COMMON CAUSES OF CHILD MORTALITY IN ATBARA TEACHING HOSPITAL, SUDAN

Background :  Providing data about the common causes of child death is essential to the development of national and local health policies for prevention and control of disease. Objective :  To determine the common causes of child mortality in Atbara Teaching Hospital, Sudan. Methods : In this retrospective study the records of children 0-15 years of age who died at Atbara Teaching Hospital within a 5 year period (Jan 2005 – Dec 2009) were reviewed for demographic data as well as the cause of death. Results : From a total of 14765 admissions to the pediatric ward in the five year period the total death was 344 (2.3%). Males were 215 (62.5%) and females 129 (37.5%). The under five were the majority ( 92.2%). Neonates constituted 25.8% of the total, older infants 42.9% and more than one year to five years 23.5%. The commonest causes of death were respiratory tract infections (18.2%) followed by malnutrition (16.6%), blood infections (15.4%), gastroenteritis and dehydration (15.4%), malaria (5.9%), scorpion sting (5.9%), heart failure (4.3%), meningitis (3.4%) and anemia (2.5%). At the bottom of the list were: tuberculosis (0.6%) and tetanus (0.3%). Conclusion : Causes of child mortality in Atbara are similar to those reported from other developing countries. Children under-five years of age are at the greatest risk of death from preventable and treatable diseases

The Outcome of 428 Cases of Scorpion Sting Syndrome in Atbara Locality, North Sudan

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and outcome of scorpion sting in Atbara and to give a brief  pathophysiology, clinical aspects, and management options. Methods : This is a retrospective study conducted at Atbara Teaching Hospital, Sudan, to look into the records of 428 scorpion envenomation  cases  in five years period from (2005-2009).  Results: Males constituted 51.2%, children below 15 were 37.2%, the overall death rate was 4.7% (n=20) and all of them were children. Most cases (88.4%) presented during the hot season. Conclusion: Scorpion sting is a life-threatening condition in children in Atbara, a better understanding of the condition and a proper management protocol may save lives

Sero-prevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV in Blood Specimens Received at a Clinical Laboratory in Atbara, Sudan

Background: Clinical laboratory personnel, like all healthcare workers, have a high risk of occupational exposure to blood-borne infections from clinical specimens, more so in developing countries, where unsafe practices are common. The most common and important ones are HIV ,HBV, and HCV infections. Objectives: To determine the sero-prevalence of HIV, HBV and HCV infections in blood samples at a clinical laboratory, and to address the preventive measures. Methods: Blood samples of 385 subjects attended for investigations of noninfectious illnesses were tested for the  seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, and HCV by screening tests and confirmed by ELISA.  Results: Males constituted 63.9%, HIV was confirmed in 0.5%, HBV in 7.8% and HCV in none of the study population. Conclusion: The risk of blood borne viral disease in blood specimens is remarkable even in non-suspected specimens and protective measures against occupational exposure must be taken in order to prevent infection among laboratory  workers