Subcutaneous Emphysema Associated with Pneumomediastinum and Complicated Pneumopericardium in a 14-Month-Old Infant

Pneumomediastinum is sometimes observed in adult patients but its occurrence in pediatric patients (especially infants) is very rare. We here report a 14-month-old male infant who had subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, and importantly, pneumopericardium. He had no particular past histories. He abruptly had cough, fever, and eruption on the abdomen. Computed tomography and echocardiography revealed pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium. Antibiotics, rest, and supportive therapy ameliorated the condition. We must be aware that pneumomediastinum, and importantly pneumopericardium, can be present in a pediatric patient with subcutaneous emphysema. The infant’s symptoms disappeared under strict monitoring of respiratory status, nasal oxygen therapy and antibiotic therapy.

Invasive <i>Haemophilus influenzae</i>Type b (Hib) Infections in Children in the Pediatric Department of the University Hospital Gabriel Touré(UH-GT)

Introduction: According to Mali’s National Immunization Center, the Haemophilus influenzae b (Hib) vaccine coverage rate was 90% in 2015. Our work aimed to study invasive bacterial infections due to Haemophilus influenzae type b in children aged 0 - 15 years hospitalized in the pediatrics department of the UH-GT. Method: We carried out a retrospective descriptive study from January 2017 to December 2018 (i.e. 2 years) among children aged 0 - 15 years and hospitalized for Haemophilus influenzae type b infection confirmed by culture (blood culture, Cerebro-spinal Fluid, and pleural and skin fluid). Results: Thirty-three cases of Hib infections were collected giving a frequency of 0.2% and the age group 3 months to 3 years was the most affected (72.73%). Children who received no vaccine accounted for 21.21%. The Cerebro-spinal Fluid culture and other samples (pleural and skin) identified the bacterium in 100% of cases, against 72.72% in the blood culture Meningitis was the most frequent pathology (78.79%) and the lethality was high (21.21%). Conclusion: Despite the introduction of the Hib vaccine in the routine immunization program in Mali, Hib infections remain with a high lethality linked to meningitis.

Etiology of Pediatric Jaundice: Observation in the Pediatric Ward of the Gabriel Toure University Hospital

Objective: Pediatric jaundice is caused by various conditions. Although some data is available on this issue, data from Mali is insufficient. The present retrospective observational study was an attempt to determine the etiology of pediatric jaundice in the pediatric department of Gabriel Touré teaching hospital in Bamako, Mali. Methods: We reviewed all pediatric patients with jaundice who were hospitalized and treated in this department during January 1 to December 31, 2016 (n = 168). Result: Pediatric jaundice patients accounted for 1.88% of the hospitalized patients, with median age of 6 years and male/female ratio being 1.6. Infectious, cholestatic, and hemolytic jaundice accounted for 75%, 11% and 10%, respectively. Malaria and sickle cell disease accounted for 67% and 9%, respectively. Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly were observed in 49 (29%) and 23 (13.7%) patients, respectively. Of 168, 9 patients died. Conclusion: Infectious jaundice, especially jaundice due to malaria, was the most frequent. However, variety of etiologies was observed, of which the practitioners should be aware. The observation presented here may become fundamental data in health-policy making in this area.