Predictive Model for the Risk of Severe Acute Malnutrition in Children.

Background: The nutritional status is the best indicator of the well-being of the child. Inadequate feeding practices are the main factors that affect physical growth and mental development. The aim of this study was to develop a predictive score of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in children under 5 years of age.

The Lipodystrophy Syndrome in HIV-Infected Children under Antiretroviral Therapy: A First Report from the Central Africa.

Background: Despite the high prevalence of the HIV/AIDS, few studies focused on the prevalence of lipodystrophy in pediatric HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy (ARV) in sub-Saharan African countries. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and to identify the risk factors of metabolic disorders related to ARV therapy in this population.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was completed in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Magnitude of elevated iron stores and risk associated in steady state sickle cell anemia Congolese children: a cross sectional study.

Background: The serum ferritin assay is recommended in Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA) patients receiving regular transfusions. According to several authors, elevated iron stores indicating iron chelation corresponds to hyperferritinemia ≥500 ng/ml, and becomes detectable after twenty blood transfusions. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of elevated iron stores and identify associated risk factors in a case series of Steady state SCA Congolese children.

Clinical side effects after oral administration of palm oil and Alchornea cordifolia decoction in a child.

Alchornea cordifolia is known to be a plant with a variety of medicinal properties and is quoted by many traditional healers to treat a variety of medicinal problems in the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, very little is known about its potential toxicity. We report the case of a 9-year-old boy referred for assessment of suspected bronchial troubles without a history of atopic disease or drug allergy who developed dyspnea, dysphagia, asthenia and lingual ulcers within 30 minutes after nasal and oral administration of decoction of palm oil associated with A.

Albumin, copper, manganese and cobalt levels in children suffering from sickle cell anemia at Kasumbalesa, in Democratic Republic of Congo.

Background: Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA) is characterized by high levels of oxidative stress markers and low levels of antioxidant capacity. Antioxidant defence mechanisms against the harmful effects of ROS requires cellular and extracellular enzymes. These enzymes requires micronutrient for complete activity.

The Impact of Artesunate-Amodiaquine on Schistosoma mansoni Infection among Children Infected by Plasmodium in Rural Area of Lemfu, Kongo Central, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Background: Malaria and schistosomiasis remain life-threatening public health problems in sub-Saharan Africa. The infection pattern related to age indicates that preschool and school-age children are at the highest risk of malaria and schistosomiasis. Both parasitic infections, separately or combined, may have negative impacts on the haemoglobin concentration levels.

Acute Crises and Complications of Sickle Cell Anemia Among Patients Attending a Pediatric Tertiary Unit in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic Of Congo.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the incidence of sickle cell anemia (SCA) is estimated to affect 30,000 to 40,000 neonates per year. However, there is paucity of data on acute clinical manifestations in sickle cell children. In these circumstances, it is difficult to develop a health care policy for an adequate management of sickle cell patients.

Protective BCL11A and HBS1L-MYB polymorphisms in a cohort of 102 Congolese patients suffering from sickle cell anemia.

Background: We aimed to investigate the distribution of selected BCL11A and HMIP polymorphisms (SNP's), and to assess the correlation with HPFH in a cohort of sickle cell patients.

Methods: A preliminary cross-sectional study was conducted in 102 patients. Group 1 was composed of patients with HPFH and Group 2 consisted of patients without HbF.

Association between sickle cell anemia and alpha thalassemia reveals a high prevalence of the α triplication in congolese patients than in worldwide series.

Background: Information about the association with alpha thalassemia in sickle cell patients is unknown in the Democratic Republic of Congo. There is very little data on the alpha thalassemia in patients suffering from sickle cell anemia in Central Africa, and their consequences on the clinical expression of the disease.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 106 sickle cell patients living in the country's capital Kinshasa.

Factors Associated with Growth Retardation in Children Suffering from Sickle Cell Anemia: First Report from Central Africa.

. The aim of this study was to investigate and determine the risk factors associated with poor growth among SCA children. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kinshasa, the capital's country.

Glomerular hyperfiltration is strongly correlated with age in Congolese children with sickle cell anaemia.

Aim: Glomerular hyperfiltration is an early marker of sickle cell nephropathy and can lead to microalbuminuria and renal failure. Our aim was to identify the associated risk factors, as these could be of preventative importance.

Methods: We recruited 150 children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA), aged two to 18 years and living in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mosquito-borne viruses circulating in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Background: Diseases caused by mosquito-borne viruses are among the most important emerging diseases that threaten human and animal health, particularly in Africa. However, little attention has been paid to these diseases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The present cross-sectional study was undertaken between March and May 2014 to investigate the presence of mosquito-borne viruses in mosquitoes collected from five municipalities of Kinshasa, DRC.

Congolese children with sickle cell trait may exhibit glomerular hyperfiltration: A case control study.

Background: The prevalence of sickle cell trait is extremely high in sub-Saharan Africa. Recent studies have reported the impact of sickle cell carriers on renal function. However, data on renal abnormalities in children with sickle cell trait in this part of the world are unknown.

Validity of simple clinical and biological parameters as screening tool for sickle cell anemia for referral to tertiary center in highly resource constraints.

Background: In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the incidence of sickle cell anemia (SCA) is estimated around 40 000 neonates per year. However, it is notoriously difficult to perform conventional electrophoresis in all hospitals and laboratories, especially at peripheral levels and rural area. A panel of multiple clinical and laboratory features that would enhance sickle cell disease were assessed for the detection of the disease in highly resource-scarce settings.

Characteristics, behaviors and association between Human African Trypanosomiasis and HIV seropositivity among volunteer blood donors in a semi-rural area: A survey from Kikwit, the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Blood safety is a major element in the strategy to control the HIV epidemic. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and the associated factors of a positive HIV test among blood donors and its association between Human African Trypanosomiasis in Kikwit, the Democratic Republic of Congo. A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2012 and May 2013.

Spirulina Supplements Improved the Nutritional Status of Undernourished Children Quickly and Significantly: Experience from Kisantu, the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

. Despite high levels of malnutrition, there is still very little information on the nutritional benefits of , a natural alga that provides essential amino acids, rare essential lipids, and numerous minerals and vitamins, to undernourished children in the world. .

Determinants of Antenatal Care Attendance among Pregnant Women Living in Endemic Malaria Settings: Experience from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

. Antenatal care (ANC) attendance helps pregnant women to benefit from preventive and curative services. .

High School Students Are a Target Group for Fight against Self-Medication with Antimalarial Drugs: A Pilot Study in University of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Aim. To assess the self-medication against malaria infection in population of Congolese students in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Methods.

Nephrotic Syndrome in a Child Suffering from Tetralogy of Fallot: A Rare Association.

Nephrotic syndrome is an uncommon complication of tetralogy of Fallot and has been rarely reported in pediatric population. We describe a 4-year-old female Congolese child who was referred for investigation for persistent dyspnea, edema, and cyanosis and nephrotic range proteinuria. Our patient presented with a tetralogy of Fallot and nephrotic syndrome.

The prevalence of acute kidney injury in neonates with birth asphyxia is higher in the Democratic Republic of Congo than in Western countries.

Aim: There is very little data on acute kidney injury in neonates in Africa. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of acute kidney injury and the outcome in neonates admitted to hospital for asphyxia in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Methods: A descriptive study was conducted in the country's capital Kinshasa.

High rate of sickle cell anaemia in Sub-Saharan Africa underlines the need to screen all children with severe anaemia for the disease.

Aim: Neonatal screening for sickle cell anaemia is not common practice in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and we determined the prevalence in children with unknown electrophoresis of haemoglobin and anaemia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in four hospitals in the country's capital Kinshasa.

Results: We screened 807 patients with anaemia (Hb < 6 g/dL) for sickle cell disease.

Correlation between the Lactate Dehydrogenase Levels with Laboratory Variables in the Clinical Severity of Sickle Cell Anemia in Congolese Patients.

Background: Sickle cell anemia is an inflammatory disease and is characterized by chronic hemolysis. We sought to evaluate the association of lactate dehydrogenase levels with specific clinical phenotypes and laboratory variables in patients with sickle cell anemia.

Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in Sickle Cell Centre of Yolo in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Cherubism in sub-saharan Africa: a first case-report in a child.

Cherubism is rare disease and has been rarely reported in African pediatric population. We report here the case of a 10-year-old child who was referred to our hospital for bilateral jaws swelling. Physical examination revealed bilateral swelling symmetry of the face.