Macroscopic Congenital Malformations at the Institute of Nutrition and Child Health (INSE)

Introduction: A congenital malformation is defined as a morphological abnormality of an organ or body region resulting from an abnormal developmental process during the formation of the embryo or fetus. Depending on their type, location and size, malformations can cause functional, psychological and aesthetic defects. The aim of this study is to document the frequency of congenital malformations, describe the characteristics of malformed newborns and their biological mothers, and identify the different types of malformations presented by newborns at the INSE. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study of clinically visible malformed newborns. It was carried out from January 1, 2021 to January 1, 2022 at the INSE neonatology unit. Epi info version 3.1 software was used for data entry and analysis. Results: Of a total of 2332 neonates hospitalized during the study period, 81 (3.5%) cases had at least one clinically visible congenital malformation. Nearly 84% had an age ≤ 7 days at the time of admission. The male sex was most concerned (60.5%). Newborns referred by a health facility accounted for 84%. Malformations of the digestive system accounted for 30.9% of cases, followed by those of the limbs (19.8%) and poly malformative syndrome (19.8%). Conclusion: This study shows that congenital malformations exist and are frequent in Guinea. Our results could therefore be the starting point for the future establishment of a national register of congenital malformations.

Verbal Autopsy of Stillbirths and Neonatal Deaths in a Rural Area of Burkina Faso

Introduction: In developing countries, many neonatal deaths still occur at home and the causes of these deaths are not ascertained. Objective: To identify the causes of stillbirths and neonatal deaths that occur at home and the factors that have contributed to these deaths. Materials and Method: We have used the method of verbal autopsy to investigate the stillbirths and neonatal deaths in nine villages in the health area of Namsiguia, health district of Ouahigouya, Burkina Faso, during the period January 1, 2007 to December 8, 2012. Results: Over these six years, we have recorded 19 stillbirths and 36 neonatal deaths among 1507 live births, demonstrating a neonatal mortality rate of 28.8 per1000 and a rate of stillbirths of 12.6 per 1000. The average age of newborns at death was 5.6 days and the sex-ratio was 1.6. The major cause of stillbirths was antenatal hypoxia and birth asphyxia (42.1%). The direct causes of neonatal deaths were neonatal sepsis (41.7%), preterm birth (19.4%) and hypoxia and birth asphyxia (11.1%). There were 42.1% deliveries and 58.3% neonatal deaths, which occurred at home. We have noted 89.5% fresh stillbirths. Death occurred more often during the early neonatal period (55.5%). Factors significantly associated with neonatal death were, lack of school education of mothers (OR = 4), precocious marriage of the mother (OR = 8), poor follow-up of pregnancies (OR = 3), birth at home (OR = 4), low socioeconomic level (OR = 6), and low geographical access to the health facility (OR = 4). Conclusions: Strengthening of the health infrastructure and improving their accessibility, reinforcement of the staff for high quality care, and communication for a change in behavior in rural communities, will contribute toward reducing neonatal mortality in the area of health of Namsiguia.

Epidemiology, Clinical Aspects and Management of Cleft Lip and/or Palate in Burkina Faso: A Humanitarian Pediatric Surgery-Based Study

Background: Cleft lip and/or palate are the most common orofacial malformations. Many studies, especially in developed countries have been conducted on this malformation, but in Burkina Faso, data are scarce and they are not specific to children. The aim of this study was to report the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of cleft lip and/or palate in children in a low-income country. Materials and Method: The authors conducted a retrospective descriptive study based on data of three humanitarian missions of pediatric reconstructive facial surgery which took place in 2007, 2010 and 2014 at Clinique El Fateh-Suka in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. All children of 0 - 14 years of age, presenting with cleft lip and/or palate, were included in the study. Results: A total of 185 cases of cleft lip and/or palate were seen during these three humanitarian surgery missions. There were 100 boys and 85 girls. The average age of the children was 2.4 ± 3.2 years [0 - 12 years];there were 8.7% newborns. The commonest type of cleft was cleft lip and palate (49.7%) followed by isolated cleft lip (48.7%) and isolated cleft palate (1.6%). The left side was the most affected (49.2%). In 21.1% of cases, clefts were associated with other congenital malformations. In total, 150 of 185 (81.1%) children underwent surgery and there were no postoperative complications reported. Conclusions: Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of cleft lip and/or palate observed in this study are not very different from those described elsewhere in Africa. However, in our conditions, there are circumstances and structural factors which hinder the diagnosis and constitute challenges that must be addressed for adequate management of this congenital, highly disfiguring malformation.

Availability,Management and Use of Priority Life-Saving Medicines for Under-Five Children in Two Health Districts in Senegal:A Cross-Sectional Study

Under-five mortality remains a major concern in the world and in Senegal. It is mainly due to preventable and treatable diseases with priority life-saving medicines for under-five children. This study evaluated the availability, management and use of these drugs in two health districts in Senegal. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the health districts of Guediawaye and Pete from 01 November 2018 to 31 January 2019. The health district of Guediawaye is in the region hosting the Senegalese capital while that of Pete is located in the region of Saint Louis, northern Senegal. Nine drugs that can prevent and treat malaria, diarrhea, pneumonia and malnutrition were selected. An inventory form and a self-administered questionnaire were used to collect data that was analyzed with SPSS and expressed as a percentage and average. Drug availability was 50.4% and 54.3% in Guediawaye and in Pete, respectively. Average stock-out duration in the past three months was estimated at 22.6 and 26 days, respectively. The drug management was marked, on the one hand, by a good availability of stock cards in the two districts with proportions equal to 100% and 94.1%, respectively, and on the other hand, by the presence of expired stocks in Pete (12.2%). About 79% and 88% of prescribers reported prescribing the basket drug, respectively. These results show that access to priority life-saving medicines for children remains a challenge. Measures to be taken should include improving the distribution channels and training of health professionals. Further studies should be conducted in other health districts to better understand the barriers to access to child health services.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2-related and imputable deaths in children:results from the French pediatric national registry

Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2(SARS-CoV-2)is responsible for an important mortality rate worldwide.We aimed to evaluate the actual imputability of SARS-CoV-2 on the mortality rate associated with SARS-CoV-2-related illnesses in the pediatric intensive care unit(PICU).Secondary objectives were to identify risk factors for death.Methods This national multicenter comparative study comprised all patients under 18 years old with positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reactions(PCRs)[acute corona virus disease 2019(COVID-19)or incidental SARS-CoV-2 infection]and/or pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome(PIMS)recorded in the French PICU registry(PICURe)between September 1,2021,and August 31,2022.Included patients were classified and compared according to their living status at the end of their PICU stay.Deceased patients were evaluated by four experts in the field of pediatric infectiology and/or pediatric intensive care.The imputability of SARS-CoV-2 as the cause of death was classified into four categories:certain,very probable,possible,or unlikely,and was defined by any of the first three categories.Results There were 948 patients included of which 43 died(4.5%).From this,26 deaths(67%)could be attributed to SARS-CoV-2 infection,with an overall mortality rate of 2.8%.The imputability of death to SARS-CoV-2 was considered certain in only one case(O.1%).Deceased patients suffered more often from comorbidities,especially heart disease,neurological disorders,hematological disease,cancer,and obesity.None of the deceased patients were admitted for pediatric inflam-matory multisystem syndrome(PIMS).Mortality risk factors were male gender,cardiac comorbidities,cancer,and acute respiratorydistress syndrome.Conclusions SARS-CoV-2 mortality in the French pediatric population was low.Even though the imputability of SARS-Cov-2 on mortality was considered in almost two-thirds of cases,this imputability was considered certain in only one case.

Analgesic effect of inhaled lavender essential oil for frenotomy in healthy neonates:a randomized clinical trial

Background Neonatal pain may affect long-term neurodevelopment and must be treated.Frenotomy is a painful procedure wherein a common strategy to relieve pain(sucking)cannot be used because the technique is performed on the tongue.Lavender essential oil(LEO)has sedative and antispasmodic properties and has been successfully used to treat pain during heel puncture and vaccination.Our aim was to demonstrate if the use of inhaled LEO is effective in reducing pain during frenotomy in healthy,full-term neonates.Methods We conducted a randomized clinical trial in neonates who underwent a frenotomy between August 2020 and April 2021.We assessed pain using pre and post-procedure heart rate and oxygen saturation,crying time and Neonatal Infant Pain Scale(NIPS)score.Patients with type 3 tongue tie were randomized into the“experimental group”and“control group”.In both groups,we performed swaddling,administered oral sucrose,and let the newborn suck for two minutes.In the experimental group,we also placed a gauze pad with one drop of LEO under the neonate’s nose for two minutes prior to and during the frenotomy.Results We enrolled 142 patients(71 per group).The experimental group showed significantly lower NIPS scores(1.88 vs 2.92)and cried almost half the amount of time(14.8 vs.24.6 seconds,P=0.006).Comparing with the control group,we observed no side effects in either of the groups.Conclusions We observed a significant decrease in crying time and lower NIPS scores in the neonates who received inhaled LEO and underwent a frenotomy for type 3 tongue-ties.Thus,we recommend using inhaled LEO during neonatal frenotomies.