BackgroundHigh level of androgens found in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) seems to have a deleterious effect on heart function. We therefore evaluate cardiac function of children with CAH in comparison with a healthy group.MethodsWe carried out a case-control study in the single endocrinology unit of the Mother and Child Center of Chantal Biya’s Foundation. Cases were matched for age and genotypic sex to 2 healthy controls. We analyzed the ejection fraction (LVEF), fractional shortening and left ventricular mass; output and cardiac index; E and A waves velocities, E/A ratio and the mitral deceleration time and diameter of the left atrium; tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and pulmonary artery systolic pressure were also measured.ResultsWe included 19 patients with a median age of 6.26 ± 3.75 years and 38 controls stackable distribution. The left ventricular mass of cases was greater than that of controls. A case of reversible cardiomyopathy on hormone replacement therapy was found.For the cases, the average ejection fraction was 71.95 ± 7.88%; the average fractional shortening was 40.67 ± 7.02%. All these values ​​were higher than those of controls, although the difference was not statistically significant. Diastolic left ventricular function was more impaired among the cases.Right ventricular function was similar in both groups. These abnormalities were highly correlated to the late age at diagnosis and duration of treatment.ConclusionThis study shows an altered cardiac function in CAH compared to healthy control and highlights importance of an early diagnosis of cases, a tight control of androgens levels and a regular monitoring of cardiac function.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic reached Cameroon in March, 2020. The aim of this study was to unveil the consequences of this pandemic on hospitalizations and on mortality in a pediatric hospital. Methods: A descriptive and retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out using hospitalization and death statistics collected from a pediatric hospital. We compared the data before and after the pandemic and made predictions for the next 12 months. Results: A drastic drop in hospitalizations was noted coinciding with the partial lockdown in Cameroon. Paradoxically, at the same time, the number of deaths per month doubled though the causes remained the same as in the past. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic was marked by drop in hospitalizations and paradoxically, an increase in child mortality. These deaths were probably due not to SARS-Cov-2 infection, but rather due to the usual illnesses whose management was delayed, a probable consequence of the confinement.

Haptoglobin is a protein involved in protecting the body from the harmful effects of free hemoglobin. The haptoglobin gene exhibits a polymorphism, and the different genotypes do not have the same capacity to combat the free hemoglobin effects. The present study aimed at determining the polymorphic distribution of haptoglobin in sickle cell patients (SCPs) from West Cameroon and their impact on the hematological parameters, as well as clinical manifestations of the disease severity. Haptoglobin genotype of 102 SCPs (SS) and 115 healthy individuals (60 AA and 55 AS) was determined by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction, and the complete blood count was determined using the AutoAnalyser. Results showed that the genotype Hp2-2 was significantly ( p  < 0.05) represented in SS patients (54%) than in controls AA and AS (27% and 29%, respectively), while Hp2-1 was mostly found ( p  < 0.05) in AS (42%) and AA (38%), against 15% in SS. The allelic distribution in SS patients was Hp2: 0.613, Hp1S: 0.304, and Hp1F: 0.084. In AA and AS controls, the proportions of the Hp1 and Hp2 alleles were similar (around 0.5 each), with 0.282 for Hp1S and 0.218 for Hp1F in AS and 0.283 for Hp1S and 0.258 for Hp1F in AA. The distribution of the haptoglobin genotypes did not reveal any significant difference across hematological parameters and clinical manifestations of disease severity in SCP and controls. SCP with Hp1S-1F genotype presented the highest level of hemoglobin. Although Hp2-2 was more frequent in SS patients, it appeared not to be related to the hematological parameters and to the disease’s severity. Further investigations are necessary to explore the impact of Hp polymorphism such as antioxidant, lipid profile, and functionality of some tissues in SCP in Cameroon.

Background: Anemia is a common and serious health problem, especially in premature infants. The objective of this study was to identify the determinants of anemia in premature infants and the factors influencing their hospital outcome. Methods: This was a retrospective study in the neonatal unit of the Mother Child Center of the Chantal Biya Foundation. Were included, all premature babies admitted between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2017, who at least had a full blood count done. Data collected from medical records focused on maternal and neonatal characteristics, clinical and laboratory features, treatment received and hospital outcome. Results: Among the 425 premature babies included, 140 (32.9%) had anemia and 14 (10%) died. The risk factors for anemia in the premature infants were age at admission over 24 hours (p = 0.002) and gestational age less than 32 weeks (p <0.001). The factors associated with mortality were female sex (p = 0.030), birth weight <1500g (p = 0.029), gestational age <32 weeks (p = 0.024). The presence of respiratory distress (p = 0.009), thrombocytopenia (p = 0.011), the need for oxygen (p <0.001) and the need for blood transfusion (p = 0.004) were risk factors for death. However only bradycardia was an independent clinical feature associated with death (p = 0.037). Conclusion: Anemia is very common in premature babies, and remains a high risk factor for death. The clinical and laboratory monitoring of anemic premature babies must be rigorous especially in babies born very preterm and with very low birth weight.