Resistant Pulmonary TB-HIV Co-Infection in an Infant: About a Case

Diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis (TB) is difficult, especially in resource-limited countries where the number of reported cases of TB-HIV co-infection continues to rise. This co-infection poses a diagnostic and therapeutic problem for caregivers. We report a case of rifampicin-resistant HIV-TB pulmonary coinfection in a 19-month-old infant.

Evaluation of Antibiotic Prescribing in the Pediatric Department of Gabriel TouréTeaching Hospital, Bamako, Mali

Objectives: The main objective was to evaluate antibiotic prescribing in the Department of Pediatrics at Gabriel Touré teaching hospital. Methods: This was a prospective descriptive study conducted from September 1 to November 31, 2018, in the Department of Pediatrics at Gabriel Touré teaching hospital. All children aged 0 to 15 years hospitalized for any pathology during the study period and having received at least one antibiotic had been included. Results: We collected 445 children’s records out of 1032 admissions during the study period, representing a hospital frequency of 43.1%. The sex ratio was 1.3%. The 2 - 5 age group accounted for 48.1%. Fever was the reason for consultation in 45.6% of cases. Patients’ general condition was altered in 60% of cases. The fathers were blue-collar workers in 65.4% and the mothers housewives in 85%, and had no education in 42.9% and 64.5% respectively. Hepatomegaly was present in 18.2%, splenomegaly in 9.6% and peripheral adenopathy in 3.1%. The site of infection was pulmonary in 37.6% and ENT in 9.2%. Bacterial infection was assumed on admission in 54% of cases, and meningitis in 57.7%. The discharge diagnosis was malaria in 54.6%, severe acute malnutrition in 18.6% and meningitis in 6.7%. The death rate was 3.8%. Neutrophilic leukocytosis was present in 47.3% of patients. CRP was positive in 85% of patients. Blood cultures taken in 27.6% of patients were positive in 5. CSF analysis in 30% of patients showed elevated leukocytes in 6.5%. No cultures were positive. Antibiotic prescription was justified by infectious hypotheses in 43.1% of patients. β-lactam antibiotics were prescribed in 98.6%. Antibiotic therapy was not adapted to national/international recommendations in 68.3% of cases, and was not justified in 16.3% of cases on D5 of hospitalization. Conclusion: Antibiotic use was justified in more than half of patients, but remained inadequate in almost two-thirds of cases, in line with national and international recommendations.

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%.

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.

Non-Chemotherapy Medullary Aplasia in the Pediatric Oncology Unit of the Gabriel Touré Teaching Hospital, Bamako

Objectives: The main objective was to study the epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of medullary aplasia (MA). Methods: This was a prospective and descriptive retro study conducted from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2018 in the pediatric oncology unit of the pediatrics department of the Gabriel Touré teaching Hospital in Bamako. Results: We collected 29 children’s cases out of 1632 admissions during the study period, representing a frequency of 1.8% and an incidence of 2.6 cases per year. The sex ratio was 2.6. The 11 - 15 age group accounted for 45%, with an average age of 8.93 years. The majority of fathers (55.2%) and mothers (62.1%) had received no education;they were mainly farmers (62.1%) and housewives (86.2%). The average consultation time was 92.21 days. Anemia was the reason for consultation in 69% of cases. Pallor was present on admission in 96.5%;infectious syndrome accounted for 79.3%, anemic syndrome for 51.7% and hemorrhagic syndrome for 27.6%;the three syndromes were associated in 27.6%. Malaria was associated with bone marrow aplasia in 58.6%. Anemia was present in 93.1%, neutropenia in 65.5% and thrombocytopenia in 86.2%. All had received a labile blood product (LBP) transfusion, and 24 (83%) had received antibiotics. Patients were treated with corticosteroids (58.6%), androgens (20.7%) and immunosuppressants (20.7%). The death rate was 34.6%. At last count, 15 (83%) had discontinued treatment, 2 (11%) were undergoing treatment and 1 (6%) was in remission. Conclusion: Effective treatment of MA requires improved technical facilities and better economic conditions for parents.

Blood Count Characteristics of Children Hospitalized in General Pediatrics at the Gabriel Touré Teaching Hospital

Objective: The main objective was to study the disturbances of the Blood Count of children hospitalized in the general pediatric of the Gabriel Touré teaching hospital. Methods: This was a prospective and descriptive study conducted from September 1 to November 30, 2018 in the general pediatrics department of the Gabriel Touré teaching hospital in Bamako. Data were collected on patient records using a survey sheet. Results: We collected 512 files of children out of 1030 admissions during the study period;the rate of completion of the blood count is 50%. The male sex was predominant with a sex ratio of 1.3. The majority of patients were under 5 years old (58%). The majority of fathers (56%) and mothers (64%) of children had no education;they are mainly farmers (61%) and housewives (88%). Pallor was the reason for consultation in 29% of patients and present in 60%. On blood count, anemia was present in 92% of patients, half of whom (50%) had severe anemia with a hemoglobin level below 7 g/dL. The anemia was mainly microcytic (72%) and hypochromic (66%). Hyperleukocytosis (62%), eosinophilia (68%) and basophilia (58%) were the abnormalities observed in the white line. Thrombocytopenia accounted for 40%. Severe malaria (53%) was the main discharge diagnosis and almost all patients (99%) were alive at discharge. Conclusion: The characteristics of anemia require a study of the complete blood count in healthy children with dosage of serum iron and ferritin for a better understanding of the phenomenon.

Epidemioclinical Profile and Immediate Outcome of Low Birth Weight at the Reference Health Center in Commune VI of the District of Bamako, Mali

Introduction: Low birth weight is responsible for 9.1 million child deaths each year worldwide. It is the leading cause of perinatal and infant mortality. The objective of this work was to determine the epidemio-clinical profile as well as the future of low birth weight at the Reference Health Center of commune VI in the district of Bamako, Mali. Methods: Our study was descriptive and prospective over a year from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019. Data were taken from hospital records and newborn referral/evacuation forms. Data processing was performed using Epi Info software version 3.5.4 and Word. Results: The frequency of low birth weight was 34.94%. Multiparity accounted for 47.84%, sex ratio was 0.93, maternal arterial hypertension was present in 41.66%, genitourinary infection was in 58.37% and delivery was by low way in 86.12%. The majority of newborns had a gestational age between 28SA-33SA (56.52%) and a weight between 1501-1999 grams (47.36%). Mortality accounted for 18.66%. Conclusion: Low birth weight is common in our settings with modifiable risk factors. Practitioners must play on them to minimize its importance.

Congenital Heart Disease in Newborns: Epidemiological and Clinical Particularities in a Neonatology Department in Mali

Introduction: Congenital heart disease is an important cause of mortality, chronic morbidity, and disability in children in poor countries. The objective of this study was to highlight the diversity of congenital heart defects in the neonatology department. Methodology: This work had taken place in a neonatology service over a period of six months from January 2019 to June 2019. It was a prospective descriptive study with information collected from the medical records of newborns with congenital heart disease. Results: Of 1478 neonates hospitalized during the study period, 41 had congenital heart disease, for a hospitalization rate of 2.77%. CHD accounted for 2.77% of neonatal hospitalizations. The sex ratio was 1.73 (26 boys/15 girls). Consanguinity was found in 19% of cases. The average time to consultation was 11 days. The main clinical signs were heart murmur (58%), respiratory distress (56%) and extracardiac malformations (54%). The main cardiac malformations found were atrial septal defect (46%), patent ductus arteriosus (44%), ventricular septal defect (17%), complete atrioventricular canal (15%), and transposition of the great vessels (5%). The case fatality rate was 29%. Conclusion: Delayed diagnosis, generally related to the long delay in consultation, and lack of surgical management partly explain this high case fatality.

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.

Tuberculosis in Children: Epidemio-Clinical Aspects in the Paediatric Department of the Gabriel TouréUniversity Hospital Center

Introduction: Globally, tuberculosis is the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent ahead of HIV/AIDS. Approximately 10 million people contracted TB in 2017, 10% of whom were children aged 0 - 15 years, or about 1 million with 250,000 deaths in 2016 (including children with HIV-associated TB). The signs of TB in children are not always specific and diagnosis remains difficult unlike in adults. According to a study conducted in 2011 in the paediatric department of the CHU-Gabriel Touré, only seventeen cases of all forms of tuberculosis were found, or approximately 0.2% of hospitalised children. The objective of our study was to investigate the epidemiological and clinical aspects of tuberculosis in children. Materials and Method: This was a prospective, cross-sectional and descriptive study that took place from 24 October 2017 to 23 October 2018, or 12 months in children aged 0-15 years. Data were collected from an individual medical record opened for each patient and an individual survey form established for each child. Results: During the study period, 40,434 children were consulted. Tuberculosis was suspected in 91 children, with a frequency of 0.22%. The age range of 1 to 4 years was 36.3% with a median age of 72 months. The sex ratio was 1.8. Chronic cough with 84.6% and malnutrition with 24.17% were the most frequent symptoms. Chest X-ray revealed bilateral pulmonary lesions in 52.7% and mediastinal adenopathy in 12.1%. TST was positive in 10.9% of patients, microscopy in 26.4%, Gene Xpert in 18.7%, and culture in 16.5%. The biological diagnosis of tuberculosis was retained in 48.4% of the patients, the pulmonary form represented 93.2%. The therapeutic regime (2RHZE/4RH) was used in 81.6% of cases and the evolution was favourable in 65.9% of patients. Conclusion: The diagnosis of tuberculosis in children remains difficult in our context. The clinical signs are not always specific, and further studies are needed to further elucidate this disease.

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.