Factors associated with common mental disorders among breastfeeding mothers in tertiary hospital nurseries in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that the impact of maternal mental health disorders on newborns' well-being in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) are underreported, multi-dimensional and varies over time and differs from what is reported in high-income countries. We present the prevalence and risk factors associated with common mental disorders (CMDs) among breastfeeding mothers whose infants were admitted to Nigerian tertiary care facilities. METHODS: This was a national cross-sectional study involving mothers of hospitalised babies from eleven Nigerian tertiary hospitals. We used the WHO self-reporting Questionnaire 20 and an adapted WHO/UNICEF ten-step breastfeeding support package to assess mothers' mental health and breastfeeding support. RESULTS: Only 895 of the 1,120 mothers recruited from eleven tertiary healthcare nurseries in six geopolitical zones of Nigeria had complete datasets for analysis. The participants' mean age was 29.9 ± 6.2 years. One in four had CMDs; 24.0% (95% CI: 21.235, 26.937%). The ages of mothers, parity, gestational age at delivery, and length of hospital stay were comparable between mothers with and those without CMDs. Antenatal care at primary healthcare facilities (adjusted odds ratio [aOR:13], primary education [aOR:3.255] living in the south-southern region of the country [aOR 2.207], poor breastfeeding support [aOR:1.467], polygamous family settings [aOR:2.182], and a previous history of mental health disorders [aOR:4.684] were significantly associated with CMDs. In contrast, those from the middle and lower socioeconomic classes were less likely to develop CMDs, with [aOR:0.532] and [aOR:0.493], respectively. CONCLUSION: In Nigeria, the prevalence of CMDs is relatively high among breastfeeding mothers with infants admitted to a tertiary care facility. Prior history of mental illness, polygamous households, mothers living in the southern region and low or no educational attainment have a greater risk of developing CMDs. This study provides evidence for assessing and tailoring interventions to CMDs among breastfeeding mothers in neonatal nurseries in LMIC.

Neonatal transport practices in Ibadan, Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Neonatal transport involves moving sick neonates in optimal conditions to ensure good outcomes. It is well organized in most developed countries but receives little attention in developing countries where the highest burden of neonatal mortality exists and a large number of newborns require referrals daily for better medical care. This study sought to evaluate the modes of transport, pre- and intra-transport care of neonates referred to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria. METHODS: The methods of transporting 401 neonates presenting to the children's emergency room of the hospital were evaluated as well as the care the babies received during transport. Categorical variables were compared using the Chi square test while continuous variables were compared by the student t-test. RESULTS: About a third presented in the first 12hours and 85% in the first week of life, all from within 80km radius. There were 67.1% term, 31.4% preterm and 1.5% post-term neonates, all without prior communication. The modes of transport included private vehicles (43.9%), commercial vehicles (40.6%), motorcycles (9.0%), ambulance (4.0%) and on foot (2.5%). Only 3 (0.7%) were transported in incubators and none in KMC position. Only 42.0% had referral letters and 7.0% were accompanied by medical personnel. Materials available during transport included Ambubags (3.7%), oxygen (3.5%) and some drugs (3.5%). Events during transport were apnoea, 4.7%, vomiting 1.0%, reduced activity 16.2% and seizures 13.7%. 19 (4.7%) neonates were dead on arrival. Pre-transport care included resuscitation (18.2%), intravenous fluid/feeding (24.4%) and supplemental oxygen (14.0%). CONCLUSION: Neonatal transport practices in Ibadan, Nigeria are abysmal with associated high mortality.

Serum copeptin and pregnancy outcome in preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND: A number of biochemical predictors of preeclampsia have been reported, but little is known about their possible relationship with maternal and fetal outcomes. This study determined serum copeptin in pregnant women with preeclampsia and assessed its relationship with pregnancy outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty women with severe preeclampsia (SP), 30 with mild preeclampsia (MP), and 30 with uncomplicated pregnancy were enrolled into this study. Serum copeptin, creatinine, and liver function were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetry as appropriate. Pregnancy outcomes, both maternal and fetal, were taken using standard methods. RESULTS: Copeptin was significantly elevated in preeclampsia subjects compared with controls and in SP compared with MP. Assessing the diagnostic property of copeptin for preeclampsia, the area under the curve for copeptin was 0.99. Nine (30%) and 3 (10%) of SP and MP, respectively had abruptio placenta while 6 (20%), 2 (6.7%), and 1 (3.3%) still births were recorded in SP, MP, and controls, respectively. Neonates of mothers with preeclampsia had significantly lower birth weight, infant length, ponderal index, and head circumference compared with neonates of the controls. Copeptin had a significant inverse relationship with birth weight, ponderal index, head circumference, Apgar score, and infant length in neonates of mothers with preeclampsia. CONCLUSION: Serum copeptin level in the third trimester could predict preeclampsia and its elevation is associated with adverse perinatal outcome.

Cranial magnetic resonance imaging findings in kwashiorkor.

Protein energy malnutrition (PEM) is an important public health problem in the developing countries, although it is becoming uncommon in South West Nigeria. Cerebral changes have been associated with severe PEM. This study evaluated the neurological changes using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in Ibadan south west Nigeria. The 5 children evaluated had a median age of 16 months and all the children had brain changes compatible with cerebral atrophy. In addition two of the children had periventricular white matter changes, while one these two had mega cisterna magna in addition. Though this study did not re-evaluate the brains of these children after nutritional rehabilitation, it is possible that changes are reversible as demonstrated in earlier studies.