Prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B virus transmission among children in Enugu, Nigeria

Background: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection has reached pandemic proportions all over the world with areas of highest prevalence being the sub- Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Most deaths related to HBV are due to complications from chronic infection. Acquisition of infection at a younger age is the most important predictor of chronicity. Eradication of HBV is an important but difficult tasks facing public health. HB immunization is the single most important factor in hepatitis B control and was commenced in 2004 in Nigeria.Objectives: To determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among children in the era of HB immunization, the risk factors of transmission and knowledge of mothers about their HB status.Methods: A cross sectional study carried out on one hundred and forty children aged 18 months to 15 years at the children outpatient clinic (CHOP) of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was determined using Determine Test Kits and a structured interviewer administered questionnaire administered.Results: Six were positive for HBsAg, giving a prevalence rate of 4.3%. HBsAg was least prevalent among children 1-5 years (2%). None of the children ≤ 5 years who received HB vaccination was positive for HBsAg though one child > 5 years who received the vaccine was positive. Sharing of toothbrushes among siblings was found to be a significantly associated risk factor. Only 6.4% of mothers knew their hepatitis B status.Conclusion: There is a gradual fall in the prevalence of HBsAg in our environment due to HB immunization. Sharing of toothbrushes may be a potent means of transmission of HBV infection.Keywords: HBV, Prevalence, Children, Transmission, HB immunizatio

Concurrent use of cyclophosphamide and prednisolone in childhood nephrotic syndrome in South-Easr Nigeria, A report of 5 cases

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Unusual presentations of Glardla lamblla: Report of four cases

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Fever and Leucocytosis in Children in Clinical Practice in South East Nigeria: The Roles Played by Malaria and Bacterial Infection

Objective: The study was conducted with a view to determining the veracity of the assumption in clinical practice in the tropics that fever with a neutrophilic leucocytosis is more likely due to bacterial infection than to malaria. Method: A retrospective analysis of case files of children aged over 3 months who had fever of >38.5 oC and leucocytosis with a final empirical therapeutic diagnosis of either malaria or bacterial infection, seen over a 3yr period in a paediatric private practice was done. A total of 186 patients comprising 118 treated for malaria and 68 treated for bacterial infection fitted the criteria and were analyzed. Results: In all the patients with leucocytosis of 11 to 1 4x I09/l, malaria accounted for 81.7% and a further 60.5% of those with leucocytosis greater than14 to 17x109/1. Bacterial infection accounted for 52% and 53.2% of patients with leucocytosis of>17 to 20x109/1 and >20x109/1 respectively (X2=18.64, X23,0.05=7.81.

Timing of cardiac surgery and other intervention among children with congenital heart disease: A review article

Background: Early diagnosis and improved facilities are necessary for determining the optimal timing of surgery and other interventions in children with congenital heart diseases in Nigeria. This is because late presentation, late diagnosis and delayed surgery can lead to mortality and affect the quality of life among these children. Objectives: This review article is aimed at enumerating the timing of cardiac surgeries and other interventions and to seek if there is any factor associated with the timing of cardiac surgery. Methods: A search on PubMed database, World Health Organization libraries, Google scholar, TRIP database, and reference lists of selected articles on timing of cardiac surgery in children was done. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews was also searched. We noted few data from African setting. Key words such as timing of cardiac surgery; children, congenital heart defect were used. Conclusion: Appropriate timing for cardiac surgery in children with congenital heart disease is very important as late surgical intervention could result in several morbidities and mortality