Changing trends in newborn sepsis in Sagamu, Nigeria: bacterial aetiology, risk factors and antibiotic susceptibility.

Aim: Sepsis is a major contributor to newborn deaths in the developing world. The objective is to determine the prevalence of newborn sepsis, the bacterial pathogens and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the isolates.

Method: A study of consecutive babies hospitalised in Sagamu, Nigeria, with risk factors for or clinical features of sepsis was retrospectively done between January 2006 and December 2007, and prospectively between January and December 2008.

Health-care-seeking behaviour for childhood illnesses in a resource-poor setting.

Aim: To determine health-care-seeking behaviour for childhood illnesses in a resource-poor setting.

Method: Cross-sectional survey was conducted in the children emergency room in a Nigerian tertiary hospital. Socio-demographic data and details of the place and type of care given to ill children before presentation in the tertiary hospital were obtained.

Socio-demographic factors and appropriate health care-seeking behavior for childhood illnesses.

The objective of the study was to determine the influence of socio-demographic factors on healthcare-seeking behaviors for childhood illnesses. This cross-sectional survey was conducted among consecutively admitted acutely ill children in the Children Emergency Room of a Nigerian tertiary care hospital. A total of 168 respondents were surveyed out of which only 12 (7.

Neonatal tetanus in the babies of Nigerian mothers immunised against Tetanus.

The objective of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of babies with neonatal tetanus (NNT) whose mothers were immunised against tetanus and determine the outcome of their hospitalisation. The hospital records of babies affected by NNT whose mothers received at least two doses of anti-tetanus vaccine during pregnancy were identified and compared with similarly affected babies whose mothers were not immunised against tetanus during pregnancy in a Nigerian hospital. Out of 175 cases of NNT, the mothers of 24 (13.

Point-of-admission hypothermia among high-risk Nigerian newborns.

Background: Facilities which manage high-risk babies should frequently assess the burden of hypothermia and strive to reduce the incidence.

Objective: To determine the incidence and outcome of point-of-admission hypothermia among hospitalized babies.

Methods: The axillary temperatures of consecutive admissions into a Nigerian Newborn Unit were recorded.

A comparative study of academic achievement of children with sickle cell anemia and their healthy siblings.

Background: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) could impact negatively on academic performance of affected children. Reports so far have been inconsistent.

Objective: To do a comparative analysis of academic performance of Nigerian children with SCA and their siblings.

Hemoglobinopathy and pattern of musculoskeletal infection in children.

Background: The bacterial pathogens associated with osteomyelitis in patients with hemoglobinopathy (HbSS) are controversial. There is insufficient data on the common musculoskeletal (MSS) infections in patients with hemoglobinopathies and the associated bacterial pathogens in Nigeria.

Objectives: To identify the common MSS infections in children and the associated bacterial pathogens, especially in those with abnormal hemoglobin genotypes.