Management of Acute Myeloblastic Leukaemia (AML) Treated with Intensive Chemotherapy: Experience in a Single Centre

Introduction: Acute myeloblastic leukaemia (AML) is a haematological malignancy with a poor prognosis, despite significant therapeutic progress. This study presents the results of AML management in Mali according to GFAOP recommendations. Methodology: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study. It included patients aged 0 - 15 years treated in the paediatric oncology unit for AML and followed up between January 2016 and December 2020. Results: During the study period, 85 cases of acute leukaemia were diagnosed in the paediatric oncology unit (including 51 cases of ALL), of which 34 cases of AML were included in this study. The majority were boys (59%). The mean age was 8 years, with extremes of 18 months and 15 years. The mean time to diagnosis was 68 days. In 79% of cases, patients were referred by 1st or 2nd level hospitals. Anaemia was observed in 91% of cases, an infectious syndrome in 68%, haemorrhage in 56% and a tumour syndrome in 85%. The haemogram showed hyperleukocytosis in 15% of cases, thrombocytosis in 22% and severe anaemia in 73%. Death occurred in 85% of cases, most often in the context of sepsis or haemorrhage. Conclusion: AML is probably underestimated in Mali and diagnosis delayed, which may be explained by patient-related factors (lack of knowledge, financial constraints) and a cumbersome referral system. These results suggest the need to implement an appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic strategy, with strong involvement of the political authorities.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Complicated by Pericarditis: A Case Report from the Guindo Clinic in Bamako, Mali

Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus is a rare entity, affecting children under 16 years of age. Girls are more often affected than boys and the female predominance increases significantly with age. The initial manifestations are highly variable with an insidious and progressive onset. Non-specific symptoms include fever, anorexia, weight loss and asthenia. Pericarditis is the most common cardiac manifestation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), occurring in 10% to 40% of cases. The biological elements of the diagnosis and follow-up of pediatric SLE are identical to those of adults and are based on regular measurement of complement, native anti-DNA antibodies, and inflammatory findings. Treatment is essentially based on corticosteroid therapy.

Study of the Management of Children with Major Sickle Cell Disease in Pediatric Emergencies at the Gabriel Toure University Hospital

Objective: To study the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of sickle cell disease in children admitted to the pediatric emergency department of the Gabriel Toure University Hospital. Materials and methods: This was a prospective study over 12 months in sickle cell children aged 6 months to 15 years. Results: The frequency of sickle cell disease was 4.67% with 71.1% of SS form. The age range of 60 - 120 months predominated with 43.4% and the sex ratio 1.4. Vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) were the most frequent reason for consultation (50.6%) and osteoarticular pain was the main symptom followed by fever and pallor with respectively 67.5%, 60.2%, 39.8%. The pain subsided in less than 72 hours in 39.8% and hyper hydration was performed in 85.1% of patients. Analgesic treatment was given in 90.4%, antibiotic therapy in 51.8% and phenotyped red blood cells transfusion was performed in 36.1%. The average duration of treatment was 10 days. Conclusion: Vaso-occlusive crisis remains the main reason for consultation in sickle cell disease children at Gabriel Toure University Hospital. The management consisted, in addition to the correction of the triggering factors, of hyper hydration and the administration of analgesics and blood products.

Study of Cerebral Vascular Accidents in Children with Sickle Cell from 6 Months to 15 Years of Age at the Gabriel Toure University Hospital Center

Sickle cell disease is a hereditary disease that remains a public health problem in Mali. Our objective was to study strokes in children with sickle cell disease aged from 6 months to 15 years in the pediatrics department of the Gabriel Toure university hospital center. This was a retrospective descriptive study from April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2021 and prospective from April 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022, i.e. 3 years, which took place in the Pediatrics department of the Gabriel Toure university hospital center. During this study, we identified 22 cases of stroke among 714 children with sickle cell disease. The frequency of stroke in this population is 3.08%. The age group from1 to 5 years was the most affected with 40.9%. The average age of the patients was 7 years with extremes ranging from 1 year to 15 years and a median of 5 years. The male gender was predominant with 54.5%, for a sex ratio of 1.2. Headaches were the most common neurological antecedents (63.5%). Half of the patients were diagnosed with sickle cell disease after the onset of the stroke. The installation of the deficit was progressive in 54.5% of cases. Consciousness disorders were the most frequent reason of consultation (27.2%), followed by convulsions (18.1%). The most common neurological signs were impaired consciousness and hemiparesis with 45.5% each. The stroke was ischemic in 100% of cases. There were 95.5% of SS forms and 4.5% of Sβ0thalassemia forms. Our patients had a hemoglobin level less than 7 g/dl in 57.1% of cases and between 7 and 9 g/dl in 42.8% of cases and hyperleukocytosis (leukocytes > 10,000/mm3) in 95.4% of cases. The Sylvian artery was the most affected (45.5%). The fatality rate was 22.7%.

Childhood Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome: A Single-Center Hospital Study

Introduction: Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is one of the leading causes of childhood morbidity worldwide. This study was undertaken to complete the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects of NIS in hospitalized patients. Methodology: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with childhood NIS who had been admitted to our department from January 2017 to December 2018. Diagnosis, remission and relapse of idiopathic NS were defined according to the recommendations of the French Society of Pediatric Nephrology. We included all patients aged 2 to 14 years presenting a NIS picture. Results: During the study period, 35 patients with idiopathic NS had been hospitalized, representing a frequency of 1% of patients hospitalized in the department. The sex ratio was 2.22. The average age of the patients was 7.5 ± 3.5 years. Generalized edema was observed in all our patients. Arterial hypertension (36%) and abdominal pain (24%), hematuria (9%) were the main associated signs. Malnutrition was present in 66%, urinary tract infection in 20% and malaria in 24%. Cortico-sensitivity was obtained in 86% of patients, 14% were cortico-resistant and 11% were cortico-dependent. Relapses (6%) had been observed among cortico-sensitive patients. The mortality rate was 11%. Conclusion: This study calls for more trials to better elucidate prognostic indicators and develop better therapeutic approaches adapted to epidemio-clinical contexts.

Hemorrhagic Stroke: About a Pediatric Case

Stroke is a rare but serious condition with high mortality and morbidity. We report the case of a 10-year-old child with no known pathological history who was transferred to the pediatric department for hemorrhagic stroke. He had been hospitalized 6 days earlier in a peripheral center for a tonic-clonic seizure accompanied by loss of consciousness and fever. Clinical examination revealed meningeal syndrome, facial paralysis, right hemiparesis, ataxia with disturbed balance, aphasia, and a peripapillary hemorrhage on the fundus. A cerebral computed tomography (CT) scan showed a hemorrhagic stroke with ventricular flooding. A lumbar puncture was performed and a hematic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with 12 leukocytes and 8000 red blood cells was obtained. The evolution was marked by the extinction of the infectious and meningeal syndromes, the regression of the pyramidal syndrome and the persistence of the dysarthria justifying a neuropsychological and speech therapy follow-up. Several challenges (diagnostic, therapeutic) exist in the management of children with stroke. Prospective studies with a larger sample are needed to fill the observed gaps.

Early Management of Nephroblastoma: A Single-Center Study in a Sub-Saharan African Country

Introduction: Nephroblastoma is the most common renal cancer in pediatrics. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical, histological characteristics and the immediate outcome of patients with nephroblastoma. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study of 18 cases of unilateral nephroblastoma, carried out in the pediatric oncology unit (UOP) of the CHU Gabriel Touré from January 2015 to December 2016. Results: The mean age of the patients was 33 months old. The sex ratio was 0.63. The average consultation time was 3 months. A case of malformation syndrome (aniridia and mental retardation) had been observed. The main reason for consultation was abdominal mass (100%) associated with deterioration of general condition (44%), pain (44%) and fever (17%). Stage I accounted for 61% and stage II 39%. The postoperative histological classification made it possible to find the high-risk blastematous type (33%), the regressive type of intermediate risk (11%) and the stromal type of intermediate risk (45%). Toxicities (haematological and digestive) were minimal. The 3-year overall survival was 90%. Conclusion: This study is characterized by the predominance of stages I and II and the fairly large percentage of histology at intermediate risk. These results are above all the result of multidisciplinary collaboration.

Seizures in Children under Five in a Pediatric Ward: Prevalence, Associated Factors and Outcomes

Introduction: convulsion is a frequent cause of neurological and cognitive sequelae and then of epilepsy. The objective of this work was to describe the socio-demographic, clinical, therapeutic, and evolutionary aspects. Methodology: This was a descriptive retrospective study carried out in the general pediatrics department of CHU-Gabriel Touré. It took place over a period of 02 years from January 2017 to December 2018. We included all children aged 1 to 59 months hospitalized in the ward for convulsion. Results: During the study period, 2653 children aged 2 months to 59 months were hospitalized in the general pediatric ward. We included 288 medical records of children who presented with a seizure on admission. Convulsions represented 11% of pediatric hospitalizations from 1 month to 59 months. The average age was 29 months. Fever was present in 86% of patients. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) test was positive in 38 patients. Hypoglycemia was present in 14 patients. Serum calcium was low in 3 patients. The most implicated etiologies were malaria 70%, meningitis 20%, and dehydration 13%. Management consisted of airway clearance, oxygen therapy as needed, and administration of diazepam (54%). Antibiotics were prescribed in 77% of cases and antimalarials in 70%. The average length of hospital stay was 8 days with extremes of 1 and 30 days. The outcome was favorable in 95% of cases. Sequelae were observed in 5% of cases and one case of death was observed. Conclusion: Acute convulsions are one of the most common causes of hospitalization in children under 5 years old. The causes were dominated by infectious diseases (malaria, meningitis). The appropriate course of action was the administration of diazepam rectally.

Epidemiologic Features of the First Flare of Ne-phrotic Syndrome in Children in Bamako Pedi-atric Hospitals

Introduction: The most frequent glomerular pathology in children, nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a cosmopolitan affection. It is an immunological disease and certain environmental factors, in particular viral infections and allergens, influence its occurrence. The climatic and environmental differences coupled with the frequency of infectious pathologies signing the African particularity and the absence of data in Mali on this affection, motivated us to carry out this work. Objective: To study the epidemiological aspects of nephrotic syndrome in hospitalized children aged 0 - 15 years. Patients and Methods: This was a descriptive prospective study from January 1 to December 31, 2021 in the Pediatrics Department of the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) Gabriel Touré, anational pediatric reference service in Mali. Diagnostic confirmation was provided by biology. Results: In one year, 120 children were hospitalized for nephrotic syndrome with a sex ratio of 2.75. Male exclusivity was observed at the ages of one year, eight years and 14 years and a reversal at 13 years (sex-ratio = 0.33). The median age was 6 years for an average age of 6.4 years ± 2.4 years with extremes ranging from one year to 14 years. The first attack of nephrotic syndrome occurred outside the classic age (>10 years) in 16.67%. Nephrotic syndrome is observed throughout the year with two peaks in summer (July to September) and winter (December to February). Many ethnic groups were affected by this condition with a high frequency among ethnic groups where endogamy is common. All patients were melanoderms. No cases of NS were recorded in Caucasian children from Northern Mali. The patients came from Bamako in 47.5% of cases. Two brothers from the same siblings had had their first attack of nephrotic syndrome the same year, ten months apart. Conclusion: Nephrotic syndrome in pediatric hospitals of Bamako occurs at a median age of six years all along the year with a summer and winter peaks. It is more observed in ethnic groups where the practice of endogamy is common and concerns melanoderm children.

Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects of Congenital Hydrocephalus in the Neonatal Department of Gabriel TouréTeaching Hospital Bamako Mali

Objective: The aim of our work was to access the epidemiological and clinical aspects of congenital hydrocephalus in the pediatrics department of Gabriel Touré teaching Hospital Bamako. Methods: We conducted a retro and prospective study that ran from January, 1st 2018 to July, 30, 2019. All newborns of 72 hours of life or less with hydrocephalus confirmed by sonography or CT scan were enrolled in this study. Results: During the study period, 5416 patients were hospitalized in the neonatology department. Among them, 39 patients (0.72%) presented congenital hydrocephalus and congenital infectious causes accounted for 25.6%. The sex ratio (M/F) was 1.78. Mothers were housewives and not educated in 79.5% and 64.1% respectively. The parents resided outside Bamako in 61.5% of cases. Prenatal consultations were conducted in 32 patients (82%). Consanguinity between the 2 parents was present in 38.5%. The antenatal diagnosis was made in 8 patients (20.5%). Vaginal delivery was the main mode of birth (67%). The average birth weight was 2930 g (1000 to 5400 g) and the average head circumference was 37.82 cm (26 - 55 cm). In 87.2% of cases, newborns were eutrophic. The main clinical signs were bulging anterior fontanel (46.2%), sunset gaze (20.5%), prominent forehead (48.7%), reduced face (20.5%), enlarged cranial sutures (43.6%), macrocrania (25.6%). Transfontanellar ultrasound and CT scan were performed in 51.3% and 48.7% of cases respectively. Associated malformations were spina bifida in 30.8% of cases followed by Dandy Walker malformation (5.1%), and omphalocele (2.5%). The neurological signs were diminished neonatal reflexes (51.3%), hypotonia (30.8%), motor deficit (38.4%), intracranial hypertension (25.6%), seizures 10.25% and psychomotor delay (43.6%). Surgery was performed in 8 neonates (20.5%). Ventriculo-peritoneal shunt (VPB) was the main treatment. Postoperative complications were infectious (37.5%) and mechanical complications (12.5%). The postoperative mortality rate was 12.5%.The overall mortality was 13 cases (33.3%). Conclusion: The hospital frequency of congenital hydrocephalus in our environment seems low but does not reflect reality.

Pulmonary Complications in Children with Sickle Cell Disease Followed at the Pediatric Department of Gabriel Toure University Hospital

Objective: To study the pulmonary complications of major sickle cell syndromes in children aged 6 months to 15 years followed at the Department of Pediatrics of Gabriel Toure University Hospital. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective study from January 1st, 2017 to February 28, 2018 and a prospective study from March 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019, concerning sickle cell disease children followed at the Gabriel Touré University Hospital. All children with sickle cell disease confirmed by hemoglobin electrophoresis, aged 6 months to 15 years with a pulmonary complication and admitted to pediatrics were included. Were not included: 1) Infants and children with sickle cell disease not presenting a pulmonary complication coming only to their routine follow-up. 2) Sickle cell patients over 16 years of age and those whose parents do not consent. 3) Those who have not done electrophoresis. Results: During the study period, we were able to include 45 sickle cell children with a pulmonary complication. The frequency of pulmonary complications was 13.76%, involving homozygotes in 91.11% of cases. The age group 6 - 10 years predominated with 46.66% and the sex ratio was 0.45. Vaso-occlusive crisis was the most frequent reason for consultation with 35.56%. Respiratory distress (80%), fever (66.67%), crepitus rales (64.44%) and chest pain (60%) were the most frequent clinical signs. The main pulmonary complication was acute chest syndrome with 86.67%. Treatment was based on hydration (91.91%), analgesics (91.91%) and antibiotics (73.33%). Lethality was 4.44%. Conclusion: Pulmonary complications of sickle cell disease are serious and constitute the main cause of mortality in our context.

Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects of Abnormal Movements in Children from 2 Months to 15 Years in the Pediatric Department of Gabriel Toure University Hospital Centre of Bamako

Introduction: Abnormal or involuntary movements correspond to a disorder in the programming and/or execution of movement. They have two characteristics;they are hardly or not at all controlled by the will and occur in the absence of any paralysis. Objective: To determine the epidemiological, clinical and etiological characteristics of abnormal (involuntary) movements in children aged 2 months to 15 years. Patients and Methods: This was a prospective, descriptive study from January 2016 to December 2018 of children aged 2 months to 15 years seen in neuropediatric consultations for abnormal movements. Results: During the study period 1920 children were seen in neuropediatric consultations and 57 presented with abnormal movements, i.e. a frequency of 2.96%. Children aged between 6 and 60 months were the most affected (54.4%). The sex ratio was 1.53. Movement abnormality was the most common reason for consultation (45.7%), followed by apyretic convulsions (28%), and laxity (5.3%). The onset was progressive in 68.4% of children. The main types of abnormal movements were chorea (31.6%), dystonia (26.3%), myoclonus (17.5%), tremor in 10.5%. The causes were infectious (73.68%). Conclusion: Abnormal movements are rare in paediatric practice. They have multiple causes and their management is urgent in certain situations that can jeopardise the future of children.

Neonatal References: Epidemiology and Prognosis in a Malian Context

Neonatal mortality remains a public health problem in Mali. The neonatal referral is a systemic factor determining the neonatal prognosis. This work was initiated to determine the frequency of neonatal referrals and to determine their prognosis. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from November 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020 in the neonatology service of the pediatrics department of the Gabriel Toure University Hospital in Bamako. All newborns referred by another health structure in the country were included in this stud. All newborns referred by another health structure in the country were included in this study. To determine the risk factors related to the neonatal referral, we performed univariate and multivariate analyzes to determine the odds ratios and fitted with a significant p probability if p < 0.05 and the 95% confidence interval. Results: The frequency of referrals was 54.3%. Newborns came from basic structures in 19.3% of cases, from tertiary structures in 6.7%. The main reason for transfer was prematurity (40.2%) followed by perinatal anoxia (15.3%), malformations (15.3%), respiratory distress (15.2%) and infection neonatal (9.1%). The ambulance was the primary means of transfer in 71.3%. In 80% of cases the transfer had been made within the first 24 hours of life. On admission, a third of the newborns (31.1%) were less than 1500 g, hypothermic in 43.8% and febrile in 15.1%. The evolution was marked by 40.2% of deaths. The analysis of prognostic factors, allowed us to observe that the more the newborn is premature or of low weight the more risk of death was very high with respectively 18.5 times in the less than 28 weeks of amenorrhea (WA) (ORa = 18.5;CI = 1.9 - 180;p = 0.012) and 6.6 times in those less than 1000g (ORa = 6.6;CI = 1.4 - 29.7;p = 0.015). Likewise, any change in body temperature increased risk of death by 1.9 times compared to normothermia. Conclusion: The establishment of a neonatal referral system is necessary to reduce neonatal mortality in our context.

Clinico-Pathological Profile of Malignant Abdominal Tumors in Children: Experience of the Pediatric Oncology Unit in Bamako

Introduction: the objective was to describe the epidemiological and histological aspects of malignant abdominal tumors in children. Methodology: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2018. We included all patients aged 0 to 15 years with histologically confirmed abdominal malignancies. Results: We collected 46 files of malignant tumors of the abdomen (35% of pediatric cancers). The majority of patients were under 5 years old (65%). The sex ratio was 1.7. They were generally from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds (67%). The average consultation time was 50 days. The main reasons for consultation were abdominal mass (48%), pain (17%) or distension (9%). The mass was large, hard (89%), immobile (71%) and painful (46%). Malnutrition was found in 80% of patients. The mass was retro-peritoneal in 63% of cases and renal in 54%. It was solid in 94% of cases and heterogeneous in 76% of cases. The assay for tumor markers was not performed. Anemia was present in all patients. Fine needle aspiration was performed in 43%, biopsy in 37% and myelogram in 15% of cases. spinal cord involvement was observed in 28% of Burkitt’s cases. The main cancers diagnosed were nephroblastoma (52%), Burkitt’s lymphoma (26%) and neuroblastoma (13%). Stage 1 and stage 2 were frequent in 20% and 22% of cases, respectively;36% of cases were not staged. The average duration of chemotherapy was 11 weeks. Total resection was performed in 30% of cases. The outcome of the patients was marked by total remission in 65%. Conclusion: Abdominal malignancies are very common in children. The diagnosis of certainty is late in our context.

Kangaroo Mother Care and Neonatal Outcomes in the Pediatric Department of CHU Gabriel Toure

Introduction: In Mali, prematurity is currently the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality at the Gabriel Toure Hospital. Kangaroo Mother” care is an efficient and effective alternative care strategy for preterm and low birth weight babies. This study aimed to evaluate the epidemio-clinical and therapeutic profile of premature/hypotrophic newborns admitted to the “Kangaroo-mother” care unit. Material and method: It was a retrospective study from 01/01/2010 to 31/12/2012. Were included all stable preterm with gestational age between 28 - 37 weeks and hypotrophic newborns with a birth weight 10th percentile for gestational age. Results: One thousand and eighty-four patients (n = 1084) were included. The sex ratio was 1.2 (F = 592;M = 492). The mean birth weight was 1300 g (600 g - 2000 g). The mean gestational age was 32.69 (28 - 37). The mean age of the mothers was 24 years (13 - 45 years). Single pregnancies accounted for 85.1%. Discontinuation of care was 56%. Follow-up to 24 months was effective in 14% of patients. Sixteen percent of the patients died (n = 176). The mothers’ lack of schooling (p = 0.03) and birth weight < 1000 g (p = 0.003) were the major factors in the patients’ mortality. Conclusion: The kangaroo-mother care is an alternative means to improve the survival of preterm and low birth weight babies in Mali.

Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of 63 Children with Myelomeningoceles

Background: Myelomeningocele (MMC) is the most common neural tube defect (NTD) characterized by the extrusion of the spinal cord into a sac filled with cerebrospinal fluid, resulting in lifelong disability. In the general population, the incidence of MMC ranges from 0.3 to 4.5/10,000 births. Live born infants with myelomeningocele have a death rate of approximately 10%. Many factors may play a role in the development of MMC such as environmental and genetic factors. In this study, we present our experience with a group of 63 children afflicted with MMC. Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of 63 patients with MMC admitted to the neurosurgical department of Gabriel Touré Hospital from September 2017 to August 2018. A detailed history was obtained from the family at presentation. The family history and medical information before and during the pregnancy were compiled. Patients underwent complete physical and neurological examinations. Forty-seven (74.60%) patients underwent repair of the MMC and a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed in 12 (19%) patients with accompanying hydrocephalus. The risk factors, neurological status, and surgical results have been analyzed. Results: Of 63 children with MMC admitted to our neurosurgical department, 34 (54%) were boys and 29 (46%) were girls. Forty (63.49%) patients were the children of marriages of second cousins or closer. The mean age of the fathers was 34 years (16 - 65), while that of mothers was 26 years (16 - 38). The pregnancy was unplanned in all cases. Fourteen (22.22%) mothers had genitourinary infections, 9 (14.3%) had malaria and 57 (90.47%) mothers used analgesics and antibiotics during the pregnancy. Fifty-nine (93.65%) children were born at term, 58 (92%) were delivered via normal spontaneous vaginal delivery, and 5 (8%) via cesarean section. Lumbosacral lesions were the most frequent in 27 (42.86%) patients. Forty-seven (74.60%) patients underwent repair of the MMC and a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed in 12 (19%) patients with accompanying hydrocephalus. Wound infection developed in 2 cases in the postoperative period. The mortality rate was 4.3%. Conclusion: Myelomeningocele is a congenital anomaly for which several risk factors are known as well as environmental and genetic factors. This emphasizes the importance of prevention with folic acid supplementation and genetic advice.

Profile of Newborns Hospitalized for Maternal Fetal Infection and Having a Positive CRP in the Pediatric Department of the Gabriel TouréCHU in Bamako, Mali

Objective: Early bacterial neonatal infection (INBP) or maternofetal infection (early neonatal sepsis) remains a concern of the pediatrician due to diagnostic difficulties and its increased morbidity and mortality. No study has been done in Mali on the profile of newborns admitted for INBP with positive CRP, hence the initiation of this work with the aim of studying the epidemiological, biological and bacteriological profile of newborns with a bacterial maternal-fetal infection. Method: Longitudinal study descriptive (from 27 June to 3 September 2016) which concerned all newborns aged from 0 to 72 hours of life hospitalized for confirmed early bacterial neonatal infection with a positive C-reactive protein (CRP) in the neonatal department of the CHU Gabriel Touré. INBP was defined by the presence of maternal and neonatal infectious risk factors, positivity of CRP with a germ in the blood culture. Results: During the study period we included 244 newborns for probable maternofetal infection and who benefited from the CRP assay, 43 had a positive CRP, i.e. a frequency of 17.62%. The sex ratio was 2.30. The majority had a low birth weight (<2500 g) in 69.8% of cases. Mothers were aged 18 to 35 in 93%. The majority were out of school (43.8%) and housewives in 74.4%. The main reasons for consultations were prematurity and/or low birth weight, respiratory distress and neonatal distress, i.e. 46.5%, 25.6% and 11.6% respectively. Among the 43 newborns with a positive CRP, the blood culture returned positive in 79.1% (n = 34). We deplore 2 deaths (4.7%). The main bacteria were gram-positive cocci (Staphylococcus aureus 53.01% and Streptococccus agalactiae 4.10%), gram-negative bacilli (GNB) type Enterobacteriaceae (Klebsiella pneumoniae 11.25% and E. coli at 5.70%) and non-fermentative GNBs (Pseudomonas aeruginosa 2.80% and Acinetobacter baumannii complex 2.24%). Conclusion: Maternal-fetal infection is a hospital pathology frequently encountered in the neonatal period. Its clinical presentation is dominated by respiratory distress, neurological disorders and low birth weight.

Become Immediate of Newborns Operated in the Neonatology Department of the Hospital and University Center Gabriel Toure of Bamako (Mali)

Neonatal surgical pathologies in developing countries are characterized by high mortality. The aim of this work was to describe the characteristics of the newborn and its surgical pathologies treated in the neonatal department of the Gabriel Touré University Hospital in Bamako (Mali). Patients and method: This is a retrospective study of 626 files of newborns hospitalized over a period of 3 years (January 2016 to December 2018) for a surgical pathology, whether operated on or not. We have studied the etiological, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects. Results: During the study period, we collected 626 patients who had surgical pathology, i.e. a frequency of 5.35%. The average therapeutic consultation time was 2 days with extremes (1 and 30 days). Pathologies of the abdominal wall and digestive tract represented 57.9% (n = 84) followed by pathologies of the spine 26.9% (n = 39). The mean treatment time was 4.5 days. Twenty-three point sixteen (23.16%) newborns could be operated on. The neonatal mortality rate was 12.4% (n = 18). Mortality was postoperative (100%) with a mean time to onset of 5 days. Abdominal wall pathologies were responsible for 8.7% (n = 13) of deaths. Conclusion: Surgical pathologies of the newborn are characterized by delayed treatment with high mortality. Improving their prognosis requires early diagnosis (prenatal diagnosis) and adequate management.

Acute Pneumonia Characteristics in Children under Five Years of Age in Bamako, Mali

Pneumonia is the most common cause of mortality in child under five years of age. The objective of the study was to assess socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of children under 5 hospitalized for pneumonia. Material and method: We conducted a 6 months prospective study from June 1st, 2016 to December 31st, 2016 in the general pediatric service in the Pediatric Department of Gabriel Touré Teaching Hospital in Bamako, the capital city of Mali. Result: We have selected 63 cases of pneumonia according to our definition criteria, i.e. 2.2% of hospitalizations for children aged 1 to 59 months. The average age was 14 months. Infants under 2 years accounted for 82.53%. The sex ratio was 1.2. Seventy eight percent came from an unfavorable socio-economic background. The majority of mothers were uneducated (71.42%). Breastfeeding was exclusive up to 6 months in 50.79% of patients. Vaccination according to the national program was not up to date in 27% of patients. The average consultation time was 18 days. On admission, 81% of the patients had a fever, 93.64% had a tachypnea and 58.73% had crackling rales at pulmonary auscultation. Hypoxemia was present in 58.73%. Severe anemia was present in 79.36%. Radiologically, opacity was found in 42 patients (66.66%). The blood culture was positive in 8.3%. Beta-lactams were first-line prescribed in all patients. The case fatality rate was 9.52%. The factors associated with mortality were age less than 14 months (p = 0.08), adverse socio-economic conditions (p = 0.0003) and the presence of hypoxemia at the entrance (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Pneumonia remains major cause of morbidity and mortality in our context. Emphasis should be put on preventive measures.

Post-Infectious Acute Glomerulonephritis in Child: Epidemiological, Clinical and Evolutionary Aspects in Gabriel TouréTeaching Hospital in Mali

Introduction: Acute post-infectious glomerulonephritis (APIGN) can be serious due to its complications that still occur in our countries. In this work, we aimed to study the epidemiological, clinical, biological and evolutionary aspects of APIGN. Patients and methods: We conducted a retrospective, descriptive study from January 1st, 2015 to December 31st, 2017 in the pediatric ward of the Gabriel Touré Teaching Hospital in Bamako. All children hospitalized for APIGN were included. Results: In two years, we included 10 children aged 7 years old on average;all from low socioeconomic backgrounds. The sex ratio was 1.5. On average, the children spent 15.8 days before our consultation. Edema was the main reason for consultation. We found a history of infection and high blood pressure in 30% each, and renal failure in 10% of the children. Hematuria and proteinuria were detected in 100% and 90%, respectively. Hypocomplementemia was observed in 66.6%. One third of the children had a positive antistreptolysin O. The average duration of hospital stay was 11.2 days. The evolution was favorable in 90%. Kidney failure was the leading cause of death. Conclusion: Acute post-infectious glomerulonephritis is still a reality in our context. Emphasis should be put on its prevention by improving the hygienic conditions, detection and the management of infections.