EPIDEMIOLOGY AND SEROTYPE DISTRIBUTION OF PNEUMOCOCCAL MENINGITIS IN YOUNG CHILDREN — BURKINA FASO, 2011–2013

Author(s):  
Heidi Soeters
PEDIATRICS ◽  
1956 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 258-277
Author(s):  
Margaret H. D. Smith

Man, alone of all animal species, seems susceptible to meningitis, probably because of the very large amount of blood which perfuses his brain, thereby increasing the opportunities for blood-borne infection. Infants and young children, before they have acquired immunity to the common bacterial pathogens, are particularly prone to meningeal infection. Since they outwardly display less characteristic signs and symptoms of meningeal irritation than do adults, diagnosis is often delayed and the chances for recovery correspondingly impaired. Cyanosis, fever, vomiting in the newborn; fever, drowsiness, jitteriness, tenseness of the fontanelle in older infants; headache, vomiting, and stiffness of the neck in children, and so-called febrile convulsions in patients of any age, should point to the possibility of meningitis. Examination of the spinal fluid obtained by lumbar puncture is the only completely satisfactory way to establish the diagnosis, unless petechiae are present from which an organism can be recovered on smear. All things considered, the best chemotherapeutic agent for patients with H. influenzae meningitis is crystalline chloramphenicol; for those with meningococcal meningitis sulfadiazine, and for those with pneumococcal meningitis penicillin and sulfadiazine. Only if the etiologic agent cannot be identified should resort be had to drug combinations such as penicillin, sulfadiazine, and chloramphenicol; or to Terramycin® which is optimal in no type of meningitis, but fairly good in all. Whatever the chemotherapeutic agent employed, the physician should always remember that the management of patients with meningitis consists of far more than deciding which drug to prescribe. Treatment must start immediately the diagnosis is made and should include proper provision for the patient's rest and comfort, for an adequate fluid intake, for a minimal amount of discomfort (in the form of injections and restraint). Medication should come to an end as soon as safe in order to avoid unpleasant side-reactions: within 2 or 3 days in meningococcal meningitis and usually within a week in influenzal meningitis. Only in pneumococcal meningitis does the relatively high incidence of relapse make prolonged periods of treatment advisable. While complications during convalescence are much less common than formerly, the presence of fever beyond a few days, persistent anorexia or vomiting, restlessness, or focal neurologic signs should suggest the possibility of an intercurrent infection involving the ears, lungs or sites of antibiotic injection; or a subdural effusion. Only by constant alertness to possibility of meningitis in young children and by meticulous attention to all of the details of management can the mortality from meningitis be kept below 10 per cent (influenzal and meningococcal meningitis) and 20 per cent (pneumococcal meningitis).


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. e001233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Hollowell ◽  
Mari Dumbaugh ◽  
Mireille Belem ◽  
Sylvain Kousse ◽  
Tessa Swigart ◽  
...  

IntroductionEffective stimulation and responsive caregiving during the first 2 years is crucial for children’s development. By age 3–4 years, over 40% of children in sub-Saharan Africa fail to meet basic cognitive or socioemotional milestones, but there are limited data on parenting and childcare practices. This study, conducted to inform the design of a mass media intervention, explored practices, perceptions, motivators and obstacles to childhood development-related practices among parents and caregivers of children aged 0–2 years in rural Burkina Faso.MethodsWe performed two rounds of six focus groups with 41 informants in two villages, using an adapted version of the Trials of Improved Practices methodology. These first explored beliefs and practices, then introduced participants to the principles and benefits of early childhood development (ECD) and provided illustrative examples of three practices (interactive ways of talking, playing and praising) to try with their children. One week later, further discussions explored participants’ experiences and reactions. Data were analysed inductively using thematic content analysis.ResultsExisting activities with young children were predominantly instructive with limited responsive interaction and stimulation. Participants were receptive to the practices introduced, noted positive changes in their children when they adopted these practices and found engagement with children personally rewarding.ConclusionInteractive, stimulating activities with young children did not appear to be widespread in the study area, but caregivers were receptive to information about the importance of early stimulation for children’s development. ECD messages should be tailored to the local sociocultural context and consider time limitations.


2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isidore JO Bonkoungou ◽  
Idrissa Sanou ◽  
Fabienne Bon ◽  
Benoit Benon ◽  
Sheick O Coulibaly ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerome Some ◽  
Souheila Abbeddou ◽  
Elizabeth Yakes Jimenez ◽  
Sonja Hess ◽  
Zinewende Ouedraogo ◽  
...  

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