No abstract

No abstract

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.

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is a rare congenital syndrome, but one of the most common among overgrowth syndromes. It was described firstly by Beckwith in 1963. The incidence of BWS is about 1:13 700 births, with an equal sex distribution. It is characterized by macrosomia, macroglossia, omphalocele and anterior abdominal wall defects. It is a complex multigenic disorder caused by dysregulation of the gene printed on chromosome 11p. 15. A relationship has been established between assisted fertilization methods and its occurrence. This syndrome predisposes to childhood cancer. Its incidence is not known in developing countries such as Cameroon due to the rarity of reported cases, variability in the presentation of the syndrome, financial constraints and lack of access to genetic and molecular studies. In our opinion, we are reporting the first case of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome in our country. We present here the case of a newborn female baby delivered at the gyneco-obstetric and pediatric hospital in Yaoundé and admitted to our neonatology unit. The diagnosis was made on the basis of clinical signs suggestive of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. She presented an omphalocele diagnosed on antenatal ultrasound, macrosomia, macroglossia and ear abnormalities. The case is presented to raise awareness and highlight the particularity of the management of this rare disease.

No abstract