Behavioral problems of siblings of epileptic children in Enugu

Background and Objective: The existence of a psychosocial dysfunction in the siblings of children with chronic illness has been documented. There are very few reports on siblings of children with epilepsy. The aim of this study is to investigate to what extent the children’s epilepsy has affected their healthy siblings in our own center.Materials and Methods: Epileptic patients who consecutively referred to the Pediatric Neurology Clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, from October 1999 to September 2000 were recruited. Demographic data were obtained, with a questionnaire administered to the parents. Information on the behavior of the school-age siblings and control was obtained by the class teachers using Rutter’s behavior scale (B2) for children (Teacher’s Scale).Results: One hundred and fifty-six children with epilepsy, of age four to fifteen years, 124 males and 32 females, with a Male: Female ratio of 4: 1, were recruited; and 156 school-age siblings of the epileptic children (index children) and 156 controls were studied. Prevalence of behavioral problems was 38.5 and 15.4%, respectively, among the index and control children (P < 0.001). There was no significant sex difference in the two groups. There was a significant difference in the distribution of the types of behavior problems between the index and controls (P < 0.05). The duration of epilepsy did not affect the prevalence of behavior problems (P < 0.05), but seizure control had a significant effect on the prevalence of behavior problems (P < 0.001).Conclusions: Siblings of children with epilepsy have more behavioral disturbances than controls. A strong association was found between poor seizure control and the prevalence of behavioral problems

Factors affecting compliance to treatment among children with epilepsy attending at a paediatric neurology clinic of a tertiary hospital in Enugu

BACKGROUND:This study aimed to determine the factors affecting compliance to treatment among children with epilepsy in Enugu,Nigeria.METHODS: Children with diagnosis of epilepsy were consecutively recruited.Their 6 months retrospective and 1 month prospective data were collected;and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 (p < 0.05).RESULTS: Fifty six children with epilepsy (mean age= 9.7 ± 4.1 years) were studied. Generalized tonic clonic epilepsy was noted in 41.1% (23/56) of them.Thirty six (64.3%) complied strictly with the treatment regimen. Polytherapy, high cost of drugs, multiple drug dosages and drug related side effects affected compliance. Majority (79.4%, 27/34) of patients on monotherapy and a few (27.2%, 6/22) on poly-therapy had good seizure control (p<0.001).CONCLUSION: Poor drug compliance is a major constraint to adequate seizure control in children with epilepsy in our setting.Addressing the problem of poor compliance will enable them to achieve optimal seizure control.KEY WORDS: Epilepsy, Treatment Compliance, Associated Factors;Childre

Dandy Walker malformation (variant): late presentation with childhood blindness

We present a rare case of Dandy Walker Syndrome in a child who presents with complaints of frontal headache, neck pain, fever, progressive visual impairment and multiple generalized tonic clonic seizures, inability to stand and urinary incontinence. Given the clinical and neuro-imaging findings, the diagnosis of Dandy Walker Variant was made. Post surgical recovery (Ventriculo peritoneal shunt) was remarkable. Unfortunately he never regained sight. The purpose of presenting this case report is to highlight the distinctive manifestation of Dandy walker syndrome to enhance early diagnosis, prompt intervention and better outcomeKeywords: Dandy Walker syndrome; congenital brain malformation; childhood blindness; hydrocephalu