Objective: To describe the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic, and outcome characteristics of low birth weight (LBW) newborns hospitalized at Tengandogo University Hospital. Methodology: This was a descriptive and analytical cross‑sectional study with prospective data collection, conducted from May 1 to September 30, 2025, in the neonatology unit of CHU‑T. All LBW newborns admitted during the study period were included with parental consent. Results: Of the 227 hospitalized newborns, 131 had LBW (57.7%), of whom 117 were included. The mean maternal age was 26.9 years, and paucigravidas accounted for 39.3%. Most mothers had inadequate antenatal care. The newborns were mainly preterm and growth‑restricted (88%), with a mean birth weight of 1456 g. Respiratory distress was the leading reason for admission (76.9%). Associated conditions were dominated by neonatal infection (94.9%) and hyaline membrane disease (68.4%). Mortality was high (49.6%), occurring mainly during the first week of life. Independent factors associated with mortality were birth weight < 1000 g (OR = 8.6; p = 0.015), twin pregnancy (OR = 3.3; p = 0.033), and absence of oral feeding (OR = 384.8; p < 0.001). Conclusion: LBW is frequent at CHU‑T and its prognosis remains poor. Strengthening antenatal care, improving nutritional management, and equipping neonatology units with appropriate technologies are essential to reduce mortality. French Résumé: Objectif: Décrire les caractéristiques épidémiologiques, cliniques, thérapeutiques et évolutives des nouveau‑nés de faible poids de naissance (FPN) hospitalisés au CHU de Tengandogo. Méthodologie: Étude transversal descriptive et analytique, à collecte prospective, menée du 1er mai au 30 septembre 2025 dans l’unité de néonatologie du CHU‑T. Ont été inclus tous les nouveau‑nés de FPN admis durant la période, avec consentement parental. Résultats: Sur 227 nouveau‑nés hospitalisés, 131 présentaient un FPN (57,7 %), dont 117 ont été inclus. L’âge maternel moyen était de 26,9 ans et les paucigestes représentaient 39,3 %. La majorité des mères avaient un suivi prenatal insuffisant. Les enfants étaient principalement des prématurés hypotrophes (88 %), avec un poids moyen de 1456 g. La détresse respiratoire constituait le principal motif d’admission (76,9 %). Les pathologies associées étaient dominées par l’infection néonatale (94,9 %) et la maladie des membranes hyalines (68,4 %). La mortalité était élevée (49,6 %), survenant surtout durant la première semaine. Les facteurs associés à la mortalité étaient le poids < 1000 g (OR = 8,6 ; p = 0,015), la grossesse gémellaire (OR = 3,3 ; p = 0,033) et l’absence d’alimentation orale (OR = 384,8 ; p < 0,001). Conclusion: Le FPN est frequent au CHU‑T et son pronostic reste défavorable. Le renforcement du suivi prénatal, l’amélioration de la prise en charge nutritionnelle et l’équipement adéquat des unités de néonatologie sont essentiels pour réduire la mortalité. Mots‑clés: Faible poids de naissance, mortalité néonatale, facteurs de risque, Burkina Faso.

Introduction : La dénutrition aiguë constitue un problème de santé publique dans nos pays en développement. L’objectif de cette étude était de rechercher les facteurs de risque de décès chez les enfants dénutris aigus sévères afin de contribuer à la réduction de la mortalité infantile. Méthodes : Il s’est agi d’une cohorte rétrospective à visée descriptive et analytique qui s’est déroulée sur une période de 12 mois. Résultats : la prévalence hospitalière de la dénutrition aiguë sévère était de 12,41 %. L’âge moyen des patients était de 19,22 mois ± 10,31. La tranche d’âge de 6 à 23 mois était la plus représentée (71,52%). Le sex-ratio était de 1,28 en faveur des garçons. Nous avons enregistré 6 décès dès la première semaine d’hospitalisation (54,54% des décès) et le taux de mortalité était de 7,28%. Les enfants ayant bénéficié d’une alimentation mixte et ceux qui n’avaient pas commencé une diversification alimentaire avaient plus de risque de décéder. La prostration, les convulsions et le choc septique constituaient des facteurs associés à la mortalité avec respectivement 2,34 ; 3,12 et 8,37 fois plus de risque de décès. Conclusion : L’amélioration de la prise en charge de la dénutrition aiguë sévère devrait se baser sur une meilleure prise en compte des facteurs associés à la mortalité.

Data on childhood cancer mortality are scarce in Burkina Faso. We estimated pediatric cancer mortality and identified its associated factors at the Yalgado Ouédraogo University Hospital Center (CHUYO) in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children under the age of 15 admitted for cancer and treated at CHUYO between March 1, 2014, and December 31, 2017. The cumulative incidence of mortality and its associated factors were estimated with the risk of abandonment of treatment or follow-up as a competing risk. A total of 168 children/adolescents were included at a median age of 7 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 4–10 years); 71% were boys. The median follow-up duration was 4.51 person-months (IQR: 1.85-10.5). Burkitt lymphoma (77%) and retinoblastoma (21%) were the most common cancer. The majority of Burkitt lymphoma (90%) were diagnosed at stage 3/4; the abdominal (58%) and maxillofacial (23%) locations were the most common. All children/adolescents received chemotherapy and 10% received chemotherapy and surgery. No patients received radiotherapy. During follow-up, overall mortality was 46%, and the risk of abandonment was 39%. The cumulative incidence of mortality was 30, 43, and 45 per 100 person-months at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. In multivariate analysis, male gender (adjusted sub hazard ratio [aSHR]: 2.20; 95%CI: 1.13-4.27), abdominal localization (aSHR: 2.68; 95%CI: 1.24-5.78), maxillofacial and abdominal localization (aSHR: 3.39; 95%CI: 1.42-8.09) increased significantly the risk of death among children and adolescent treated for Burkitt lymphoma. Early diagnosis and improved access to treatment are essential for better survival rates among children and adolescents with cancer in Burkina Faso.

Introduction: Neonatal pathology remains a real public health problem in developing countries. In Burkina Faso, this mortality has declined over the last ten years but remains below compared to the Sustainable Development Goals, which is 12 per 1000 living births at most by 2030. This study aims to identify specific causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality and will contribute to the implementation of preventive and curative measures aimed at reducing neonatal mortality at HOSCO. Method: This was a retrospective study using the records and database of newborns hospitalized from January 1srt, 2017 to December 31srt, 2020. Using logistic regression, the factors associated with mortality were determined. Results: During the study period, 3020 newborns were hospitalized. Most newborns (83.71%) were referred by a peripheral health facility. The average age at admission was 0.3 days ± 0.9 and the sex ratio was 1.2. Prematurity was the leading cause of hospitalization (61.13%) followed by neonatal infection (38.34%) and neonatal suffering (23.88%). The mortality rate was 40.6% with 82.71% cases of death in the early neonatal period. The main causes of death were low birth weight (47.39%), respiratory distress (18.76%), neonatal suffering (17.37%) and neonatal infection (13.87%). Home delivery, gestational age 36 weeks, number of PNC 4, concept of resuscitation, Apgar at the 5th minute 7, birth weight 2000 g and >4000 g, respiratory distress, hypothermia, neurological disorders were factors associated with deaths. Conclusion: Neonatal mortality is influenced by both maternal and fetal factors and many of them are preventable.

Introduction: A higher risk of death is associated with wasting in children if it is not treated properly. The objective of this study was to investigate the ionic disorders observed in infants suffering from severe wasting at Yalgado Ouedraogo Teaching Hospital (YO-TH) and at Charles de Gaulle Pediatric Teaching Hospital (CDG-PTH) in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). Methods: This was a retrospective study with a descriptive and analytical aim over the period from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020. Results: It concerned infants aged 6 to 24 months hospitalized at YO-TH and at CDG-PTH from Ouagadougou. We included 271 infants. The mean age of the infants was 14.48 ± 5.44 months with 42.07% which was in the age range of [12 - 18] months. On admission to the hospital, the children had an average weight, height and BMI of 6.22 ± 1.32 kg, 0.73 ± 0.07 m and 11.67 ± 1.53 kg/m2. In urban areas 56.46% of children and the main reasons for consultation were fever (88.19%), vomiting (52.80%) and diarrhea (50.20%). Electrolyte disturbances in emaciated infants affected all 8 parameters of the blood ionogram. However, the major disorders were 65.68% hyponatremia, 55.35% hypobicarbonatemia, 41.33% hypoprotidemia and 32.47% hypokalemia in infants aged 6 to 24 months. We found an association between diarrhea and residence with hypokalemia (p = 0.0000) and hypochloremia (p = 0.010), respectively. Conclusion: Severe acute wasting in infants 6 to 24 months of age remains a concern in the hospital setting. The frequency of biochemical disturbances is also high.

Background In low and middle incomes countries such as sub-Saharan Africa, the management of febrile diseases remains challenging given the lack of practical diagnostic tools to screen the real cause of fever and the limits of malaria rapid diagnostic tests. In order to improve the management of febrile diseases in children under 5 years, this study has been conducted. Methods The study was conducted at the Field Station of Sigle, set-up by the Clinical Research Unit of Nanoro. All patients from 6–59 months attending the outpatient clinic of the health facility of Bologho in the health district of Nanoro, with documented fever or history of fever within the pass 7 days were invited to participate to the study. Participants were randomized either the intervention package (e-Algorithm or RDT-decisional algorithm arm(RDT-DA)) or routine system. The intervention package was constituted by the following PoC tests: two-step malaria RDT detection PfHRP2 and pLDH, CRP, white blood cells (WBC) count, oximetry, Group A Streptococcus, and Salmonella/Shigella. Results Antimalarial prescription was 42.05% (164/390) in e-Algorithm arm, 43.65% (172/394) in RDT-DA and 52.30% (232/392) in standard practice system [risk difference (RD): -10.25% (p p<0.001) for e-Algorithm and -8.65% (p<0.001) for RDT-DA). Antibiotics were prescribed in 46.92% (183/390) in e-Algorithm arm, 50.25% (198/394) in RDT-DA arm and 76.28% (299/392) in routine system [RD: -29.36% (p<0.001) for e-Algorithm and -26.03% (p<0.001) for RDT-DA]. The reduction of antibiotic prescription greater in children without malaria [RD:-64.79% (p<0.001) for e-Algorithm arm and -61.62% (p<0.001) for RDT-DA algorithm arm]. Conclusion Implementation of two-step malaria RDT and PoC tests for bacterial infections has potential to improve the management of febrile diseases in children under 5 years and reduce inappropriate prescription of antibiotics. Nevertheless, the use of CRP test is not suitable differentiate bacterial to non-bacterial infections in children with malaria.

Background In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), febrile illnesses remain a major public health problem in children. However, the persistence of hrp2 antigen and the low sensitivity of p LDH RDT negatively affect antimalarials and antibiotics prescription practices. These limitations lead to poor management of febrile diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). To improve the diagnosis of these febrile diseases and subsequent prescription of antimicrobials, it is hypothesized that the implementation of an algorithm including a two-step malaria RDT Pf HRP2/ p LDH supported by point-of-care (PoC) tests for bacterial infections could significantly improve the management of febrile diseases and thereby tackling AMR. Methods To assess the value of the proposed algorithm, an open-label randomized controlled trial with three arms, enrolling febrile children from 6 to 59 months is proposed. In the control arm, febrile children will be managed according to the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI), which is part of the standard of care in Burkina Faso. Treatment will be done according to national guidelines. In the RDT decisional algorithm (RDT-DA) arm (intervention), the clinical examination based on IMIC will be supported by a two-step malaria RDT and bacterial infections RDTs. Prescription will be left to the discretion of the healthcare workers based on clinical examination and PoC test results. In the e-algorithm arm (intervention), artificial intelligence integrating multiple layers of clinical information such as clinical examination, signs/symptoms and medical history, and biological information such as biomarkers (CRP and WBC) and pathogen-specific PoC tests, and oximetry will be developed. The e-algorithm will serve to guide the diagnostic and management of febrile infections in children. In the 3 arms, the case report forms will be digitalized. A final follow-up visit (day 7) will be scheduled for all participants. Patients will be asked to come back to the health facilities before the scheduled visit if the symptoms persist or in case of health condition worsening. Discussion If successful, this study could contribute to improve the management of febrile diseases and reduce inappropriate use of antimicrobials. Trial registration The trial is registered at ClinicalTrial.gov, NCT05285657. Enrolment started on 4 March 2022 with long-term outcome being assessed completely by 2023.

Background: Iron deficiency anemia affects 90% of children in Burkina Faso. These studies on the effectiveness of injectable iron are rare in low-income countries with high infant and child mortality related to anemia. Methods: This has been an observational study to assess the effectiveness of injectable iron in children under five years old admitted to the pediatric ward of the Yalgado Ouédraogo University Teaching Hospital (YO-UTH), in 2019, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Findings: Thirty-five (35) children with severe iron deficiency anemia (average age 2.5 years), 60 %( n=21) of whom had decompensated anemia and required transfusion, were treated with injectable iron polymaltose hydroxide and followed up for one month. On average, 226.9± 45.5mg of iron were injected over an average treatment duration of three days. The mean hemoglobin count increased from 4.7± 0.95g/dl at baseline to 9.7±1g/dl (an increase of 4.9g/dl) one month later (p<0.001). The mean corpuscular volume increased from 66.7±4.7fl to 81.5±3.7fl (p<0.001), and that of the ferritinemia varied from 0.02±0.005μg/ml to 0.83±0.09μg/ml (an increase of 0.81μg/ml, p<0.001) and the mean sideremia increased from 4.8±2.1μmol/l to 40.4±5.5μmol/l. No side effects were noted. Conclusion: By avoiding transfusion in most patients, the use of injectable iron in proven and severe iron deficiency anemias could be a solution in case of blood deficit.

Abstract • Background : In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), febrile illnesses remain a major public health problem in children. However, the persistence of hrp2 antigen and the low sensitivity of p LDH RDT negatively affect antimalarials and antibiotics prescription practices. These limitations lead to poor management of febrile diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). To improve the diagnosis of these febrile diseases and subsequent prescription of antimicrobials, it is hypothesized that the implementation of an algorithm including a two-step malaria RDT Pf HRP2/ p LDH supported by point-of-care (PoC) tests for bacterial infections could significantly improve the management of febrile diseases and thereby tackling AMR.• Methods : To assess the value of the proposed algorithm, an open-label randomized controlled trial with three arms, enrolling febrile children from 6 to 59 months is proposed.- In the control arm, febrile children will be managed according to the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI), which is part of the standard of care in Burkina Faso. Treatment will be done according to national guidelines.- In RDTs decisional algorithm (RDT-DA) arm (intervention), the clinical examination based on IMIC will be supported by a two-step malaria RDT and bacterial infections RDTs. Prescription will be left to the discretion of the healthcare workers based on clinical examination and PoC test results- In e-algorithm arm (intervention), artificial intelligence integrating multiple layers of clinical information such as clinical examination, signs/symptoms and medical history, and biological information such as biomarkers (CRP and WBC) and pathogen specific PoC tests, and oximetry will be developed. The e-algorithm will serve to guide the diagnostic and management of febrile infections in children.In the 3 arms, the case report forms will be digitalized. A final follow-up visit (day 7) will be scheduled for all participants. Patients will be asked to come back to the health facilities before the scheduled visit if the symptoms persist or in case of health condition worsening.• Discussion : If successful, this study could contribute to improve the management of febrile diseases and reduce inappropriate use of antimicrobials. • Trial registration : The trial is registered at ClinicalTrial.gov, NCT05285657. Enrolment started on 4 th March 2022 with long term outcome being assessed completely by 2023

Introduction. - Urinary tract infection is the second most common bacterial infection in children, after respiratory tract infection. The objective of this work was to study the bacterial ecology and antibiotic susceptibility of germs isolated during childhood urinary tract infections at the Paediatric University Hospital Charles-de-Gaulle in Ouagadougou. Patients and method. - This was a descriptive retrospective study covering the period from July 1st, 2010 to June 30, 2015, including 141 children from 0 to 15 years old hospitalized in the medical paediatrics department for a urinary tract infection. Results. - The hospital frequency of urinary tract infection was 0.7%. The mean age of the patients was 43.1 months. Female patients accounted for 57.4%, a sex-ratio of 0.7. Gram-negative bacilli were often involved (67.4%) with Escherichia Coli and Klebsiella in 35.5% and 22% of cases respectively. The main Gram-positive bacteria were staphylococci (15.5%), enterococci (11.3%) and streptococci (5.6%). Enterobacteriaceae isolated were sensitive to netilmicin (80%), chloramphenicol (76.4%), and furan (82.6%). All strains of staphylococcus were susceptible to furan, gentamicin, chloramphenicol and cefixime. In 66.7% of cases, the isolated strains of staphylococcus were resistant to amoxicillin. Conclusion. - Urinary tract infection is a common problem in pediatrics. Its management must be early and adequate based on knowledge of the bacterial ecology in order to reduce the risk of long-term renal complications. (C) 2021 Societe francophone de nephrologie, dialyse et transplantation. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

INTRODUCTION:Despite the implementation of various nutritional interventions, access to healthy food in sufficient quantity for the population remain challenging in Burkina Faso. The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional status of infants aged 6-23 months and to identify factors associated with malnutrition.PATIENTS AND METHODS:From 1st May to 31th July 2016, we conducted a cross-sectional study at Yalgado Ouedraogo University Hospital paediatric department. Infants aged 6 to 23 months admitted to the paediatric emergency department were enrolled. Factors associated with malnutrition were identified using multivariate logistic regression.RESULTS:A total of 295 infants were included, at an average age of 13 months (standard deviation: 5.1 months). The prevalence of wasting was 15%, 13% was stuntingand 7% was underweight. The majority of mothers (69%) were unaware of exclusive breastfeeding and only 22% knew the importance of colostrum. In multivariate analysis age ≥ 12 months increased the odds of wasting (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.1-4.7), while knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding reduced the risk of wasting (aOR: 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.9). In addition, age ≥12 months (aOR: 0.08, 95% CI: 0.03-0.22), female gender (aOR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.12-0.77) and absence of dietary restrictions (aOR: 0.13, 95% CI: 0.05-0.3) significantly reduced the odds of stunting.CONCLUSION:The prevalence of malnutrition remains high in paediatric department in Burkina Faso. Routine screening and adequate management of malnutrition, coupled with the promotion of optimal nutritional practices in childhood, is needed to improve child healthcare.

Objective: To assess the nutritional and hematological status of sickle cell children followed in the department of pediatrics of the Yalgado Ouédraogo University Hospital Centre (CHU-YO). Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from September 1, 2017, to February 28, 2018. All children with major sickle cell syndrome followed in the department of pediatrics at the CHU-YO and following their follow-up appointments were included in the study. Results: We included 230 children aged 11 months to 16 years with an average age of 8.5 years. The sex M/F ratio was 1.09. The SC heterozygotes were the most represented with 56.52%. The average hemoglobin level was 9.39 g/dl. The prevalences of wasting, stunting and underweight were respectively 23.04%, 15.65%, and 13.89%. In univariate analysis, the factors associated with emaciation was hyperleukocytosis (p=0.002).The factors associated with stunting were leukocytosis (p=0.01), severe anemia (p=0.01), SS phenotype (p=0.002), age range of 5-10 years (p=0.007), Secondary (P=0.007) and higher level (p=0.001) of father’s education, secondary (p=0.027) and higher level (p=0.034)of mothers’education , farmer(p=0.003) trader (p=0.042), and informal occupation of father (p = 0.002),and breastfeeding duration after 24 months (p=0.006). For underweight associated factors in univariate analysis were SS phenotype (p=0.003) and severe anemia (p=0.01). Conclusion: The prevalence of different types of malnutrition deficiency of sickle cell children followed at CHU-YO was high. It is important to strengthen the nutritional monitoring of children with sickle cell disease for better management of the disease.