Comparative study of Clinical Assessment of Nutritional status score and proportionality indices in the assessment of fetal malnutrition in term newborns.

BACKGROUND: Fetal malnutrition (FM) which describes the underweight/wasting seen in newborns is a significant contributor to perinatal morbidity and mortality and requires proper documentation. The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional status of term newborns at birth using Clinical Assessment of Nutritional (CAN) status score and four other anthropometric indices and to compare the efficiency of CAN score and the anthropometric indices in identifying FM in term newborns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on live singleton babies delivered ≥37-42 completed weeks of gestation at the inborn unit of Lagos University Teaching Hospital without major congenital abnormalities or severe perinatal illness. Birth weights and lengths were recorded at birth. Ponderal index (PI), body mass index (BMI), and mid-arm/head circumference (MAC/HC) ratio were calculated and the values were compared with standard curves. The CAN score consisted of inspection and estimation of loss of subcutaneous tissues and muscles. FM was defined as CAN score <25. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences statistics software version 17.0. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty-two newborns were analyzed. FM was identified in 14.5%, 10.3%, 13.1%, and 2.8% of newborns using CAN score, PI, BMI, and MAC/HC ratio, respectively. Out of the FM babies identified by CAN score, PI, MAC/HC, and BMI identified 19.5%, 12.3%, and 53.7% of them as FM also. BMI was the most sensitive anthropometric index for detecting FM. CONCLUSION: CAN score is a simple clinical tool for identifying FM and when used in conjunction with BMI will enhance FM detection.

T-lymphocyte subsets in apparently healthy nigerian children.

Population studies showed that there are differences in T-lymphocytes subpopulation of normal children in different regions, and reference values in an area might be different from another. This study compared the values in our population with CDC and WHO reference values. Blood samples from 279 healthy, HIV-negative children <12 years of age were analysed for complete blood count, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ counts and percentages. Except for CD8%, mean values for all parameters measured significantly decreased with age. CD4+ counts were higher in females than males, P < .05. Using the WHO criteria, 15.9% of subjects had low total lymphocyte count and 20.6% had low CD4 count. Children <3 years had median CD4% lower than WHO normal values. Our median CD4+ counts correlated with CDC values. Values used by WHO in infants are higher than ours. We suggest that our children be assessed using CDC reference values which correlate with ours.

The impact of recycled neonatal incubators in Nigeria: a 6-year follow-up study.

Nigeria has a record of high newborn mortality as an estimated 778 babies die daily, accounting for a ratio of 48 deaths per 1000 live births. The aim of this paper was to show how a deteriorating neonatal delivery system in Nigeria may have, in part, been improved by the application of a novel recycled incubator technique (RIT). Retrospective assessment of clinical, technical, and human factors in 15 Nigerian neonatal centres was carried out to investigate how the application of RIT impacted these factors. Pre-RIT and post-RIT neonatal mortalities were compared by studying case files. Effect on neonatal nursing was studied through questionnaires that were completed by 79 nurses from 9 centres across the country. Technical performance was assessed based on 10-indices scores from clinicians and nurses. The results showed an increase in neonatal survival, nursing enthusiasm, and practice confidence. Appropriately recycled incubators are good substitutes to the less affordable modern incubators in boosting neonatal practice outcome in low-income countries.

Constraints and prospects in the management of pediatric HIV/AIDS.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric HIV/AIDS is increasing in Nigeria through mother-to-child transmission. Lack of diagnostic facility and affordability of therapy are major constraints. These factors were examined in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) between 1996 and 2002. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Case records of pediatric HIV/AIDS patients were examined for age, sex, mode of diagnosis, associated illnesses, treatment outcome and socioeconomic and HIV status of the parents. RESULTS: Out of 124 cases confirmed to have HIV/AIDS, 56.5% were aged <18 months and 89.5% had > or =4 clinical features at presentation. There was an increasing trend in the number of cases from 1996 to 2002. Diagnosis was by WHO clinical criteria as no polymerase chain reaction (PCR), was done and only 12.1% had CD4+ count done. The commonest associated illness was tuberculosis (25.8%). Only 20.2% were placed on antiretroviral drugs during the period. Mothers were significantly younger than fathers (P<0.05) and were more likely to be HIV positive. High rate of discharges against medical advice and default from follow-up occurred. CONCLUSION: Pediatric HIV/AIDS is on the increase at LUTH, and mothers were more HIV infected than fathers. The prohibitive cost of drugs prevented most patients from receiving therapy.