[Seroprevalence of rubella in Kinshasa (Zaire)].

A serosurvey of rubella was carried out by haemagglutination inhibition and IgM assay among 106 newborn infants (91% positive); 101 suckling infants aged 9-18 months (32.7% positive); 100 children aged 2-4 (58% positive); and 100 young girls 9-11 (68% positive), while 93% of mothers showed the presence of protective antibodies. These figures indicated that large numbers of women old enough to bear children are susceptible to infection with rubella, at least early in life.

[Epidemiology of congenital malaria in the urban milieu of Kinshasa (Zaire)].

Thick blood films for detection of hematozoa were routinely performed in 953 neonates and their mothers within 12 hours of delivery. Hematozoa were found in 4% of neonates and 13% of mothers. Positive tests were found in 19 neonates born to mothers with negative tests.

[Sero-epidemiology of congenital syphilis in Kinshasa, Zaire].

Between March 1 and May 31, 1988, 314 mother-baby couples have been tested for syphilis at confinement in two large hospitals of Kinshasa (Hôpital Mama Yemo and Clinique de Ngaliema). The study used in first instance the Veneral Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test. When positive, the results were verified quantitatively with the Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination (TPHA) reaction.

[Bacterial septicemias in children with homozygous sickle cell anemia. Analysis of 69 cases].

A retrospective analysis of 69 case-reports of children with homozygous sickle cell anemia hospitalized from 1964 through 1985 at the Kinshasa University Pediatric Hospital highlights these patient's high susceptibility to bacterial septicemia. Among causative organisms, the most prevalent were salmonellae (20 cases), pneumococci (15 cases), and klebsiella (12 cases). Clinical features of bacterial septicemia are identical in children with and without sickle cell anemia.

[Mother-transmitted antimalarial immunity. its evolution in child (author's transl)].

The authors report the results of a survey and a longitudinal study of mother-transmitted antimalarial antibodies, conducted through indirect immunofluorescence tests. The data indicate that 16 p. 100 of the new-born and 25 p.

[Intestinal amoebiasis in Zaire children (author's transl)].

A study of 385 cases of acute intestinal amoebiasis observed from 1960 to 1978 in the clinic of pediatrics of Kinshasa university. The epidemiologic, diagnostic aspects and the evolution are considered. The disease is responsible for 1,6 p.

[Epidemiological and etiologic aspects of children acute gastro-enteritis in Kinshasa (author's transl)].

From 1972 to 1974 a retrospective study on acute gastroenteritis has been done, at Kinshasa University Hospital, Clinic of Pediatrics; the frequency of these gastro-enteric syndromes at admission is estimated about 18 p. 100. Majority of the cases occurred before 3 years old (92 p.

[Amoebic liver abscess in children (study of 47 cases observed from 1964 to 1979 in the clinic of pediatrics of Kinshasa University) (author's transl)].

This retrospective study of hepatic amoebiasis cases observed in the clinic of Pediatrics from 1964 to 1979 brings evidence of its low frequency in children. The disease is mainly observed in young patients from 1 to 6 years (76,5%) and specially in males. Suspected from the evidence of a tender and enlarged liver associated with fever, the diagnosis is rapidly confirmed by a highly positive specific serology.

[Tracheo-bronchial foreign bodies in the child. Analysis of 43 cases (author's transl)].

The authors report 43 cases of the presence of foreign bodies in the respiratory tract seen over a 20 year period in the University Pediatric Clinic of Kinshasa (Republic of Zaïre). In the light of these cases, it would appear that this pathological condition has apredilection for the infant, with a peak in the 1 to 2 year age group. There is a marked predominance for the male sex (60 %).

[Mediastinal emphysema in measles].

A review of 14 cases of cervico-mediastinal emphysema, recorded during 18 years, demonstrates that 87,5 p. 100 of the cases are caused by measles. This accident is sometimes discovered after exanthema has come out.