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B Abbreviations: b APLS: advanced paediatric life support; CA: cardiac arrest; CPR: cardiopulmonary resuscitation; CPA: cardiopulmonary arrest; ETAT: emergency triage assessment and treatment; ETAT+: emergency triage assessment and treatment (includes first 48 h); ICP: intracranial pressure; LMIC: low- and middle-income countries; MET: medical emergency team; PALS: paediatric advanced life support; PEA: pulseless electrical activity; PEWS: paediatric early warning signs; PICU: paediatric intensive care unit; ROSC: return of spontaneous circulation; RRT: rapid response team; VF: ventricular fibrillation Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency attempt to maintain or restore life by keeping vital organs (brain and heart) oxygenated until spontaneous respiration and circulation return. Cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation outcome reports: update and simplification of the Utstein templates for resuscitation registries: a statement for healthcare professionals from a task force of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation. [Extracted from the article]

Background: To review the results of Wilms' tumour patients in a tertiary referral hospital in a developing country and to find ways of improving long-term survival. Patients and Methods: Between January 1998 and May 2004, 40 patients with Wilms' tumour (WT) were admitted to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital. Their files were reviewed and general physical condition on admission, pre-operative investigations, management and outcome were noted. Results: The mean age of presentation was 4.2 years with an equal distribution between the sexes. The mean BMI was 15 kg/m2 and more than 80% of the patients were either mildly (PCV <33%) or severely anaemic (PCV <24%). All patients presented with abdominal distension. Half of them had additional complaints including abdominal pain, haematuria, dyspnoea, oedema and or weight loss. Thirty-nine out of the forty patients received pre-operative chemotherapy. Of the 36 patients that underwent surgery, 32 underwent total nephrectomy, one a partial nephrectomy, and in three the tumour was irresectable. There were no intra-operative tumour ruptures. Only 15% of the patients completed their post-operative course of chemotherapy. The 1-year survival lies between 25% and 53%. Fifteen of the 36 patients operated were known to have a recurrence. Conclusion: The patients presented in an advanced stage of the disease. Survival rates are disappointing and recurrence rates are high. Some improvement in outcome may be expected with the implementation of more aggressive treatment protocols but early diagnosis, completion of treatment regimens are needed. Proactive follow-up is essential to measure outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this retrospective study was to report causes, antibiotic resistance and outcome of neonatal sepsis (often fatal in developing countries) in Malawi. Methods: All blood and cerebrospinal fluid isolates collected between January 1996 and December 2001 from inpatients aged 0–30 days with suspected sepsis at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi were reviewed. In vitro resistance to antibiotics commonly used in Malawi was assessed. Case fatality rate was analysed with respect to age, bacterial pathogen and infection site. Results: A total of 801 bacteria were isolated from 784 neonates over 6 years—599 isolates from blood and 202 from cerebrospinal fluid. Overall, 54% of bacteria were gram-positive and 46% gram-negative. The commonest causes of neonatal sepsis were group B Streptococcus (17%) and non-typhoidal Salmonella (14%). In vitro antibiotic susceptibility to the first-line antibiotic combination of penicillin and gentamicin was 78% for all isolates, but in vitro sensitivities to gentamicin for Klebsiella spp and non-typhoidal Salmonella were only 33% and 53%, respectively. In-hospital case fatality rate was known for only 301 cases and was high at 48%. Group B Streptococcus was associated with the best outcome. Mortality was significantly higher if presentation was in the 1st week of life or if sepsis was caused by gram-negative bacteria. The causes of neonatal sepsis in this population show a different pattern from other studies in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A total of 82 % of stationary admissions with the diagnosis of retinoblastoma (2009-2011) to the tertiary ophthalmology unit in Blantyre, Malawi (n = 58) presented with advanced stage disease., Patients and Methods: In another study in 2012 we sought to identify why children mostly presented in advanced stages of disease and whether the delay was unique to children with cancer. In-depth interviews (IDI) were conducted at the hospital with 40 parents or guardians of children with retinoblastoma, congenital cataract, congenital glaucoma and corneal perforation (10 each)., Results: Most delays and delayed admissions occurred at the family (27.5 %, 11 out of 40) and primary health centre levels (30.0 %, 12 out of 40). Lack of money for transport caused delays (15.0 %, 6 out of 40) at all care levels. In contrast, children with painful conditions presented to a health facility within 24 h of onset without any complaints about lack of money for transport., Conclusion: Education about retinoblastoma and other non-painful eye diseases could be improved by a poster campaign to both parents and professionals at all medical healthcare levels. Transport for such cases between the various healthcare centers should be provided free of charge. There is room for improvement in initial diagnosis, referral and management within the healthcare service in the tertiary sector.