Journal of Pediatric Neurology 2011; 09(03): 341-345
DOI: 10.3233/JPN-2011-0502
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart – New York

Neurological disorders among children in Osogbo, southwestern Nigeria

Olusegun J. Adebami
a   Department Pediatrics and Child Health, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Osogbo, Nigeria
,
Olaniyan M. Onigbinde
a   Department Pediatrics and Child Health, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Osogbo, Nigeria
,
Victor Joel-Medewase
a   Department Pediatrics and Child Health, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Osogbo, Nigeria
,
Ademola G. Oyedeji
a   Department Pediatrics and Child Health, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Osogbo, Nigeria
,
Adebimpe A. Afolabi
b   Department Pediatrics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria
› Author Affiliations

Subject Editor:
Further Information

Publication History

21 September 2010

02 March 2011

Publication Date:
30 July 2015 (online)

Abstract

Neurological disorders in children cause disability, handicapping and reduction in the potential of the affected child and are therefore sources of major concern to parents, health workers and governments worldwide. To determine the pattern of neurologic abnormalities at a follow up clinic in our health facility, a descriptive study of the patients who attended the neurology clinic of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital. Osogbo for 4 yr that is, between January 2006 and December 2009 was undertaken. The data obtained at first clinic attendance included age, sex, family history of neurological disorders and clinical presentations. Detailed physical and neurological examinations and the anthropometric measurements of the patients were also performed. Two hundred and forty nine patients were studied. One hundred and forty two (57.0%) males and 107 (43.0%) females with male:female ratio 1.33:1. The ages of the patients at first contact ranged between 2 to 168 mo (2 mo to 14 yr) with the mean of 56.83 ± 49.56 mo. Leading clinical presentations were seizures in 168 (67.5%), developmental delay in 86 (34.5%), movement disorders, ataxia and gait abnormalities in 44 (17.7%), and microcephaly in 36 (14.4%). In descending order, the maain diagnoses were cerebral palsy, kernicterus and Down syndrome, post-meningitis complications, craniosynostosis, post-cerebral malaria complications and acute flaccid paralysis Patients were managed with chemotherapy, physical therapy, social and surgical care. To reduce the burden of neurologic abnormalities, a multi-pronged approach must be pursued at controlling the prevailing factors of cerebral palsy, kernicterus and meningitis. Improvement and sustained immunization programs – especially against poliomyelitis and measles – should also be ensured.