The impact of introduction of the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on pneumococcal carriage in Nigeria.

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) protect against invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) among vaccinees. However, at population level, this protection is driven by indirect effects. PCVs prevent nasopharyngeal acquisition of vaccine-serotype (VT) pneumococci, reducing onward transmission.

Coagulation abnormalities in children with uncorrected congenital heart defects seen at a teaching hospital in a developing country.

Background: Coagulation abnormality is a significant complication and cause of mortality in children with uncorrected congenital heart defects (CHD). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of coagulation abnormalities and the associated factors in children with uncorrected CHD.

Method: A cross sectional study conducted to determine the prevalence of coagulation abnormalities among 70 children with uncorrected CHD aged six months to 17 years and 70 age and sex matched apparently healthy controls.

Electrocardiographic pattern of apparently healthy African adolescent athletes in Nigeria.

Background: Strategies to prevent sudden cardiac death (SCD) among young athletes have become topical worldwide and unrecognized cardiac pathology has been identified as a leading cause. Black ethnicity has been reported as an independent predictor of abnormal electrocardiography (ECG) findings among athletes and the frequency and significance of training-related ECG findings versus findings suggestive of an underlying pathology in the young African athletes is crucial.

Methods: This cross sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence and distribution of ECG patterns in young athletes and controls.

Nasopharyngeal Pneumococcal Carriage in Nigeria: a two-site, population-based survey.

Changes in nasopharyngeal (NP) carriage of vaccine-type (VT) Streptococcus pneumoniae can be used to assess the effectiveness of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10). We conducted a baseline carriage survey in rural (Kumbotso, Kano) and urban (Pakoto, Ogun) Nigeria. In this cross-sectional study, we obtained data on demography, clinical history, risk factors, and took NP swabs for pneumococcal culture.

Pulmonary hypertension among 5 to 18 year old children with sickle cell anaemia in Nigeria.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PHT) is a significant cause of mortality in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Few studies on PHT in SCD have been carried out in children. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of PHT in children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) and determine its clinical and laboratory correlates.

Cochrane Review: Prophylactic phototherapy for preventing jaundice in preterm or low birth weight infants.

Background: Low birth weight and premature infants are at major risk for exaggerated hyperbilirubinaemia and jaundice that can lead to bilirubin encephalopathy. Phototherapy is the most common treatment for neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia and could be most effective in preventing the sequelae of hyperbilirubinaemia if initiated prophylactically.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of prophylactic phototherapy for preterm (< 37 weeks gestational age) or low birth weight infants (birth weight < 2500 g).

Serum cardiac troponin T in asphyxiated term neonates delivered at two teaching hospitals in lagos, Nigeria.

Background: Asphyxia is a leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality in the developing countries. All organs including the myocardium are vulnerable to ischemic injury in asphyxia. The aim of the current study was to assess myocardial injury in asphyxiated full-term neonates using their serum cardiac troponin T levels.

Pre-vaccination nasopharyngeal pneumococcal carriage in a Nigerian population: epidemiology and population biology.

Background: Introduction of pneumococcal vaccines in Nigeria is a priority as part of the Accelerated Vaccine Introduction Initiative (AVI) of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI). However, country data on the burden of pneumococcal disease (IPD) is limited and coverage by available conjugate vaccines is unknown. This study was carried out to describe the pre vaccination epidemiology and population biology of pneumococcal carriage in Nigeria.

Prophylactic phototherapy for preventing jaundice in preterm or low birth weight infants.

Background: Low birth weight and premature infants are at major risk for exaggerated hyperbilirubinaemia and jaundice that can lead to bilirubin encephalopathy. Phototherapy is the most common treatment for neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia and could be most effective in preventing the sequelae of hyperbilirubinaemia if initiated prophylactically.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of prophylactic phototherapy for preterm (< 37 weeks gestational age) or low birth weight infants (birth weight < 2500 g).

Prevalence, profile and predictors of malnutrition in children with congenital heart defects: a case-control observational study.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence, profile and predictors of severe malnutrition in children with congenital heart defects (CHDs).

Design: Case-control, observational study.

Setting: Tertiary teaching hospital in Lagos, Nigeria (March 2006 to March 2008).

Antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for preventing HIV in high-risk individuals.

Background: Twenty-five years into the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, infection rates remain alarmingly high, with over 4 million people becoming infected every year. There is a need for HIV prevention strategies that are more effective. Oral antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in high-risk individuals may be a reliable tool in preventing the transmission of HIV.