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Allergic rhinitis is a frequent disorder in European children. There is little data on its prevalence in Togolese children. The aim of the present study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical aspects of allergic rhinitis in Togolese children in order to ensure that they receive the best possible care. This was a prospective study of children followed at the CHU Campus in Lome´ for chronic rhinitis. In addition to age and sex of the children, we looked for a family history of atopy, the clinical manifestations of the condition and possible triggering factors. The workup included a routine hematological examination, skin prick tests with inhalant allergens (Pm, Dp, Df, Bg, pollen, cat and dog) and several foods (egg, peanut, shrimp), and assay of total serum IgE Allergic rhinitis was diagnosed in 7% of pediatric consultations and 53% of allergy consultations. Allergic rhinitis was associated with asthma in 76% of these patients. Four main symptoms reported were: rhinorrhea, oculo-nasal pruritus, sneezing, and nasal obstruction. Forty-four percent of the children were between the ages of 4 and 9 years, and 64% were males. A family history of atopy was present in 62% of the cases. Dust, cool drinks and changes in climate were the triggering factors reported most frequently. Hyper-eosinophilia was present in 66% and an elevated serum IgE in 92%. SPTs were most frequently positive with the perennial allergens D. pteronyssinus and B. germanica. In conclusion, allergic rhinitis in Togolese children is characterized by classical symptomatology, etiologic factors and laboratory findings. It constitutes a significant public health problem that is often neglected for want of information and systematic research. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Chylous ascites is rare in children. We report on a case of chylous ascites in an 1-month-old infant in Togo. The infant had been appropriately vaccinated, had normal growth and psychomotor development, and he was living in a rural area. He had fever that had started 3 months earlier and persisted despite various treatments with antimalarials and antibiotics. Then progressively abdominal pain with abdominal distension developed, while lactescent ascites was discovered after puncture. The patient was referred to the Lomé teaching hospital for advanced management. Intradermic reaction to tuberculin (IRD) was positive (16mm). Chylous ascites liquid analysis revealed apparently lymphocytic pleocytosis. Culture on special milieu allowed isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The clinical course was favorable with antituberculosis treatment. Peritoneal tuberculosis should be suspected in endemic areas in the case of a persistent fever with abdominal bloating and effusion, whatever the patient''s age and the nature of ascites liquid. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]