Background: Respiratory distress (RD) is a common problem in newborns immediately following birth. It is often seen during the transition from fetal to neonatal life. Aims: This study was conducted to demonstrate the surgical causes of respiratory distress in infants admitted to paediatric surgical department of Benghazi Children Hospital and to describe the short term outcome of the sample. Methodology: A retrospective observational descriptive cross section study was done to achieve the aims of this study. Results: A sample of (50) children admitted with respiratory distress due to congenital anomalies, the age range of the sample was from one day to one year, male were (70%) and females and (30%). Residency (20%) from Benghazi and (80%) from outside Benghazi. Normal delivery was reported in52% of the cases and (48%) C/S, (86%) were born at term and (14%) preterm. The mean weight of the cases was (3.38) (±1.91) kg with minimum of (2) kg and maximum (10) kg. TOF in (52%), diaphragmatic hernia in (40%) and lung emphysema in (8%). Clinical presentation of the cases was mainly with respiratory distress in (84%), while (16%) presented with frothy secretion, ultrasound scan was done to (88%) and was normal. Echocardiogram was normal, atrial septal defect in (16%), ventricular septal defect in (14%), patent ductus arteriosus in (8%). (80%) were operated. Death was recorded in half of the cases. Cases with TOF were in total (26) cases of them (17) died and (9) survived, diaphragmatic hernia cases were (20), of them (12) discharged and (8) died, all cases of congenital lobar emphysema discharged. This association was highly significant Fisher`s (exact=6.9 P=0.005). all preterm neonate died (seven cases) and those who were term were in total (43) of them (25) survived and (18) died, Fisher`s (exact=10.85 P=0.005). Cases who were presented with respiratory distress were in total (42) of them (18) died and (25) discharged, while cases who presented with frothy secretions ....

Background: The most important tick-borne infectious disease in North Africa is Mediterranean spotted fever, which is endemic in Libya's green mountain region, with dogs serving as the main domestic reservoir. Aim of this study is to identify the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory profile of spotted fever in children in the Almarj region, as well as the treatment response. Materials and Methods: A cohort study with prospective data collection of 60 patients visiting Almarj teaching hospital as outpatients or admitted from January 1ST 2018 to December 31ST 2019. Results: The median age of the 60 children was 3.3 years. The 55% were males. A tick-bite history were given in three cases. Majority of the cases had direct contact with domestic animals, all had a high-grade fever and rash (purpuric in 29% and 71% maculopapular). Arthralgia, myalgia affect the joints and muscles of the lower limbs in the majority of cases. One case with Hepatomegaly. In our sample, white blood cell count 56% was normal and thrombocytopenia in 37% of the patients. A mild hyponatremia was the most common electrolyte disturbance 56.9%. High liver enzymes in three cases. The antibiotics used in treatment were well tolerated and there were no deaths. Conclusions and Recommendations: Spotted fever group Rickettsiosis (most likely type is Medritanian spotted fever) is common in Almarj area, and it is curable. Rickettsia should be considered as a possible diagnosis of any febrile disease in summer or spring even before the rash appearance, or when there is no rash at all, particularly in those living in rural areas. The oral antibiotics (doxycycline and azithromycin) had a great response.

Patients undergoing chemotherapy are vulnerable to infection because of immunosuppression and prolonged hospitalizations. Chemotherapy drugs affect neutrophil production through myelosuppression (1) and low inflammatory response so that fever maybe the manifestation of infection (2). The purpose of this study was to analyze febrile neutropenic episodes associated with infections in the 1st three phases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment, document the risk factors affecting morbidity, mortality, treatment and the outcome of treatment. The study was a cross-sectional hospital-based descriptive survey in the Hematology-Oncology Unit at Children’s Hospital. It included all cases of (ALL) who were diagnosed within two years and treated with the Berlin Frankfurt Munich (BFM) protocol who developed fever during a neutropenic period. Data was recorded as gender, age, residence, nationality, number of episodes per patient, treatment phase, admission duration, length of stay (LOS) per episode, symptoms, physical examination and severity of fever. Investigations, the antibiotic used and the outcome were also recorded. A total 27children, males accounting for 63%, 67<5 were included in the study. Febrile neutropenic episodes ranged 1–12. Their peak was in January. 40% were in phase II. LOS range 2-35 days. Fever showed a median of 38.8 °C, higher in phase II and III. Admission and therapy phases were longer in children ˂ 2 years old and in males. The neutrophil median was 270/mm3. Stomatitis was seen in70% of episodes, gastroenteritis in 65%, fever of unknown origin (FUO) in 16%and pneumonias in 15%. 20/23 bacterial infections were Gram-negative. 40% of episodes required a change of antibiotics. The mortality rate was 22%.