Strengthening retinopathy of prematurity screening and treatment services in Nigeria: a case study of activities, challenges and outcomes 2017-2020.

OBJECTIVES: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) will become a major cause of blindness in Nigerian children unless screening and treatment services expand. This article aims to describe the collaborative activities undertaken to improve services for ROP between 2017 and 2020 as well as the outcome of these activities in Nigeria. DESIGN: Descriptive case study. SETTING: Neonatal intensive care units in Nigeria. PARTICIPANTS: Staff providing services for ROP, and 723 preterm infants screened for ROP who fulfilled screening criteria (gestational age <34 weeks or birth weight ≤2000 g, or sickness criteria). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A WhatsApp group was initiated for Nigerian ophthalmologists and neonatologists in 2018. Members participated in a range of capacity-building, national and international collaborative activities between 2017 and 2018. A national protocol for ROP was developed for Nigeria and adopted in 2018; 1 year screening outcome data were collected and analysed. In 2019, an esurvey was used to collect service data from WhatsApp group members for 2017-2018 and to assess challenges in service provision. RESULTS: In 2017 only six of the 84 public neonatal units in Nigeria provided ROP services; this number had increased to 20 by 2018. Of the 723 babies screened in 10 units over a year, 127 (17.6%) developed any ROP; and 29 (22.8%) developed type 1 ROP. Only 13 (44.8%) babies were treated, most by intravitreal bevacizumab. The screening criteria were revised in 2020. Challenges included lack of equipment to regulate oxygen and to document and treat ROP, and lack of data systems. CONCLUSION: ROP screening coverage and quality improved after national and international collaborative efforts. To scale up and improve services, equipment for neonatal care and ROP treatment is urgently needed, as well as systems to monitor data. Ongoing advocacy is also essential.

The current pattern of facility-based perinatal and neonatal mortality in Sagamu, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Perinatal and neonatal mortality rates have been described as sensitive indices of the quality of health care services. Regular audits of perinatal and neonatal mortalities are desirable to evaluate the various global interventions. OBJECTIVE: To describe the current pattern of perinatal and neonatal mortality in a Nigerian tertiary health facility. METHODS: Using a prospective audit method, the socio-demographic parameters of all perinatal and neonatal deaths recorded in a Nigerian tertiary facility between February 2017 and January 2018 were studied. RESULTS: There were 1,019 deliveries with stillbirth rate of 27.5/1000 total births and early neonatal death (END) rate among in-born babies of 27.2/1000 live births. The overall perinatal mortality rate for in-facility deliveries was 53.9/1000 total births and neonatal mortality (till the end of 28 days) rate of 27.2/1000 live births. Severe perinatal asphyxia and prematurity were the leading causes of neonatal deaths while obstructed labour and intra-partum eclampsia were the two leading maternal conditions related to stillbirths (25.0% and 21.4% respectively).Gestational age < 32 weeks, age < 24 hours and inborn status were significantly associated with END (p = 0.002, p <0.001 and p = 0.002 respectively). CONCLUSION: The in-facility perinatal mortality rate was high though stillbirth rate was relatively low. There is a need to improve the quality of emergency obstetric and neonatal services prior to referral to tertiary facilities.

Changing trends in newborn sepsis in Sagamu, Nigeria: bacterial aetiology, risk factors and antibiotic susceptibility.

AIM: Sepsis is a major contributor to newborn deaths in the developing world. The objective is to determine the prevalence of newborn sepsis, the bacterial pathogens and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the isolates. METHOD: A study of consecutive babies hospitalised in Sagamu, Nigeria, with risk factors for or clinical features of sepsis was retrospectively done between January 2006 and December 2007, and prospectively between January and December 2008. Positive blood culture defined neonatal sepsis, and the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the organisms was also determined. RESULTS: There were 1050 admissions, and 174 (16.5%) babies had positive blood culture. Of the 527 babies with risk factors and clinical features of sepsis, 174 (33.3%) had confirmed sepsis: 119 (22.5%) had early-onset sepsis, while 55 (10.4%) had late-onset sepsis. The incidence of neonatal sepsis in the hospital was 51.3/1000 live births. Weight less than 1.5 kg, prolonged labour, prolonged rupture of membranes and lower socio-economic status were risk factors for sepsis. Staphylococcus aureus (31.0%), Klebsiella (23.0%), and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (12.6%) and Escherichia coli (11.0%) were the leading aetiologies. The isolates were most sensitive to levofloxacin (95.7%), ofloxacin (95.1%), cefotaxime (86.7%) and ceftazidime (81.3%). Their sensitivity was 56.4% to cefuroxime and gentamicin, which are commonly used. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of sepsis was high in this cohort of high-risk infants. The low in vitro sensitivity of the leading microbes to commonly used drugs is challenging. Guidelines on the reduction of emergence of drug resistance must be provided and instituted in newborn units.

Predictors of acute bilirubin encephalopathy among Nigerian term babies with moderate-to-severe hyperbilirubinaemia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine predictors of acute bilirubin encephalopathy (ABE) among term infants presenting with moderate-to-severe hyperbilirubinaemia. METHODS: Babies with total serum bilirubin >15 mg/dl at the point of admission were studied in a Nigerian tertiary health facility using bivariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Out of 152 babies, 75 (49.3%) had ABE: 73 had ABE at presentation while two developed ABE after admission. Bivariate analysis showed that body weight <2.5 kg, outside delivery, low maternal education, low socio-economic status, severe anaemia, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and metabolic acidosis were significantly associated with ABE. Multivariate analysis also showed that only outside delivery, weight <2.5 kg, presence of severe anaemia and acidosis were the predictors of ABE in this cohort of term babies. CONCLUSION: The identified predictors of ABE are modifiable and can be used to draw up screening tools for term babies at risk of ABE especially in the developing world.

Predictors of mortality in neonatal septicemia in an underresourced setting.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the predictors of mortality in neonatal septicemia. METHOD: The records of babies with culture-proven septicemia managed in a Nigerian newborn unit between 2006 and 2008 were studied using bivariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Out of 174 babies with septicemia, 56 (32.2%) died. Outborn babies, babies with estimated gestational age (EGA) less than 32 weeks, weight less than 1.5 kg, temperature less than 38 degrees C, respiratory distress, abdominal distension, poor skin color, hypoglycemia, and infection with gram-negative pathogens were significantly associated with death by bivariate analysis. Multivariate analysis of these risk factors confirmed that EGA less than 32 weeks (odds ratio [OR], 5.5), respiratory distress (OR, 3.4), abdominal distension (OR, 2.7), poor skin color (OR, 3.3), and hypoglycemia (OR, 5.2) had significant independent contributions to the occurrence of death among babies with culture-proven septicemia. CONCLUSION: Most of the identified predictors of mortality are modifiable and can be used to draw up a screening tool to determine the clinical severity among septic babies.

Prevalence and risk factors for hypothermia on admission in Nigerian babies <72 h of age.

BACKGROUND: Hypothermia is a major contributor to early neonatal deaths especially in the developing world. Factors which predispose babies to hypothermia need to be identified for intervention purposes. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for neonatal hypothermia at admission in the first 72 h of life. METHODS: Babies hospitalized within the first 72 h of life in a Nigerian Neonatal Unit were surveyed. Data collected included age, sex, weight, place of delivery, history of breastfeeding, recent bath, oil cleansing of the skin and presence of asphyxia. Babies with skin (axillary) temperature <36.5 degrees C were considered hypothermic. RESULTS: Of the 111 babies, 75 (67.6%) were hypothermic. The prevalence of hypothermia was high among babies aged <6 h (80.6%), preterm infants (88.9%), low-birth-weight babies (89.1%), babies with birth asphyxia (76.3%), babies without recent oiling of the skin (90.6%) and babies who had not been breastfed (79.2%). Using logistic regression, significant risk factors for early neonatal hypothermia at admission included low-birth-weight (P=0.000) and lack of breastfeeding (P=0.028). CONCLUSION: Most of the identified risk factors are preventable. The warm chain should be strictly applied in-hospital and be taught to mothers and community health workers.

Point-of-admission hypothermia among high-risk Nigerian newborns.

BACKGROUND: Facilities which manage high-risk babies should frequently assess the burden of hypothermia and strive to reduce the incidence. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and outcome of point-of-admission hypothermia among hospitalized babies. METHODS: The axillary temperatures of consecutive admissions into a Nigerian Newborn Unit were recorded. Temperature <36.5 degrees C defined hypothermia. The biodata and outcome of these babies were studied. RESULTS: Of 150 babies aged 0 to 648 hours, 93 had hypothermia with an incidence of 62%. Mild and moderate hypothermia accounted for 47.3% and 52.7% respectively. The incidence of hypothermia was highest (72.4%) among babies aged less than 24 hours. It was also higher among out-born babies compared to in-born babies (64.4% vs 58.3%). Preterm babies had significantly higher incidence of hypothermia (82.5%) compared with 54.5% of term babies (RR = 1.51; CI = 1.21 - 1.89). The incidence of hypothermia was also highest (93.3%) among very-low-birth-weight babies. The Case-Fatality-Rate was significantly higher among hypothermic babies (37.6% vs 16.7%; RR = 2.26, CI = 1.14 - 4.48) and among out-born hypothermic babies (50% vs 17.1%; RR = 0.34, CI = 0.16 - 0.74). CFR was highest among hypothermic babies with severe respiratory distress, sepsis, preterm birth and asphyxia. CONCLUSION: The high incidence and poor outcome of hypothermia among high-risk babies is important. The use of the 'warm chain' and skin-to-skin contact between mother and her infant into routine delivery services in health facilities and at home may be useful.

Congenital nephrotic syndrome in a Nigerian infant.

Although nephrotic syndrome is common among African children, the congenital forms of it are rare. This report describes the clinical presentation of a 6-week-old Nigerian infant who presented with marked pedal oedema, heavy proteinuria and serum hypoproteinaemia leading to the diagnosis of congenital nephrotic syndrome. This case is being reported to create awareness about this condition and to highlight diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Neonatal malaria in Nigeria--a 2 year review.

BACKGROUND: In view of the fact that a significant proportion of neonates with malaria may be missed on our wards on the assumption that the disease condition is rare, this study aims at documenting the prevalence of malaria in neonates admitted into our neonatal ward. Specifically, we hope to describe its clinical features and outcome of this illness. Knowledge of these may ensure early diagnosis and institution of prompt management. METHODS: Methods Hospital records of all patients (two hundred and thirty) admitted into the Neonatal ward of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu between 1st January 1998 and 31st December 1999 were reviewed. All neonates (fifty-seven) who had a positive blood smear for the malaria parasite were included in the study. Socio-demographic data as well as clinical correlates of each of the patients were reviewed. The Epi-Info 6 statistical software was used for data entry, validation and analysis. A frequency distribution was generated for categorical variables. To test for an association between categorical variables, the chi-square test was used. The level of significance was put at values less than 5%. RESULTS: Prevalence of neonatal malaria in this study was 24.8% and 17.4% for congenital malaria. While the mean duration of illness was 3.60 days, it varied from 5.14 days in those that died and and 3.55 in those that survived respectively. The duration of illness significantly affected the outcome (p value = 0.03). Fever alone was the clinical presentation in 44 (77.4%) of the patients. Maturity of the baby, sex and age did not significantly affect infestation. However, history of malaria/febrile illness within the 2 weeks preceding the delivery was present in 61.2% of the mothers. Maternal age, concurrent infection and duration of illness all significantly affected the outcome of illness. Forty-two (73.7%) of the babies were discharged home in satisfactory condition. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that taking a blood smear to check for the presence of the malaria parasite should be included as part of routine workup for all neonates with fever or those whose mothers have history of fever two weeks prior to delivery. In addition, health education of pregnant mothers in the antenatal clinic should include early care-seeking for newborns.

Neonatal jaundice and its management: knowledge, attitude and practice of community health workers in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal jaundice (NNJ) is still a leading cause of preventable brain damage, physical and mental handicap, and early death among infants in many communities. Greater awareness is needed among all health workers. The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge of primary health care workers about the description, causes, effective treatment, and sequelae of NNJ. METHODS: The setting was a local government area i.e. an administrative district within the south-western part of Nigeria. Community health workers in this area were interviewed by means of a self-administered questionnaire which focused on awareness and knowledge of neonatal jaundice and its causes, treatment and complications. RESULTS: Sixty-six community health workers participated in the survey and male-to-female ratio was 1:5. Their work experience averaged 13.5 (SD 12.7) years. Only 51.5% of the respondents gave a correct definition of NNJ. 75.8 % knew how to examine for this condition while 84.9 % knew at least two of its major causes in our environment. Also, only 54.5 % had adequate knowledge of effective treatment namely, phototherapy and exchange blood transfusion. Rather than referring affected babies to hospitals for proper management, 13.4 %, 10.4 % and 3 % of the participants would treat with ineffective drugs, natural phototherapy and herbal remedies respectively. None of the participants knew any effective means of prevention. CONCLUSION: Primary health care workers may have inadequate knowledge and misconceptions on NNJ which must be addressed concertedly before the impact of the condition on child health and well-being can be significantly reduced. We recommend regular training workshops and seminars for this purpose.

A comparative study of academic achievement of children with sickle cell anemia and their healthy siblings.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) could impact negatively on academic performance of affected children. Reports so far have been inconsistent. OBJECTIVE: To do a comparative analysis of academic performance of Nigerian children with SCA and their siblings. METHODS: We studied sessional aggregate scores, pass rates and percentage scores in four core subjects (mathematics, English language, integrated science and social studies), as well as the total number of days of school absence of 52 school-age children (6-17 years) with sickle cell anemia and 42 siblings of similar sociodemographic characteristics, over one academic session. FINDINGS: School absence among the SCA patients was significantly higher than that of siblings (9.3+/-5.5 days/school year and 4.3+/-2.6 days/school year, respectively, mean+/-SD, p<0.05). Although the mean sessional aggregate score for patients was comparable with that of the siblings, there was a significantly larger proportion of below-average pupils among the patients. The mean percentage scores of the patients on mathematics, English language, integrated science and social studies compared well with those of the siblings. There was no significant correlation between school absence and academic achievement of the study population. CONCLUSION: More children with SCA are underachievers in this study, and their school underachievement is not associated with the observed higher school absence.

Hemoglobinopathy and pattern of musculoskeletal infection in children.

BACKGROUND: The bacterial pathogens associated with osteomyelitis in patients with hemoglobinopathy (HbSS) are controversial. There is insufficient data on the common musculoskeletal (MSS) infections in patients with hemoglobinopathies and the associated bacterial pathogens in Nigeria. OBJECTIVES: To identify the common MSS infections in children and the associated bacterial pathogens, especially in those with abnormal hemoglobin genotypes. METHODS: A retrospective case review was done of pediatric and adolescent patients admitted with bone and soft tissue infections over a seven-year period in a Nigerian teaching hospital. RESULTS: One-hundred-nineteen patients were studied, with mean age 7.9+/-5.6 years and male-female ratio of 1.3:1. Out of 78 patients with known genotype, 62.8% had HbAA, 20.5% HbSS, 9% HbAS, and 7.7% HbAC. The most common MSS infections were osteomyelitis (64.7%), pyomyositis (17.6%), and septic arthritis (10.1%). Others were cellulitis (5.9%), tuberculous arthritis (0.8%), and necrotizing fasciitis (0.8%). Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was isolated from 62% of chronic osteomyelitis (COM) and 58% of pyomyositis, while gram-negative bacilli accounted for 34% and 42%, respectively. S. aureus was isolated from 63% of patients with HbAA, 40% with HbSS, 58% with HbAS, and 58% with HbAC, while gram-negative bacilli accounted for 33%, 60%, 33%, and 33%, respectively. Osteomyelitis and pyomyositis appear to be similarly common in patients with and without HbSS (RR 1.29; 95% CI 0.47-3.50). Osteomyelitis and soft tissue infections in general also appear to be equally common in them (RR 1.16; 95% CI 0.39-4.11). However, osteomyelitis appears to be more common among patients with HbSS than those with HbAA (RR 2.29; 95% CI 0.58-8.99) and those with other hemoglobinopathies (RR 2.23; 95% CI 0.66-7.49) CONCLUSIONS: Osteomyelitis, pyomyositis and septic arthritis are common MSS infections in hospitalized pediatric and adolescent patients, while tuberculous arthritis is uncommon. The most common bacterial pathogen in these infections is S. aureus-even in patients with HbSS and other hemoglobinopathies. Gram-negative bacilli are important causes of MSS infections in hospitalized children with HbSS. HbSS may be an independent risk factor for osteomyelitis in these patients.