Food poisoning due to yam flour consumption in Kano (Northwest) Nigeria

Food poisoning is known to occur sporadically from time to time due to poor hygienic preparations. Its occurrence rarely assumes epidemic proportion. The objective was to report the occurrence of food poisoning due to yam flour among three families which occurred almost in quick succession between March and July 2007 among three families in Kano. They presented with diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, convulsion and loss of consciousness. They all recovered within 48hours of admission. Investigations indicated that the use of certain lethal preservatives for the processing of the yam flour might be responsible. Poisoning from consumption of yam flour should be a differential diagnosis of acute seizure disorders or occurrence of vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain in the tropics. It is recommended that education on proper processing of all food products in view of the public health implicatio

Accidental Potassium Bromate Poisoning Causing Acute Renal Failure

Accidental poisoning is common in children. Potassium bromate is commonly used additive and raising agent in many edibles especially bread which is a staple food in Nigeria. This communication is that of an unusual case of acute renal failure following accidental ingestion of potassium bromate tablets

Effect Of Instructions About The Method Of Urine Collection And Storage On The Isolation Rate Of Urinary Bacteria In Children

A study of 65 children (29males and 36females) and aged between four weeks and 15years with significant bacteriuria was undertaking over a six month period to determine the effects of instruction received about the methods of urine collection and storage on the prevalence of urinary tract infection. The commonest clinical presentation was fever (64.6%). Only 22(35.4%) of the patients had specific symptoms suggestive of urinary tract infections. The instructions about urine collection were given to 48(73.8%) care givers. This instruction was given by the attending doctors (84%). Despite the explanation, 15(23.1%) of the patients collected the urine samples wrongly and 44(67.7%) stored the samples for longer than one hour. Significant bacteriuria was more prevalent in 74.2% of patients who submitted their urine samples more than one hour after collection. Communication skill is important and should be emphasized in the trainings of health workers in procedure on the patients

Assessment Of Leukocyte Esterase Dipstick Test In Diagnosis Of Childhood Urinary Tract Infection

This is a prospective study of urinary tract infection in 65 children (38 males and 27 females, M: F ratio 1: 0.7). Urine samples were evaluated by culture, microscopy and leukocyte esterase dipstick test. Positive urine culture, with significant bacteriuria was found in 19(29.2%). Urine microscopy for leukocyturia identified positive urine culture in 6 of the 19 samples, giving a sensitivity of 43.1%. leukocyte esterase distick test correctly identified 14 of 19 urine samples with culture proven UTI (74% sensitivity). The positive and negative predictive values were 37.1% and 87.2% respectively. The leukocyte esterase dipstick test was found to be better than leukocyturia in detecting UTI. in conclusion, leukocyte esterase is sensitive in detecting UTI, easy to perform, requires less time and does not need a highly trained personnel for the test.African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology Vol. 10 (1) 2009: pp. 10-1

Leaving against medicaladvice in paediatric unit of aminu kano teaching hospital, Kano, Nigeria

Children are vulnerable and cannot make decisions about their health care. There are many cases of parents leaving against medical advice (LAMA) and this can lead to adverse health problems in the children. Objective: The study was aimed at determining the prevalence of, and factors associated with, leaving against medical advice at the Paediatric Unit of the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano. Methods: All patients who left against medical advice were included in the study. The study was a prospective one and information sought were age, sex, duration of hospital stay, socio-economic class of parents and reasons for leaving against medical advice over a five-year period (Jan. 2001 to Dec. 2005). Results: Prevalence rate of LAMA was 2.2%, comprising 68 patients of 3,095 discharges, HIV/Pulmonary uberculosis 17(23%) were the commonest causes of admission in the group of patients aged (10months-12years). Seventy-five percent of the patients were discharged within two weeks of admission. Sixty patients (88.2%) belonged to the lower soci-economic class. Conclusion: LAMA has multifactorial aetiololgy. Low social economic class, poor financial support and unpreparedness for hospital admission are risk factors

Rate of isolation of streptococcus species from children with bacterial infections: an indication for introduction of streptococcal vaccines

Background: Streptococcus species are among the commonest bacterial causes of childhood morbidity in developing countries. Streptococcal diseases in children have not been as well characterized in Nigeria as it has been in industrialized countries. The rudimentary nature of public health surveillance makes the true epidemiology of the disease difficult to ascertain. The predominance of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the causation of invasive diseases has led to the advocacy of inclusion of pneumococcal vaccine in the National Programme on Immunization. However, local data critical to inform on vaccine deployment are scarce, thus the need for the present study. Objective: To study the rate of isolation of Streptococcus species from children aged zero to 15 years, with suspected bacterial infections. Materials and Methods: Laboratory records of results of bacteriological studies of samples from children with suspected bacterial infections in University of Abuja Teaching Hospital from January 2008 through December, 2010 were retrieved and analyzed for bacterial growth. Data analysis Version 3.5.1. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 2,247 samples were received during the study period. Of the 1,242 bacteria isolated, 502 (40.4%) were Staphylococcus aureus, 232 (18.7%) were Escherichia coli and 146 (11.8%) were Streptococcus species: 78 were isolated from blood, 9 from sputum, 11 from throat swabs and 28 from other sites while urine and eye swabs had 10 each. One hundred and six (72.6%) of the streptococci were from children aged 5 years and below. Most of the Streptococci (88.1%) were untyped. Among the 17 Streptococcal isolates typed, 10 were Streptococcus pneumoniae and three were group B Streptococcus. Conclusion: Streptococcal infections remain an important cause of severe disease in children in Nigeria. The use of effective, safe and affordable vaccine could significantly reduce morbidity from these infections, thus suggesting the need for more studies to conclude on streptococcal vaccine deployment.Key words: Streptococcal infections, Nigeria, Streptococcal vaccine

Pentalogy of Cantrell - A Case Report from Nigeria

FB was delivered at home to a para three low income mother, at term after an unsupervised pregnancy. At birth she was noticed to have an anterior chest wall defect with a protruding pulsating mass. Further examination revealed a defect from the suprasternal notch to the xiphoid process (bifid sternum) with the heart exposed and pulsating (ectopia cordis). The pericardium was absent and the great vessels were exposed. There was an epigastric omphalocoele and a ventral diaphragmatic defect. The diagnosis of Pentallogy of Cantrell was made. The challenges involved in the evaluation and management of this case in a Nigerian setting are discussed. Keywords: Pentallogy, Cantrell, Nigeri

HIV associated angio-oedema or ceftriazone? A case report

Anglo-oedema may be hereditary or acquired and is characterized by episodes of potentially life threatening localized tissue oedema and swelling resulting from deficiency of compliment pathway CI esterase inhibitor. Acquired angio-oedema is about ten times less frequent than the hereditary type and has been associated with immune deficiency disorder, malignancies and exposure to specific medications and food substance. A ten year old, human immunodeficiency virus positive girl developed gross swelling of the tongue and neck while on treatment for pneumococal meningitis with ceftriazone. Difficulties in arriving at a definitive diagnosis of angio oedema in a resource poor semi-urban area are discussed and alternative diagnosis options proposed.Tropical Journal of Medical Research Vol. 11 (1) 2007: pp. 35-3