Asphyxie périnatale au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire pour enfants de Diamniadio, Dakar, Sénégal

Introduction : L'asphyxie périnatale représente la deuxième cause de mortalité néonatale après la prématurité. Elle est souvent liée dans notre contexte aux circonstances de l'accouchement.Objectifs : Décrire les aspects épidémiologiques, cliniques et pronostiques de l'asphyxie périnatale chez des nouveau-nés à terme à l'unité de néonatologie de l'Hôpital pour Enfants de Diamniadio (Dakar).Patients et méthode : Etude rétrospective, descriptive et analytique menée d'octobre 2014 à novembre 2015. Etaient inclus tous les nouveau-nés à terme hospitalisés dans un contexte d'asphyxie.Résultats : Nous avons colligé 50 cas d'asphyxie, soit une fréquence de 19,5% des nouveau-nés à terme. Le sex-ratio était de 1,5. La majorité des mères soit 80% avait un âge compris entre 18-35 ans. Les pathologies obstétricales rencontrées étaient dominées par la rupture prématurée des membranes 28%, l'infection maternelle 18%, l'HTA 16% et les accidents funiculaires 12%. La naissance par césarienne concernait 1 enfant sur 5. La présentation de siège était la plus fréquente. Le liquide amniotique avait un aspect pathologique (teinté, méconial, purée de pois, hématique) dans 54% des cas. Cinquante-quatre pour cent (54%) des patients avaient un score d'Apgar à 7 à la cinquième minute. L'encéphalopathie anoxo-ischémique, la détresse respiratoire et le choc ont été les complications les plus retrouvées avec 88%, 28% et 22% des cas. Le retentissement biologique était surtout rénal et hépatique dans 24% et 38%. Le phénobarbital était l'anticonvulsivant le plus administré (52%) lors du traitement initial. La mortalité était de 32% (16 patients) ; l'âge moyen de décès était de 36 jours. Le liquide amniotique (p = 0,022), les convulsions (p = 0,041), les troubles de la conscience (p = 0,022), l'EAI au stade 2 et 3 (p = 0,036) et la rupture prématurée des membranes (p = 0,019) étaient significativement associés au risque de décès. Des séquelles étaient observées chez 34,2% des patients : une IMC (11), un trouble du langage (7) et une épilepsie (2).Conclusion : L'asphyxie périnatale reste une pathologie grave. La mortalité élevée et la gravité des séquelles rappellent qu'il est impératif de renforcer la prévention par un bon suivi des grossesses et de l'accouchement

Hématome sous-galéal révélant une hémophilie A sévère en période néonatale. A propos d'un cas

Introduction : L'hématome sous-galéal est une urgence diagnostique et thérapeutique souvent d'origine traumatique. Cependant, il peut révéler des troubles constitutionnels de l'hémostase.Observation : M.N, de sexe masculin est né par voie basse à terme, avec une notion d'expressions abdominales. Il pesait 3200 g pour un Périmètre Crânien (PC) de 33 cm et une taille de 52 cm. Il est reçu à H24 de vie pour augmentation du PC à 39 cm avec à l'examen un hématome diffus du cuir chevelu décollant les oreilles, une anémie clinique, une détresse respiratoire et neurologique. Le bilan retrouvait une anémie à 2.8g/dl et une thrombopénie. Le diagnostic d'hématome sous-galéal était retenu et il bénéficiait d'une transfusion sanguine, de vitaminothérapie K et d'une hospitalisation de 10 jours. Une semaine après l'exéat, il est revu pour des hématomes en regard des points de prélèvement avec anémie à 9.5g/dl, un taux de plaquettes normal, un TP normal et un TCA allongé. Le dosage des facteurs VIII et IX ramène un taux de facteur VIII bas à 0.9%. Le diagnostic d'hémophilie A est posé et le patient reçoit une injection intraveineuse de facteur anti hémophilique A.Conclusion : La recherche d'une anomalie de l'hémostase doit être systématique devant toute hémorragie chez le nouveau-né

Ascite urinaire néonatale révélant des valves de l'urètre postérieur. A propos d'un cas

Le diagnostic étiologique d'une ascite récidivante en période néonatale est parfois difficile. Une cause rare à laquelle il faut penser est l'ascite urinaire qui résulte d'une extravasation transpéritonéale de l'urine dans la cavité péritonéale. Elle est généralement secondaire à une uropathie obstructive. Nous rapportons l'observation de l'enfant A.T. qui est un nouveau-né de sexe masculin reçu à 21 jours de vie pour une ascite de grande abondance évoluant depuis le 3ème jour de vie. L'examen clinique notait : une ascite, une détresse respiratoire, une perte de poids, une hypothermie et une anurie. A la biologie on notait un syndrome inflammatoire, une hyponatrémie, une hyperkaliémie, une altération de la fonction rénale avec une natriurèse et une kaliurèse abaissées. L'échographie abdominale confirmait l'ascite de grande abondance associée à une souffrance rénale bilatérale avec hydronéphrose. La ponction d'ascite ramenait un liquide jaune citrin transsudatif avec un taux de protide à 15g/L et un rapport, créatinine de l'ascite sur la créatinémie, supérieur à 1. L'urétro-cystographie rétrograde objectivait des valves de l'urètre postérieur très sténosants avec vessie de lutte. L'évolution était favorable avec disparition de l'ascite et normalisation de la fonction rénale après sondage urinaire transurétrale. Il faut penser à l'ascite urineuse chez le nouveau-né porteur d'une malformation obstructive des voies urinaires surtout si elle est récidivante

Indifférence congénitale à la douleur chez un garçon de 27 mois

Introduction : Nous rapportons le cas d'une indifférence congénitale à la douleur encore appelée analgésie congénitale ou algo-ataraxie, découverte chez un garçon de 27 mois. Observation : Le patient était né à terme, complètement vacciné avec un développement psychomoteur correct, en phase sensori-motrice et prospective. La mère avait rapporté une absence de pleurs ou de changement de comportement lors des vaccinations. Elle avait aussi rapporté des morsures répétées de la langue et des faces muqueuses des lèvres. Il n'y avait pas d'antécédents familiaux particuliers déclarés. Le diagnostic a été évoqué devant les brûlures répétées des mains associées à des lésions d'automutilation. Il y avait de multiples stigmates d'anciens traumatismes à la tête, au tronc et aux quatre membres. L'examen clinique avait objectivé une indifférence à la douleur et à la chaleur. L'électromyogramme avait mis en évidence une polyneuropathie sensitive des quatre membres.Conclusion : L'indifférence congénitale à la douleur chez un garçon issu d'un milieu défavorisé, en pleine phase sensori-motrice et prospective du développement psychomoteur, pose le problème de sa mise en danger permanente. La prise en charge pluri-disciplinaire et l'éducation parentale doivent préserver l'intégrité physique et assurer un développement psychomoteur correct

[Kangaroo mother care for low birth weight infants at Albert-Royer National Children Hospital Center of Dakar]. / Les soins kangourou pour nouveau-nés de faible poids de naissance au centre hospitalier national d'enfants Albert-Royer de Dakar.

INTRODUCTION: Kangaroo care (KC) is an effective method to care for low birth weight (LBW) newborns, particularly in developing countries. The objective of this study was to estimate the efficacy of this method and its impact on morbidity and mortality of LBW infants admitted to the KC unit of Albert-Royer National Children's Hospital Center (ARNCHC) in Dakar, Senegal. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-center study from July 2011 to July 2013. We collected sociodemographic, maternal, and obstetrical data, neonatal characteristics and information during KC (age and weight at inclusion, thermoregulation, feeding, growth, and overall progression). Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 9.0. RESULTS: We included 135 newborns, with a female predominance (sex ratio: 0.78). One-third of the mothers (35.5%) were primiparous and only 21.1% had a socioprofessional activity and the majority had a low educational level. The mean gestational age (GA) was 33.08±2.06 weeks of amenorrhea and the mean birth weight 1485±370 g. There were 20 term babies with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (14.8%) and 115 (85.2%) preterm newborns, 83 (72.2%) of whom, showed IUGR. The mean duration of conventional care was 12.3 days (range: 4-27 days) and the main complications were respiratory distress (46.2%), infection (36.9%), and necrotizing enterocolitis (15.1%). At KC admission, the mean post-conceptional age was 34.2±2.46 weeks and the mean weight 1445±319 g (minimum, 700 g). The main complications in KC were infections (20.2%), hypoglycemia (18.5%), and gastro-esophageal reflux disease (16.4%). Only 56.3% of the babies were exclusively breastfed. The mean weight gain during the stay in the KC unit was 15.3±9.08 g/kg/day and the mean weight at discharge was 1761±308 g. Only three episodes of hypothermia were noted. The mean duration in the KC unit was 10.2 days (range: 3-24 days). Five babies died (3.7%): one during KC, one at home, and the three others after readmission to neonatology. CONCLUSION: Kangaroo care for LBW infants is highly effective in our context. This method should be spread to a large majority of health centers in the country.

La détresse respiratoire du nouveau-né à terme au service de néonatologie du Centre hospitalier d'enfants Albert Royer de Dakar, Sénégal

Introduction : La Détresse Respiratoire (DR) est fréquente en néonatalogie, souvent liée à des difficultés d'adaptation ou à l'infection. Objectifs : Décrire les aspects épidémiologique, clinique, thérapeutique et pronostique de la détresse respiratoire du nouveau-né à terme au service de néonatologie Centre hospitalier National d'Enfants Albert Royer de Dakar (CHNEAR).Patients et méthode : Etude rétrospective, descriptive du 1er janvier au 31 décembre 2014, concernant les nouveau-nés à terme hospitalisés pour détresse respiratoire. Résultats : Nous avons colligé 214 cas de DR, soit une fréquence de 34,8% des nouveau-nés à terme. Le sex-ratio était de 1,06 et l'âge moyen de 8,5 jours. L'accouchement était fait par césarienne dans 39 cas (18,2%) et 132 nouveau-nés (61,5%) étaient eutrophiques. Une réanimation en salle de naissance avait été nécessaire pour 86 nouveau-nés (40,2%). La DR était précoce en salle de naissance dans 75 cas (35,0%) et 107 nouveau-nés (50%) étaient admis avant 48 heures de vie. Le transfert était fait par transport en commun dans 92 cas (42,8%). La DR était sévère chez 102 nouveau-nés (47,7%). La SpO2 moyenne était de 78% sous oxygène à l'admission. Les principales étiologies étaient l'infection néonatale (118 cas ; 55,1%), l'asphyxie périnatale (53 cas ; 24,8%), l'inhalation méconiale (30 cas ; 14,0%), les cardiopathies congénitales (29 cas ; 13,5%), la bronchiolite aiguë 20 cas ; (9,3%), l'atrésie des choanes (9 cas ; 4,2%). Une ventilation artificielle était réalisée pour 45 nouveau-nés (21,0%). La létalité était de 31,8% (68 décès). Cette létalité était significativement associée à l'existence d'une détresse respiratoire en salle de naissance (p = 0,007 ; OR 2,2), d'une hypertension artérielle pulmonaire (p <0,001 ; OR 5,1), d'un pneumothorax (p < 0,001 ; OR 3,3), d'une inhalation méconiale (p = 0,006 ; OR 4,0), et d'une cardiopathie congénitale (p = 0,004 ; OR 3,7). Conclusion : Les détresses respiratoires néonatales sont fréquentes et sont associées à une létalité élevée. La prise en charge en salle de naissance, pendant le transfert et en néonatologie doit être améliorée

[Assessment of the state and future of basic neonatal resuscitation equipment, in first-line health facilities in Senegal after 3years]. / Évaluation de l'état et du devenir du matériel de base destiné à la prise en charge du nouveau-né à la naissance dans les structures sanitaires périphériques au Sénégal, après un recul de trois ans.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal mortality is a major public health problem. The main causes are infections, prematurity and asphyxia at birth. In view of reducing this high mortality, primary healthcare facilities were equipped with basic equipment for the care of newborns and their key workers were trained in essential newborn care. Three years after this implementation, the present study assesses the state and conditions of use of this basic equipment intended for taking care of newborns at birth. METHOD: This assessment was conducted from 16 March to 3 April 2009. It was based on observations and interviews on a sample of healthcare facilities. RESULTS: Healthcare facilities were generally equipped with ventilator bags and masks (87%) (60/69). In more than half of the healthcare centers (20/38), they were not used often because the workers were renewed and not educated in their use. They were practically all in good condition. Eighty-five percent (59/69) of healthcare facilities had at least one aspirator, generally adapted to newborns (negative pressure, 100 mmHg). The maintenance of the material was globally satisfactory because the aspirator bottles were most often clean. As for the aspirator tubes, they were always available but a few cases of supply rupture were observed in some healthcare centers. The warming table was available in only 52% (36/69) of healthcare facilities. Fifteen tables did not comply with initial specifications. CONCLUSION: This assessment highlights that the basic equipment intended for newborn care was generally available, functional and maintained well after 3 years. This strategy could be scaled up in order to contribute to reducing the newborn mortality.

[Prescription errors in a pediatric hospital department in Dakar, Senegal]. / Les erreurs de prescription médicamenteuse dans un service hospitalier pédiatrique a Dakar, Sénégal.

Prescription is the main source of medication error in daily medical practice. The purpose of this study was to determine the distribution and cost of drugs used and causes of prescription errors in one department of the Albert Royer National Children's Hospital Center in Dakar, Senegal. Study was focused on patients admitted from December 1 to March 3, 2009. Based on 792 expected hospitalizations, 1 out of 2 patients was randomly selected to obtain a cohort of 400 patients for whom a total of 1267 prescriptions were written by pediatricians and interns on duty. Prescriptions were evaluated by pediatric professors to identify errors. The types of errors taken into account in this study involved indication, dosage schedule, and treatment duration. A total of 216 (17.0%) errors were identified including 121 cases (9.5%) involving indication mainly for antibiotics (30.5%) and antimalarial drugs (28.9%). Dosage schedule errors were observed in 58 cases (4.5%) involving antibiotics (24.1%) and antifungals (25.8%). These findings confirm the need for an intensive information campaign to prevent medication misuse in countries such as Senegal. Campaigns should be based on training of relevant therapeutic staff to optimize health care and improve availability for everyone.

[Malaria severity criteria and prognostic factors among children in Dakar]. / Critères de gravité et facteurs pronostiques du paludisme chez l'enfant à Dakar.

INTRODUCTION: Severity factors associated with malaria as well as prognostic factors for death were assessed at the Dakar Centre Hospitalier National d'Enfants Albert Royer de Fann (CHNEAR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was carried out from January 1 to December 31, 2007 involving children from 0 to 15 years of age, admitted for plasmodium falciparum malaria with positive thick drop examination, meeting at least one of the WHO 2000 malaria severity criteria. Acidosis was not studied. OUTCOME: The rate of severe malaria cases in our hospital was 6.4%. The sex ratio was 1.4 and the median age of patients at 91 months. A peak was observed during the 4th trimester (75.5%). Convulsions (52.5%) and obtundation (49.4%) were the most common signs of clinical severity while hyperparasitemia and severe anemia ranged at 27.2% and 21.6%, respectively. Lethality was 11.1% and the main death risk factors were young age (p = 0.025), coma (p = 0.007), respiratory distress (p = 0.04), or hypoglycemia (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Reducing malaria hospital mortality in Senegal may be obtained by proper management of poor prognostic factors such as coma, respiratory distress, and hypoglycemia.

[Epidemiology and course of splenomegaly in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease in Senegal]. / Aspects épidémiologiques et évolutifs de la splénomégalie chez les enfants et adolescents porteurs de syndromes drépanocytaires majeurs au Sénégal.

Splenomegaly is common in sickle cell disease (SCD) and can lead to complications. In order to evaluate its prevalence and progression in Senegalese children ad adolescents with SCD, we analyzed the records of all patients followed-up at Albert-Royer Children's Hospital in Dakar, Senegal, from January 1991 to December 2005. Age, clinical course specifying size of the spleen beyond the costal margin, and disease progression were the main data recorded. We included 698 patients (94.6% SS, 4.4% SC and 1% S-beta-thalassemia). The subjects' mean age when included in the cohort was 6 years and 11 months. Splenomegaly was observed in 122 patients (17.5 %), measuring 1-17 cm beyond the costal margin (mean, 4.7 cm). Splenomegaly was more frequent in SC patients (32.3 %) compared to SS patients (16.5 %, p=0.025). The frequency was greater in infants aged 0-12 months (25.6 %) and increased from the 1- to 5-year-old age group to the 6- to 10-year-old, before it decreased further. The course of splenomegaly was marked by subsequent reduction in 17.3 % of cases, total reversal in 43.4 %, and no size variation in 39.3 %. Acute splenic sequestration occurred in 3 SS cases aged 27, 29, and 32 months and was managed with blood transfusion. Seven patients (6 SS and 1 SC) aged 4-13 years presented hypersplenism. Splenectomy was performed in 4 of these cases, while the complication reversed after 2 to 3 blood transfusions in the 3 remaining cases. The prevalence of splenomegaly is relatively low in Senegalese children with SCD. The risk of complications requires monitoring the spleen and teaching parents palpation of the baby's abdomen for early management of splenic sequestration.

[Evaluation of integrated management of childhood illness three years after implementation in a health care district in Senegal]. / Evaluation de la Prise en Charge Intégrée des Maladies de l'Enfant dans un district du Sénégal après 3 ans de mise en place.

The strategy of Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) has been recommended by both WHO and UNICEF for first-level health facilities to control the main childhood diseases in developing countries. In Senegal, IMCI was adopted in 1996 and had been implemented in several pilot health districts by the year 2000. This study was conducted three years after implementation of IMCI in the Darou Mousty health district. The purpose was to evaluate determinant factors for implementation as well as the required skills of personnel. Evaluation was based on a review of IMCI records at health care facilities in the District and a survey to collect the opinion of healthcare workers involved in the program. All qualified personal, i.e. two doctors, eleven nurses and one midwife at the time of the survey, had received training in the IMCI approach. Although they all stated that this training improved their skills in managing paediatric patients, only 16 % used the approach on a regular basis. The most frequently reported reason for non-use was unwieldiness of IMCI procedures. According to IMCI guidelines, proper procedures were used in only 53 of the 1465 children (3.6%) who consulted during the study period. This low compliance rate was due to the inability of healthcare personnel to apply therapeutic protocols, plan appointments or identify emergency cases. These findings suggest that basic training and in-service courses must place greater emphasis on IMCI procedures and that regular supervision is needed to optimize this strategy in Senegal.

Evaluation de la prise en charge integree des maladies de l'enfant dans un district du Senegal apres 3 ans de mise en place

La strategie de Prise en Charge Integree des Maladies de l'Enfant (PCIME); preconisee au premier niveau du Systeme de sante; par les experts de l'OMS et l'UNICEF pour lutter contre les principales affections infantiles dans les pays en developpement; a ete introduite au Senegal en 1996; et mise en oeuvre en 2000 dans des Districts Sanitaires pilotes comme Darou Mousty; dans la Region de Louga. Trois ans apres sa mise en oeuvre; nous avons evalue dans ce district les determinants de l'application de la strategie et les competences du personnel dans ce domaine. Pour cela nous avons exploite les registres PCIME des structures de sante du District et interroge les agents de sante concernes par la strategie afin de recueillir leur opinion sur le processus. Tout le personnel qualifie; qui comprenait au moment de l'enquete 2 medecins; 11 infirmiers et une sage femme; a ete forme a l'approche PCIME. Bien que tous avouent que cette formation a contribue a renforcer leur competence enmatiere de prise en charge de l'enfant; seuls 16d'entre eux utilisent regulierement cette approche. La lourdeur des procedures de la PCIME est la principale contrainte evoquee. En se referant aux normes de la strategie; sur les 1465 enfants admis en consultation au cours de cette periode; 53 patients (3;6); ont beneficie d'une prise en charge correcte. Ce faible rendement est lie aux difficultes de ces agents a appliquer les protocoles therapeutiques; a planifier les rendez vous ou a identifier les cas a referer en urgence. Ainsi; nous pensons qu'il faut reviser les programmes de formation a la base et en cours d'emploi en accordant plus de place a la prise en charge integree des maladies de l'enfant et assurer une supervision reguliere des activites pour optimiser cette strategie au Senegal

[Psychosocial issues in HIV positive women during the perinatal period]. / Vécu des mères séropositives pour le VIH dans la période périnatale.

OBJECTIVE: To study the feelings of HIV infected mothers during the perinatal period regarding circumstances of HIV diagnosis, disclosure to partner and fear of contamination. POPULATION AND METHODS: A study based upon personal interviews was carried out from November 2003 to January 2004 upon routine pediatric outpatient visits for infants born to HIV positive mothers. RESULTS: This study included 54 women of which 70% were from Sub-Saharan Africa. Fifty-nine per cent discovered their HIV status during a pregnancy. Seventy-seven per cent of partners were informed of maternal status. Among the women reluctant to inform their partner, the main reasons given were fear of violence and separation. Seventy-two per cent of interviewed women refused their spouses to be informed by the medical staff. Medical care during pregnancy (moral support, delivery) was judged as good by a majority of women (90%) who found the behavior of the staff mostly satisfactory. Final child serology remains the most definitive test for mothers, 47% of whom fear the risk of a potential postnatal contamination of their children. CONCLUSION: In these isolated women, many of whom have recently discovered their HIV status, a multidisciplinary approach including psychosocial support is essential.

[Epidemiological and clinical aspects of paediatric HIV infections in Albert-Royer Paediatric Hospital (Dakar, Senegal)]. / Aspects épidémiologiques et cliniques de l'infection à VIH de l'enfant au centre hospitalier national d'enfants Albert-Royer à Dakar.

UNLABELLED: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection prevalence rate is estimated at 1.4% in Senegal, and about 3,000 children could be infected. HIV positive children are followed up since 2000 in Albert Royer Hospital (Dakar, Senegal). OBJECTIVES: To describe clinical and epidemiological aspects of HIV paediatric infection, and to evaluate the implementation of high active antiretroviral therapy in HIV positive children in our country. POPULATION AND METHODS: Over a period of three years, the medical reports of 98 infected patients have been collected, 96% with HIV 1 infection. RESULTS: Most of the patients had a maternally transmitted HIV infection (99%). At their enrollment, the median age was 60 months; malnutrition (79%), persistent lymphadenopathy (65%) and skin lesions (64%) were the common clinical manifestations. Thirty-nine percent of the patients were in class C (CDC) and 81% had CD4 cell count< or =25%. Median viral load were 421,852 copies/ml at presentation. Seven infants had a rapid progressive disease with encephalopathy. Thirty-six patients received high active antiretroviral therapy with high observance and good tolerance. CONCLUSION: This study allowed to define clinical and biological profile of paediatric HIV infection in our country and to update the implementation of high active antiretroviral therapy.

[Management problems of malignant hemopathies among children in Senegal]. / Problèmes posés par la prise en charge des hémopathies malignes chez l'enfant au Sénégal.

Malignant hemopathies are not considered as public health priority in Senegal because of their infrequency in comparison with infections and malnutrition. However they remain usually lethal instead of a great improvement of their prognosis in suitable therapeutic conditions. The objective of this study was to determine the epidemiologic and evolutionnal profile of these pathologies, and identify practical management problems in a reference public pediatric service in Senegal. We retrospectively analysed hospitals registers and records of all patients followed up in Albert Royer Children Hospital of Dakar from january 1989 to december 1998. During this ten years period 25 cases of malignant hemopathies were diagnosed among 32,789 hospitalised children, representing an hospital prevalence of 0.08 per cent. Mean age at the desease diagnosis was 9.5 years and sex ratio 2.57 (18 boys and 7 girls). The malignant type was acute leukemia (AL) in 11 cases (44%) including 9 cases of of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 2 cases of acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML); chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in 2 cases (8%), Hodgkin's desease (HD) in 9 cases (36%) and non hodgkinian lymphoma (NHL) in 3 cases. NHLwere Burkitt type in 2casesand lymphoblastic type in 1 case. Their was no maxillary or facial localisation in Burkitt type lymphoma. The mean duration between the first clinical symptomes and the diagnosis of the disease was 4 months and delayed diagnosis was mainly due to delayed transfer from peripheral health services to hospital. Among 19 patients whose records were available, 17 were subjected to chemotherapy. However reference protocols were completely applyed in only 2 cases, one with HD and an other with lymphoblastic lymphoma. Transfusion managementwas not sufficient because of the lack of blood derived products (packed platelets or leucocytes) when needed. Thirteen patients died while followed up and mean survival after first hospitalisation in these cases was 120 days in ALL, 38 days in AML, 2.5 years in HD and 18 months in NHL The other patients were lost of sight and presumed to be dead at home. Eventually, this study showed that, in our hospital, children with malignant hemopathies did not derive benefit of therapeutic progress enregistered long time ago in developed countries, since they remain constantly lethal. The main factors of lethality could be delayed transfer to hospital because of lack of knowledge about these pathologies in the peripheral health services and poor therapeutic conditions in reference hospitals. Creation of specialised clinical haematology department could enable us to improve the prognosis of these affections by an optimal use of available human and material ressources.

[Acute encephalic manifestations in Senegalese children with sickle cell disease]. / Manifestations encéphaliques aiguës chez l'enfant drépanocytaire sénégalais.

The course of sickle cell disease (SCD) may be complicated by neurologic events, mainly bactérial meningitidis and stroke. We retrospectively studied all cases with acute encephalic manifestations (AEM) in a cohort of 461 children and adolescents with SCD followed at Albert Royer Children Hospital of Dakar (Senegal) from january 1991 to december 2000 (ten years). Among them 438 had sickle cell anemia (SCA), 19 SC disease and 4 S-beta thalassemia (3 S-beta+, 1 S-beta0). Seven patients, all with SCA, presented antecedents of AEM revealed by flacid and proportionnal hemiplegia evoking stroke. Prevalence of these AEM was 1.5 per cent among patients with SCD and 1.6 per cent among those with SCA. They were 4 girls and 3 boys (sex ratio = 0.75) aged 4 to 8.5 years when occurred the first accident. We observed no clinical or biological distinctive characteristic of SCA in these patients compared to those without crebrovascular accident. Recurrence was observed once in a boy after a 12 months interval and twice in a girl after 20 and 60 months intervals successively. No transfusionnal program was applied to prevent recurrent stroke because of insufficient conditions for long-term transfusion. Stroke appears to be rare in senegalese children with SCD. However it poses in our context the major problem of applicability of transfusionnal program which constitute the only therapy universally recognised to be effective to prevent recurrence. Nevertheless hydroxyurea could be a satisfactory alternative.