Blood pressure values in healthy term newborns at a tertiary health facility in Enugu, Nigeria

Background: Blood pressure (BP) is a reflection of hemodynamic variables. It is an important vital sign and indicator of clinical stability. Accurate measurement of this physiological signal is essential for the optimal management of the ill infant. An increase in the awareness of hypertension among neonates has resulted to increased ability to diagnose neonates with the disease.Objectives: This study aimed to determine BP values in apparently healthy term newborns in the first 48 h of life and evaluate the factors affecting BP at birth.Methods: Three hundred and ten healthy appropriate for gestational age term newborns were consecutively recruited. BP measurements were determined using the oscillometric technique with the neonate supine after an appropriate size cuff was applied on the right arm. The monitor (Dinamap 8100) is switched on while the cuff inflation and deflation is automatically done by the instrument with subsequent display of the BP values on the screen. BP measurements were taken at age 0–24 h and 25–48 h. Their weight was measured with infant’s weighing scale, and data analyzed with SPSS version 15.Results: The mean systolic BP (SBP), diastolic and mean arterial BP at 0–24 h were 63.3 ± 5.5 mmHg, 36.8 ± 5.3 mmHg and 46.4 ± 5.2 mmHg respectively. There was a positive correlation between birth weight and SBP at birth. No significant correlation was found between BP and gender, mode of delivery or maternal age.Conclusion: This study provides current normative BP values that can be used in neonatal Intensive Care Unit.Key words: Blood pressure, healthy, newborns, ter

Histopathological evaluatin of the hepatoprotective activity of stem bark extracts of Garcinia Kola on acetaminophen-Induced liver injury in rats

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Disseminated Histoplasmosis in a 13-year-old girl: A case report

BACKGROUND: Disseminated histoplasmosis is a rare fungal infection and most documented cases are in immune-compromised individuals such as those with acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome. OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of disseminated histoplasmosis in an adolescent girl. METHOD: We report a case of disseminated histoplasmosis in a 13-year-old adolescent girl. She was admitted for 16 days because of neck masses of 3 years duration, generalized body swelling of 3 months and reduction in urinary output of 2 months. She tested negative for human immunodeficiency virus antibodies. RESULT: An autopsy was performed because a definitive diagnosis could not be made while the patient was still alive. The autopsy revealed central caseating areas in the lymph nodes and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. The periodic acid-Schiff staining technique for tissues showed viable yeast cells suggestive of histoplasmosis. Zeihl-Neelsen's staining for mycobacteria tuberculosis was negative. CONCLUSION: Undiagnosed case of disseminated histoplasmosis while the patient was alive is being reported in a 13-year-old girl. Disseminated histoplasmosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis of childhood chronic infections and malignancies as in Nigeria

Histamine in Australian wines - a survey between 1982 and 2009

Biogenic amines are found in a range of fermented foods and beverages, including wine. Absorption of these compounds in elevated concentrations may induce headaches, gastro-intestinal and respiratory distress. The main biogenic amines found in wine are histamine, tyramine, cadaverine and putrescine. Even though concentrations of histamine in wine are generally ten-fold lower than found in some fresh and other fermented foods, their presence may contribute to an adverse reaction when consumed in combination with other histamine-containing foods. It is well established that the main contribution of biogenic amines in wines is from lactic acid bacteria metabolism, especially during or after malolactic fermentation (MLF). A survey for histamine content of Australian red and white wines produced during 1982–1990 demonstrated a wide range of concentrations (mean 1.58 and 0.21 mg/L, respectively). A second survey of histamine content in red and white wines produced during 2003–2009 (mean 1.75 and 0.59 mg/L, respectively) showed that there were minimal changes in the mean histamine concentration over the period of the two sets of wines. All 238 Australian wines from 1982–1990 and 99 of 100 wines from 2003–2009 were below the former regulatory recommended limit of 10 mg/L for histamine in wine and were low compared to other wine-producing countries. Seven other biogenic amines measured in the Australian wines from 2003–2009 also had low means compared to other wine-producing countries.Eveline J. Bartowsky and Creina S. Stockle