Congenital malformations: Prevalence and characteristics of newborns admitted into Federal Medical Center, Asaba.

Background: Congenital malformations account for a significant cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity. Understanding the burden and pattern of congenital malformation is key in monitoring the trend and improving the health care of neonates especially those in low-income countries.

Objective: This was a prospective cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence and characteristics of congenital malformations among neonates admitted to the neonatal unit.

Safety profile of parenteral ketamine and lignocaine infiltration in pediatric operations.

Objective: To study the safety and benefits of parenteral ketamine and lignocaine infiltration among pediatric surgical patients with co-morbidities that would preclude the use of general anesthesia requiring endotracheal intubation/face mask in a developing country.

Methods: This prospective study was undertaken at the Leadeks Medical Centre, Benin City Edo State, Nigeria between January 2002 and December 2006. Patients requiring surgery were safely operated even in the presence of co-morbidity.