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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Knowledge of Health Professionals on Essential Newborn Care in Bamako, Mali

Despite existing policies on training health professionnels in essential newborn care (ENC), neonatal mortality still remains high in Mali. Our work aimed to assess the level of knowledge of health staff about ENC. Material and methods: From March 20th to April 20th, 2016, we interviewed newborn care providers at the six reference health centers and the Gabriel Touré University Hospital Center in Bamako. Results: In total, we interviewed 407 newborn care providers with a sex ratio of 0.52. Interviewees had over five years work experience in 62.1%. They considered a low Apgar score as an indication for neonatal resuscitation in 89%, regardless of profile (p = 0.1583). They knew the good aspiration technique in 54%, with nurses and midwives more knowledgeable (p ) of the reference health centers (p = 0.0000). The interviewees knew the indication and rate of ventilation in 30.2% and 16.0%, respectively. About one third (34%) thought oxygen administration should be systematic during ventilation. The knowledge level on ventilation was the lowest in the group of general practitioners (p = 0.0063 for oxygen indication and p for the technique). Knowledge level for other ENC components (temperature maintenance, eyes care, breastfeeding) were higher. The knowledge of the delay of the breasting did not correlated with either the profile (p = 0.0857) or the place of practice. The knowledge of the first bath was dependent on both the professional profile (p = 0.0002) and the reference level (p = 0.0238). Conclusion: The level of knowledge of health professionnels on ENC should be improved. This will involve the integration of ENC in initial training curricula along with an appropriate continuing training policy thereafter.

Profile and Antibiotic Sensitivity of Acute Pyelonephritis in Children at Gabriel Toure Teaching Hospital, Bamako

Background: Very common symptom in children, fever, perhaps a warning sign of more or less severe pathology, rapidly progressive, including an invasive bacterial infection such as acute pyelonephritis (APN). The aim of this work was to study the bacteriological profile and antibiotic sensitivity of APN in children. Methods: A prospective study involving any infant or child aged 3 months to 15 years with an acute fever (≥38°C) in which a urine test strip was performed in the pediatric department of the teaching hospital Gabriel Toure between April 1st and May 15th, 2019 (45 days). Results: 124 children were included out of 244 febrile patients. Infants (3 - 23 months) predominated (52.8%) with a sex ratio of 2. Seventy-five percent of children came directly from home and 30.6% were on antibiotic prior to admission. The urine bag sample was taken in 55.6% and the urine was macroscopically cloudy in 32.3%. Stigmas of urinary tract infection at the urinary strip were present in 56.5%. Confirmation of acute pyelonephritis (APN) by CytoBacteriological Urine Examination (CBUE) was 29% with Escherichia coli (63.9%) or Enterococcus faecalis (30.5%). Sensitivity was excellent for ciprofloxacin and imipenem (100%). The overall resistance was greater for gentamicin, cotrimoxazole, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (Threshold: 17.9% - 95.6%). APN was associated with bacteremia in 2.8% with hospitalization for 45.2% and mortality of 11.1% (due to severe acute malnutrition, severe dehydration and multifocal infection). Conclusion: The APN, daily activity of pediatrician in Bamako, is observed in one third of febrile children associated with a major life-threatening condition of risk factors, then the likely antibiotherapy could be amikacin in our context.