Adjunctive dexamethasone therapy does not improve the outcome of neonatal bacterial meningitis.

A prospective study was undertaken over a 1-year period in northern Jordan to determine the incidence, causes and characteristics of neonatal septicaemia which is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in newborns. The study identified 47 septicaemic neonates, representing an incidence of 2.3/1000 live births. Respiratory distress and hyperbilirubinaemia were the prominent presenting clinical findings. Gram-negative organisms were cultured from 46 neonates with Klebsiella species, accounting for 64% of cases. There were no cases of infection with group B Streptococcus or Listeria monocytogenes. The overall mortality rate was 40%. Prematurity and low birthweight, early onset septicaemia and concomitant meningitis were associated with high mortality. The high incidence of Gram-negative septicaemia and the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the organisms indicated the use of cefotaxime or ceftazidime as initial therapy while awaiting culture results. Continued surveillance of neonatal septicaemia is mandatory due to temporal changes in the causative organisms and their antibiotic sensitivity.

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Abstract:After the Arab spring, Arabic countries including Jordan faced a number of economic challenges. On the basis of a qualitative study of 68 Jordanian consumers, the authors address the key economic issues Jordanian consumers are currently concerned about and look forward to have them solved in the next 5-10 years. The findings suggested six main issues have been troubling the Jordanian consumer and an empirical examination of three main economic sectors was also conducted, providing a number of recommendations for improving these sectors and addressing these issues. This research is one of the first to systematically study the challenges and aspirations of Jordanian consumers after the Arab Spring.

Between August 1993 and August 1994, 17 cases of neonatal septic arthritis occurred at the intensive care baby unit of Princess Badia' Teaching Hospital in Northern Jordan. Klebsiella species was the causative pathogen in 10 patients (59%), which indicates a nosocomial acquired infection. The hip was the main joint involved in 94% of cases. An epidemiological survey showed that the spread of Klebsiella occurred via contaminated covered sheets of both delivery and resuscitation tables. Control measures resulted in a decrease in cross contamination and a dramatic slowing of the outbreak. The clinical features, risk factors, outcome and bacteriology are also discussed.