ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Umbilical granuloma (UG) is the most common cause of umbilical mass and it is formed in the first few weeks of life after the umbilical cord separates. Though there are different options of treatment described in the literature, there is no clear consensus on the best option of treatment. In our case, we will describe the complete resolution of granuloma with salt treatment with no adverse effect. CASE PRESENTATION: An 18-day-old female infant presented to the outpatient department (OPD) with concerns of swelling over the umbilicus with a yellowish discharge of one-day duration noticed after separation of the umbilical cord. The discharge was, initially, odorless, with no fecal or urine content, no pain, and behavioral change in the neonate. The mother was advised on sponge wash and to apply silver nitrate or liquid nitrogen. After five days, the patient presents with purulent discharge from the umbilical swelling of two-day duration but no other complaint. Discharge was noted to be purulent but no erythema in the surrounding skin. The patient had no leukocytosis on labs. A teaspoon of cooking salt was applied to cover the whole granuloma and packed the umbilicus for 30 minutes with gauze. After 30 minutes on the pack, the salt was removed and cleaned with normal saline. Subsequently, after the salt was applied, the granuloma changed from red to blush hue. After three applications of salt pack, the granuloma decreased in size, became dry, and separated. There was no side effect noted and the infant was followed up with no recurrence noted at 3 months of age. CONCLUSION: Salt treatment appears to be an effective, available, and less costly treatment option for an umbilical granuloma.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Birth asphyxia is defined by the World Health Organization as not initiating and maintaining default breathing at birth. Approximately 24% of neonatal deaths occurred annually worldwide due to birth asphyxia. About 3% of the 120 million neonates born each year acquire asphyxia in third world countries. Long-term survivors may experience cerebral palsy, delay in growth, vision, hearing and intellectual deficiency, epilepsy, difficulties with communication and behavior. Thus, this study aims to determine the risk factors of birth asphyxia among neonates who were delivered at public hospitals of Tigray, Ethiopia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hospital-based unmatched case-control study design was implemented on 390 samples from January to February 2018. Data were collected by interviews using a structured questionnaire and checklist. The collected data were coded and entered using EpiData version 3.1 statistical software and transported to statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 20 software for analysis. Cross-tabulation and odds ratio with 95% confidence interval were computed. Bivariate logistic regression and multivariable logistic regression were done. Multicollinearity was checked. Goodness of fit was checked by the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. RESULTS: A total of 260 controls and 130 cases were enrolled in the study. Multivariable logistic regression showed that Primi-parity [AOR 5.5 (CI: 2.5, 12.3)], pre-eclamcia/pregnancy-induced hypertension [AOR12.4 (CI: 4.17, 37.15)], post-term pregnancy [AOR 2.73 (CI: 1.00, 7.55)] meconium-stained liquor [AOR 29.2 (CI: 12.0, 71.1)], cord entangled [AOR 5.67 (CI: 1.66,19.3)] and non-vertex presentation [AOR 5.49 (CI: 2.20,13.7)] were found to be risk factors for perinatal birth asphyxia. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Intrapartum factors and neonatal factors in the index pregnancy have an association with perinatal birth asphyxia. The research finding suggests effective antenatal care follow-up and follow-up of labor progress using partograph after labor initiation.
