Acute kidney injury and mortality in pediatric Lassa fever versus question of access to dialysis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of acute kidney injury (AKI), and its impact on outcome in hospitalized pediatric patients with Lassa fever (LF). METHODS: We reviewed the presenting clinical and laboratory features and outcomes of 40 successive hospitalized children with PCR-confirmed LF. The diagnosis and staging of AKI was based on KDIGO criteria. We compared groups of patients using t- or χ2 tests as necessary, and took p-values <0.05 as indicative of the presence of significant differences. RESULTS: Sixteen (40%) children had AKI. Case fatality rate (CFR) was 9/16 (56%) in children with and 1/24 (4%) in those without AKI (OR [95% CI] of CFR associated with AKI = 29.57 [3.17, 275.7]). Presentation with abnormal bleeding (p = 0.008), encephalopathy (p = 0.004), hematuria plus proteinuria (p = 0.013), and elevated serum transaminase levels (p <0.02) were significantly associated with an increased prevalence of AKI. CONCLUSION: AKI prevalence in hospitalized pediatric patients with Lassa fever is high, and correlated with illness severity/CFR. The high prevalence underscores the need for access to hemodialysis, and clinical presentation and/or presence of hematuria plus proteinuria could serve as a ready prompt for referral for such specialized care.

Assessment of Use of National Guidelines for Malaria Case Management among Pediatric Resident Doctors Attending an Update Course in Benin City, Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: The National Malaria Guideline is a veritable tool for appropriate case management of malaria. Whether the pediatric residents who are the primary caregivers of children know and make use of this guideline in their routine practice is not yet assessed. AIM: The aim of the study is to assess the awareness of the Nigerian pediatric residents of the national guidelines for malaria case management (including antimalarial prescription for uncomplicated and severe malaria). SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The descriptive study carried out during the 2017 National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Faculty of Paediatrics Update Course in Benin City. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data were obtained using a self-administered questionnaire which was given to all pediatric residents who participated at the update course and who had given written informed consent. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16.0 (Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA). RESULTS: Of the 108 participants whose questionnaires were analyzed, 75.0% were Part 1 candidates and 25.0% Part 2 candidates; mean age 34.0 ± 4.5 years (range 26-51 years) and 42 (39.0%) males while 66 (61.0%) were female. Ninety-four (87.0%) were aware of the current national guidelines for management of malaria and 45 (41.7%) had read the guidelines. Correctness of prescription was obtained from 39 (36.0%) respondents in uncomplicated malaria cases and 44 (40.7%) in severe malaria cases. This finding did not significantly associate with the years of practice, level of practice, practicing institutions, awareness, and reading of the national guideline. CONCLUSIONS: Most pediatric residents have not read nor use the national guidelines for management of malaria which reflected in poor prescription pattern of antimalarial drugs in routine practice.

Impact of home-based management on malaria outcome in under-fives presenting in a tertiary health institution in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Home-based management of malaria involves prompt delivery of effective malaria treatment at the community by untrained caregiver. The aim of this study was to document home-based treatment of suspected malaria by non-medical caregivers and to identify its health impact on malaria outcome (severe malaria prevalence, parasite load and mortality) in children (6-59 months). METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study carried out from June 2012-July 2013. Data was obtained by researcher-administered questionnaire and malaria was confirmed in each child by microscopy. Analysis was by Statistical Package for Scientific Solutions version 16. RESULTS: Of the 290 caregivers (31.2 ± 6.1 years)/child (21.3 ± 14.4 months) pairs recruited, 222 (76.6%) caregivers managed malaria at home before presenting their children to hospital. Majority (99.0%) practiced inappropriate home-based malaria treatment. While only 35 (15.8%) caregivers used the recommended artemisinin-based combination therapy, most others used paracetamol either solely or in combination with anti-malarial monotherapy [153 (69.0%)]. There was no significant difference in mean [±] parasites count (2055.71 ± 1655.06/µL) of children who received home-based treatment and those who did not (2405.27 ± 1905.77/µL) (t = 1.02, p = 0.31). Prevalence of severe malaria in this study was 111 (38.3%), which was statistically significantly higher in children who received home-based malaria treatment [90.0%] (χ2 = 18.4, OR 4.2, p = 0.00). The mortality rate was 62 per 1000 and all the children that died received home-based treatment (p < 0.001). While low socio-economic class was the significant predictor of prevalence of severe malaria (ß = 0.90, OR 2.5, p = 0.00), late presentation significantly predicted mortality (ß = 1.87, OR 6.5, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The expected benefits of home-based management of malaria in under-fives were undermined by inappropriate treatment practices by the caregivers leading to high incidence of severe malaria and mortality.

Prevalence of congenital malaria in newborns of mothers co-infected with HIV and malaria in Benin city.

BACKGROUND: HIV and Plasmodium falciparum malaria co-infection annually complicates about one million pregnancies in sub-Saharan Africa. Congenital malaria (CM) has deleterious effects on newborns. Little is known about the effect of co-infections on the prevalence of CM in infants born by these women. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of CM in newborns of mothers co-infected with HIV and malaria compared to HIV-negative mothers with malaria in Benin-City. METHODS: Subjects were 162 newborns of mothers co-infected with HIV and malaria. Controls were 162 newborns of HIV negative malaria infected mothers. Blood film for malaria parasites was done on cord blood and peripheral blood on days 1, 3 and 7 in the newborns. Maternal peripheral blood film for malaria parasite was done at delivery and placental tissue was obtained for confirmation of placental malaria by histology. Diagnosis of malaria in blood films was by light microscopy. RESULTS: The prevalence of CM in subjects was significantly higher than in controls (34.6% and 22.2%, p=.014). Profound immunodepression (maternal CD4 cell count <200 cell/mm3) was significantly associated with CM (p=.006). The major predictors of CM in subjects were maternal CD4 cell count <200 cell/mm3 and placental malaria while in controls placental malaria was the only predictor. CONCLUSIONS: Babies born to mothers co-infected with HIV and malaria are at increased risk for CM. All babies born by HIV positive mothers should be screened for CM.

Effect of HIV-1 Serostatus on the Prevalence of Asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum Parasitemia Among Children Less Than 5 Years of Age in Benin City, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and Plasmodium falciparum malaria are 2 of the gravest health threats in sub-Saharan Africa. Multiple repeat infections with the malaria parasite as seen in endemic areas are necessary to develop specific malaria immunity. HIV is an immunosuppressive virus and in children aged <5 years, development of malaria-specific immunity may be impaired and malaria parasite clearance in theory will be delayed; hence the predisposition to increased incidence of asymptomatic malaria or severe malaria. This cross-sectional study was carried out to examine associations between immunosuppression and asymptomatic malaria parasitemia (ASMP) in HIV-infected children aged <5 years in Benin City. METHODS: One hundred seventy-nine asymptomatic HIV-1-positive and 179 age- and sex-matched HIV-1-negative children aged <5 years were recruited. The malaria parasite was determined by Giemsa-stained blood film by certified microscopy while concomitant CD4(+) count was estimated in the HIV-infected children. RESULTS: The prevalence of ASMP in those who were HIV-infected of 34.1% was significantly higher than 17.3% in the HIV uninfected (P = .001). The prevalence of ASMP was highest (59.3%) among subjects who were severely immunosuppressed (CDC immunologic category 3). The prevalence of ASMP significantly increased with advanced immune disease in the subjects (P = .011). Severe (World Health Organization) clinical staging was also significantly associated with increased prevalence of ASMP (P = .031). The prevalence of ASMP is significantly higher among subjects not receiving cotrimoxazole, associated with threefold risk of having ASMP (P = .003: odds ratio = 3.5). CONCLUSIONS: ASMP is more common in HIV-positive children aged <5 years and is significantly associated with declining CD4(+) T-cell count and severe clinical disease. There is a need for integration of HIV- and malaria-control programs for stronger case management. Malaria-control programs may consider malaria prevention interventions and cotrimoxazole prophylaxis for preschool children who are HIV-infected and living in malaria-endemic regions.

Cord care education and its content given to mothers at antenatal clinics in various health facilities in Edo State, Nigeria

Introduction: Hygienic umbilical cord care is necessary for the well-.being of the newborn. Health education is a strong tool for lifestyle modification aimed at healthy living. This ought to extend to mothers who care for their infants' umbilical cord stump in various ways especially after discharge from hospital. The content of health education on cord care given to mothers (if any) at various health institutions which they accessed for antenatal care is thus worth evaluating. Objective: To evaluate the content of health education on cord care given to mothers at various health facilities which served as their places of antenatal care in Benin City; Nigeria. Methods: The study subjects included mothers who brought their babies to Well Baby/Immunization Clinic of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH); Benin City; Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to assess their biodata; places of antenatal care; whether health education on cord care constituted part of the services received in health facilities and the content of the cord care education. Results: Of the 497 subjects studied; 487 (98.0) received antenatal care (ANC) in both orthodox and unorthodox facilities. Amongst these; 352 (72.3) received health education on cord care while 135 (27.7) did not. Teaching and private hospitals contributed 116 (48.9) and 103 (43.5) respectively to the total documentation of the advice concerning use of methylated spirit alone. The relationship between content of health education on cord care and method of cord care practiced by mothers was statistically significant. Conclusion: Health education on cord care is lacking in some of our health facilities and where available; content may not be evidence-based. We must equip health workers with facts required to enlighten patients. A standard and universal method of cord care should be adopted to reduce or abolish the confusion which mothers presently encounter in caring for their babies' umbilical cords

Peak expiratory flow rate variability in apparently healthy school children aged 10-15 years in Oredo, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: To study the peak expiratory flow rate variability (PEFRVar) in apparently healthy school children in Oredo, Nigeria. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study of 438 subjects (10-15 years), attending the public junior secondary schools, between March and November 2005. The study took place in the Oredo Local Government Area. The age and anthropometry were taken and PEFRVar was determined using values obtained at 6 AM, 2 PM, and 10 PM over a 14-day period, using a mini-Wright peak expiratory flow meter. RESULTS: Peak expiratory flow rate variability (mean+/-SD) was 4.5+/-1.3% for all subjects (4.4+/-1.0% for males, and 4.6+/-1.6% for females). Females had higher PEFRVar. The upper limits of 95% CI were 7.1% for all subjects (6.4% for males, and 7.8% for females). The PEFRVar showed an inverse relationship with height, age, and weight. Regression equations for PEFR and PEFRVar were derived for age, height, and weight. CONCLUSION: Based on upper limit of 95% CI for all subjects, a PEFRVar cut-off of 7.1% is recommended for diagnosis of significant airway obstruction as in asthma in the age bracket under review in Oredo and perhaps other areas, sharing similar geo-physical and social characteristics.

Pattern of emergency neurologic morbidities in children.

Neurologic morbidities seen in the children's emergency facility of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, over a five-year period (July 1996-June 2001) was evaluated to determine the pattern and outcome. Notes and ward records of patients with neurologic morbidities were retrieved. Data obtained from these sources include age, sex principal diagnosis, duration of stay and outcome. Six-hundred-four out of 3,868 patients (15.6%) had neurologic morbidity. Children five years of age and under were 466 (77.2%), and modal age group was 1-2 years. Febrile convulsion was the most common neurologic morbidity seen (35.1%) followed by cerebral malaria (28.0%) and then meningitis (27.0%). An increased incidence of cases occurred during the rainy season. Sixty-four out of 406 with complete records (15.8%) died. Forty-seven (67.2%) died within 24 hours of admission. Cerebral malaria and meningitis accounted for all the deaths. Preventable infectious diseases are the major causes of emergency neurologic morbidities and mortality. The majority die within 24 hours largely due to a delay in presentation to the hospital. Effective malaria control and prevention of meningitis would reduce the incidence of neurologic morbidities and, if this is coupled with health education of the populace on the importance of attending health facility early, mortality from these causes would be greatly reduced.