Fournier’s Gangrene in a Child Hospitalised in the Paediatric Emergency Department of the Gabriel Touré Teaching Hospital

Fournier’s gangrene is a form of necrotizing fasciitis that has multiple causes and is relatively uncommon in children. We report a case of Fournier’s gangrene of infectious origin in a 12-month-old infant following an insect bite. A rapid diagnosis and multidisciplinary care saved the patient.

Clinical, Aetiological and Evolutionary Aspects of Respiratory Distress in Term Neonates: A Single-Centre Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Respiratory distress is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates. The aim of this study was to assess its frequency and describe its clinical and evolutionary characteristics in the neonatology department of the Gabriel Touré University Hospital in Bamako. Methodology: This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2021. All term neonates aged 0 to 28 days hospitalised with signs of respiratory distress (tachypnoea, nasal flaring, expiratory whining, intercostal and subcostal indrawing, xiphoid funneling and cyanosis) were included. The sociodemographic and clinical variables of the newborns and their mothers were analysed using SPSS.20 software. Results: During the study period, 1272 newborns were admitted to hospital, including 705 born at term, of whom 188 were included in the study. The mothers’ ages ranged from 14 to 45 years, with an average of 24 years. The pregnancy was not followed up in 15% of cases. Newborns were resuscitated at birth in 51% of cases. The main clinical signs observed were hypoxia, neurological disorders and fever. Perinatal asphyxia (55%), neonatal infections (34%) and congenital malformations (6%) were the main causes of respiratory distress. Mortality was estimated at 37%. Conclusion: Neonatal respiratory distress is a major cause of death. Most causes can be avoided if pregnancy and delivery are properly managed.

Etiological Factors of Infective Endocarditis in Children Aged 1 Month to 15 Years Hospitalised in the Paediatric Department of CHU Gabriel Touréof Bamako (Mali)

Introduction: In emerging countries where studies are rarer, the epidemiological profile of infective endocarditis resembles that of developed countries at the beginning of the antibiotic era. There is little data available in Mali on this subject, motivating this study, the aim of which was to study the etiological factors of infective endocarditis in children aged between 1 month and 15 years hospitalised in the paediatric department of the CHU Gabriel Touré. Patients and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional and descriptive study, which took place from August 2018 to August 2019 (13 months), in children aged between 1 month and 15 years hospitalised in the paediatric department of the Gabriel Touré University Hospital with an ultrasound- confirmed cardiac disease and a temperature above 38°C. Results: The hospitalization rate was 0.4%. The average age was 11 months, the sex ratio was 1.35. Respiratory distress (63.6%) and fever (30.3%) were the most common reasons for referral. Congenital heart disease (87.9%) and dyspnoea on feeding (24.2%) were the most common medical histories. IVC was the most frequent congenital heart disease (36.4%). The mean temperature was 39.1°C. Blood cultures were taken in 24 patients (72.7%) and were positive in 27.3%. Staphylococcus aureus was found in 55.6% of cases. Trans-thoracic ultrasound found vegetations in 03 cases. According to the modified DUKE criteria, the diagnosis of endocarditis was retained in 27.30%. The evolution was marked by a high case fatality rate (45.45%). Conclusion: Endocarditis is an uncommon disease in children with a pulmonary portal of entry and Staphylococcus aureus as the main germ. Its mortality remains high.

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.