Background: Bilirubin encephalopathy is the clinical syndrome associated with bilirubin toxicity to the central nervous system resulting in chronic and permanent sequelae. It has been estimated that approximately 60% of term babies and 80% of preterm babies develop jaundice within the first week of life.Objective: To determine the prevalence, morbidity and mortality of bilirubin encephalopathy at our centre.Methodology: A retrospective descriptive review of the case files of all babies diagnosed with bilirubin encephalopathy over the past 5 years from January 2010 to December 2014 was undertaken. Information retrieved from the case notes included age, sex, presence of fever, duration of illness, place of delivery, causes and treatment. The outcome measures such as discharged home, discharged against medical advice, and death were also noted.Results: Out of a total of 2,820 babies, 21 (0.74%) were admitted on account of bilirubin encephalopathy. Of these 21, seventeen (81%) were males and four (19%) females giving M; F ratio of 5:1. Eighteen babies (85.7%) had pyrexia, 8(38.1%) and 6(28.6%) were hypertonic and hypotonic respectively on admission. Only 33.3% of the deliveries took place in the health facilities. The established factors responsible for jaundice included infections (septicaemia) (15/71.4%), ABO incompatibility (4/19.1%), and G6PDeficiency (2/9.5%). The mean maximum serum bilirubin of the subjects was 321.3μmol/l (242.5 -440.3). The case fatality was 4/21(19%). Conclusion:Neonatal septicaemia is associated with bilirubin encephalopathy. Therefore identification and prompt treatment is of utmost importance to avoid morbidity and mortality.

Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 3.2 million children were living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) at the end of 2013, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. Socioeconomic and demographic factors do not only affect viral transmission but also the success of preventive strategies and treatment. Objective: To determine the socio-demographic characteristics of mothers, and the relationship between maternal and HIV status of their infants attending immunization clinics in Calabar. Methods: Using multistage sampling method, 330 subjects were enrolled and screened from 63 immunization centres. The sociodemographic characteristic of each infant's mother was documented. The results of Rapid test for mothers and Dried Blood Spots (DBS) results for infants were compared. Results: Of the 330 subjects recruited, 173 (52.4%) were males while 157(47.6%) were females. Mean age of the infants was 9.20 ± 3.1 weeks. Twenty four mothers and infants tested positive for HIV antibodies. After confirmatory tests using HIV Deoxyribosenucleic acid (DNA PCR), 14(58.3%) out of 24 antibody seropositive infants were infected. The transmission rate after confirmation was 58.3%. Conclusion: Parental education, social class and low maternal Antiretroviral drug (ARV) use were responsible for transmission. It is therefore recommended that health education on ARV use during antenatal period and HIV status of mother baby pair be done at immunization centres. HIV positive mothers and babies should be promptly referred for therapy.