Incidence and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity in Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital: a baseline prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and any associated risk factors among preterm infants at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH). DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Level 3 NICU of KBTH from June 2018 to February 2019. PARTICIPANTS: Eligible infants with birth weight (BW) less than 2 kg or gestational age (GA) less than 37 weeks were examined at scheduled intervals until full maturity of their retina. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was cumulative incidence of ROP and secondary outcome measure was risk factors associated with ROP. RESULTS: Of the 401 infants, 222 were females (55.4%), mean±SD GA was 32.3±2.4 weeks (median 32, IQR 31 to 34) and mean BW 1.6±0.4 kg (median 1.5, IQR 1.3 to 1.9). The cumulative incidence of ROP was 13.7% (95% CI: 10.5 to 17.5%), with 1.8% (seven infants) having type 1 ROP. Increased risk of ROP was observed in babies with supplemental oxygen exposure (p<0.001), BW less than 1.5 kg (p=0.019), confirmed neonatal sepsis (p=0.001), nasogastric tube feeding (p=0.03) and poor pupillary dilation (0.032). A reduced risk of ROP was observed in boys (p=0.004) and after delivery by caesarean section (p=0.019). CONCLUSION: The rates of ROP at KBTH are comparable to other NICUs in sub-Saharan Africa. Birth weight less than 1.5 kg, confirmed neonatal sepsis, nasogastric tube feeding and poor pupil dilation were independently associated with increased incidence of ROP. ROP screening should be a part of the routine service for premature infants in Ghana.

Chlamydia trachomatis infection among Ghanaian women undergoing hysterosalpingography for suspected tubal factor infertility.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection and the correlates of tubal pathology among Ghanaian women undergoing hysterosalpingography for suspected tubal factor infertility. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 189 women with infertility who underwent hysterosalpingography at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana, from September 1 to November 30, 2016. Demographic data; obstetric and gynecologic history; and hysterosalpingography findings were collected using a structured questionnaire. Endocervical swabs were tested for the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis using a rapid antigen-based diagnostic kit. Associations between the variables were assessed using bivariate analysis. RESULTS: Positive test results for Chlamydia trachomatis were recorded among 15 participants, giving an overall prevalence of 7.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.1%-11.7%). In all, 67 (35.4%) participants had abnormal findings on hysterosalpingography, with 40 (21.2%) displaying bilateral tubal occlusion. The remaining 122 (64.6%) women had normal findings on hysterosalpingography. Eight participants with normal tubal appearance tested positive for Chlamydia trachomatis (prevalence 6.6%, 95% CI 2.2%-11.0%), whereas seven participants with abnormal tubal appearance tested positive (prevalence 10.4%, 95% CI 3.1%-17.7%; P=0.402). No associations were found between participant characteristics and tubal pathology. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis did not differ by hysterosalpingography findings.

Case series of six patients diagnosed and managed for idiopathic intracranial hypertension at a tertiary institution eye centre.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) occurs secondary to raised intracranial pressure (ICP) of unknown etiology and is diagnosed when all other causes of raised ICP have been excluded. It can leave devastating sequelae such as permanent visual loss, hence the need for timely diagnosis and treatment. Anecdotally, one or two cases of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) previously presented at the Eye Centre, KBTH yearly. However, six cases were seen within a 6-month period, prompting the need to study the clinical features of IIH in this population. OBJECTIVE: We aim to evaluate the clinical features of patients presenting with IIH at KBTH. METHODOLOGY: This is a retrospective case series with contemporaneous collection of data of six patients who presented to the Eye Centre (KBTH) between October 2016 and March 2017 with clinical features suggestive of IIH. The patients were evaluated and diagnosed based on clinical judgement as well as using the modified Dandy criteria. RESULTS: All six patients were female and all except one were obese. The age range was 8 to 40 years with median 22.5 years. Symptoms in the 8-year-old were preceded by oral doxycycline for acne treatment. One patient had a history of using oral contraceptive pills prescribed for irregular menses. Clinical features of blurred vision, headache, and papilloedema were relieved with oral acetazolamide. CONCLUSION: The upsurge of IIH may be due to the increased incidence of obesity in Ghana. Timely diagnosis and treatment is needed to avoid irreversible blindness. FUNDING: None.