[Pleuropulmonary staphylococcal infection in infants, in a hospital environment in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)]

We observed 36 cases of pleuropulmonary staphylococcal infection (PPS) in infants aged 0 to 30 months, during a prospective study carried out between April 1st 1995 and March 31 1996 at the Pediatrics Department of Ouagadougou University Hospital. PPS accounted for 0.5% of all hospital admissions and 11.6% of all acute basal respiratory infections in children aged less than 30 months. Slightly more boys than girls were affected, with a sex ratio of 1.2. We identified the classic triad of symptoms: cough-fever-polypnea, associated with abdominal ballooning and a change in general condition. On X rays, the typical images showing parenchymatous bubbles were the second most frequent observation (27.8%) after parenchymatous opacities (69.5%). The most frequently used antibiotics were oxacillin (Bristopen), gentamycin (Gentallin) and cefuroxime-axetil (Zinnat). The prognosis of PPS is poor, with a high mortality rate (27.8%) and a risk of pleural recurrence. Being very young, late hospitalization, malnutrition and leukopenia were identified as factors indicating a poor prognosis. Recygling of health care personnel for the management of acute respiratory infections, a decrease in malnutrition and an improvement in vaccination cover are essential if the mortality and morbidity of acute respiratory infections, and PPS in particular, are to be reduced.

[Papillary-cystic tumor of the pancreas in young women]

A case of papillary-cystic (solid cystic) tumor of the pancreas in a 15-year-old woman is presented. This type of tumor is of low grade malignancy and is without endocrinological activity. It is usually found in young women. The treatment is surgical resection.

[Computerized retrospective study of 141 children operated on for vesico-ureteral reflux]

Follow-up study of 141 cases of vesico-ureteric reflux (less than 10 years old) treated by Cohen's method. Computerized study, 5 years after treatment, with analysis of the influence of different parameters (type of VUR, age, sex, urinary infection or not, space of time between diagnosis and treatment) on the renal parenchymal radiographic measurements ( Hodson 's method). The youngest is the child when he is treated, the best is the functional result.

An attempt to separate xiphopagus twins sharing a common heart, liver, and duodenum

An attempt was made to separate 7-wk-old conjoined twins. It proved unsuccessful because of extensive cardiac malformations in the shared heart. Details of operation and postmortem findings are described.

[Urinary infections following bladder catheterization]

The incidence and the prophylaxis of urinary tract infection following bladder catheterization have been studied in 142 patients admitted for voiding cystourethrography (VCU). 71 children received a prophylactic treatment of 2 mg/kg nitrofurantoin daily for 4 days, while 71 received no treatment following bladder catheterization. Bacteriologic examination of the urine 4-9 days after catheterization showed significant bacteriuria in 5 untreated children. The germs responsible were E. coli, Proteus, and Klebsiella. None of the treated patients presented with significant bacteriuria. It is concluded that the incidence of significant bacteriuria after a VCU is not inconsiderable, that this urinary tract infection is often asymptomatic, and that the prophylactic administration of a disinfectant is justified.