Practice of Pediatric Neurosurgery at the “Hôpital SpécialiséMère-Enfant Blanche Gomes” in the Republic of the Congo

Introduction: Pediatric Neurosurgery is a growing specialty in its own right worldwide. Its practice in sub-Saharan Africa remains confronted with many challenges, notably the absence of a pediatric neurosurgeon, the lack of a dedicated service and the absence of multidisciplinary pediatric collaboration (neuroanesthesist, neurologist, oncologist and psychotherapist). The objective of this preliminary study is to describe the practice of pediatric neurosurgery at the HSMEBG and to present perspectives for its improvement. Methods: This is a retrospective, monocentric, descriptive study covering the period from March 2021 to March 2022 at the Pediatric Surgery Department of the HSMEBG. Résults: During the study period, 50 children were hospitalized for a neurosurgical condition. The sex ratio was 1.77. The average age was 6 years with extremes of 2 weeks and 16 years. Most children were from the emergency department (46%). Computed tomography (CT) was performed in 35 patients (70%), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 4% and plain radiography in two patients (8%). Malformative, traumatic (cranial and spinal) and tumor pathology were the most frequent with 42%, 36% and 12% respectively. Twenty-six patients were operated (52%). We recorded one postoperative infection (2.5%). The overall mortality was 8% (N = 4). Conclusion: This preliminary study allowed us to identify the epidemiological and clinical profile of the patients treated in our context as well as the therapeutic approach. Malformative pathology remains the most frequent, followed by traumatic and tumor pathology. The development of the practice of this discipline remains a challenge in our working conditions and requires the training of pediatric neurosurgeons and dedicated paramedical staff.

Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on Body Composition and Fitness Performance among Football Players in Negro African Environment

Context and Objective: The nutritional and sports dimension of the lockdown implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic is unexplored in the African environment. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on body composition and fitness performance in Congolese football players. Methods: This was an observational study carried out in Brazzaville between February 9 and October 30, 2020. It included 16 male players among Congolese senior national team and 11 male football players of first division Brazzaville clubs. Two types of measurements were carried out: anthropometric measures (height, body mass, total fat percent, lean body mass);physical capacities [30 m sprint, repeated sprint, aerobic endurance (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test), vertical jump (Squat Jump test, Countermovement test)]. The measurements were realized at 4 times: before lockdown (month of february, T0), 1st week of june (T1), 1st week of september (T2), 1st week of october (T3). Data were compared using Student t test, Sokal S test, Anova, Newman-Keuls test (multiple contrasts) and correlation analysis. Results: A significant increase in body mass (p Conclusion: The present data suggest that COVID-19 lockdown promotes weight gain and decreased physical ability in football players.

Role of <i>Helicobacter pylori</i>Infection in Recurrent Abdominal Pain of the Child in Brazzaville

The Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection is a public health problem, especially in developing countries. However, the responsibility of Hp for the occurrence of recurrent abdominal pain is still unclear. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in children with recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) in Brazzaville and to establish the relationship between Hp infection and RAP. Patients and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional case-control study, between March and September 2018, including 106 children with RAP and 218 children without RAP, aged 2 to 17 years old, received in health centres in Brazzaville. All the children were subjected to detection of Hp fecal antigen by qualitative immuno-chromatography in the faeces. Results: The prevalence of Hp infection among children with RAP in Brazzaville was 43.4%. The female sex was most represented in both populations, with a sex ratio of 0.84 in the infected population. Compared with controls, these were children with a mean age of 8.13 ± 4.57 years. Infected children with RAP were unschooled in 66.7% (n = 31) of cases (p < 0.05). Those using potty were 63% (n = 29). Handwashing before meals and after using the toilet was not done in 66.7% (n = 31) and 56.5% (n = 26) of cases, respectively. The proportions were almost similar in the control population. The epigastric site of pain was found in 51.8% of children infected with RAP, the association between Hp infection and the site of pain was statistically significant (p = 0.009). The epidemiological factors influencing Hp infestation in children were identical in both groups, those factors were: age (OR = 0.61;p < 0.04), education level (OR = 0.35;p < 0.01) of the children and guardian’s age (OR = 1.22;p < 0.03), type of toilet (OR = 2.37;p < 0.02) and hand washing (OR = 1;p < 0.01). No statistically significant association was found between Hp infection and RAP (p = 0.10). Conclusion: Hp infection is common among children with RAP in Brazzaville. It is favoured by young age and lack of hygiene. The cause and effect relationship between Hp and RAP has not been found. Nevertheless, the search for Hp fecal antigen in children with RAP should be recommended in order to improve the management of this pathology.