Global pediatrics最新文献

{"title":"Integrating climate change into pediatric education: A call to protect children's respiratory health","authors":"Michele Ghezzi ,&nbsp;Nicolò Garancini ,&nbsp;Nada El Gallad ,&nbsp;Giulia Grillo ,&nbsp;Enza D’Auria ,&nbsp;Gianvincenzo Zuccotti","doi":"10.1016/j.gpeds.2025.100309","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gpeds.2025.100309","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climate change (CC) represents a serious threat for human health, through air pollution, global warming and extreme weather events. Its consequences are particularly relevant for children and their respiratory system, because of a developing immune system, higher respiratory rate and exposure to toxins and pollutants, but our understanding on this phenomenon is still lacunose. Pediatricians are crucial as clinicians, diagnosing and managing conditions CC-related, and as advocates of education and public health strategies for environmental sustainability and addressing social health disparities. In order to mitigate the effects of CC on children, several policies, public health initiative and general guidelines have been developed but rigorous application and implementation are still needed. Although concern around this topic is growing, there is still a lack in health workers educational program on the impact and mechanisms of CC-related diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73173,"journal":{"name":"Global pediatrics","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100309"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145797327","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrating clinical pharmacy into pediatric care pathways: Impact on medication safety and multidisciplinary collaboration","authors":"Laura Colonges ,&nbsp;Coralie Reygner ,&nbsp;Jérémy Jost ,&nbsp;Thomas Lauvray ,&nbsp;Christophe Piguet ,&nbsp;Eva de Berranger ,&nbsp;Vincent Guigonis ,&nbsp;Stéphanie Bonnet","doi":"10.1016/j.gpeds.2025.100312","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gpeds.2025.100312","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The high number of off-label medications and the unique pharmacokinetic characteristics of children make pediatrics a complex specialty with a high risk of medication errors, in which the clinical pharmacist has an important role to play.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To develop clinical pharmacy activities and evaluate their impact in pediatric departments to improve the safety of care for hospitalized children.</div></div><div><h3>Methods and settings</h3><div>We created specific patient pathways and assigned clinical pharmacy activities tailored to their needs (medication reviews, pharmaceutical interviews, etc.). A satisfaction survey was distributed to patients and healthcare professionals to gather feedback on our practices. We also systematized the pharmaceutical analysis of pediatric prescriptions to detect errors early and implemented a daily pharmacist presence in the pediatric hospital. All results were recorded in an Excel® spreadsheet and analyzed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In total, 85.0 % of prescription lines were reviewed (<em>n</em> = 5558), and 56 pharmaceutical interventions were issued (1 per 100 lines reviewed), with an acceptance rate of 94.6 %. Additionally, 98 pharmaceutical consultations were requested. Four months after implementation, four patient pathways were created: oncology/hematology, initiation of chronic treatment (standard or extemporaneously prepared by the hospital) and hospitalization at home. Families rated the service an average of 9.0/10, and 72.4 % of healthcare professionals reported being \"very satisfied\" with the pharmaceutical activities.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Just a few months after the introduction of clinical pharmacy activities, the pharmacist is already recognized as an essential member of the team, helping to secure the care pathway of young patients. The next steps include expanding the existing pathways and creating new ones.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73173,"journal":{"name":"Global pediatrics","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100312"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145797329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Riga-Fede disease in an infant: Clinical challenges and management strategies in resource limited setting- a case report","authors":"Bikal Ghimire ,&nbsp;Nabina Miya ,&nbsp;Samir Bhandari ,&nbsp;Prabin Pokhrel","doi":"10.1016/j.gpeds.2025.100303","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gpeds.2025.100303","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>An unusual disorder seen in newborns with natal or neonatal teeth is traumatic ulceration of the ventral surface of the tongue (Riga-Fede disease). During physiological actions like sucking and swallowing, the tongue and natal or neonatal teeth come into constant contact, causing these lesions and worsening them. This can interfere with appropriate eating, placing the newborn at risk for nutritional deficiencies.</div></div><div><h3>Case presentation</h3><div>We present a case of a 25-day-old infant presented with pain and ulceration on ventral surface of tongue caused due to trauma by natal tooth. Clinical examination revealed a solitary ulcerative lesion on the ventral surface of the tongue measuring 5 × 8 mm. Due to increased mobility of natal tooth, extraction of tooth was performed followed by regular monitoring of the patient.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Infants with prematurely erupted teeth should undergo thorough examination to enable early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. When the baby is unable to breastfeed or devoid of any nutrition because of Riga-Fede disease, or when the teeth are poorly implanted which poses a risk of aspiration, extraction is the only way out to avoid further complication.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73173,"journal":{"name":"Global pediatrics","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100303"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145694359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Peer support and psychosocial gains among adolescents living with HIV: Mixed methods evaluation of an overnight camp in Uganda","authors":"Ann Gillard ,&nbsp;Rebecca Egan ,&nbsp;Joseph Rujumba ,&nbsp;Peter Boedeker ,&nbsp;Gilbert Amutuhe ,&nbsp;Cissy Nassozi Ssemambo ,&nbsp;Fairuzi Naiga ,&nbsp;Resty Babirye Okello ,&nbsp;Patricia Nahirya Ntege ,&nbsp;Jose Euberto Mendez Reyes ,&nbsp;Richard Sebastian Wanless ,&nbsp;Diane Nguyen","doi":"10.1016/j.gpeds.2025.100307","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gpeds.2025.100307","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This mixed methods study evaluated the effects of Sanyuka Camp, an overnight camp program in Uganda, on HIV viral loads and ART adherence behaviors among adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV). The quantitative component compared viral loads of camp participants (<em>n</em> = 41–49 annually) with a control group (<em>n</em> = 48–64 annually) over five years (2016–2020), examining measurements before, three months after, and twelve months after camp. The qualitative component, conducted in 2023, gathered data through focus groups with 33 ALHIV (ages 14–18) and interviews with five camp leaders. Although no statistically significant differences in viral loads emerged among camp attendees and non-attendees, qualitative findings revealed positive camp experiences including peer connections with shared identity, supportive relationships with healthcare workers, enhanced understanding of ART adherence, and specific camp activities that promoted medication adherence behaviors. Participants particularly valued taking medications as a group, supervised medicine administration, and interactive educational activities. Challenges included pre-camp apprehension, concerns about HIV disclosure through branded items, and disappointment when returning to less supportive home environments. Although the camp intervention did not directly influence suppression of viral loads, it provided meaningful psychosocial benefits and educational opportunities that could support long-term health behaviors among ALHIV beyond clinical measures of viral suppression.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73173,"journal":{"name":"Global pediatrics","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100307"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145748116","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Who to cool? A case series on therapeutic hypothermia following perinatal asphyxia from a private hospital in Tanzania","authors":"Rukhsar Osman ,&nbsp;Elisamia Ngowi ,&nbsp;Amri Kyaruzi Ishengoma ,&nbsp;Aleya Remtulla ,&nbsp;Yaser Abdallah","doi":"10.1016/j.gpeds.2025.100302","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gpeds.2025.100302","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), characterized by significant brain and multi-organ dysfunction, accounts for a substantial portion of neonatal mortality and morbidity among survivors. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) has demonstrated promising efficacy in reducing both disability and mortality in affected neonates, but studies from low- and middle-income countries have reported variable outcomes. This case series presents the real-world experience of implementing therapeutic hypothermia in resource-limited settings.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Ten neonates with moderate to severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) who met the criteria for therapeutic hypothermia underwent whole-body cooling using gel packs with servo-controlled heating at a level 4 private tertiary care hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Core body temperature was continuously monitored via a rectal probe and maintained between 33.5 °C and 34.5 °C.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Temperatures were effectively maintained within the target range, with a mean of 33.5 ± 0.7 °C, and no adverse events were observed.</div><div>The overall mortality rate was 50 % (5/10). All neonates with severe HIE (5/5) died, whereas all those with moderate HIE (5/5) survived; two survivors exhibited no residual neurological deficits at one year of age. All neonates with a base excess (BE) greater than –20, a Thompson score ≥ 15 within the first six hours, and an abnormal middle cerebral artery resistive index did not survive.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>TH implementation using gel packs and servo-control is feasible. Neonates with severe HIE require careful selection for TH, as cooling these neonates in a resource-constrained setting may increase the overall resource burden.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73173,"journal":{"name":"Global pediatrics","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100302"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145600533","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children attending an orthodontic clinic: a pilot case-control study","authors":"Marie Laurent ,&nbsp;Adelin Albert ,&nbsp;Matthieu Thimmesch ,&nbsp;Anne-Lise Poirrier ,&nbsp;Annick Bruwier","doi":"10.1016/j.gpeds.2025.100318","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gpeds.2025.100318","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div><strong>:</strong> Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder in children. Sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD), often caused by craniofacial abnormalities narrowing the airway, may be associated with ADHD. Therefore, orthodontists involved in the diagnosis and the treatment of sleep disorders should also be concerned by ADHD. The primary objective of this study was to explore the association between SRBD and ADHD in children referred to an orthodontic clinic. The study also investigated cephalometric characteristics in these children.</div></div><div><h3>Material and Methods</h3><div><strong>:</strong> This pilot case-control study included 22 children attending an orthodontic clinic: 11 ADHD children diagnosed by a neuropsychologist and 11 control children matched for age, gender, BMI, and ethnicity. Control subjects were free of ADHD according to DSM-V classification. Type 3 ventilator polygraphy and cephalometric radiographs were performed. Parents answered the pediatric sleep questionnaire regarding SRBD symptoms of their child (PSQ-SRBD). A severity score and a restricted version of it removing 6 questions on behaviour were calculated. Both scores range from 0 to 1 with high values indicative of SRBD.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div><strong>:</strong> ADHD children evidenced a higher PSQ-SRBD severity score than controls (0.50 ± 0.14 vs. 0.11 ± 0.11, mean difference 0.39 ± 0.16, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.0001) and similarly for the restricted score (0.33 ± 0.17 vs. 0.058 ± 0.056, mean difference 0.37 ± 0.17, <em>p</em> = 0.0003). Ventilator polygraphy parameters although not significantly different between groups were always higher in ADHD children (e.g. ventilatory effort 17.3 ± 7.0 vs 14.5 ± 12.3%; sleep fragmentation 14.5 ± 4.8 vs 13.5 ± 7.3 micro-arousals/h). Cephalometric features were comparable but ADHD subjects showed more mandibular deviation to the left (<em>p</em> = 0.032).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div><strong>:</strong> Children with ADHD were more likely to suffer from sleep-related breathing disorders according to the PSQ-SRBD severity score, although the polygraph results did not confirm this finding. As for craniofacial anomalies, they only showed more mandibular deviation to the left. ADHD is important in pediatric, ENT and orthodontic practice to manage treatment of children optimally.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73173,"journal":{"name":"Global pediatrics","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100318"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977059","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cost-effectiveness analysis of fluoride varnish for preventing dental caries in Iraqi schoolchildren: A cluster-randomized controlled trial","authors":"Hanan Fadhil Alautry ,&nbsp;Hadi Ghasemi ,&nbsp;Mohammad Hossein Khoshnevisan ,&nbsp;Mahshid Namdari","doi":"10.1016/j.gpeds.2025.100306","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gpeds.2025.100306","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of fluoride varnish application on the occurrence of dental caries in permanent teeth among 8-10-year-old children in Iraq.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div><strong>:</strong> The effectiveness and cost were determined from a cluster randomized controlled trial in 372 schoolchildren, 186 in each group. At the beginning of the study, subjects in the intervention group received oral health education (OHE) and a single dose of 5 % sodium fluoride varnish for all teeth surfaces, while the control group only received oral health education. In this study, the economic analysis was considered from the public payer perspective, only the direct costs were considered which included human resources and supplies of varnish application. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated to provide an estimate of the mean cost per additional unit of outcome. An independent t-test was used to compare the mean scores of caries increment between the two groups.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The study participants consisted of 372 children with no significant difference in baseline characteristics between the intervention and control groups. The DMFS and DMFT increments at the six-month follow-up for the intervention group were 0.2 and 0.1, respectively, while for the control group were 0.8 and 0.5, respectively. The average cost per child in the intervention group was $4.00 and $1.70 for the control group. The ICER was 0.28 for preventing each tooth from being filled in the intervention group.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>School-based oral health programs that include fluoride varnish application with OHE were slightly more costly but cost-effective in dental caries prevention compared with OHE alone.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73173,"journal":{"name":"Global pediatrics","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100306"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145694360","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Efficacy of antenatal glucocorticoids in preterm births and neonatal outcome from a population-based, retrospective, cohort study","authors":"Tingting Qi ,&nbsp;Xiaojing Guo ,&nbsp;Yaling Xu ,&nbsp;Siwei Luo ,&nbsp;Zhaojun Pan ,&nbsp;Xiaoqin Zhu ,&nbsp;Hui Wang ,&nbsp;Hongni Yue ,&nbsp;Xiaoqiong Li ,&nbsp;Bo Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.gpeds.2025.100308","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gpeds.2025.100308","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The efficacy of antenatal glucocorticoids (ANG) may differ in developing regions, where perinatal care standards are often suboptimal with variable limitations, compared to well-advanced perinatal system.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ANG on outcome of all preterm births using a prospective database from a regional birth datafile covering 5.6 million residents, representative of regions with intermediate level of perinatal-neonatal healthcare in China.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>From 59,245 birth registries in Huai’an, Jiangsu Province in 2015, 9,405 birth records and 1,856 in-hospital cases were integrated into a maternal-infant cohort at Huai’an Women and Children’s Hospital (HWCH), a leading regional perinatal referral center. Benefits and risks of ANG towards major outcome of preterm birth population were estimated in different gestational age (GA) ranges for courses, timing, birth status, and impact of maternal infection.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>ANG was administered to 41.8 % (1,109/2,651) of preterm births in the whole region, and 45.1 % (513/1,138) in HWCH. ANG was associated with significantly higher maternal morbidities. Perinatal and neonatal mortality risks were significantly reduced in infants under &lt; 34 weeks after adjustment of GA and maternal co-morbidities with multivariable logistic regression models. Stillbirths decreased among extremely preterm infants, contributing to the overall outcome improvement. A similar trend of mortality reduction in non-HWCH preterm births was observed. The ANG efficacy was more pronounced in singletons than multiples. For those with maternal infection, ANG was associated with reduced occurrence of necrotizing enterocolitis only but not death risks. Notably, ANG was associated with increased neonatal hypoglycemia in multiple births and neurologic impairment in infants without maternal infection.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>ANG reduced perinatal-neonatal mortality in the HWCH preterm cohort as a baseline within an evolving regional perinatal care system. The findings highlight the need for balance of short-term benefits versus potential risks in resource and paradigm transition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73173,"journal":{"name":"Global pediatrics","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100308"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145797330","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mitigating adverse effects of antiseizure medications in pediatric drug-resistant epilepsy: an open-label single-arm study of adjunctive Epilamba®","authors":"Antonella Riva ,&nbsp;Andrea Tagliaferri ,&nbsp;Filippo Affaticati ,&nbsp;Martina Giorgia Perinelli ,&nbsp;Mattia Grasso ,&nbsp;Alice Dainelli ,&nbsp;Vincenzo Belcastro ,&nbsp;Agostino Bruno ,&nbsp;Gabriele Costantino ,&nbsp;Pasquale Striano","doi":"10.1016/j.gpeds.2026.100320","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gpeds.2026.100320","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Managing the adverse effects associated with anti-seizure medications (ASMs) is essential for enhancing the quality of life and adherence to treatment in children with drug-resistant epilepsy. This study evaluated the potential of Epilamba®, a food supplement, in mitigating treatment-related adverse effects.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Pediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy on polytherapy were enrolled to receive adjunctive Epilamba® (1 sachet/day) for six months. Assessments of seizure frequency, systemic and neurological toxicity, and gastrointestinal symptoms were conducted using standardized questionnaires at baseline (T0), three months (T1), and six months (T2). Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, with significance set at <em>p</em> &lt; 0.05.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Twenty-five children (mean age 9.84±4.39 years) completed the study. No significant changes were observed in seizure frequency or semiology from baseline at either T1 (<em>p</em> = 0.42) or T2 (<em>p</em> = 0.23), indicating that Epilamba® did not interfere with ASM effectiveness. Systemic toxicity significantly improved at T1 (<em>p</em> = 0.008) and T2 (<em>p</em> = 0.02) compared to baseline, though no additional improvement was observed between T1 and T2 (<em>p</em> = 0.62). Neurotoxicity also significantly decreased at T1 (<em>p</em> = 0.009) and T2 (<em>p</em> = 0.02), with stabilization thereafter (T1 vs. T2, <em>p</em> = 0.6). Gastrointestinal symptoms, present in over 40% of participants at baseline, showed significant improvement only at T2 (<em>p</em> = 0.04).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Epilamba® appears effective in reducing anti-seizure medications-related adverse effects in children with drug-resistant epilepsy, with peak benefits observed within three months of treatment, maintained during the follow-up, and without compromising seizure control. Further studies may contribute to assessing the effects of Epilamba® as adjunctive therapy in pediatric drug-resistant epilepsy management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73173,"journal":{"name":"Global pediatrics","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100320"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146037190","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence and neonatal morbidities associated with preterm birth: A three-year retrospective study at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria","authors":"Deborah Tolulope Esan ,&nbsp;Deborah Sewanu Alivide ,&nbsp;Basil PerfectGodsgift Nmamdi ,&nbsp;Adetumise Oluseyi Olajide ,&nbsp;Ayodeji Olubunmi Ogunmuyiwa ,&nbsp;Blessed Obem Oyama ,&nbsp;Timothy Kayode Samson ,&nbsp;Carlos Guillermo Ramos","doi":"10.1016/j.gpeds.2026.100319","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gpeds.2026.100319","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Preterm delivery represents a critical public health challenge as the primary cause of infant mortality and significant morbidity among survivors. This retrospective study examined preterm birth prevalence and associated complications at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Medical records of pregnant women receiving antenatal care and delivering between 2019–2021 were analyzed. Data included maternal characteristics, obstetric history, and neonatal outcomes, with descriptive statistics used for analysis. To assess the significance of the associations, between categorical variables, inferential statistical analyses were conducted using Chi-square test. The statistical significance was set at <em>p</em> &lt; .05.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The distribution of neonatal morbidities across selected maternal demographic variables showed significant variation by year of delivery (<em>p</em> &lt; .05), with higher prevalence among married women, Christians, and parents with tertiary education (<em>p</em> &lt; .05). Preterm birth prevalence declined significantly over the years: 20.9 % in 2019, 10.2 % in 2020, and 8.2 % in 2021 (χ² = 30.42, <em>p</em> &lt; .001), indicating a downward trend and a corresponding increase in term deliveries. Maternal factors significantly associated with preterm birth included parity (<em>p</em> &lt; .001), gestational age at booking (<em>p</em> = .042), previous cesarean section (<em>p</em> = .029), history of pregnancy-induced hypertension (<em>p</em> &lt; .001), antepartum hemorrhage (<em>p</em> &lt; .001), pre-eclampsia (<em>p</em> &lt; .001), and eclampsia (<em>p</em> &lt; .001). Most cases occurred among multiparous women (parity 1–4), those booking at ≤20 weeks gestation, and those with histories of pregnancy-induced hypertension or pre-eclampsia. Neonatal variables showed significant variations by year in birth weight (χ² = 180.32, <em>p</em> &lt; .001) and mode of delivery (χ² = 282.28, <em>p</em> &lt; .001), but not in sex (<em>p</em> = .999) or gestation type (<em>p</em> = .693). All reported morbidities (jaundice, fever, anemia, convulsion, and birth defects) were significantly associated with preterm birth (<em>p</em> &lt; .05), with higher prevalence in these conditions.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Preterm birth prevalence declined significantly from 2019 to 2021, alongside variations in neonatal morbidities influenced by maternal demographics and obstetric factors. Targeted interventions addressing modifiable risk factors, such as early booking and management of hypertensive disorders, could further reduce preterm births and associated morbidities in similar settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73173,"journal":{"name":"Global pediatrics","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100319"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977060","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}