Transient neonatal diabetes or neonatal hyperglycaemia: A case report

Transient neonatal diabetes and neonatal hyperglycaemia both present in the neonatal period with features of hyperglycaemia, dehydration and weight loss. Differentiating these conditions clinically is difficult. We describe the case of a 13 day old female whom we managed recently who could have had either condition. Hyperglycaemia is not as commonly documented as would be expected for the frequency of neonatal disease and when it does occur, it will worsen neonatal morbidity and mortality. Blood glucose levels in babies ondextrose infusion should be monitored regularly in order to help individualiseglucose requirements

Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase levels in babies delivered at the University of Ilorin teaching hospital.

Background: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, an X-linked recessive disorder, is the most common enzymopathy producing disease in humans.It is known to cause severe neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia. Aims and Objectives: To determine G6PD levels in babies delivered at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital with a view to determining the prevalence of G6PDdeficiency. Methods: Samples of cord blood were collected at delivery, from 933 babies who met set criteria. Blood was assayed for G6PD levels using a quantitative in vitro test (RANDOX©). Results: A total of 348 (37.3%) of the 933 tested subjects had G6PD deficiency with enzyme activity of ≤ 2.8U/gHb. Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase levels in female babies with normal enzyme levels were significantly higher than in male babies with normal enzyme levels (5.72 ± 2.45 U/gHb versus 4.99 ± 2.3 U/gHb, p = 0.002). Enzyme levels in babies with G6PD deficiency was comparable in both males and females (2.05 ± 0.60 u/gHb in females and 2.1 ± 0.66 U/gHb in males, p = 0.66). The prevalence of G6PD deficiency was comparable among males and females (p = 0.81 Χ²= 0.06, RR = 1.02 , CI = 0.9 0 < R R < 1.15 , OR=1.04). Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of G6PD deficiency in babies delivered at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, and the enzyme deficiency appears to occur equally among the sexes.Key words: Glucose-6-phosphate, neonates, cord bloo

Unusual occurrence of congenital hypothyroidism in a set of same sex triplets: challenges of diagnosis in a resource poor setting

Congenital hypothyroidism is the most common endocrinological disorder in children. Genetic and intrauterine factors have been implicated in its aetiology. The aim of this study was to describe an unusual occurrence of congenital hypothyroidism in a set of same sex triplets and challenges associated with the diagnosis. This is a review of a set of female triplets delivered at 34 weeks gestational age and noticed to have reduced activity, hypotonia and poor suck. On testing for thyroid hormones the patients were found to be hypothyroid. However this diagnosis was delayed until the 6th week of life as a result of difficulties in running the test. The subjects of the study were placed on thyroxine supplementation and have been doing well. Congenital hypothyroidism can occur in multiple order pregnancies and clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for its occurrence.Keywords: Congenital hypothyroidism; Triplets; Diagnosi