Mothers' attitudes towards donated breastmilk in Jos, Nigeria.

In many developing countries, the use of pooled human milk is not widely accepted. Six hundred eighty breastfeeding mothers were interviewed to ascertain their acceptance of donated breastmilk. Their attitudes toward stored breastmilk, human milk banking, and breastfeeding in the event of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positivity were solicited.

Performance of children on weaning foods in Jos, Nigeria.

A Nutritional survey on weaning foods used in Jos, Nigeria, was conducted on representative samples of 572 mothers of children between the ages of one and 18 months. The nutritional status of the children was determined by using weight for age. Four weaning foods were assessed, namely, commercial weaning food (CWF), family menu, Ogi (a sour maize beverage), ogi plus legumes and/or animal products.

Respiratory syncytial virus infections in malnourished children.

The prevalence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection among severely malnourished children was studied at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria at a time when the infection was known to be prevalent in the community. Nasopharyngeal washings were obtained from subjects on admission and thereafter every 4 days until discharge. RSV was detected by ELISA technique.

Cholelithiasis in children with homozygous sickle cell anaemia in northern Nigeria.

The prevalence of gall stones was studied prospectively by abdominal ultrasound examination in 65 consecutive children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) aged 5-13 years, 35 males and 30 females, in Jos, northern Nigeria. The prevalence of cholelithiasis was 4.6%.

Pattern of bacteraemia in febrile children with sickle cell anaemia.

A total of 166 episodes of fever in 162 children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) aged between 6 months and 16 years who presented with rectal temperatures > or = 38.3 degrees C were studied for bacteraemia. Non-sicklers of similar ages and with similar temperatures were also studied as controls.

Neonatal tetanus: incidence and improved outcome with diazepam.

During a four-year prospective study at a referral hospital, 61 patients with neonatal tetanus were encountered and the contribution of continuous intravenous diazepam was noted. The over-all incidence during the study was 21.8/1000, with a mortality rate of 8.

Malarial parasitaemia in febrile children with sickle cell anaemia.

One-hundred-and-sixty-six episodes of fever in 162 children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) aged 6 months to 16 years, presenting to the children emergency room of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria with rectal temperature greater than or equal to 38.3 degrees C were studied for malarial parasitaemia. Non-sicklers of similar ages and with similar temperatures were also studied as controls.

Nosocomial respiratory syncytial virus infection in a newborn nursery.

The nosocomial spread of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was studied in a newborn nursery in Benin City, Nigeria at a time the virus was known to be highly prevalent in the community. Nasopharyngeal washings were obtained from babies on admission and, thereafter, every 4 days until discharged. Questionnaires were administered to medical personnel with upper respiratory tract infection (URTI).

Diethylene glycol poisoning in Nigerian children.

Between June and September 1990, 47 children died at Jos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria from ingestion of paracetamol syrup adulterated with diethylene glycol. Most of the children presented with anuria, fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and convulsions. Signs on admission were tachycardia, acidotic breathing, pallor, oedema and hepatomegaly.