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BackgroundMortality among children under 5 years of age admitted to malnutrition units in sub-Saharan Africa remains high. The burden of HIV infection, a major risk factor for mortality among patients with severe acute malnutrition (SAM), has reduced due to concerted prevention and treatment strategies. None the less, anecdotal reports from the malnutrition unit at Uganda’s National Referral Hospital (NRH) indicate that there is high mortality among patients with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in routine care. Uganda has recently adopted the revised World Health Organization (WHO) treatment guidelines for SAM to improve outcomes. The mortality among children with SAM in routine care has not been recently elucidated. We report the magnitude and factors associated with mortality among children under 5 years of age admitted to the NRH for routine care of SAM.MethodsThis was a cohort study of all severely malnourished children admitted to the NRH between June and October 2017. The primary outcome was two-week mortality. Mortality was calculated using simple proportions and Cox regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with time to mortality. Data was entered into Epidata and analysed using Stata v14.ResultsTwo-hundred-sixty (98.5%) children: 59.6% male; mean age 14.4 (SD 9.4) months, completed two weeks of follow-up. Of these, 25.2% (95% CI 19.9–30.4%) died. In-hospital mortality was 20.7% (95% CI15.9–25.6%). The prevalence of HIV infection was 12.2%. Factors associated with mortality included: positive HIV status (AHR 2.2, (95% CI; 1.2–4.2),p = 0.014), bacteraemia (AHR 9 (95% CI 3.4–23.0),p p = 0.001).ConclusionsA 25% mortality among children with severe malnutrition remains unacceptably high despite significant reduction in HIV prevalence. Children with SAM who are HIV infected, have eGFR below 60 mL/min/1.73m2or have bacteraemia, are more likely to die. Further studies to explore the relationship between eGFR and mortality among children with SAM are needed. Studies to establish efficacious antibiotics are urgently required to inform treatment guidelines for children with SAM.

Background Spinal anaesthesia is a cost effective anaesthesia technique commonly used for abdominal procedures like caesarean sections. The incidence of post dural puncture headaches (PDPH) which is one of the most reported complications) remains unknown in Uganda. We set out to study the incidence of PDPH and associated factors following spinal anaesthesia in mothers delivering by caesarean section in Mulago National Referral Hospital. Methods Prospective cohort study among 1294 women that received spinal anaesthesia for emergency caesarean section delivery from July 2015 to February 2016. Consecutive sampling was applied to recruit participants. Pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaires were used to collect information on demographics and associated factors. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used with a P value of 0.05 and confidence interval of 95% being considered statistically significant. Results The incidence of PDPH was found to be 48.8% (n=239/1294) (95%CI: 46.0-51.6). Significant factors associated with PDPH were history of spinal anaesthesia OR 1.3 95% CI (1.0-1.6) p=0.04 and loss more than 500mls of blood during surgery OR 2.2, 95% CI (1.1-4.2) P=0.02. Conclusion Results from our study indicate high incidence of PDPH women undergoing spinal anesthesia for Caesarean section. Prior exposure to spinal anesthesia and blood loss of more than 500mls are the major associated factors. There is need to objectively screen women at risk for PDPH prior to caesarean section and institute appropriate interventions.

Background: Childhood visual impairment (CVI) has not been given due attention. Knowledge of CVI is important in planning preventive measures. The aim of this study was determine the prevalence, etiology and the factors associated with childhood visual impairment among the children attending the eye clinic in Mulago National Referral Hospital. Methods: This was a cross sectional hospital based study among 318 children attending the Mulago Hospital eye clinic between January 2015 to March 2015. Ocular and general history was taken and patient examination done. The data generated was entered by Epidata and analyzed by STATA 12. Results: The prevalence of CVI was 42.14%, 134 patients with 49 patients (15.41%) having moderate visual impairment, 45 patients (14.15%) having severe visual impairment and 40 patients (12.58%) presenting with blindness. Significant predictors included; increasing age, delayed developmental milestones and having abnormal corneal, refractive and fundus findings. Conclusion: There is a high burden of visual impairment among children in Uganda. It is vital to screen all the children presenting to hospital for visual impairment. Majority of the causes of the visual impairment are preventable. Keywords: Visual impairment, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Eye clinic, Uganda

Background: Mortality among children under five years of age admitted to malnutrition units in sub-Saharan Africa remains high. The burden of HIV infection, a major risk factor for mortality among patients with severe acute malnutrition (SAM), has reduced due to concerted prevention and treatment strategies. None the less, anecdotal reports from the malnutrition unit at Uganda’s National Referral Hospital (NRH) indicate that there is high mortality among patients with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in routine care. Uganda has recently adopted the revised World Health Organization (WHO) treatment guidelines for SAM to improve outcomes. The mortality among children with SAM in routine care has not been recently elucidated. We report the magnitude and factors associated with mortality among children under five years of age admitted to the NRH for routine care of SAM. Methods: This was a cohort study of all severely malnourished children admitted to the NRH between June and October 2017. The primary outcome was two-week mortality. Mortality was calculated using simple proportions and Cox regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with time to mortality. Data was entered into Epidata and analysed using Stata v14. Results: Two-hundred-sixty (98.5%) children: 59.6% male; mean age 14.4 (SD 9.4) months, completed two weeks of follow-up. Of these, 25.2 % (95% CI 19.9-30.4%) died. In-hospital mortality was 20.7% (95% CI 15.9-25.6%). The prevalence of HIV infection was 12.2%. Factors associated with mortality included: positive HIV status (AHR 2.2, (95% CI; 1.2-4.2), p=0.014), bacteraemia (AHR 9 (95% CI 3.4-23.0), p