Core sepsis-related competencies for medical students: an international consensus by Delphi technique.

Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition which may arise from infection in any organ system and requires early recognition and management. Healthcare professionals working in any specialty may need to manage patients with sepsis. Educating medical students about this condition may be an effective way to ensure all future doctors have sufficient ability to diagnose and treat septic patients.

Caregivers perception of common neonatal illnesses and their management among rural dwellers in Enugu state, Nigeria: a qualitative study.

Background: Neonatal mortality continues to be a challenge in Nigeria, where low-quality care, caregivers' ignorance of signs of neonatal illnesses, and prevalent use of unorthodox alternatives to health care predominate. Misconceptions originating and propagating as traditional practices and concepts can be linked to adverse neonatal outcomes and increased neonatal mortality. This study explores the perceptions of causes and management of neonatal illness among caregivers in rural communities in Enugu state, Nigeria.

Paediatric emergency medicine practice in Nigeria: a narrative review.

The practice of paediatric emergency medicine in Nigeria is still evolving, and laden with enormous challenges which contribute to adverse outcomes of childhood illnesses in emergency settings. Deaths from childhood illnesses presenting as emergencies contribute to overall child mortality rates in Nigeria. This narrative review discusses existing structures, organization, and practice of paediatric emergency in Nigeria.

Use of Probiotics in the Management of Acute Watery Diarrhoea in Nigerian Children: How Effective are S. Boulardii only Preparations?

Background: Diarrhoeal diseases are a major cause of death worldwide particularly among under-fives and probiotics is used in the management of diarrheal diseases. While some probiotics are of unproven usefulness, others are. Despite the burden of diarrhoea diseases in Africa, there is paucity of studies to support the efficacy or otherwise of S.

Distracted Driving and Cell Phone use by Nigerian Road Users: A Cross-sectional Study.

Background: This study ascertained the level of distraction attributable to cell phone by drivers in Enugu.

Methodology: This study was conducted in Enugu, Nigeria using a validated structured questionnaire randomly administered to drivers in different locations in the city. Study period was 2 months and different forms of distraction while driving were tested.

Left ventricular function and cardiac valvar annular dimensions among children with sickle cell anemia compared to those with hemoglobin AA type in Enugu, Nigeria.

Background: Enumerating the relationship between cardiac structures, function and chamber sizes in children with sickle cell anemia would help in delineating some cardiovascular abnormalities which will aid the Pediatric cardiologist and the cardiac surgeons in a number of decision-making situations.

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to assess the dimension of cardiac structures and left ventricular function in children with sickle cell anemia in steady state and controls using echocardiography.

Methods: A cross-sectional prospective study that assessed cardiac structures and left ventricular function among fifty-one children with sickle cell anemia (HBSS) and compared with fifty children with HB AA type serving as controls.

Assessment of breastfeeding techniques in Enugu, South-East Nigeria.

Background: Good breastfeeding technique is important in ensuring adequate milk delivery and preventing breastfeeding problems. Exclusive breastfeeding rate is quite low, and requisite skills regarding proper positioning and attachment of an infant while breastfeeding appears lacking among mothers in Nigeria. This study was undertaken to assess breastfeeding techniques of mothers attending the well-child clinics of two tertiary hospitals in southeast Nigeria.

Challenges of Diagnosing Pediatric Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in Resource Poor Settings: A Narrative Review.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare clinical syndrome that has been observed in different age groups, including pediatric patients. Identified triggers of PRES in both children and adults have included immunosuppressive and cytotoxic agents, organ transplantation, severe sepsis, blood transfusion, or evidence of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1). Its clinical and radiological courses have been reported as mostly benign and reversible over days to weeks.

Snakebite in children in Nigeria: A comparison of the first aid treatment measures with the world health organization's guidelines for management of snakebite in Africa.

Background: Snakebite and envenomation remains a public health problem with significant morbidity and mortality in children in developing countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) in 2010 developed guidelines for the prevention and management of snakebite in Africa.

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the pattern of first aid treatment among children presenting with snakebite/envenomation with the 2010 WHO guideline for the prevention and clinical management of snakebite in Africa.

A short course of oral ranitidine as a novel treatment for toddler's diarrhea: a parallel-group randomized controlled trial.

Background: The current paradigm for treating toddler's diarrhea comprises dietary modification and fluid restriction. Previous studies show that probiotics and proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) or H blockers could control diarrhea associated with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). This study aims to determine and compare the efficacy of a short course of oral ranitidine and a probiotic in the treatment of toddler's diarrhea.

Evaluation of Wait Time in the Children's Emergency and Outpatient Units of a Tertiary Hospital in Southeast Nigeria.

Background: Promptness of intervention in the emergency room (ER) or outpatient unit is a major determinant of outcome in acutely ill children. Time is, therefore, of the essence in trying to reduce complications and mortality associated with children.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the children ER and the children outpatient unit of the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Enugu, Southeast Nigeria.

Cancer Mortality in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: A Case Study of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the pattern of cancer mortality (CM) seen in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) which is a cancer reference center in the Niger Delta Region.

Methodology: This is a 6-year retrospective study of cancer-related deaths in UPTH using patients' admission registers in all the wards and emergency units. Furthermore, the death certificates of cases were reviewed.

Hypertension in Children: Could the Prevalence be on the Increase?

Background: In children particularly in the developing world, there is a tendency to downplay the role of primary hypertension in their health. In adults, a number of factors have clearly been associated with the incidence of hypertension. Knowledge of the prevalence of hypertension and its associated factors among children in our environment is important and could inform the need for lifestyle changes and routine blood pressure (BP) checks in children so as to reduce BP-related health risks.

Weight estimation in Paediatrics: how accurate is the Broselow-tape weight estimation in the Nigerian child.

Background: Determination of weight in children is an important aspect of their assessment. It has a wide range of usefulness including assessing their nutritional status and drug dose calculation. Despite its usefulness, weight estimation in children in certain conditions can be challenging particularly in emergency situations or in children who are severely ill or cannot stand on standard scales.

Determinants of academic performance in medical students: evidence from a medical school in south-east Nigeria.

Background: Medical education is considered one of the toughest college degrees to acquire. Exploring the factors that determine good academic performance in medical school will help in the planning of curriculum and assist students to navigate through medical school more effectively.

Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptive study enrolled 145 second year clinical students (500 level) of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology in south-east Nigeria using purposive and convenient sampling method.

Prevalence rates of histopathologic subtypes associated with steroid resistance in childhood nephrotic syndrome in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review.

Introduction: The prevalence rates of the common histopathologic subtypes of childhood nephrotic syndrome associated with steroid resistance appear to be changing globally. In Sub Saharan Africa (SSA), the trend is similar over the past few decades.

Aim: This systematic review aims to determine the current prevalence rates of the histopathologic subtypes associated with childhood steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) in SSA.

The prevalence and risk of urinary tract infection in malnourished children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: There are vast differences in prevalence rates of urinary tract infection (UTI) reported among malnourished children globally. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to provide estimates of pooled prevalence of UTI among these children and combined UTI risk in comparison with their well-nourished counterparts.

Methods: We systematically searched electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science and African Journals Online; date of the last search: 22 December 2018) for studies reporting either the prevalence of UTI in malnourished children or parallel healthy controls.

Vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell disease: current paradigm on pain management.

This narrative review aims to highlight the current paradigm on pain management in sickle cell vaso-occlusive crisis. It specifically examines the pathophysiologic mechanisms of sickle cell pain as well as the pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic methods of pain management. Recurrent painful episodes constitute the major morbidity in sickle cell disease (SCD).

Perception of donor breast milk and determinants of its acceptability among mothers in a developing community: a cross-sectional multi-center study in south-east Nigeria.

Background: Due to the health and economic benefits of breast milk, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that for infants who cannot receive breast milk from their own mothers, the next preferred option is donated breast milk. This recommendation is however rarely practiced in most developing countries where donor milk is not widely accepted.

Methods: This cross-sectional multi-center study enrolled mothers attending antenatal or pediatric clinics in six tertiary institution in south-east Nigeria using purposive and convenient sampling method.

ABO histo-blood group and risk of respiratory atopy in children: a review of published evidence.

Besides their fundamental role in transfusion medicine, ABO and other histo-blood group antigens are associated with the pathogenesis of some human diseases such as malignancy and thrombosis. Reports also show a possible relationship with the risk of asthma and other forms of respiratory atopy. This paper aims to critically review the current evidence linking ABO histo-blood group with the risk of respiratory atopy in children and adults.

Prevalence and determinants of airflow limitation in urban and rural children exposed to cooking fuels in South-East Nigeria.

Background Biofuels and other cooking fuels are used in households in low- and middle-income countries. Aim To investigate the impact of cooking fuels on lung function in children in urban and rural households in South-East Nigeria. Methods The multi-stage sampling method was used to enroll children exposed to cooking fuel in the communities.

Incidence and Predictors of Mortality Among Newborns With Perinatal Asphyxia: A 4-Year Prospective Study of Newborns Delivered in Health Care Facilities in Enugu, South-East Nigeria.

Fatalities from perinatal asphyxia remain high in developing countries, and continually assessing its risk factors will help improve outcomes in these settings. We explored how some identified risk factors predict mortality in asphyxiated newborns, to assist clinicians in prioritizing interventions. This was a 4-year prospective study conducted at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.

Pattern of Congenital Anomalies in Newborn: A 4-Year Surveillance of Newborns Delivered in a Tertiary Healthcare Facility in the South-East Nigeria.

Congenital abnormalities are important causes of morbidity and mortality in children and significantly add to the burdens on healthcare in developing countries. Unfortunately, there remains a paucity of information on congenital birth defects in most developing countries. This is a 4-year prospective study that assessed the patterns and predictors of congenital anomalies among newborns at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.

Spirometry in Asthma Care: A Review of the Trends and Challenges in Pediatric Practice.

Background: Given the rising incidence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) globally, especially bronchial asthma, there is the need to reduce the associated morbidity and mortality by adopting an objective means of diagnosis and monitoring.

Aim: This article aims to review the trends and challenges in the use of spirometry for managing childhood bronchial asthma especially in developing countries.

Methods: We conducted a literature search of published data on the use of spirometry for the diagnosis of childhood bronchial asthma with special emphasis resource-poor countries.

Relationship between Glycemic Levels and Treatment Outcome among Critically Ill Children admitted into Emergency Room in Enugu.

Background: Critically ill children are those in need of immediate attention on arrival to an emergency room. The importance of glycemic level measurement as well as maintaining the patency of the airway, effective breathing and circulation cannot be overemphasied. It has been highlighted that the peak hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia predict poor prognosis, longer lengths of hospital stay and higher mortality.