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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
12:18

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Published on: February 9, 2011

Surgical aspects of bacterial infection in African children

Emmanuel A Ameh1, Francis A Abantanga, Doreen Birabwa-Male

  • 1Division of Paediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria. eaameh@yahoo.co.uk

Seminars in Pediatric Surgery
|April 6, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are common in African children, often exceeding 20% due to poor infection control. Complications and high mortality rates underscore the urgent need for improved surgical infection management in the region.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Global Health

Background:

  • Surgical site infections (SSIs) are highly prevalent in African children, with rates surpassing 20% even in clean procedures.
  • Inadequate infection control and surveillance policies contribute significantly to high SSI rates in African hospitals.
  • Typhoid intestinal perforation and complicated appendicitis are major pediatric surgical emergencies in Africa, often presenting late with severe outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the significant burden of surgical infections in African children.
  • To discuss the challenges and current management of common surgical infections like SSIs, typhoid perforation, and appendicitis.
  • To underscore the need for enhanced infection control and surveillance strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of common surgical infections in African pediatric populations.
  • Discussion of current surgical interventions and their associated complication rates.
  • Analysis of factors contributing to poor outcomes, including delayed presentation and nutritional challenges.

Main Results:

  • High rates of SSIs (over 20%) and typhoid intestinal perforation (around 10%) are reported.
  • Delayed presentation leads to high complication rates, with mortality approaching 41% for typhoid perforation in some areas.
  • Acute appendicitis and soft-tissue infections like pyomyositis also present significant challenges.

Conclusions:

  • Surgical infections pose a substantial threat to African children, characterized by high complication and mortality rates.
  • Improved infection control, timely diagnosis, and effective surgical management are critical.
  • Further research is needed to clarify the impact of HIV on surgical infections and to estimate economic consequences.

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