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Staunton AP, Nabwera HM, Allen SJ, Tongo OO, Akindolire AE, Abdulkadir I, Ezeaka CV, Ezenwa BN, Fajolu IB, Imam ZO, Umoru DD, Otieno W, Nalwa GM, Olwala M, Talbert AW, Andang'o PEA, Mwangome MK, Abubakar I, Embleton ND. Prospective observational study of the challenges in diagnosing common neonatal conditions in Nigeria and Kenya. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e064575. [PMID: 36600346 PMCID: PMC9730357 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Accurate and timely diagnosis of common neonatal conditions is crucial for reducing neonatal deaths. In low/middle-income countries with limited resources, there is sparse information on how neonatal diagnoses are made. The aim of this study was to describe the diagnostic criteria used for common conditions in neonatal units (NNUs) in Nigeria and Kenya. DESIGN Prospective observational study. Standard case report forms for suspected sepsis, respiratory disorders, birth asphyxia and abdominal conditions were co-developed by the Neonatal Nutrition Network (https://www.lstmed.ac.uk/nnu) collaborators. Clinicians completed forms for all admissions to their NNUs. Key data were displayed using heatmaps. SETTING Five NNUs in Nigeria and two in Kenya comprising the Neonatal Nutrition Network. PARTICIPANTS 2851 neonates, which included all neonates admitted to the seven NNUs over a 6-month period. RESULTS 1230 (43.1%) neonates had suspected sepsis, 874 (30.6%) respiratory conditions, 587 (20.6%) birth asphyxia and 71 (2.5%) abdominal conditions. For all conditions and across all NNUs, clinical criteria were used consistently with sparse use of laboratory and radiological criteria. CONCLUSION Our findings highlight the reliance on clinical criteria and extremely limited use of diagnostic technologies for common conditions in NNUs in sub-Saharan Africa. This has implications for the management of neonatal conditions which often have overlapping clinical features. Strategies for implementation of diagnostic pathways and investment in affordable and sustainable diagnostics are needed to improve care for these vulnerable infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee P Staunton
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Helen M Nabwera
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Stephen J Allen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Gastroenterology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Olukemi O Tongo
- Institute of Child Health, University College Hospital Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | | | - Isa Abdulkadir
- Department of Paediatrics, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria
| | - Chinyere V Ezeaka
- Department of Paediatrics, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Beatrice N Ezenwa
- Department of Paediatrics, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Iretiola B Fajolu
- Department of Paediatrics, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
- Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Zainab O Imam
- Department of Paediatrics, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Dominic D Umoru
- Department of Paediatrics, Maitama District Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Walter Otieno
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Maseno University, Maseno, Kenya
- Department of Paediatrics, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Grace M Nalwa
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Maseno University, Maseno, Kenya
- Department of Paediatrics, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Macrine Olwala
- Department of Paediatrics, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Alison W Talbert
- Department of Clinical Research, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | | | - Martha K Mwangome
- Department of Clinical Research, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Ismaela Abubakar
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Nicholas D Embleton
- Department of Paediatrics, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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