BackgroundInfants born to diabetic women have certain distinctive characteristics, including large size and high morbidity risks. The neonatal mortality rate is over five times that of infants of non diabetic mothers and is higher at all gestational ages and birth weight for gestational age (GA) categories.The study aimed to determine morbidity and mortality pattern amongst infants of diabetic mothers (IDMS) admitted into the Special Care Baby Unit of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.MethodsThis was a study of prevalence of morbidity and mortality among IDMs carried out prospectively over a two year period. All IDMs (pregestational and gestational) admitted into the Unit within the period were recruited into the study.Data on delivery mode, GA, birth weight, other associated morbidities, investigation results, treatment, duration of hospital stay and outcome were collated and compared with those of infants of non diabetic mothers matched for GA and birth weight admitted within the same period. Maternal data were reviewed retrospectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16.0.ResultsSixty percent of the IDMs were born to mothers with gestational diabetes, while 40% were born to mothers with pregestational DM. 38 (74.3%) were born by Caesarian section (CS), of which 20 (52.6%) were by emergency CS. There was no significant difference in emergency CS rates, when compared with controls, but non-IDMs were more likely to be delivered vaginally. The mean GA of IDMs was 37.84 weeks ± 1.88. 29 (61.7%) of them were macrosomic. The commonest morbidities were Hypoglycemia (significantly higher in IDMs than non-IDMs) and hyperbilirubinaemia in 30 (63.8%) and 26 (57.4%) respectively.There was no difference in morbidity pattern between infants of pre- gestational and gestational diabetic mothers. Mortality rate was not significantly higher in IDMsConclusionsThe incidence of macrosomia in IDMs was high but high rates of emergency CS was not peculiar to them. Hypoglycaemia and hyperbilirubinaemia were the commonest morbidities in IDMs.Referring women with unstable metabolic control to specialized centers improves pre- and post- natal outcomes. Maternal-Infant centers for management of diabetes in pregnancy are advocated on a national scale to reduce associated morbidity and mortality

Background: Clean cord care is one of the essential newborn care practices recommended by the World Health Organisation to reduce morbidity and mortality amongst the World’s newborns. Despite this, cord infections are still prevalent in developing countries because of the high rates of unhygienic cord care practices. The study aimed to explore cord care practices in our environment and identify areas for intervention. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out amongst mothers attending three primary health care facilities with their infants in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Simple structured questionnaires were used to obtain information concerning the ages and sexes of babies, place of antenatal care and birth, treatments applied to the umbilical cord stump and the socioeconomic status of the parents. Data were analysed using SPSS version 16.0. Results: Two hundred and twenty one mothers participated in the study. The infants were aged 0 - 6 months with a male to female ratio of 1:1. Fifty four (24.4%) of mothers were of high social class. Cord care was done by grandmothers in 107(48.4%) and mothers in 89(40.3%) of babies. Sixty four (29.0%) mothers had their babies cord cleaned with Methylated spirit alone while 138(62.4%) cleaned with Methylated spirit and then applied other substances including antibiotic ointments and herbs. Maternal education, social class of parents and place of delivery were significantly associated with application of potentially harmful substances to the cord, (p = 0.049, 0.010 and 0.030 respectively). The commonest sources of information on cord care were nurses in 99 (44.8%) and grandmothers in 44 (19.9%). Conclusion: There is still a high rate of use of potentially harmful substances for cord care. All heath workers should participate in educating, mothers and grandmothers about optimal cord care

BackgroundThyroid disorders constitute a large proportion of endocrine diseases in children and adolescents. Diseases of the thyroid have profound effect on metabolism, cognition, growth and development in children. The pattern of thyroid disorders in children in our region is still under reported. Objectives: To describe the clinical characteristics of children and adolescents with thyroid diseases seen over a 5 year period in a tertiary centre in Port Harcourt Methods: A retrospective review of all cases of thyroid disorders seen in the Paediatric endocrinology clinic of the University of Port

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Dyslipidaemia is prevalent in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes and can worsen the presentation of chronic complications such as nephropathy, retinopathy, and neuropathy. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of dyslipidaemia in children living with diabetes followed up at a paediatric endocrine clinic in southern Nigeria and to identify associations with demographic and clinical characteristics. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The study is a cross-sectional, descriptive study of 22 children with diabetes followed up in a tertiary health care facility in southern Nigeria. Demographic data were retrieved from case files, and fasting lipid profile and HbA_1c levels were determined for all subjects. Lipid abnormalities were defined based on the Expert Panel on Integrated Guidelines for Cardiovascular Health Risk Reduction in Children and Adolescents. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Twenty-two subjects aged 7–18 years were studied (mean age: 14.94 ± 3.59 years). There were 12 (54.5%) females. Both genders were comparable regarding age (<i>p</i> = 0.95). Mean duration of diabetes was 3.37 ± 2.38 years. Prevalence of lipid abnormalities include: hypertriglyceridaemia (86.4%), hypercholesterolemia (22.7%), abnormal HDL-C (36.4%), high LDL-C (13.6%), and non-HDL-C (22.7%). Hypercholesterolaemia was significantly higher in females (<i>p</i> = 0.02), and prevalence of hypertriglyceridaemia was higher in subjects ≥12 years (<i>p</i> = 0.019). There was no statistically significant difference in mean levels of various lipids between males and females. Six (27.3%) subjects had more than one lipid abnormality. There was no statistically significant association of lipid abnormalities with age, sex, weight category, and HbA_1c level. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The commonest lipid abnormality was hypertriglyceridaemia. About a quarter of the subjects had more than 1 lipid abnormality. Programs should therefore be targeted at improved control of glycemia and lipid levels to delay and prevent chronic complications.

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