Annals of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 2016
Background: When a pediatrician has the right attitude and displays good clinical skills, it is o... more Background: When a pediatrician has the right attitude and displays good clinical skills, it is often associated with a wide range of positive health outcomes among children. Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine caregivers′ perception of the attitude and skill of pediatricians attending to children in tertiary hospitals. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in the pediatric wards of three teaching hospitals from two Southeastern states of Nigeria, namely, the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH) (both in Enugu State), and Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FETA) in Ebonyi State. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information from the caregivers of children who were admitted in the hospitals during the study period. Results: A total of 227 respondents were involved in this study. Of all the children, 94 (41.4%) were females and 133 (58.6%) were males. Over a third of the caregivers, i.e., 78 (34.4%), did not know the cadre of the doctor who examined them while the majority, i.e., 204 (89.9%), believed that the doctors who examined them were qualified and competent. Moreover, over half of the respondents admitted that the doctors who examined their wards were either very good [83 (36.6%)] or good [84 (37%)]. Conclusion: Pediatricians and doctors who care for children in tertiary hospitals in Southeastern Nigeria are perceived by caregivers to be skillful, caring, and friendly.
The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence and socio-economic determinants of a... more The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence and socio-economic determinants of autism among children attending primary and secondary schools in South East, Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that assessed the prevalence and socio-economic pattern of childhood autism among children attending primary and secondary schools in Enugu and Ebonyi states, South East Nigeria. The questionnaire was adapted from American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR, 2000). The study was carried out between June and October, 2014. The schools were selected by listing all the mixed schools in the urban and semi-urban areas by simple random sampling. Results: A total of 721 subjects completed the questionnaire. The age of respondents ranged between 3 and 18 years, with mean age of 12.71 and standard deviation of 3.03 years. Twenty one children fulfilled the criteria for autism giving a prevalence of 2.9%. There is a significant association between age in categories (fishers exact test, p = 0.013) and social class (p=0.033). The prevalence of autism was 2.9%; and the socio-economic characteristics of childhood autism in South East Nigeria are similar to those in other parts of the world.
Congenital anomalies, including those of the central nervous system (CNS), are among the leading ... more Congenital anomalies, including those of the central nervous system (CNS), are among the leading causes of morbidity, mortality, and fetal loss. To determine the prevalence and associated factors of CNS congenital anomalies in children. A cross-sectional retrospective study of children managed with CNS anomalies was undertaken. Relevant clinical data of identified cases based on standard case definitions were retrieved from their case record files. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 while the level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Seventy-two cases of CNS anomalies were identified over the period under review; out of 7329 total pediatric admissions giving a prevalence of 0.98%. Spina bifida cystica, 49 (68.0%) was the most common of the five anomalies seen followed by congenital hydrocephalus 11 (15.3%). Fifty-seven (79.2%) of the mothers did not take periconceptional folic acid supplementation (P < 0.05) whereas 25 (34.7%), 6 (8.3%), and 1 (1.4%) reported hist...
Malaysian Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aug 4, 2013
12.00 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE Introduction : Black Water Fever (BWF) is a ... more 12.00 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE Introduction : Black Water Fever (BWF) is a syndrome characterized by intravascular haemolysis, haemoglobinuria and acute renal failure. It is an uncommon complication of Plasmodium Falciparum malaria in our environment BWF is a rare manifestation of Falciparum Malaria characterized by sudden intravascular haemolysis followed by fever and haemoglobinuria. We present a rare case of Black water fever (BWF) with a typical presentation of fever, vomiting, and abdominal pain; with eventual passage cola colored urine, jaundice and oliguria after receiving intravenous quinine infusion. Case Presentation: AM is a 6–Year old female who presented with a 3-week history of fever, abdominal pain and vomiting. Examination revealed Pyrexia and Hepatosplenomegaly . A diagnosis of malaria was made based on blood smear for thick and thin film . She passed cola coloured urine and had oliguria 6 days after admission. Quinine infusion was stopped and artesunate commenced. She was transfused with red cells. After six days she made adequate urine, cola coloured urine stopped and her haemoglobin concentration was 9 g/dl. Conclusion: Quinine which can be procured over the counter ,is used injudiciously in managing both complicated and uncomplicated malaria and these could precipitate BWF. A high index of suspicion, early diagnosis based on clinical features and certain laboratory investigations can help manage the child promptly and avert the numerous morbidities and fatality that follow it. Key words: Black water fever; Malaria; Fatality
We report a case of Condylomata acuminata (CA) in an infant, a rare presentation of a fleshy, pai... more We report a case of Condylomata acuminata (CA) in an infant, a rare presentation of a fleshy, painful, soft and grayish mass (warts). In presenting this report, we wish to highlight the distinctive manifestation of CA and to provide a concise report of this disorder in infancy with the hope that such information will aid early recognition and treatment of this condition, especially in infancy and children. It needs to be mentioned that a high index of suscipicion should to be maintained to be able to make this diagnosis in early life.
A student who just enrolled in a medical school has several examinations to write and about six t... more A student who just enrolled in a medical school has several examinations to write and about six to twelve years of major examinations from the very first year of school to becoming a consultant paediatrician. Paediatrics is a major course which needs to be passed before qualifying as a doctor. Attaining this is a rather formidable task in any Nigerian university. High failure rates in this course have become an allegory or a myth. The aim of this present study is to determine the performance of medical students in paediatric examinations and associated factors. This is an observational prospective study involving 102 medical students seen at the paediatric departments of College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus and 54 medical students from Enugu State University College of Medicine, Enugu. 126 (80.8%) of the students attended lectures regularly. One hundred and fifteen (73.7%) confirmed that ward rounds are very interesting and important. One hundred and thirty students (83.3%) admitted that performance in paediatrics examinations is poor and 147 (94.2%) students attributed this failure to clinicals .Eighty seven (62.2%) students preferred OSCE as a perfect replacement for clinicals. It is concluded that performance of Medical students in paediatrics is poor and clinical have been pointed out as the major cause of this.
Introduction: The term collodion baby refers to a clinical entity noted in newborns who are enmes... more Introduction: The term collodion baby refers to a clinical entity noted in newborns who are enmeshed by a translucent, corni-fied substance like sheets of uni-form texture so called (collodion membrane) which gives the whole body surface a varnished appear-ance. Although, some other dis-eases and conditions may lead to collodion membrane formation, in almost all the cases the cause is an autosomal recessive ichthyosi-form disease. Case Presentation: The first three cases are all from a consanguine-ously married couple of Fulani decent. The abnormal appearances of the babies' skin were all no-ticed 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 complica-tions that ...
African Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, 2015
ABSTRACT Background: Encopresis is a disabling condition that causes psychological problems in ch... more ABSTRACT Background: Encopresis is a disabling condition that causes psychological problems in children and disharmony among family members and places a heavy burden on the well-being of the child and nation. Objectives: Objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of encopresis in children aged 5-12 years attending government primary schools in southeast Nigeria and associated factors. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 245 children in this study. The study was carried out among children in four government primary schools who were within the age range of 5-12 in Enugu and Ebonyi states of Nigeria. The instrument employed for data collection was a structured questionnaire (enuresis and encopresis questionnaire). The families were assigned in the form of tables and charts. Frequencies, proportions, and percentages were calculated for categorical variables. Results: We obtained a prevalence of 10.5%. Encopresis was highest in lower SEC. Encopresis was more in females 27.8% compared to males 25.4% though not the age of 4. About 72% of the children with stool soiling problem have no enuresis while 27% have enuresis. Conclusion: The prevalence of encopresis among school pupil in southeastern Nigeria is 10.5%. Encopresis is more common in children from a low SEC. Key words: Children, encopresis, Nigeria
Objectives: The study is aimed at determining that errors in assigning genotypes to intending cou... more Objectives: The study is aimed at determining that errors in assigning genotypes to intending couples do exist; and the impact of these errors on parents. Methods: The study was conducted at the children clinics in Enugu and Abakiliki, south east Nigeria. It is a cross-sectional retrospective study in which a review of the records of all the children attending 2 private clinics in Enugu and Abakaliki of Enugu and Ebonyi states respectively, over a 3-year period was done. Results: A total of 6006 children attended the children clinics over the study period. Twenty three (23) of them had sickle cell anaemia. Out of the 23 cases 10 (43.5%) were males and 13 (56.5%) were females. Male to female ratio was 1:1.3. The commonest features were abdominal and leg pains, involving 20 (87%) and 21 (91.3 %) respectively. Among the 23 parents that had their genotypes repeated, 9 males had different genotypes from what they had during courtship or before marriage. The genotypes of all the females that could recall their genotypes before marriage or during courtship were the same after a repeat test. Conclusions: There exist errors in assigning genotypes to parents which at the end made them have children with sickle cell anemia, unwittingly, with serious consequences bordering on strained relationship between the parents with the children bearing the brunt.
Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research, 2012
We present a rare case of mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) with a typical presentation of mental retar... more We present a rare case of mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) with a typical presentation of mental retardation and absence of corneal clouding. The purpose of presenting this case report is to highlight the distinctive manifestation of MPS (Hunter's disease) and to provide a concise report of Hunter's disease for medical practitioners with the hope that such information will help identify boys earlier in the course of their disease. This report is of a 7-year-old boy who presented to the children outpatient through a referral with a history of inability to grasp objects, inability to express self, and coarse skin, which started 5 years ago. On examination, he was short statured, with a big head, protruding abdomen, coarse skin, swollen wrist joints, and clubbed fingers. There was mild mental retardation. Investigations revealed mucopolysaccharides in urine ad radiographic findings were in keeping with diagnosis. Based on the clinical features and radiological findings, one can diagnose a case of MPS. However, careful and critical approach is necessary to exactly diagnose the type of MPS as enzymatic studies are not available in most centers.
We present a rare and first case of Cor triatriatum sinistrum (CT) in a patient who presents with... more We present a rare and first case of Cor triatriatum sinistrum (CT) in a patient who presents with dyspnoea, easy fatigability, chest pain, murmurs and typical ECG and 2D-echo findings. The purpose of presenting this case report is to highlight the distinctive manifestation of Cor triatriatum sinistrum and to provide a concise report of this disease with the hope that such information will help identify patients earlier in the course of their disease. Surgical correction offers good and long term results for both classic and atypical types. In a resource poor country like ours, high index of suspicion, early diagnosis and timely referral are warranted so as to avert death.
Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research, 2013
Vaginal discharge in children may result from a variety of causes. A long-standing intra-vaginal ... more Vaginal discharge in children may result from a variety of causes. A long-standing intra-vaginal foreign body can pose both diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in children. Treatment failure may occur because of alteration of the normal vaginal flora. A 6-year-old girl, who lived with her parents, presented with a foul-smelling, blood-stained vaginal discharge as well as dysuria for 2 years. There was no history of sexual abuse. Initial evaluation that excluded gynecologic examination revealed lower abdominal tenderness. Vaginal swab and urine cultures yielded Staphylococcus aureus sensitive to ceftriaxone only. She was commenced on this antibiotic for 2 weeks, but the discharge persisted, necessitating referral to the gynecologist. Examination under anesthesia by the gynecologist revealed shreds of toilet tissue paper extracted from the vagina and slight excoriations on the wall of the vagina. Vaginal foreign body can present with diverse symptoms. It should be considered in any young female patient presenting with recurrent or persistent vaginal discharge.
Background: The exclusive breastfeeding rate in Nigeria has remained low. Objectives: The aim of ... more Background: The exclusive breastfeeding rate in Nigeria has remained low. Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the knowledge of, and practice of exclusive (EBF) breastfeeding among mothers of infants attending the Children Out-patients Clinic. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study of 107 mothers of infants attending the Children Out-patients of the UNTH Enugu over three months. Results: One hundred and seven mothers of infants attending the Children Out-patients Clinic were included in the data analysis. One hundred and three correctly defined EBF. However, only 59 of the 107 mothers (55.1%) practiced or were practicing exclusive breastfeeding in the index infants There was a difference in the proportion of mothers that correctly defined EBF and the proportion that were actually practicing EBF (p<0.001). Conclusion: The exclusive breastfeeding rate in this study was 55.1%. There exists a gap between knowledge and practice of EBF among mothers of infants in Enugu.
Background: Medical students are a population who are at great risk of having bad sleep practice ... more Background: Medical students are a population who are at great risk of having bad sleep practice and hygiene due to demanding clinical and academic activities. Poor sleep practices are a disturbing and destabilizing phenomenon. It affects many people and can affect the quality of work, performance and education of medical students. Determining the sleep practices and behaviors could be useful to establish a systematic mental health curriculum in medical schools. Objectives: The objectives of this study is to describe sleep practices among undergraduate medical students in a Nigerian University. Materials and Methods: Sleep practices were investigated using a convenience sample of medical students from the
Background: There has been an increasing interest by couples in child adoption due to its accepta... more Background: There has been an increasing interest by couples in child adoption due to its acceptability in recent times in our locale. The enactment of the Child's Right Act in Nigeria has harmonized child adoption process across the nation. With the rising demand for babies from child care institutions by many Nigerian couples, there is need to ascertain their perception of child adoption. Objectives: To evaluate the perception of child adoption among parents/care-givers of children attending Pediatric Clinics in Enugu. The parents and care-givers of children attending pediatrics out-patients clinics in Enugu, Enugu State, South East, Nigeria served as the respondents. Two hundred and fifty nine of them were selected by convenience sampling method after obtaining their informed written consent. The data were obtained using semi -structured questionnaire that was administered by an interviewer and subsequently analyzed using SPSS Version 15.0. Results: Many caregivers (respondents) (94.2.7%) had heard of child adoption and 79.2% of them understood the actual meaning of the term child adoption. About 1.9% of them had adopted previously. Majority of the respondents (73.87%) prefers to adopt a child during its neonatal age with a slight preference for adoption of male babies. 15.1% and 8.9% of the respondents gave private hospitals and middle men, respectively, as sources of child adoption. Knowledge of the Government adoption laws and process was generally below average (49.2%) among the respondents. Conclusion: Continued advocacy and public enlightenment campaigns should be strengthened in order to harmonize adoption process in our setting.
Background: Abdominal colic is common in infants but generally harmless. The exact aetiology is u... more Background: Abdominal colic is common in infants but generally harmless. The exact aetiology is unknown but it has been associated with vicious cycle of crying and swallowing of air by the infant. The excessive crying associated with it can result in a lot of distress for family members creating unnecessary panics. We sought to find the perception and management of abdominal colic by mothers in Enugu. Objective: Objective of this study is to determine the perception and 'home management' of abdominal colic in infants by mothers in Enugu, south-east Nigeria and the factors associated with them. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey involving 177 mothers that presented with their infants at the pediatric outpatient clinic of the
Annals of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 2016
Background: When a pediatrician has the right attitude and displays good clinical skills, it is o... more Background: When a pediatrician has the right attitude and displays good clinical skills, it is often associated with a wide range of positive health outcomes among children. Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine caregivers′ perception of the attitude and skill of pediatricians attending to children in tertiary hospitals. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in the pediatric wards of three teaching hospitals from two Southeastern states of Nigeria, namely, the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH) (both in Enugu State), and Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FETA) in Ebonyi State. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information from the caregivers of children who were admitted in the hospitals during the study period. Results: A total of 227 respondents were involved in this study. Of all the children, 94 (41.4%) were females and 133 (58.6%) were males. Over a third of the caregivers, i.e., 78 (34.4%), did not know the cadre of the doctor who examined them while the majority, i.e., 204 (89.9%), believed that the doctors who examined them were qualified and competent. Moreover, over half of the respondents admitted that the doctors who examined their wards were either very good [83 (36.6%)] or good [84 (37%)]. Conclusion: Pediatricians and doctors who care for children in tertiary hospitals in Southeastern Nigeria are perceived by caregivers to be skillful, caring, and friendly.
The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence and socio-economic determinants of a... more The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence and socio-economic determinants of autism among children attending primary and secondary schools in South East, Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that assessed the prevalence and socio-economic pattern of childhood autism among children attending primary and secondary schools in Enugu and Ebonyi states, South East Nigeria. The questionnaire was adapted from American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR, 2000). The study was carried out between June and October, 2014. The schools were selected by listing all the mixed schools in the urban and semi-urban areas by simple random sampling. Results: A total of 721 subjects completed the questionnaire. The age of respondents ranged between 3 and 18 years, with mean age of 12.71 and standard deviation of 3.03 years. Twenty one children fulfilled the criteria for autism giving a prevalence of 2.9%. There is a significant association between age in categories (fishers exact test, p = 0.013) and social class (p=0.033). The prevalence of autism was 2.9%; and the socio-economic characteristics of childhood autism in South East Nigeria are similar to those in other parts of the world.
Congenital anomalies, including those of the central nervous system (CNS), are among the leading ... more Congenital anomalies, including those of the central nervous system (CNS), are among the leading causes of morbidity, mortality, and fetal loss. To determine the prevalence and associated factors of CNS congenital anomalies in children. A cross-sectional retrospective study of children managed with CNS anomalies was undertaken. Relevant clinical data of identified cases based on standard case definitions were retrieved from their case record files. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 while the level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Seventy-two cases of CNS anomalies were identified over the period under review; out of 7329 total pediatric admissions giving a prevalence of 0.98%. Spina bifida cystica, 49 (68.0%) was the most common of the five anomalies seen followed by congenital hydrocephalus 11 (15.3%). Fifty-seven (79.2%) of the mothers did not take periconceptional folic acid supplementation (P < 0.05) whereas 25 (34.7%), 6 (8.3%), and 1 (1.4%) reported hist...
Malaysian Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aug 4, 2013
12.00 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE Introduction : Black Water Fever (BWF) is a ... more 12.00 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE Introduction : Black Water Fever (BWF) is a syndrome characterized by intravascular haemolysis, haemoglobinuria and acute renal failure. It is an uncommon complication of Plasmodium Falciparum malaria in our environment BWF is a rare manifestation of Falciparum Malaria characterized by sudden intravascular haemolysis followed by fever and haemoglobinuria. We present a rare case of Black water fever (BWF) with a typical presentation of fever, vomiting, and abdominal pain; with eventual passage cola colored urine, jaundice and oliguria after receiving intravenous quinine infusion. Case Presentation: AM is a 6–Year old female who presented with a 3-week history of fever, abdominal pain and vomiting. Examination revealed Pyrexia and Hepatosplenomegaly . A diagnosis of malaria was made based on blood smear for thick and thin film . She passed cola coloured urine and had oliguria 6 days after admission. Quinine infusion was stopped and artesunate commenced. She was transfused with red cells. After six days she made adequate urine, cola coloured urine stopped and her haemoglobin concentration was 9 g/dl. Conclusion: Quinine which can be procured over the counter ,is used injudiciously in managing both complicated and uncomplicated malaria and these could precipitate BWF. A high index of suspicion, early diagnosis based on clinical features and certain laboratory investigations can help manage the child promptly and avert the numerous morbidities and fatality that follow it. Key words: Black water fever; Malaria; Fatality
We report a case of Condylomata acuminata (CA) in an infant, a rare presentation of a fleshy, pai... more We report a case of Condylomata acuminata (CA) in an infant, a rare presentation of a fleshy, painful, soft and grayish mass (warts). In presenting this report, we wish to highlight the distinctive manifestation of CA and to provide a concise report of this disorder in infancy with the hope that such information will aid early recognition and treatment of this condition, especially in infancy and children. It needs to be mentioned that a high index of suscipicion should to be maintained to be able to make this diagnosis in early life.
A student who just enrolled in a medical school has several examinations to write and about six t... more A student who just enrolled in a medical school has several examinations to write and about six to twelve years of major examinations from the very first year of school to becoming a consultant paediatrician. Paediatrics is a major course which needs to be passed before qualifying as a doctor. Attaining this is a rather formidable task in any Nigerian university. High failure rates in this course have become an allegory or a myth. The aim of this present study is to determine the performance of medical students in paediatric examinations and associated factors. This is an observational prospective study involving 102 medical students seen at the paediatric departments of College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus and 54 medical students from Enugu State University College of Medicine, Enugu. 126 (80.8%) of the students attended lectures regularly. One hundred and fifteen (73.7%) confirmed that ward rounds are very interesting and important. One hundred and thirty students (83.3%) admitted that performance in paediatrics examinations is poor and 147 (94.2%) students attributed this failure to clinicals .Eighty seven (62.2%) students preferred OSCE as a perfect replacement for clinicals. It is concluded that performance of Medical students in paediatrics is poor and clinical have been pointed out as the major cause of this.
Introduction: The term collodion baby refers to a clinical entity noted in newborns who are enmes... more Introduction: The term collodion baby refers to a clinical entity noted in newborns who are enmeshed by a translucent, corni-fied substance like sheets of uni-form texture so called (collodion membrane) which gives the whole body surface a varnished appear-ance. Although, some other dis-eases and conditions may lead to collodion membrane formation, in almost all the cases the cause is an autosomal recessive ichthyosi-form disease. Case Presentation: The first three cases are all from a consanguine-ously married couple of Fulani decent. The abnormal appearances of the babies' skin were all no-ticed 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 complica-tions that ...
African Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, 2015
ABSTRACT Background: Encopresis is a disabling condition that causes psychological problems in ch... more ABSTRACT Background: Encopresis is a disabling condition that causes psychological problems in children and disharmony among family members and places a heavy burden on the well-being of the child and nation. Objectives: Objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of encopresis in children aged 5-12 years attending government primary schools in southeast Nigeria and associated factors. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 245 children in this study. The study was carried out among children in four government primary schools who were within the age range of 5-12 in Enugu and Ebonyi states of Nigeria. The instrument employed for data collection was a structured questionnaire (enuresis and encopresis questionnaire). The families were assigned in the form of tables and charts. Frequencies, proportions, and percentages were calculated for categorical variables. Results: We obtained a prevalence of 10.5%. Encopresis was highest in lower SEC. Encopresis was more in females 27.8% compared to males 25.4% though not the age of 4. About 72% of the children with stool soiling problem have no enuresis while 27% have enuresis. Conclusion: The prevalence of encopresis among school pupil in southeastern Nigeria is 10.5%. Encopresis is more common in children from a low SEC. Key words: Children, encopresis, Nigeria
Objectives: The study is aimed at determining that errors in assigning genotypes to intending cou... more Objectives: The study is aimed at determining that errors in assigning genotypes to intending couples do exist; and the impact of these errors on parents. Methods: The study was conducted at the children clinics in Enugu and Abakiliki, south east Nigeria. It is a cross-sectional retrospective study in which a review of the records of all the children attending 2 private clinics in Enugu and Abakaliki of Enugu and Ebonyi states respectively, over a 3-year period was done. Results: A total of 6006 children attended the children clinics over the study period. Twenty three (23) of them had sickle cell anaemia. Out of the 23 cases 10 (43.5%) were males and 13 (56.5%) were females. Male to female ratio was 1:1.3. The commonest features were abdominal and leg pains, involving 20 (87%) and 21 (91.3 %) respectively. Among the 23 parents that had their genotypes repeated, 9 males had different genotypes from what they had during courtship or before marriage. The genotypes of all the females that could recall their genotypes before marriage or during courtship were the same after a repeat test. Conclusions: There exist errors in assigning genotypes to parents which at the end made them have children with sickle cell anemia, unwittingly, with serious consequences bordering on strained relationship between the parents with the children bearing the brunt.
Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research, 2012
We present a rare case of mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) with a typical presentation of mental retar... more We present a rare case of mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) with a typical presentation of mental retardation and absence of corneal clouding. The purpose of presenting this case report is to highlight the distinctive manifestation of MPS (Hunter's disease) and to provide a concise report of Hunter's disease for medical practitioners with the hope that such information will help identify boys earlier in the course of their disease. This report is of a 7-year-old boy who presented to the children outpatient through a referral with a history of inability to grasp objects, inability to express self, and coarse skin, which started 5 years ago. On examination, he was short statured, with a big head, protruding abdomen, coarse skin, swollen wrist joints, and clubbed fingers. There was mild mental retardation. Investigations revealed mucopolysaccharides in urine ad radiographic findings were in keeping with diagnosis. Based on the clinical features and radiological findings, one can diagnose a case of MPS. However, careful and critical approach is necessary to exactly diagnose the type of MPS as enzymatic studies are not available in most centers.
We present a rare and first case of Cor triatriatum sinistrum (CT) in a patient who presents with... more We present a rare and first case of Cor triatriatum sinistrum (CT) in a patient who presents with dyspnoea, easy fatigability, chest pain, murmurs and typical ECG and 2D-echo findings. The purpose of presenting this case report is to highlight the distinctive manifestation of Cor triatriatum sinistrum and to provide a concise report of this disease with the hope that such information will help identify patients earlier in the course of their disease. Surgical correction offers good and long term results for both classic and atypical types. In a resource poor country like ours, high index of suspicion, early diagnosis and timely referral are warranted so as to avert death.
Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research, 2013
Vaginal discharge in children may result from a variety of causes. A long-standing intra-vaginal ... more Vaginal discharge in children may result from a variety of causes. A long-standing intra-vaginal foreign body can pose both diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in children. Treatment failure may occur because of alteration of the normal vaginal flora. A 6-year-old girl, who lived with her parents, presented with a foul-smelling, blood-stained vaginal discharge as well as dysuria for 2 years. There was no history of sexual abuse. Initial evaluation that excluded gynecologic examination revealed lower abdominal tenderness. Vaginal swab and urine cultures yielded Staphylococcus aureus sensitive to ceftriaxone only. She was commenced on this antibiotic for 2 weeks, but the discharge persisted, necessitating referral to the gynecologist. Examination under anesthesia by the gynecologist revealed shreds of toilet tissue paper extracted from the vagina and slight excoriations on the wall of the vagina. Vaginal foreign body can present with diverse symptoms. It should be considered in any young female patient presenting with recurrent or persistent vaginal discharge.
Background: The exclusive breastfeeding rate in Nigeria has remained low. Objectives: The aim of ... more Background: The exclusive breastfeeding rate in Nigeria has remained low. Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the knowledge of, and practice of exclusive (EBF) breastfeeding among mothers of infants attending the Children Out-patients Clinic. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study of 107 mothers of infants attending the Children Out-patients of the UNTH Enugu over three months. Results: One hundred and seven mothers of infants attending the Children Out-patients Clinic were included in the data analysis. One hundred and three correctly defined EBF. However, only 59 of the 107 mothers (55.1%) practiced or were practicing exclusive breastfeeding in the index infants There was a difference in the proportion of mothers that correctly defined EBF and the proportion that were actually practicing EBF (p<0.001). Conclusion: The exclusive breastfeeding rate in this study was 55.1%. There exists a gap between knowledge and practice of EBF among mothers of infants in Enugu.
Background: Medical students are a population who are at great risk of having bad sleep practice ... more Background: Medical students are a population who are at great risk of having bad sleep practice and hygiene due to demanding clinical and academic activities. Poor sleep practices are a disturbing and destabilizing phenomenon. It affects many people and can affect the quality of work, performance and education of medical students. Determining the sleep practices and behaviors could be useful to establish a systematic mental health curriculum in medical schools. Objectives: The objectives of this study is to describe sleep practices among undergraduate medical students in a Nigerian University. Materials and Methods: Sleep practices were investigated using a convenience sample of medical students from the
Background: There has been an increasing interest by couples in child adoption due to its accepta... more Background: There has been an increasing interest by couples in child adoption due to its acceptability in recent times in our locale. The enactment of the Child's Right Act in Nigeria has harmonized child adoption process across the nation. With the rising demand for babies from child care institutions by many Nigerian couples, there is need to ascertain their perception of child adoption. Objectives: To evaluate the perception of child adoption among parents/care-givers of children attending Pediatric Clinics in Enugu. The parents and care-givers of children attending pediatrics out-patients clinics in Enugu, Enugu State, South East, Nigeria served as the respondents. Two hundred and fifty nine of them were selected by convenience sampling method after obtaining their informed written consent. The data were obtained using semi -structured questionnaire that was administered by an interviewer and subsequently analyzed using SPSS Version 15.0. Results: Many caregivers (respondents) (94.2.7%) had heard of child adoption and 79.2% of them understood the actual meaning of the term child adoption. About 1.9% of them had adopted previously. Majority of the respondents (73.87%) prefers to adopt a child during its neonatal age with a slight preference for adoption of male babies. 15.1% and 8.9% of the respondents gave private hospitals and middle men, respectively, as sources of child adoption. Knowledge of the Government adoption laws and process was generally below average (49.2%) among the respondents. Conclusion: Continued advocacy and public enlightenment campaigns should be strengthened in order to harmonize adoption process in our setting.
Background: Abdominal colic is common in infants but generally harmless. The exact aetiology is u... more Background: Abdominal colic is common in infants but generally harmless. The exact aetiology is unknown but it has been associated with vicious cycle of crying and swallowing of air by the infant. The excessive crying associated with it can result in a lot of distress for family members creating unnecessary panics. We sought to find the perception and management of abdominal colic by mothers in Enugu. Objective: Objective of this study is to determine the perception and 'home management' of abdominal colic in infants by mothers in Enugu, south-east Nigeria and the factors associated with them. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey involving 177 mothers that presented with their infants at the pediatric outpatient clinic of the
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