[National reference unit of neonatology: state of play].

Background: The neonatal mortality rate in Mali is one of the highest in the world. Only one national reference neonatology unit is available in the country.

Aim: To describe the time-course of morbidity, mortality, staff and accommodation facilities from 2008 to 2009 in Mali's unique national reference neonatology unit.

[Follow-up of children born to HIV seropositive mothers in Mali].

Introduction: The rate of mother-to-child transmission without perinatal antiretroviral treatment is 30 to 40%. Antiretroviral treatment of new-borns from HIV infected mother has proved effective in reducing rates of mother-to child transmission. Our aim was to follow newborns of HIV infected mothers for 18 months in three of preventive mother to child transmission (PMTCT) health centres in Bamako and one in Koulikoro.

[Knowledge and practices of traditionnal birth attendant on birth asphyxia in Kolokani (Mali)].

Introduction: In Mali, according to the DHS IV in 2006, the neonatal mortality rate is 46 per thousand live births and is higher in rural areas (61‰) than in urban areas (45‰). The proportion of home births is 54%.

Unlabelled: The aim of our study was to assess the knowledge and practices of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) on pregnancy and newborn asphyxia in the health district of Kolokani.

[Retinoblastoma: inventory in Mali and program to develop early diagnosis, treatments and rehabilitation].

Retinoblastoma (RB) is a rare embryonic tumour that represents 1/16,000 births in France. In Mali, a study showed the characteristics of a hospital series of cases seen in Bamako in the Pediatric Oncology Unit of Gabriel Touré Teaching Hospital and in the Tropical Ophthalmology Institute of Africa (IOTA) between January 2005 and June 2007. Median age was 4 years versus 2 years in France for unilateral disease.

[Training mothers: a strategy to improve the treatment of acute respiratory infections among children in Mali].

Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are a major public health issue in Mali. The objective of this study was to examine the management of ARI within the community among children aged 2 to 59 months. The study was based on a pilot community intervention over a period of 15 months (June 2008-August 2009) in 4 health districts in Mali.

[Community-based intervention to reduce birth asphyxia mortality in Mali].

Approximately one million newborn babies die every year as a result of birth asphyxia in developing countries. The objectives of this study are to develop the management of birth asphyxia and to establish a community-based surveillance system of vital events in rural areas of Oueléssébougou, Mali. Traditional birth attendants, female leaders of village associations and village health workers were trained to carry out communication activities designed to change behaviours in the management of birth asphyxia.

[Management of sickle cells disease by households in Bamako].

The sickle cell disease constitutes a major problem of public health. We find 5% to 20% of carriers of this disease in West Africa and 40% among some populations in central Africa (Congo, Zaire) and Nigeria (Beguè). In Mali prevalence is estimated to 12% with 3% for the homozygote form.

A 30-month prospective study on the treatment of retinoblastoma in the Gabriel Toure Teaching Hospital, Bamako, Mali.

Introduction: Retinoblastoma is one of the most common malignant tumours among children in Africa. However, very few studies on this disease have been published, especially studies from French-speaking countries in Africa.

Patients And Methods: Prospective study over a period of 30 months from 1 January 2005 to 30 June 2007 on all cases of retinoblastoma diagnosed and treated in the Paediatric Oncology Unit of the Gabriel Touré Hospital in Bamako, Mali.

[Management of sickle cell disease by health professional in Bamako].

The sickle cell disease is a genotypic affection, suited to the black race, characterized by the presence of an abnormal haemoglobin S (HbS). The purpose of this survey was to assess the knowledge, the attitudes and the practices of the health professionals on management of children with sickle cells diseases. We carried out a cross-sectional survey in the health centres and involved 140 health professional of Community Health Centres (CSCOM) and 6 health districts in Bamako.

Type 2 Gaucher's disease in a Malian family.

Gaucher's disease is a recessive autosomal disorder caused by an inherited deficiency of betaglucocerebrosidase. We report here the case of an 8 month old child, fourth in a family of four children, who presents the neuropathic form of the disease. The dosages of betaglucosidase activity using C (14 ) techniques have confirmed the diagnosis, and allowed the detection of the disease in the elder brother.

Management of malnutrition in rural Mali.

In Mali, according to DHS III (Demographic and Health Survey) in 2001, the global rate of malnutrition (weight for age <2 sd) among under-five children was 38%. The purpose of this study was to assess the management of malnutrition in children (0-59 months old) by the professionals in the intervention areas of 'Strategy for Accelerated Child Survival and Growth', according to IMCI guidelines. We carried out a cross-sectional survey in three randomly selected health districts (Kolokani, Niono and Koro) and involved 27 health centres, 180 children and 180 mothers.