to 17.5 mg/kg of the base) in 10 mL/kg of 5% glucose over four hours, followed eight hours later by a maintenance dose quinine of 10 mg salt/kg (equivalent to 8.7 mg/kg of the base) dissolved in 15 mL/kg of 5% glucose over and every 12 hours. The second group of 37 patients received intravenous quinine 15 mg salt/kg (13.1 mg of base) dissolved in 15 mL/kg of 5% glucose infused over 6 to 8 hours, every 12 hours. In both groups this treatment was continued until the patient could swallow, then quinine tablets were given to complete seven days treatment. The assessment of cardiovascular side effects was made by an ECG at admission, the 4th hour, the 24th hour and at the end of treatment for each patient. RESULTS: Coma mean durations were similar in the two groups: 35.5 +/- 17.8 hours and 28.6 +/- 14.4 hours respectively for the loading dose group and the group without loading dose. The two groups were comparable also for the decrease evolution of parasitemia. Case-fatality rates were also similar: 95% of healing at the 72nd hour and a lethality rate between 5 and 6% in the two groups. But a significant increase of the body temperature was noted between the 51st and the 63rd hour in the group without loading dose. No significant cardiovascular toxicity was noticed in the two groups. The mean cost of the loading dose regimen was less than that of the second regimen. CONCLUSION: The loading dose regimen of quinine is well tolerated and it seemed slightly more effective than the regimen without loading dose. In cases of contra-indications (patients who recently received quinine, mefloquine or halofantrine), regimens without loading dose, which remains effective, should be used.

[Ambulatory management of sickle cell disease: evaluation of the first year follow up of patients in the pediatric department of Lomé (Togo)]. / Prise en charge ambulatoire des drépanocytaires: évaluation de la première année de suivi des patients dans le service de pédiatrie de Lomé (Togo).

BACKGROUND: This study is an evaluation of the first year ambulatory follow up of patients from the sickle-cell care centre of the paediatric ward of the teaching hospital in Lomé-Tokoin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Togo is situated in the epicentre of the Benin haplotype. A total of 132 patients (109 SS, 22 SC and 1 S beta zero thal) followed up during one year from their admission date (period of 1st January 1996 to 31st December 1997). 132 patients were included in the study. RESULTS: The patients' age varied, for the majority, between 2 months and 15 years, but a few adults (15%) were included in the study. Information was collected from the hospital files and health cards, which unfortunately did not have specific entrees for sickle cell disease. Clinical features revealed that the frequency of tooth decay and chronic persistent splenomegaly was low when compared to the rates in central Africa (Bantu haplotype). Laboratory findings lead to the conclusion that some analysis are relevant such as the dosage of the G6PD activity (24.1% of patients were deficient), parasitologic analysis of faeces (positive in 22.5%), retinal fluoro-angiography (32.2% of ocular lesions), and cardiologic check-up. On the other hand, scanning of biliary tracts and systematic X-rays of the hips seems to be secondary. Some positive results were noticed by the scanning of biliary tracts without any therapeutic decisions in non-symptomatic patients; no case of osteonecrosis was detected by the X-rays. The mean haemoglobin level was 7.4 +/- 1.4 g/dl for the SS and 10.7 +/- 2.4 g/dl for the SC. The mean MCV were 91.3 +/- 10.1 fl and 82.1 +/- 7.7 fl, respectively. Specific vaccinations were not well performed because of their high cost. CONCLUSION: In order to carry on and improve the ambulatory management of patients with sickle cell disease, it is important in low income countries, such as Togo, to target the necessary laboratory tests for an initial and annual check-up. Solidarity networks for patients should be promoted and effective involvement of the health authorities ensured.

[Epidemiologic and etiologic features of urinary infections in children at the pediatrics service of the CHU-Campus de Lome (Togo)]. / Aspects épidémiologiques et étiologiques de l'infection urinaire de l'enfant dans le service de pédiatrie du CHU-Campus de Lomé (Togo).

From 1st January 1989 to 31th December 1997, 175 infants (108 females and 67 males) were hospitalised and treated at the pediatric service of CHU-Campus for urinary tract infection; this study follows the observation of the increasing of urinary tract infection in several centers of health in Togo; the aim of this study was to have a list the contributing factors, to understand the mechanism of such infection in order to reduce its frequency and the high percent of the mortality; the diagnosis of urinary tract infection was given by the result of the cytobacteriological exam of the urine which shows the pathological germ; others forms of the investigation, as abdominal echography were used also to look for the etiology of the urinary tract infection; but, the deficit of the of the medical imagery or the old material of the laboratories limited the searching of urinary tract infection etiology; cured infants were declared on the basis of absence of pathological germ in the result of the cytobacteriological exam control of the urine; the prevalence of the urinary tract infection was 8.29% with an incidence of 7.84% at the pediatric service of CHU-Campus; clinics symptoms were atypic and polymorphic; but the fever was the first clinical sign in the newly born and the urological signs were clear only from two to thirty months; 141 children (80.57%) were cured and 34 presented the complications with 3.43% of mortality; preventive measures on the urinary tract infection in infancy were proposed for the children parents and the practical physicians; these measures included information, education and communication (IEC) on the urinary tract infection, the symptomatology and the cytobacteriological exam of the urine.