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Peri-umbilical cellulitis in Nigerian neonates
J A Owa1, O A Ayelami, O Adejuyigbe
1Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
A retrospective analysis was made of 32 neonates with peri-umbilical cellulitis seen at Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, Nigeria from 1979 through 1989. All were full term and delivered after a normal pregnancy. The male:female ratio was 1.3:1. On admission, the mean (Standard Deviation) post-natal age, weight and duration of symptoms were 7.3 (2.7) days, 3.21 (0.5) kg, and 1.9 (1.3) days respectively. Major features were abdominal distension, extensive peri-umbilical induration and inflammation, and foul-smelling discharge. Most mother had antenatal care, but 60 pc were delivered at home or in the mission house. There were no recognisable maternal risk factors. Hot fomentation and unsterile materials applied to the cord were the apparent causative factors. The case fatality rate was very high (71.9 pc). Recommended treatment was antibiotics and surgical debridement. If hospital delivery were accessible to the less privileged poor, this highly lethal condition could be prevented by facilitating instruction in simple sterile cord care.
A retrospective analysis was made of 32 neonates with peri-umbilical cellulitis seen at Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, Nigeria from 1979 through 1989. All were full term and delivered after a normal pregnancy. The male:female ratio was 1.3:1. On admission, the mean (Standard Deviation) post-natal age, weight and duration of symptoms were 7.3 (2.7) days, 3.21 (0.5) kg, and 1.9 (1.3) days respectively. Major features were abdominal distension, extensive peri-umbilical induration and inflammation, and foul-smelling discharge. Most mother had antenatal care, but 60 pc were delivered at home or in the mission house. There were no recognisable maternal risk factors. Hot fomentation and unsterile materials applied to the cord were the apparent causative factors. The case fatality rate was very high (71.9 pc). Recommended treatment was antibiotics and surgical debridement. If hospital delivery were accessible to the less privileged poor, this highly lethal condition could be prevented by facilitating instruction in simple sterile cord care.