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Introduction: Low birth weight (LBW) is a major public health problem in developing countries such as Senegal. Based on this observation, the objective of our study was to determine the etiological and prognostic factors of newborns of LBW admitted to neonatology at the Pediatrics Department of Pikine National Hospital Center. Material and Method: This were a case-control study, conducted from 1 January2019 to 31 December 2019 at the Pediatrics Department of Pikine National Hospital Center. We compared 150 newborns of LBW (weight between 2500 and 800 g), and 150 newborns of normal weight (weight between 2500 g and 4000 g). Results: The most represented maternal age group was between 18 and 35 years of age with proportions of 75.2% for LBW and 76% for controls, respectively. Mothers had a low socio-economic level in most cases (LBW=44.8% vs. controls=55.2%). Regarding pregnancy follow-up, only 25.6% of LBW mothers had performed 4 PNC compared to 74.4% of controls. Most of mothers had pathologies during pregnancy (LBW = 81.31% versus controls = 50.63%). Pregnancy was multiple in 75.5% of cases in LBW compared to 24.5% in controls. Delivery was full-term in only 17.33% among LBWs compared to 92.2% in the control group. The main clinical diagnosis was MFI in the 2 groups (LBW=56.7%, controls=42%). Length of hospital stay was greater than 14 days in 25.52% of cases in LBW compared to 14% in controls. The case fatality rate was 22% for NPCs versus 9.3% for controls. Thus, the etiological factors significantly associated with LBW were: low socio-economic level (p=0.001), maternal obstetric-medical pathologies, including HRP (p=0.002) and preeclampsia (p

Introduction: Prematurity remains a real public health problem in developing countries due to limited means of care. The aim of this study was to study the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic and evolutionary characteristics of preterm infants admitted to neonatology at the Pikine National Hospital Center (CHNP). Material and Method: This was a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study conducted within the NEONATAL UNIT OF THE CHNP. It took place over a period of five (5) years from April2014 to December 2018. Results: The prevalence of prematurity was 13.47% with male predominance. The average age of mothers was 27.79 ±6.82 years. The average number of NPCs achieved was 3. Antenatal corticosteroid therapy was administered to 44 mothers. The pathologies most encountered during pregnancy were vasculorenal syndromes (63.89%) and multiple pregnancies (36.11%). The notion of UGI was noted in 12.03% of mothers. The notion of PMR was present in 32.6% of mothers. Half of the premature infants (62.73%) were admitted to the ward at less than 6 hours of life. The 1000-1500g category was the most represented (36.76%) as well as moderate prematurity (GA between 33 to 36 SA + 6d) i.e., 57.22% of cases. The main reasons for transfer were the management of prematurity in 88.10% of cases and respiratory distress in 28.57% of cases. Respiratory disorders were the most frequently reported clinical signs. Clinical diagnoses at admission were dominated by maternal-fetal infection (66.84%), hyaline membrane disease (25.13%) and perinatal asphyxia (10.96%). The average length of hospitalization was 13.90 ±10.60 and complications were found in 14.97% of cases. We noted a mortality of 29.41%. Factors associated with mortality were a number of (

Africa is poised for a revolution in the quality and relevance of weather predictions, with potential for great benefits in terms of human and economic security. This revolution will be driven by recent international progress in nowcasting, numerical weather prediction, theoretical tropical dynamics and forecast communication, but will depend on suitable scientific investment being made. The commercial sector has recognized this opportunity and new forecast products are being made available to African stakeholders. At this time, it is vital that robust scientific methods are used to develop and evaluate the new generation of forecasts. The GCRF African SWIFT project represents an international effort to advance scientific solutions across the fields of nowcasting, synoptic and short-range severe weather prediction, subseasonal-to-seasonal (S2S) prediction, user engagement and forecast evaluation. This paper describes the opportunities facing African meteorology and the ways in which SWIFT is meeting those opportunities and identifying priority next steps. Delivery and maintenance of weather forecasting systems exploiting these new solutions requires a trained body of scientists with skills in research and training; modelling and operational prediction; communications and leadership. By supporting partnerships between academia and operational agencies in four African partner countries, the SWIFT project is helping to build capacity and capability in African forecasting science. A highlight of SWIFT is the coordination of three weather-forecasting ?Testbeds? ? the first of their kind in Africa ? which have been used to bring new evaluation tools, research insights, user perspectives and communications pathways into a semi-operational forecasting environment.

Background: Primary immunodeficiencies are a group of about 400 diseases of genetic origin, they are considered as rare diseases. However, above 6 million people in the world would be affected, regardless of sex, age or geographical area. Few studies have been conducted in sub-Saharan Africa. The main objective of this study was to show existence of these diseases in West Africa and difficulties to manage it. The specific objectives were to identify the different clinical patterns of PI cases, to describe their biological phenotypes and to propose management. Method: A cross-sectional observational study over a period of 4 years and 2 months resulted in recruitment of children with either 2 or more signs among the 10 warning signs for PID or with signs described in the 10 recommendations for diagnosis of PID from African Society for Immunodeficiencies (ASID). Biological and immunological exploration were carried out in these patients. The diagnostic approach of PID for emerging countries according to the method of B. Admou and et al. was adopted. Results: 30 cases of PID were recorded. The sex ratio was 1; with a median age at diagnosis of 24 months. The most common clinical symptoms were respiratory infections, followed by digestive and then cutaneous manifestations. 10 children had immunological confirmation. One patient had genetic confirmation of WAS. The most common category of PID was syndromic PID. Management was limited, based mainly on antibiotic prophylaxis. The death of 5 patients was recorded. Conclusion: PI are a severe condition and certainly underestimated in Senegal. This is due to the lack of knowledge of these diseases by physicians but also to an insufficient access to diagnostic tools. The raising of the technical platform will allow better documentation of these diseases, and advocate for access to certain treatments such as immunoglobulins supplementation and bone marrow transplantation.

Context and objective. The lethality of asthma is related to the occurrence of severe acute asthma which is a crisis that does not yield under initial bronchodilator therapy. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic and evolutionary characteristics of children hospitalized for a severe acute asthma attack. Methods. We conducted a retrospective study of 11 years (from January 1st, 2005 and December 31st, 2015) at the Pediatric Emergency and Respiratory Department of the Albert Royer Children's Hospital (CHNEAR). 89 Children aged 0 to 15 years hospitalized for severe asthma or severe acute asthma were included. Results. The hospital prevalence of severe asthma attacks was 0.18%. The average age of the children was 44.21 months and the sex ratio was 1.69. The hospitalizations peaks have been registered during the months of July and December. 6.6% of patients were undergoing treatment and 17.9% had already been hospitalized for severe asthma attacks. The main biological abnormalities were: hypoxemia (79.7%), anemia (66.29%) and leukocytosis (44.9%). Radiological abnormalities were dominated by pulmonary over distension (60.7%) and bronchial syndrome (36%). All patients were under oxygen, salbutamol and corticosteroids. One death was encountered. The average hospital length of stay was 3.75 days. The complications were pneumo-mediastinum / cervico-mediastinal emphysema in 4 cases, pneumothorax in 2 cases and atelectasis in 1 case. Conclusion. Severe acute asthma is a relatively rare condition, but it is always associated with a significant morbidity. Contexte et objectif. La létalité de l’asthme est liée à la survenue d’asthme aigu grave qui est une crise qui ne cède pas sous traitement bronchodilatateur initial. L’objectif de cette étude était de décrire les caractéristiques épidémiologiques, diagnostiques, thérapeutiques et évolutives des enfants hospitalisés pour une crise d’asthme aigu grave.Méthodes. Nous avons conduit une étude documentaire portant sur une période de 11 ans (1 janvier 2005-31 décembre 2015) et réalisée aux services des urgences pédiatriques et de pneumologie du centre hospitalier national d’enfants Albert Royer (CHNEAR). Etaient inclus, 89 enfants de 0 à 15ans hospitalisés pour crise d’asthme sévère ou asthme aigu grave.Résultats. La prévalence hospitalière des crises d’asthmes sévère était de 0,18%. Leur âge moyen était de 44,2 mois et le sexe ratio 1,6. Les pics d’hospitalisations ont été enregistrés durant les mois de Juillet et Décembre. 6,6% des patients étaient sous traitement de fond et 17,9% avaient déjà été hospitalisés pour crises d’asthmes sévères. L’hypoxémie (79,7%), l’anémie (66,2%) et l’hyperleucocytose (44,9%) étaient les principales anomalies biologiques. Les signes radiologiques étaient dominés par l’hyperinflation pulmonaire (60,7%) et le syndrome bronchique (36%). Tous les patients étaient ont bénéficié de l’oxygène, le salbutamol et les corticoïdes. Sous cette attitude thérapeutique, un décès avait été déploré. La durée moyenne de l’hospitalisation était de 3,75 jours. Les complications enregistrées étaient le pneumo-médiastin/emphysème cervico-médiastinal dans 4 cas, le pneumothorax dans 2 cas, la rupture trachéale dans 1 cas et l’atélectasie dans 1 cas.Conclusion. L’asthme aigu grave semble peu fréquent mais reste toujours associée à une morbidité non négligeable.

Introduction: Deficiency malnutrition poses a real public health problem, especially in developing countries. The objective of this study is to assess: (a) the prevalence of deficiency malnutrition in its various forms in children aged 6 - 59 months living in Guédiawaye and (b) its determinants. Materials and Methods: This descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study took place from September 1 to October 30, 2020 throughout the district of Guédiawaye in community. The study population consisted of children aged 6 - 59 months. Sampling with no survey was carried out and the total sample consisted of 603 subjects. Results: Twenty-nine point three percent (29.3%) of the children were acutely malnourished, 20.4% chronically malnourished, and 25.5% were underweight. Early breastfeeding was performed in 62.7% of children and 97.1% had received exclusive breastfeeding for up to 6 months. The factors associated with acute malnutrition were: the number of children ≥3 (pvalue = 0.001), non-consumption of vegetables (pvalue = 0.020), non-consumption of meat / offal / poultry (pvalue = 0.032), consumption of condiments / spices (pvalue = 0.000), presence of fever during the last weeks preceding the survey (pvalue = 0.010), non-washing of hands when leaving the toilet (pvalue = 0.010) and incomplete immunization status ( Pvalue = 0.00). The factors associated with chronic malnutrition were female sex (pvalue = 0.003), non-consumption of meat / offal / poultry (pvalue = 0.001), presence of diarrhoea during the last two weeks preceding the survey (pvalue = 0.021) and incomplete vaccination status (Pvalue = 0.000). The factors associated with underweight were: uneducated father (pvalue = 0.005), number of children ≥ 1 (pvalue = 0.028), lack of dietary diversification at 6 months (pvalu = 0.042), non-consumption of meat / offal / poultry (pvalue = 0.000), the presence of diarrhoea during the last weeks preceding the survey (pvalue = 0.001), and incomplete vaccination status (Pvalue = 0.000). Conclusion: The prevalence of deficiency malnutrition, whatever its form, remains high among children in Guédiawaye. Promoting good dietary practices, improving hygiene conditions and monitoring nutritional status in immunization units could help fight malnutrition.

Nowcasting (weather forecasting predictions from zero to several hours) has enormous value and potential in Africa, where populations and economic activity are highly vulnerable to rapidly changing weather conditions. Timely issuing of warnings, a few hours before an event, can enable the public and decision-makers to take action. Rainfall radar estimates are not widely available in Africa, nor likely to be in the coming years, and numerical weather prediction (NWP) currently has low skill over the African continent. Therefore, for the delivery of nowcasting in Africa, satellite products are the best practical option and needed urgently (Roberts et al., 2021). Fifteen minute (or faster) updates of MSG (Meteosat Second Generation) images and NWC-SAF (Nowcasting Satellite Applications Facility) products are crucial for nowcasting to warn users (e.g. fisherfolk on Lake Victoria, flooding in urban areas, etc.) on pending severe storms. The possibility to have such products every 10 minutes, as well as data from the forthcoming MTG (Meteosat Third Generation) lightning imager, would be highly beneficial to all African countries, saving lives and livelihoods where high population growth and the most extreme impacts of climate change combine.

International audience; We assess the deterministic skill in seasonal climate predictions of Sahel rainfall made with the North American Multimodel Ensemble (NMME). We find that skill for a regionally averaged rainfall index is essentially the same for forecasts for the July–September target season made as early as February/March and as late as June. The two dominant influences on the climate of the Sahel, the North Atlantic and the global tropical oceans, shape this predictability. Multimodel ensemble skill hinges on the combination of skillful predictions of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation made with one model (CMC2‐CanCM4) with those of North Atlantic sea surface temperatures made with another (NASA‐GEOSS2S).

International audience

Les pays du sahel sont confrontés depuis plusieurs décennies à des défis environnementaux dus aux changements climatiques et à une pression anthropique croissante sur les ressources naturelles. Tous ces fléaux ont sérieusement perturbé les grands équilibres écologiques. Pour pallier à ces fléaux, le projet de la Grande Muraille Verte a été initié afin de contribuer à la lutte contre l’avancée du désert, de mettre en valeur les zones saharo-sahéliennes et de réhabiliter les écosystèmes dégradés. L’intérêt de cette étude est de déterminer la diversité spécifique de la strate ligneuse des trois sites du tracé de la Grande Muraille Verte du Tchad (Lac, Kanem et Bahr El Ghazal). La collecte des données a été réalisée en mai 2012 dans les différents sites de la zone d’étude. La méthode des relevés dendrométriques a été utilisée afin de caractériser la végétation ligneuse existante. Les inventaires floristiques ont permis de recenser 18 espèces réparties en 15 genres et 9 familles. L’analyse statistique des données obtenues a montré que la flore est dominée par les espèces de la famille des Mimosaceae, suivis des Apocynaceae et Capparaceae. Quant à la richesse floristique, elle est plus importante dans le Kanem et faible dans le Lac. L’étude a montré que les espèces Acacia raddiana et Balanites aegyptiaca sont les plus adaptées aux conditions écologiques de ces trois sites et par conséquent, elles doivent être avantagées pour la reconstitution de ces écosystèmes dans cette zone.Mots clés: Diversité floristique, Grande Muraille Verte, peuplements ligneux, TchadEnglish Title: Floristic diversity of woody of the three sites of the great green line of ChadEnglish AbstractFor decades, countries in the Sahel area are facing lot of environmental concerns due to climatic changes but also to an increasing anthropic pressure on the natural resources. All these constrains have seriously threatened the great ecological equilibriums. To alleviate these constrains, the Great Green Wall (GGW) project was initiated to contribute in the fight against the advance of the desert, to valorize the Saharosahelian zones, as well as to rehabilitate the degraded ecosystems. This study was established to analyze the floristic diversity of the timber vegetation in three sites of the Chad’s GGW line (Lac, Kanem, and Bahr El Ghazal). The dendrometric method was used in this study. Results shown that 18 species were distributed belonging to 15 genera and 9 families. The statistical analysis of the obtained data has shown that the flora is dominated by the Mimosaceae family which is the most diversified with 4 species, followed by the Apocynaceae and Capparaceae families. Regarding the floristic richness, it is more important in Kanem and less at Lac.The study has also shown that Acacia raddiana and Balanites aegyptiaca are the most adapted species in the ecological conditions of the three sites, and should be privileged during the reconstruction of the ecosystems in the study zone.Keywords: Chad, floristic diversity, GGW, timber population