Pneumococcal concentration and serotype distribution in preschool children with radiologically confirmed pneumonia compared to healthy controls prior to introduction of pneumococcal vaccination in Zanzibar: an observational study.

Background: The World Health Organization recommends pneumococcal vaccination (PCV) in the first year of life. We investigated pneumococcal serotypes in children with clinical or radiologically confirmed pneumonia and healthy controls prior to PCV13 vaccine introduction in Zanzibar.

Methods: Children (n = 677) with non-severe acute febrile illness aged 2-59 months presenting to a health centre in Zanzibar, Tanzania April-July 2011 were included.

Bladder/bowel dysfunction in pre-school children following febrile urinary tract infection in infancy.

Background: An association between bladder-bowel dysfunction (BBD) and urinary tract infection (UTI) is well-known. However, a question less explored is whether children with UTI early in life also have increased prevalence of BBD after they are toilet-trained. In this study, consecutively selected children with pyelonephritis during their first year of life were assessed for BBD at pre-school age.

Acute Uncomplicated Febrile Illness in Children Aged 2-59 months in Zanzibar - Aetiologies, Antibiotic Treatment and Outcome.

Background: Despite the fact that a large proportion of children with fever in Africa present at primary health care facilities, few studies have been designed to specifically study the causes of uncomplicated childhood febrile illness at this level of care, especially in areas like Zanzibar that has recently undergone a dramatic change from high to low malaria transmission.

Methods: We prospectively studied the aetiology of febrile illness in 677 children aged 2-59 months with acute uncomplicated fever managed by IMCI (Integrated Management of Childhood Illness) guidelines in Zanzibar, using point-of-care tests, urine culture, blood-PCR, chest X-ray (CXR) of IMCI-pneumonia classified patients, and multiple quantitative (q)PCR investigations of nasopharyngeal (NPH) (all patients) and rectal (GE) swabs (diarrhoea patients). For comparison, we also performed NPH and GE qPCR analyses in 167 healthy community controls.

Megarectosigmoid in children with anorectal malformations: long term outcome after surgical or conservative treatment.

Purpose: Megarectosigmoid (MRS) is commonly seen in children with anorectal malformations (ARM) and contributes to the high incidence of constipation. Surgical resection has been advocated by some, whereas others propose intense bowel management as the treatment of choice. The aim of this study was to evaluate outcome of both bowel function and configuration after surgical or conservative treatment of MRS in ARM patients.

Change of urodynamic patterns in infants with dilating vesicoureteral reflux: 3-year followup.

Purpose: Reports concerning bladder dysfunction patterns in infants with high grade vesicoureteral reflux during the first year of life vs older children with reflux are contradictory. To describe the development of bladder function characteristics in children with congenital dilating reflux, we evaluated such infants urodynamically and followed them regularly for a 3-year period.

Materials And Methods: A total of 89 males and 25 females with grade III to V dilating reflux were evaluated 3 times using videocystometry at mean ages of 6, 20 and 40 months.

Longitudinal development of renal damage and renal function in infants with high grade vesicoureteral reflux.

Purpose: We sought to study renal abnormality and renal function through time in infants with high grade vesicoureteral reflux.

Materials And Methods: This prospective observational study included 115 infants (80 boys and 35 girls) younger than 1 year with grade III to V vesicoureteral reflux. The diagnosis was made after prenatal ultrasound in 26% of the patients and after urinary tract infection in 71%.

Is the mode of occurrence of vesicoureteral reflux correlated to bladder function and spontaneous resolution?

Purpose: To investigate whether mode of occurrence of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), during micturition (M), during filling without increase in pressure (passive, P) or in response to an overactive contraction (OA), can be explained by differences in bladder function. Also, to study if the mode of occurrence of VUR can predict spontaneous resolution.

Materials And Methods: There were 93 infants (68 boys and 25 girls) with VUR (grade III-V) included.

Spontaneous resolution of high grade infantile vesicoureteral reflux.

Purpose: We studied the spontaneous resolution rate in a group of infants with high grade vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). The influence of gender, prenatal or postnatal diagnosis, recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bladder dysfunction on the resolution rate was also evaluated.

Materials And Methods: This prospective study comprised 115 infants (80 boys and 35 girls) with high grade VUR (grades III to V).