Gastroschisis in Uganda: Opportunities for improved survival.

Purpose: Neonatal mortality from gastroschisis in sub-Saharan Africa is high, while in high-income countries, mortality is less than 5%. The purpose of this study was to describe the maternal and neonatal characteristics of gastroschisis in Uganda, estimate the mortality and elucidate opportunities for intervention.

Methods: An ethics-approved, prospective cohort study was conducted over a one-year period.

Intra-abdominal hypertension; prevalence, incidence and outcomes in a low resource setting; a prospective observational study.

Background: Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is defined as a sustained elevation in intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) greater than or equal to 12 mmHg. IAH has been shown to cause organ derangements and dysfunction in the body. Objective screening of IAH is neither done early enough nor at all thus leading to significant morbidity and mortality among surgical patients.