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Introduction: The term collodion baby refers to a clinical entity noted in newborns who are enmeshed by a translucent, cornified substance like sheets of uniform texture so called (collodion membrane) which gives the whole body surface a varnished appearance. Although, some other diseases and conditions may lead to collodion membrane formation, in almost all the cases the cause is an autosomal recessive ichthyosiform disease. Case Presentation: The first three cases are all from a consanguineously married couple of Fulani decent. The abnormal appearances of the babies’ skin were all noticed at birth. Parents are first cousins. The last case is a female born at GA of 40wks through emergency caesarian section due to poor progress of labor. She was admitted into the Newborn with abnormal skin. These series are crucial so as to enable the pediatrician have a high index of suspicion of its existence and to be equipped with the skills to tackle the numerous complications that follow the disease. They contribute to mortality and morbidity among children in Nigeria and the exact etiology is unknown. However genetic and environmental factors among others are commonly implicated. This report is thus aimed at presenting these abnormalities which are rather rare and to highlight that early intervention improves the outcome in patients with these conditions. Conclusion: Early recognition of this clinical entity and early institution of appropriate therapy can definitely reduce morbidity and mortality in neonates.

Summary: A retrospective review of 2,216 deliveries at the labour ward of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu was carried out for the period January 1, 1995 to December 31, 1996. The relationship between various maternal and neonatal biosocial factors and low birth weight incidence was examined. The incidence of LBW for the period was 12.64 percent with female preponderance [male: female ratio 1:1.33 (p

Abstract Background Congenital abnormalities are not uncommon among newborns and contribute to neonatal and infant morbidity and mortality. The prevalence and pattern of presentation vary from place to place. Many a time the exact etiology is unknown but genetic and environmental factors tend to be implicated. Methods The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of congenital malformations among newborns admitted in a tertiary hospital in Enugu, the nature of these abnormalities and the outcome/prognosis. For purposes of this study, congenital abnormalities are defined as obvious abnormality of structure or form which is present at birth or noticed within a few days after birth. A cross-sectional retrospective study in which a review of the records of all babies admitted in the Newborn Special Care Unit (NBSCU) of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu over a four year period (January 2007-April 2011) was undertaken. All babies admitted in the unit with the diagnosis of congenital abnormality were included in the study. Information extracted from the records included characteristics of the baby, maternal characteristics, nature/type of abnormalities and outcome. Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS 13. Rates and proportions were calculated with 95% confidence interval. The proportions were compared using students T-test. Level of significance was set at P Results Seventeen (17) out of a total of six hundred and seven newborn babies admitted in the newborn unit of UNTH over the study period (Jan 2007-March 2011) were found to have congenital abnormalities of various types, giving a prevalence of 2.8%. Common abnormalities seen in these babies were mainly surgical birth defects and included cleft lip/cleft palate, neural tube defects (occurring either singly or in combination with other abnormalities), limb abnormalities (often in combination with neural tube defects of various types), omphalocoele, umbilical herniae, ano-rectal malformations and dysmorphism associated with multiple congenital abnormalities. Conclusions The results of this study show that 2.8% of babies admitted to a Newborn Special Care Unit in a teaching hospital in Enugu had congenital abnormalities and that the commonest forms seen were mainly surgical birth defects and includes cleft lip/cleft palate and neural tube defects.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to document and compare plasma electrolytes of asphyxiated newborns of different degree within 48 hours of life., Study Disign: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in the newborn special care unit at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, South-East Nigeria. Sodium, potassium, bicarbonate and ionized calcium levels were estimated in the plasma samples of neonates with perinatal asphyxia of different degree and healthy newborns (control group) within 48 hours of birth., Main Outcome Measures: The plasma sodium, potassium, bicarbonate and ionized calcium levels were estimated in both, the study subjects and controls., Results: Mean plasma sodium level was significantly lower (134.93±5.24 mmol/l vs 141.90±3.36 mmol/l; P < 0.05), mean plasma bicarbonate level was significantly lower (16.98±3.99 mmol/l vs 18.54±2.36 mmol/l; P < 0.05), and mean plasma ionized calcium level was significantly lower (1.10±0.14 mmol/l vs 1.25 0.11 mmol/l; P < 0.05) in subjects compared to controls while mean plasma potassium was significantly higher (5.07±0.93 mmol/l vs 4.65±0.51 mmol/l P < 0.05) in subjects compare to controls., Conclusion: The tendency to have hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, acidosis and hypocalcemia is very high among the study subjects which underscores the need for great vigilance in electrolyte monitoring when managing an asphyxiated baby.

Aim: This study evaluated the knowledge, beliefs, and attitude of rural Nigerian men to exclusive breastfeeding., Subjects and Methods: A sample of 200 men drawn from a rural community in Enugu, Nigeria was studied., Results: One hundred fifty-four (82.4%) respondents had heard of exclusive breastfeeding. Only 29.9% knew the correct time for initiation of exclusive breastfeeding, while 30.5% believed that breastmilk alone was sufficient for the first 6 months of life of an infant. One hundred six (56.7%) accept the practice of exclusive breastfeeding, while 38.5% accepted that colostrum is safe for a child. Reasons for rejecting colostrum were chiefly because it is perceived as poisonous, dirty milk and culturally unacceptable. Educational status and age significantly affected knowledge and acceptance of exclusive breastfeeding among the respondents., Conclusion: There is a critical need to target men for intensive breastfeeding education.

Background: The promotion of insecticide-treated net (ITN) can be a key approach towards the reduction of morbidity and mortality from malaria., Objective: To determine the proportion of mothers using insecticide treated nets for their children and reasons for nonuse., Study Design: Prospective hospital-based study., Method: Consecutive mothers attending the children's out patient clinic of UNTH, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, whose children presented with fever without localizing focus were interviewed with the aid of an open-ended structured questionnaire., Results: Awareness of ITN was found in 184 (80%) of the 230 mothers interviewed, while only 48 (26.1%) use it for their children. There was statistically significant difference in terms of ITN awareness between the highly educated mothers and those with lower educational qualification (p = 0.000) but, in terms of ITN usage, there was no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.40). Socio economic class did not influence the use of ITN (p = 0.153). A greater number; 56 (41.2%) have no reason for non-use. Reasons for nonuse include use of windows and door nets 22 (16.2%) and not convenient to spread 18 (13.2%)., Conclusion: There was a high awareness of ITN, which did not influence usage.

A ruptured omphalocele is a very rare complication in conjoined twins. Some cases have prompted emergency neonatal separation of the twins with varying results. We report a case of ruptured omphalocele in a thoraco-omphalopagus twin managed by primary repair of the defect at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. The twins later had a successful elective separation. Challenges of managing this case in our setting and the advantages of avoiding emergency neonatal separation are highlighted.

Objective: This study was designed to determine the Perinatal Mortality Rate at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, Nigeria at the end of the last millennium. There had been no comprehensive study on this since the inception of the institution in the early seventies., Methods: A five-year retrospective, hospital based study of the births and deaths of infants under one week of age was carried out. This was done using the birth records in the Labour Ward (LW), and the New Born Special Care Unit (NBSCU) of the hospital. The UNTH is a referral centre in Enugu covering five states in Eastern Nigeria. However, for the purpose of this study, all babies referred from other hospitals, maternity homes etc (BBA's), were not included. All births and deaths from twenty two weeks gestational age to one week after birth were included in the study. The data were collected by the doctors involved in the study from January 1995 to December 1999 inclusive., Result: Six thousand, three hundred and seventy-six babies were recruited into the study. Out of this number, 5942 were live births, 434 were still births while 411 were early neonatal deaths. Seventy-four babies were dropped from the study (1.16%), due to insufficient information and mutilation of some parts of the records. The total perinatal deaths was 845 giving a perinatal mortality rate (PMR) of 133.94/1000, a high PMR when compared with similar centers in and outside Nigeria.

A case of natal teeth in a four-day-old female brought by a forty four year old mother is presented. These natal teeth were present in the upper and lower jaws. Of special interest was the shape and positions of these especially the upper tooth in the left canine region and the fact that these teeth were present in a child with Down's syndrome features. The anxiety of the mother and the desire to get them removed immediately underlines the superstition and misconceptions with which natal teeth are viewed. The multidisciplinary approach to management is also highlighted.