Pattern of neurological diseases as seen in outpatient children: the experiences from Orotta Referral Hospital Asmara, Eritrea.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the pattern of neurological diseases in children. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of paediatric patients reporting to the Paediatric Neurological Clinic at Orotta Referral Hospital with neurological diseases. The systematic evaluation of patients was carried out from 2002 to 2005. Results: Altogether 736 children with age ranging from 3 months to 15 years being 61% boys and 39% girls, presented with different neurological disorders. Although the cases may have presented with more than one diagnosis (29.6%), the most frequent neurological diseases were epilepsy (25.9%), cerebral palsy(C/P) (19.3%) and post febrile neurological diseases (12.5%) and others. Out of all epileptic cases, grand mal(GTCS) (74%), partial seizures (5.6%), akinetic attacks(drop attacks) (5.6%) and petit mal (absence siezures) (3.2%) were the commonest types of epilepsy. In the majority of epilepsy (63.5%) no cause was found. There was no gender difference in all neurological disorders studied. Discussion and Conclusion: Epilepsy is a common disease in children. The prevailing enigma that epilepsy is rare in children is an unfounded myth making it imperative for appropriate index of clinical suspicion whenever a paediatric patient presents with unusual clinical pattern. The increased number of epileptic cases at first attendance with age calls for aggressive treatment at the early stages when neurological deficits are likely to occur as the disease may have spontaneously permanent remission. The high number of cases with cerebral palsy and post febrile illness neurological diseases necessitates urgent preventive measures and appropriate management in the country.

Pattern of Neurological Disorders among Children Presenting at the Neurology Unit of Tertiary Hospital in Awka

“…The combination of birth asphyxia (47.7%), neonatal jaundice (17%), infections (12.5%) and prematurity (6.8%) gave 84% of the risk factors. These are predominantly perinatal and postnatal issues with consequences beyond these periods [4] [5] [7]. In Nigeria and other less developed parts of the world, these risk factors are worsened by improperly home deliveries and delivery by quacks at maternity homes with lethal consequences to the babies [28].…”

“…Neurologic disorders are seen commonly in children, especially in developing countries [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]. They significantly contribute to morbidity and disability in children [9] [10].…”

A Retrospective Analysis of the First 1,000 Patients Being Admitted to A Newly Established Pediatric Neurology Outpatient Clinic

“…Erkeklerde olgu sayısının en fazla olduğu yaş grubu 0-2 yaş (n=261, %26,1), en az olgu olduğu yaş grubu 16-18 yaş iken (n=29, 56 %2,9), kızlarda olgu sayısının en fazla olduğu yaş grubu 9-12 yaş (n=120, %12), en az olgu olduğu yaş grubu 16-18 yaş (n=77, %7,7) idi (Tablo1). (%25,9), serebral palsi (%19,3), postfebril nörolojik hastalıklar (%12,5), konuşma ve dil problemleri (%10,9), Down Sendromunu da içeren zihinsel gerilik (%10,7) olduğunu bildirmişlerdir (7). Moges ve arkadaşlarının yayınladıkları çalışmada en sık görülen nörolojik hastalıklar; epilepsi (%24,6), serebral palsi (%15,4), SSS enfeksiyonları (%9,5), mikrosefali (%7,6) ve mental gerilik (%7,2) idi (8).…”