BackgroundThe organisms responsible for neonatal sepsis vary across geographical boundaries and with the time of illness thus periodic bacteriologic surveillance is a neccessity. The present study was therefore carried out to determine the common bacterial pathogens in Port Harcourt and their sensitivity pattern.MethodsFour hundred and six neonates were prospectively screened for sepsis over a 6 month period. Sensitivity of the bacterial isolates to different antibiotics was determined using Kirby-Bauer diffusion method.ResultsGram negative organisms predominated (75.1%) with Klebsiella pneumonia (58.2%) being the commonest. The quinolones were the most sensitive antibiotics to the commonly isolated organisms.ConclusionKlebsiella pneumonia is the commonest organism responsible for neonatal sepsis in Port Harcourt. There is an overall decline in the antibiotic susceptibility to the commonly isolated bacterial pathogens.

BackgroundSepsis is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in the newborn. Early diagnosis and treatment is vital to improve outcome. The present study was therefore carried out to determine the usefulness of C-reactive protein (CRP) for evaluation of neonatal sepsis in Port Harcourt, Nigeria in Sub-Saharan Africa.MethodFour hundred and twenty neonates with clinical suspicion of sepsis were prospectively studied over a 6 month period. Blood was obtained from each subject recruited for the qualitative estimation of CRP. Blood culture was used as gold standard for diagnosis of NNS.ResultsOf 420 neonates studied, 196 (46.7%) had positive CRP while 181 (43.1%) had positive blood culture. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of CRP were 74.0%, 74.1%, 68.4% and 79.0% respectively.ConclusionThe qualitative method of estimating CRP which is cheap and rapid has moderate sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value.

Identifying AKI associated with DEG is difficult. Detailed drug history, increasing metabolic acidosis, and multiorgan deterioration despite peritoneal dialysis should arouse suspicion. Simple diagnostic tests need to be developed and facilities for hemodialysis of infants and financial support provided. Recurrences can be prevented by creating awareness, improving manufacturing practices, field-testing of drugs, and international monitoring of pharmaceuticals imported for manufacture.

SummaryBackground:Atrial myxoma is an uncommon cause of hemiplegia in children. However hemiplegia is the commonest manifestation of atrial myxoma in the paediatric age group.Case report:An 11-year-old girl presented with left hemiplegia and palpitations. Three months later she had a deepvein thrombosis of the right common iliac vein. MRI of the brain showed a subacute right thalamic infarct, and an ECG showed left atrial and left ventricular hypertrophy. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a left atrial myxoma impinging on the mitral valve. A diagnosis of left atrial myxoma with multiple thromboembolic events was made. She was placed on anticoagulants until she died while awaiting surgical tumour resection.Conclusion:Echocardiography should be done early in children presenting with ischaemic thromboembolic diseases in order to reduce morbidity and mortality rates resulting from cardiac pathology.

Introduction: Birth injuries although inevitable should be avoided to prevent unnecessary neonatal morbidities and mortalities as well as hospital litigations. Aim: To determine the incidence rate, pattern and outcome of birth injuries occurring in the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital. Materials and Methods: An observational prospective study was carried out in the Special Care baby Unit of the hospital. A pre tested proforma was used to collect demographic and pregnancy information from mothers and demographic data, delivery history, type of birth injury and clinical outcome from babies whose parents consented to the study. Results: Thirty-nine of the 5,692 babies delivered during the study period had birth injuries, giving an incidence rate of 6.9 per 1000 live births. The common birth injuries were neurological (26.2%), extracranial (23.8%) and soft tissue injuries (21.4%). Cephalopelvic disproportion (36%), diabetes mellitus in pregnancy (32%) and prolonged labour (20%) were commonly found complications of pregnancy among mothers whose babies had birth injuries. Birth injuries were commoner among males, babies born by normal vaginal delivery and those with birth weights between 2.5-3.9Kg. Neurological injuries were significantly associated with normal vaginal delivery and birth weights of ≥ 4kg while soft tissue injuries were significantly associated with Caesarean section, P value < 0.05. Although majority of them were discharged, mortality rate was 7.7%. Conclusion: Although the incidence of birth injury in this study was low, the morbidity and mortality associated with it are avoidable. Improved antenatal and delivery services are therefore necessary to reduce the incidence of birth injuries. Keywords: Birth injury; Incidence; Pattern; Outcome; Tertiary hospital; Nigeria.