Anorectal malformations and the impact of HIV on surgical outcome

Background. Anorectal malformations (ARMs) represent a significant surgical load in South African (SA) paediatric surgical centres. Surgical treatment of ARMs may be associated with postoperative complications owing to the nature of surgical procedures necessary in the neonatal and infant period. HIV and its effect on the immune response compound postoperative surgical complications. The impact of HIV exposure and its effect on the child’s immune status, independent of the child’s HIV status, has yet to be studied in the surgical population.Objectives. To assess the incidence of complications in our population of ARM patients and to explore whether these were increased in HIV-exposed but serologically negative children compared with HIV-unexposed children.Methods. This was a prospective study of all patients presenting with ARMs to the paediatric surgery units attached to the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, SA. Specifically, exposure to an HIV-positive mother, patient HIV status and presence of surgical complications were documented. Data were analysed for the period August 2016 - September 2017.Results. A total of 50 children were included (none were excluded); 19 (38%) were HIV-exposed but none were HIV-positive, and 28 (56%) were male and 22 (44%) female. Seventy-six operative procedures were performed, with 27 operative complications. In the HIV-exposed group, 68% of patients experienced operative complications, compared with 45% in the unexposed group (p=0.1); 50% of the HIV-exposed patients who had stoma formation experienced complications, compared with 20% in the unexposed group (p=0.08).Conclusions. The incidence of postoperative infectious complications in HIV-exposed patients was higher than in HIV-unexposed patients. The incidence of postoperative complications in HIV-unexposed patients parallels that in the international literature, except in the posterior sagittal anorectoplasty groups. It remains critically important to follow stringent perioperative protocols for infection prevention and aggressively treat any infection that arises, particularly in patients born to HIV-positive mothers, regardless of the patient’s HIV status.

Choledochal malformations: Lessons learnt in Johannesburg

Background. Choledochal malformation (CM) is a well-described and relatively rare condition. CMs may present on antenatal ultrasound screening, through childhood and into adulthood. The aetiology is not well understood but the association with a pancreaticobiliary malunion predisposes to the development of CMs.Objectives. To review the experience of CMs in the Department of Paediatric Surgery, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg to improve our patient care for this population.Methods. After institutional ethics approval, a retrospective record review was conducted of patients presenting with CM to the Department of Paediatric Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All patients managed between January 2010 and May 2017 were included.Results. A total of 35 patients underwent surgery for CMs and 2 patients were excluded from the study owing to incomplete records. Most of our patients (83%) presented with jaundice and a median (interquartile range) bilirubin level of 167 (32 - 234) mmol/L. In our cohort of patients those with type IV lesions presented at a younger age and with higher bilirubin and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels, although this finding was not statistically significant.Conclusion. Although uncommon, CMs may lead to significant morbidity and malignancy. Specialised care is necessary to improve longterm outcomes in these patient

Choledochal malformations: Lessons learnt in Johannesburg

Background. Choledochal malformation (CM) is a well-described and relatively rare condition. CMs may present on antenatal ultrasound screening, through childhood and into adulthood. The aetiology is not well understood but the association with a pancreaticobiliary malunion predisposes to the development of CMs.Objectives. To review the experience of CMs in the Department of Paediatric Surgery, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg to improve our patient care for this population.Methods. After institutional ethics approval, a retrospective record review was conducted of patients presenting with CM to the Department of Paediatric Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All patients managed between January 2010 and May 2017 were included.Results. A total of 35 patients underwent surgery for CMs and 2 patients were excluded from the study owing to incomplete records. Most of our patients (83%) presented with jaundice and a median (interquartile range) bilirubin level of 167 (32 - 234) mmol/L. In our cohort of patients those with type IV lesions presented at a younger age and with higher bilirubin and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels, although this finding was not statistically significant.Conclusion. Although uncommon, CMs may lead to significant morbidity and malignancy. Specialised care is necessary to improve longterm outcomes in these patient

Anorectal malformations and the impact of HIV on surgical outcome

Background. Anorectal malformations (ARMs) represent a significant surgical load in South African (SA) paediatric surgical centres. Surgical treatment of ARMs may be associated with postoperative complications owing to the nature of surgical procedures necessary in the neonatal and infant period. HIV and its effect on the immune response compound postoperative surgical complications. The impact of HIV exposure and its effect on the child’s immune status, independent of the child’s HIV status, has yet to be studied in the surgical population.Objectives. To assess the incidence of complications in our population of ARM patients and to explore whether these were increased in HIV-exposed but serologically negative children compared with HIV-unexposed children.Methods. This was a prospective study of all patients presenting with ARMs to the paediatric surgery units attached to the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, SA. Specifically, exposure to an HIV-positive mother, patient HIV status and presence of surgical complications were documented. Data were analysed for the period August 2016 - September 2017.Results. A total of 50 children were included (none were excluded); 19 (38%) were HIV-exposed but none were HIV-positive, and 28 (56%) were male and 22 (44%) female. Seventy-six operative procedures were performed, with 27 operative complications. In the HIV-exposed group, 68% of patients experienced operative complications, compared with 45% in the unexposed group (p=0.1); 50% of the HIV-exposed patients who had stoma formation experienced complications, compared with 20% in the unexposed group (p=0.08).Conclusions. The incidence of postoperative infectious complications in HIV-exposed patients was higher than in HIV-unexposed patients. The incidence of postoperative complications in HIV-unexposed patients parallels that in the international literature, except in the posterior sagittal anorectoplasty groups. It remains critically important to follow stringent perioperative protocols for infectionprevention and aggressively treat any infection that arises, particularly in patients born to HIV-positive mothers, regardless of the patient’s HIV status

A cross-sectional study of frequency and factors associated with dog walking in 9-10 year old children in Liverpool

Westgarth C, Boddy LM, Stratton G, German AJ, Gaskell RM, Coyne KP, Bundred P,McCune S, Dawson S