Article
Immunology
Prakash Kumar Soni, Jogender Kumar, Archana Angrup, Praveen Kumar, Shiv Sajan Saini, Venkataseshan Sundaram, Kanya Mukhopadhyay, Sourabh Dutta
Summary: We conducted a study to evaluate the risk factors, clinical features, and microbial profiles of meningitis in neonates with suspected sepsis. Out of 191 enrolled neonates over a 13-month period, 64 (33.5%) were diagnosed with meningitis. There were no significant differences in risk factors or clinical features between infants with and without meningitis. Culture-positive sepsis was observed in 49% of neonates (109 isolates), with Candida spp., coagulase-negative staphylococci, and Klebsiella pneumoniae being the most commonly identified pathogens. Among these bacteria, 53% were multidrug-resistant.
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Usman Nasir Nakakana, Ridwan Muhammad Jega, Aliyu Mamman Nauzo, Yahya Mohammed, Ismaila Mohammed Ahmed
Summary: Malaria is highly prevalent in Nigeria, accounting for a significant proportion of global malaria mortality. This study aimed to provide accurate information on severe malaria in a community in Northwestern Nigeria, finding a higher prevalence of non-anaemia severe malaria than expected.
FRONTIERS OF MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Serife Kurul, Sinno H. P. Simons, Christian R. B. Ramakers, Yolanda B. De Rijke, Rene F. Kornelisse, Irwin K. M. Reiss, H. Rob Taal
Summary: Serum IL-6 and PCT levels at the moment of suspected late onset neonatal sepsis offer valuable information about sepsis severity and mortality risk in preterm infants. These biomarkers have a superior discriminative value compared to CRP and may help identify patients requiring more intensive monitoring and therapy.
Article
Pediatrics
Rozeta Sokou, Georgios Ioakeimidis, Daniele Piovani, Stavroula Parastatidou, Aikaterini Konstantinidi, Andreas G. Tsantes, Maria Lampridou, Dimitra Houhoula, Nicoletta Iacovidou, Styliani Kokoris, Aristeidis G. Vaiopoulos, Argyri Gialeraki, Petros Kopterides, Stefanos Bonovas, Argirios E. Tsantes
Summary: This study developed and validated a diagnostic model for sepsis in neonates by incorporating thromboelastometry parameters, maternal/neonatal risk factors, clinical signs/symptoms, and laboratory results. The model showed excellent performance in predicting neonatal sepsis and may contribute to timely diagnosis.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Julius Uti Nchor
Summary: The purpose of investigating livelihood strategies is to seek patterns that can be acted upon in order to improve livelihood prospects. This paper assesses household livelihood strategies and their determinates, identifying fundamental context-related livelihood strategies in asset building and analyzing the diverse approaches and constraints that emerged. The result shows that households diversify their assets with complex and diverse strategies, such as space extension, expense reduction, borrowing, seeking help, pawning belongings, home-based enterprises, investment in education, migration, and urban agriculture. Findings further indicate that the ability of households to reduce vulnerability and increase productivity depends on their initial assets and their ability to transform them into income or necessities. The paper recommends strengthening and supporting households' strategies to cope with and reduce housing vulnerability.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Olukemi O. Ige, Tolulope O. Afolanranmi, Christopher S. Yilgwan, Fanen Ayatse, Esin Nkereuwem, Atiene S. Sagay, Phyllis Kanki, Fidelia Bode-Thomas
Summary: The prevalence of CHD among neonates in Nigeria was found to be 28.8 per 1,000, with mild CHD being the most common. This highlights the need for early diagnosis and management of CHD at birth.
CARDIOVASCULAR JOURNAL OF AFRICA
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Kia Hee Schultz Dungu, Stine Lund, Emma Louise Malchau Carlsen, Ulla Birgitte Hartling, Astrid Thaarup Matthesen, Kristina Traeholt Franck, Marianne Kragh Thomsen, Ulrik Stenz Justesen, Hans Linde Nielsen, Alex Christian Yde Nielsen, Tine Brink Henriksen, Ulrikka Nygaard
Summary: This nationwide population-based cohort study aimed to estimate the incidence of neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection and the number of neonates with suspected invasive bacterial infection (IBI) needed to treat with acyclovir. The results showed a higher incidence of neonatal HSV infection than in previous decades, but a high NNT with empiric acyclovir. Therefore, it is recommended not to treat all neonates suspected of IBI with empiric acyclovir, as current European guidelines suggest.
ARCHIVES OF DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD-FETAL AND NEONATAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Catherine Munyendo, Bashir Admani, Patrick Mburugu, Justus Simba, Bernadine Lusweti, Naomi Gachara, Ahmed Laving
Summary: Neonatal sepsis has a high prevalence of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) due to unique aspects of neonatal renal physiology. A study was conducted to determine the prevalence and characteristics of AKI in neonates with suspected sepsis. Among 332 included neonates, 36.1% had AKI. AKI was more common in neonates with suspected late onset sepsis. Maternal fever preceding delivery and presence of maternal sepsis or post-partum hemorrhage were associated with severe forms of AKI.
AFRICAN HEALTH SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Tessa de Baat, Rebecca Lester, Lugano Ghambi, Hussein H. Twabi, Maryke Nielsen, Stephen B. Gordon, Mirjam M. van Weissenbruch, Nicholas A. Feasey, Queen Dube, Kondwani Kawaza, Pui-Ying Iroh Tam
Summary: In this study conducted in Malawi, suspected early-onset sepsis (EOS) was observed in nearly one-third of neonatal admissions, with a high mortality rate. The most commonly isolated pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, and Acinetobacter baumanii. Low gestational age was associated with positive blood cultures, while low birth weight, low Apgar scores at 5 min, positive maternal venereal disease research laboratory status, and congenital anomalies were associated with mortality. Prolonged rupture of membranes was inversely associated with mortality. To improve outcomes and reduce antimicrobial resistance, better maternal and antenatal care and the development of rapid point of care methods for guiding antimicrobial use are needed in least developed countries.
ARCHIVES OF DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD
(2023)
Review
Pediatrics
Lei Liu, Wenchong He, Jun Zhu, Kui Deng, Huiwen Tan, Liangcheng Xiang, Xuelian Yuan, Qi Li, Menglan Huang, Yingkun Guo, Yongna Yao, Xiaohong Li
Summary: The global prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) has increased from 1969 to 2020, possibly due to the implementation of national neonatal screening, neonatal testing for thyroid-stimulating hormone, and a lowering of the diagnostic level. The highest prevalence of CH was found in the Eastern Mediterranean region and among countries with upper-middle national income level. The increase in CH prevalence from 2011 to 2020 compared to 1969 to 1980 was significant after adjusting for geographic region, national income level, and screening strategy.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Rita O. Oladele, Iriagbonse I. Osaigbovo, Alani S. Akanmu, Olukemi A. Adekanmbi, Bassey E. Ekeng, Yahaya Mohammed, Mary A. Alex-Wele, Mark O. Okolo, Stephen T. Ayanbeku, Uchechukwu S. Unigwe, Iorhen E. Akase, Alali Dan-Jumbo, Dennis Israelski, David W. Denning, Alessandro C. Pasqualotto, Tom Chiller
Summary: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of disseminated histoplasmosis among advanced HIV patients in Nigeria. By testing Histoplasma antigen in urine samples, it was found that 7.7% of the participants were antigen-positive. Antigen-positive patients had lower CD4 counts and some were co-infected with tuberculosis. The study suggests that Histoplasma antigen testing should be included in the care package for advanced HIV disease.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
A. J. L. M. Geraerds, Wendy van Herk, Martin Stocker, Salhab el Helou, Sourabh Dutta, Matteo S. Fontana, Frank A. B. A. Schuerman, Rita K. van den Tooren-de Groot, Jantien Wieringa, Jan Janota, Laura H. van der Meer-Kappelle, Rob Moonen, Sintha D. Sie, Esther de Vries, Albertine E. Donker, Urs Zimmerman, Luregn J. Schlapbach, Amerik C. de Mol, Angelique Hoffman-Haringsma, Madan Roy, Maren Tomaske, Rene F. Kornelisse, Juliette van Gijsel, Eline G. Visser, Annemarie M. C. van Rossum, Suzanne Polinder
Summary: This study conducted a cost-minimization analysis of the NeoPInS trial, comparing health care costs of PCT-guided decision making and standard care. The results showed that PCT-guided decision making can significantly reduce health care costs in neonates with 'infection unlikely' risk category and gestational age >= 37 weeks in certain countries.
Article
Education & Educational Research
Idongesit Emmanuel Ephraim, Benjamin Ayua Ambe, Bassey Obeten Udumo, Nkanu Usang Onnoghen, Eturki Eborty Egbonyi, Remi Modupe Omoogun, Moses Inyang-Abia, Fidelis Abunimye Unimna, Helen Pius Okon
Summary: This study aimed to assess virtual instructional competence among tourism teachers in secondary schools in Calabar South Local Government Area, Nigeria. The findings showed that professional competence was the most important factor, followed by knowledge of subject matter and interpersonal skills. Male teachers demonstrated higher virtual instructional competence compared to female teachers. Teachers with 1-5 years teaching experience and those with more than 15 years teaching experience were more receptive to virtual competence.
EDUCATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Sigrun Maier-Wohlfart, Carmen Aicher, Ines Willershausen, Nicolai Peschel, Udo Meissner, Lina Golz, Holm Schneider
Summary: A cohort of 204 children referred to the German Center for Ectodermal Dysplasias, Erlangen between January 2017 and January 2022 were analyzed. The most common reasons for referral were tooth malformations and missing teeth, indicating a possible ectodermal dysplasia. Sweating abnormalities were also observed in many patients. Nail abnormalities were less frequent but still had a significant impact on some individuals. Nail disorders were found in subjects with pathogenic WNT10A or GJB6 variants, as well as in children with mutations in EDAR or EDARADD genes involved in the ectodysplasin A signaling pathway. TP63 variants were regularly associated with nail disorders. A case of anonychia congenita caused by a compound heterozygous variant in the RSPO4 gene was also diagnosed. Overall, nail dysplasia is less common among patients with ectodermal dysplasia than previously thought.
Article
Immunology
Daniele Lilleri, Beatrice Tassis, Lorenza Pugni, Andrea Ronchi, Carlo Pietrasanta, Arsenio Spinillo, Alessia Arossa, Cristian Achille, Patrizia Vergani, Sara Ornaghi, Silvia Riboni, Paolo Cavoretto, Massimo Candiani, Gerarda Gaeta, Federico Prefumo, Nicola Fratelli, Anna Fichera, Michele Vignali, Allegra Barbasetti Di Prun, Elisa Fabbri, Irene Cetin, Anna Locatelli, Sara Consonni, Simona Rutolo, Elena Miotto, Valeria Savasi, Maria Di Giminiani, Antonella Cromi, Sandro Binda, Loretta Fiorina, Milena Furione, Gabriela Cassinelli, Catherine Klersy
Summary: Newborns from women with preconception immunity have a low rate of cCMV infection, mostly due to reactivation of the latent virus. Therefore, serological screening in childbearing age would be pivotal to identify HCMV-seropositive women with a low risk of cCMV in their newborns.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)