Determination of the upper limit of normal for serum anti-streptolysin-O titre in primary school children in Southern Nigeria; A model for other low resource settings.

The prevention and treatment of Rheumatic Heart disease is hinged on antibiotic administration in children with Group A (GAS) pharyngitis and Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF). The Upper Limit of Normal (ULN) for serum Anti-streptolysin O titre (ASOT) has been employed as proof of antecedent GAS pharyngitis to fulfil the Jones' criteria for diagnosis of ARF. This value has not been generated among West African children.

Cost implication of CPAP use in low resource settings, surmounting the oxygen administration challenge.

Purpose: Newborn respiratory support using Bubble Continuous positive airway pressure (bCPAP) has become acceptable in Nigeria as many centers are increasingly reporting its usefulness. There is increasing access to CPAP devices although the use of 100% oxygen for bCPAP administration is on the rise as oxygen/air blenders are not commonly available or insufficient. The cost of oxygen has become a significant contributor to hospital bills.

Birth prevalence of congenital heart disease among newborns in a tertiary hospital in Benin City, Nigeria.

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is an important cause of childhood morbidity. The birth prevalence and distribution of CHD among neonates in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria was determined.

Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study involved consecutive neonates in the neonatal and postnatal wards of the hospital.