Evaluation of microalbuminuria in obese adolescents

Background: Obesity is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome with insulin resistance. Its effect on renal and cardiovascular diseases is reported in developed countries, but rarely established among adolescents in developing countries.Subjects and methods: A crosssectional study of 846 adolescents selected from 12 secondary schools in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Obese subjects with Body Mass Index (BMI) equal to or greater than the 95th percentile for age and sex on the United States CDC growth chart were selected and studied. Urine samples of subjects without overt proteinuria were tested for microalbuminuria using the micral test strips.Results: Seventy-three of the subjects were obese giving the prevalence of obesity to be 8.6%. Microalbuminuria was present in 23 (35.4%) of the 65 obese subjects without overt proteinuria. The proportional prevalence was higher in females (42.9%), in age group 10-14years (42.2%), in subjects with hypertension (57.1%), and family history of hypertension (50.0%) and diabetes mellitus (37.5%) [p > 0.05].Conclusion: There is high prevalence of adolescent obesity, and a high prevalence of microalbuminuria among obese adolescents in Port Harcourt. We recommend efforts at reducing obesity as a means of preventing renal disease in adolescents

Seroprevalence and Correlates of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Secondary School Children in Enugu, Nigeria

Background: Although children comprise a small fraction of the burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, which is a major global health challenge, a significant number of them develop chronic HCV infection and are at risk of its complications. Aim: The aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of HCV infection in school children in Enugu urban. Subjects and Methods: This was a cross‑sectional seroepidemiological study involving children aged 10–18 years selected using multistage systematic sampling in Enugu metropolis, Southeast Nigeria. The anti‑HCV was tested using a 3rd generation enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 16.0 with the level of significance set at P < 0.05. Results: Four hundred and twenty children were selected and screened comprising 210 (50.0%) males and females. The seroprevalence of anti‑HCV was 4 (1.0%). Three (75%) out of the four positive cases for the anti‑HCV were females while one was a male giving a male to female ratio of 0.3–1. Traditional scarifications/tattoos were the putative riskfactors observed to be significantly associated with anti‑HCV seropositivity. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated an anti‑HCV seroprevalence of 1.0% among children aged 10–18 years in Enugu with traditional scarification as the predominant associated risk factor. Proper health education including school health education and promotion of behavioral change among the public on the practice of safe scarifications/tattoos should be encouraged in our setting.Keywords: Anti‑hepatitis C virus, Children, Prevalence, Risk factor

Foreign body granuloma in the anterior abdominal wall mimicking an acute appendicular lump and induced by a translocated copper-T intrauterine contraceptive device: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Intrauterine contraceptive devices may at times perforate and migrate to adjacent organs. Such uterine perforation usually passes unnoticed with development of potentially serious complications.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 25-year-old woman of North Indian origin presented with an acute tender lump in the right iliac fossa. The lump was initially thought to be an appendicular lump and treated conservatively. Resolution of the lump was incomplete. On exploratory laparotomy, a hard suspicious mass was found in the anterior abdominal wall of the right iliac fossa. Wide excision and bisection of the mass revealed a copper-T embedded inside. Examination of the uterus did not show any evidence of perforation. The next day, the patient gave a history of past copper-T Intrauterine contraceptive device insertion.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Copper-T insertion is one of the simplest contraceptive methods but its neglect with inadequate follow-up may lead to uterine perforation and extra-uterine migration. Regular self-examination for the "threads" supplemented with abdominal X-ray and/or ultrasound in the follow-up may detect copper-T migration early. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of intrauterine contraceptive device migration to the anterior abdominal wall of the right iliac fossa.</p

Prevalence of Microalbuminuria among secondary school children

BACKGROUND: Microalbuminuria is an early sign of kidney and cardiovascular damage. Therefore, early detection in asymptomatic individuals may be helpful in preventing deterioration in renal function. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study of 820 secondary school students aged 10 – 19 years from September to November 2008. The urine samples of 615 (75.0%) without overt proteinuria and haematuria were tested for microalbuminuria using the micral test strips. Values of greater than 20mg/L were considered positive. RESULTS: There were 299 (48.6%) males and 316 (51.4%) females, with a M:F ratio of 1:1.1. The prevalence of microalbuminuria as seen in 214 of the students was 33.2%. It was significantly higher in females (45.3%), obese subjects (35.4%), those with hypertension (70.6%), those with positive family history of hypertension (59.5%), and diabetes mellitus (46.4%). Microalbuminuria was found in 1 of the 2 subjects who had features of DM and in one subject with sickle cell anemia. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of microalbuminuria in Nigerian adolescents is high. We recommend routine screening for microalbuminuria in adolescents for early detection and prevention of renal damage

Childhood idiopathic steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome in Southern Nigeria

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Socio-Technical Mitigation Effort to Combat Cyber Propaganda: A Systematic Literature Mapping

This systematic mapping literature aims to identify current research and directions for future studies in terms of combating cyber propaganda in the social media, which is used by both human effort and technological approaches (socio-technical) for mitigation. Out of 5176 retrieved articles, only 98 of them were selected for primary studies; classified based on research artifacts, mitigation effort, and the social media platforms involved in the research. The search was conducted using selected databases and applying selection criteria set for this research. Through the analysis, important research trends were identified based on human effort and technological approaches in mitigating and combating the cyber-propaganda issues. The authors also identified various mitigation socio-technical approaches such as identification, detection, image recognition, prediction, truth discovery and comprehension of rumours flow. The study also highlights areas for further improvements, to complement the performances of existing techniques. Besides, the study provides a brief review of cyber propaganda detection using classification techniques. Hence, it has set forth applicable research focus on the areas dealing with the mitigation of risk borne by cyber propaganda in the social media

Risk factors of chronic kidney disease in secondary school girls in Port Harcourt: a world kidney day activity

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a contributor to childhood morbidity and mortality.  Screening for its risk factors will enhance early detection of renal impairment so that appropriate interventions can be commenced early to prevent further deterioration in renal function. Aim: To determine the prevalence of risk factors for CKD in secondary school children. Methods: A prospective study was carried out in March 2011 in an all girls secondary school as part of the World Kidney Day activity in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. The weight and height of the students were measured, and body mass index calculated. Blood pressure was measured using mercury sphygmomanometer. Dipstick urinalysis was done on spot urine samples of the subjects. Obesity was defined as body mass equal to or index greater than the 95th percentile for age and sex. Hypertension was defined as systolic and/or diastolic blood pressures equal to or greater than the 95th percentile for age, sex and height. Results: There were 317 females aged 9 -17 years.  Majority (44.8%) were aged 12-14 years. Seventy-two (22.7%) of the subjects were obese and six (1.9%) had hypertension. Urinary abnormalities were detected in 156 (49.2%) of the subjects; proteinuria in 136 (42.9%); haematuria in 20 (6.3%) and positive nitrite  in 6 (1.9%).  Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity, hypertension and proteinuria in secondary school girls is high. We recommend routine screening of all secondary school children to enhance early detection of risk factors for CKD.Keywords: Chronic kidney disease, Risk factors, Children, World kidney day, Nigeri