Serial copper and ceruloplasmin levels in African newborns with emphasis on the sick and stable preterm infant, and their antioxidant capacities.

Literature on serum copper (Cu) and its antioxidant protein (ceruloplasmin) in the African newborn is infrequent, and more reports are evident from developed or affluent societies. We, therefore, studied longitudinally our newborns to delineate their Cu and ceruloplasmin (CLP) status. All infants were born between July 1st, 1991 and June 30th, 1992 at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Nigeria.

Calcium and vitamin D status of pregnant teenagers in Maiduguri, Nigeria.

This study investigates parameters related to calcium and bone metabolism by determining the concentrations of total calcium, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and phosphorous in young pregnant women. The patient population was 30 pregnant Nigerian teenage women grouped by trimester (10 per group), 10 women immediately following delivery, and 21 healthy age-matched controls. On the basis of serum prealbumin levels, the general nutrition of the pregnant women was found to be significantly below that of the more privileged and better-educated nonpregnant controls.

Acute renal failure in the newborn: incidence and outcome.

Objective: To describe an experience from a developing country of newborn renal disease particularly those without advanced neonatal care.

Methodology: Prospective evaluation from a referral hospital, North-East of Nigeria between 1 July 1990 and 30 June 1994. Babies admitted for any morbidities who were diagnosed as being in acute renal failure (ARF) during the study period (non-oliguric inclusive).

Zinc levels in the Nigerian full-time newborn from birth to six months.

Zinc(Zn) remains an important micronutrient needed by the growing foetus and newborn. We are unaware of a previous study delineating the longitudinal evolution in the African fullterm (FT) infant. Hence we prospectively studied thirty randomly selected stable FT infants (M:F; 17:13) born between July 1991 and April, 1992.

Observations on oral Sultamicillin/Unasyn CP-45 899 therapy of neonatal infections.

The use of an effective antimicrobial remains a problem in the neonate, thereby necessitating empiric combinations of parenteral agents. We therefore studied oral Sultamicillin's (Unasyn CP-45 899) efficacy and tolerability (dose = 50 mg/kg per day) in the treatment of serious infections in 27 neonates over an 18 month period. The study cohort comprised newborns with suspected or confirmed infections in the Special Care Baby Unit of a referral hospital.