Current Issue : April-June Volume : 2025 Issue Number : 2 Articles : 6 Articles
Objectives: To describe the clinical profile of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in a semi-rural Ivorian setting: the rheumatology department of the Bouaké University Hospital (CHU.B). Patients and methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study from January 2018 to December 2023 in the rheumatology department of the CHU.B. The study focused on the epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic data of children followed for JIA on the basis of the classification criteria of the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR). Excel 2019 software was used to analyse the data. Results: Over a 6-year period, JIA represented 0.29% (11/3780) of all rheumatological conditions and 1.40% (11/782) of childhood rheumatic diseases. The mean age of the children at diagnosis was 13.09 ± 3.01 years, and the mean age at onset of the disease was 8.54 years. There were 6 girls and 5 boys. Joint involvement was the main reason for consultation and hospitalisation, accounting for 81.81% (9) of cases. There was a family history in 3 children (27.3%). The clinical forms were as follows: systemic 27.27% (3), oligoarticular 27.27% (3), polyarticular with rheumatoid factor negative 27.27% (3), polyarticular with rheumatoid factor positive 9.09 (1), arthritis with enthesitis 9.09 (1). JIA was discovered at steinbrocker functional stages II and III. Treatment included NSAIDs 72.72% (8), corticosteroid therapy combined with methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine 54.54% (6) and rehabilitation 63.63% (7). Conclusion: JIA is a little-known disease in the semi-rural environment of Côte d’Ivoire. It is characterised by a long delay in diagnosis in relation to poverty and the lack of recourse to alternative medicine in our populations; hence, it is important to raise awareness of the condition among the population and practitioners. Multidisciplinary intervention would improve the diagnosis and management of children with JIA....
Background: One of the most common viral infections occurring in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients is eczema herpeticum (EH): herpes simplex virus (HSV) skin infection. Despite being comparatively uncommon affecting just 3% of AD patients, EH can progress from a local disease to a potentially fatal systemic infection. Up till now, the pathophysiology of EH is mainly unclear. Case Report: We report the case of a 2-year-old boy who was well-vaccinated and had a history of untreated atopic dermatitis from infancy and presented to the emergency department with increasingly itchy diffuse lesions, red eyes, profuse tearing, chills and malaise. The diagnosis of EH with bilateral ocular involvement was highly suspected. The patient had received intravenous acyclovir with a notable clinical improvement and a complete remission at the two-week follow-up....
Adrenal hematoma is a rare condition with highly variable clinical manifestations, ranging from completely asymptomatic cases to specific signs. Abdominal ultrasound is the key examination for diagnosing and monitoring neonates. We present a case of adrenal hematoma diagnosed following neonatal anemia....
Introduction: The association of diabetes and pregnancy is associated with a significantly higher risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with maternal diabetes at the Issaka Gazoby Maternity Hospital in Niamey. Methodology: This was a prospective case-control study conducted from April to September 2021 at the Issaka Gazoby Maternity Hospital in Niamey. “Cases” were neonates born to diabetic mothers, and “controls” were neonates born to non-diabetic mothers. The main dependent variable was the occurrence of perinatal complications. Analysis was performed using Epi info software 7.2.1. Pearson’s Chi2 test or Fisher’s exact test were used (p < 0.05). The Odds Ratio (OR) and its 95% Confidence Interval (CI) were used to quantify risk. Results: Of the 2,225 admissions during the study period, 31 newborns were born to diabetic mothers (1.4%). Diabetic mothers were 2.8 times more likely to have a history of abortion (67.7% vs. 28.6%; OR = 2.82; p = 0.001). Similarly, a history of macrosomia was found in 29.0% of diabetic mothers versus 9.5% of controls (OR = 2.15; p = 0.01). Macrosomia was also more common in newborns of diabetic mothers (38.7% vs. 9.5%; OR = 2.63; p < 0.01). Three (3) cases of congenital malformations were only observed in newborns of diabetic mothers (p = 0.03). Neonatal mortality was not significant (OR = 0.85; p = 0.43). Conclusion: The risks of ante- and perinatal complications such as abortion, fetal macrosomia and stillbirth, as well as neonatal pathological events (macrosomia and malformations) were greater in newborns of diabetic mothers....
Introduction: Child malnutrition is a major public health problem in Côte d’Ivoire in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors influencing malnutrition in children under five in the peri-urban area of Abidjan, the economic capital. Patients and Methods: We carried out a prospective cross-sectional analytical study from May 3rd to October 31st 2019 at the General Hospital of Yopougon Attié in a peri-urban district of Abidjan, the economic capital. The study included 522 children aged 0 to 59 months who were received for a consultation, with the informed consent of their parents. The assessment of nutritional status was based on WHO growth standards. Statistical comparisons were made using the Chi-2 test for a significant p-value below 5%. Results: The population was predominantly female (sex ratio of 0.91) with an average age of 8.21 months and overall modest socio- economic conditions. The prevalence of malnutrition was as follows: 3.45% of malnutrition by excess, including 0.57% of obesity, 16.09% of stunting (5.75% severe), 12.07% of underweight (3.45% severe), 8.04% emaciation (1.91% severe). Three risk factors were identified for default malnutrition: age less than 6 months (p = 0.022), low birth weight (p = 0.003), and prematurity (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Malnutrition by deficiency is common in peri-urban areas in Abidjan with the main risk factors being age less than 6 months, low birth weight and prematurity. Fighting against those risk factors could help improve the nutritional status of children under five in the peri-urban environment of Abidjan....
Background: While global efforts have led to a decline in maternal and neonatal mortality, Sub-Saharan Africa continues to face disproportionately high rates, remaining far above the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets. In Kenya, as the 2030 SDG deadline approaches, the gap in maternal, neonatal, and child health services remains significant. Addressing these challenges is critical to improving Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health (MNCH) outcomes. Objective: This study explores how integration of digital health innovations into the MNCH chain of service delivery affects the quality of MNCH care within the selected PHC settings in Kajiado, Kisii and Migori Counties in Kenya. Methodology: This Quasi-experimental study was conducted 1-year post-intervention targeting a total of 482 pregnant women from intervention and control sites in Kisii , Kajiado and Migori Counties, Kenya. Data was analysed using Chi- Square test comparing frequencies between intervention and control groups when both variables are categorical. Results: Pre-intervention data revealed an increase in first ANC coverage within first trimester, from 167 to 278 postintervention (p < 0.001). Fourth ANC coverage rose from 984 to 1177 women while Linda mama social health insurance registrations increased from 1008 to 1135. At the intervention sites, 938 pregnant women got screened by midwives using portable mobile Obstetric Point-of-Care Ultrasound (OPOCUS) technology compared to the 27 cases that accessed ultrasound services in the noncontiguous control sites. The pilot sites midwives earned themselves an incentive income totaling Ksh 400,000 while the Community Health Promoters (CHPs) who created demand for OPOCUS earned an incentive income totaling Ksh 327,195 from their IGAs that were project supported. There was a significant increase in mobile health application usage and e-resources access for health information in the intervention group (p < 0.001). Nutritional behaviors also improved, with higher fruit and vegetable consumption in the intervention group (p < 0.001 for fruits, p = 0.048 for vegetables) and lower meat consumption (p = 0.014). Although no significant differences were found in BCG and OPV birth dose coverage, vaccination dropout rates were notably lower in the intervention group (17%) compared to the control group (48%). Qualitative data indicated that mobile app-based ANC services enrolment and health education had enhanced pregnant women’s confidence and utilization of services and improved adherence to referrals. Conclusion: The success of digital health interventions in improving health-seeking behaviour, knowledge, and service uptake highlights the potential of such innovations to strengthen health systems and achieve universal health coverage. We recommend the intervention for a scale-up in other PHC settings in Kenya....
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