African Journals OnLine
Nigerian Journal of Paediatrics

Volume 28, No 3 July 2001
Abstracts

Ogbu CN. Policy of Exclusive Breastfeeding for Six Months: A re-examination Nigerian Journal of Paediatrics 2001; 28:53. 

While it is well accepted that breast-feeding is natural and that human breast milk is a unique and appropriate food for full term healthy neonates, controversy continues to dog the recommendation that babies should be exclusively breast-fed for the first six months of life. In this paper, evidence is presented to show that while human milk alone can provide adequate macro- and micronutrients for normal growth and development of full term infants for the first 3-4 months of life, it is inadequate for older infants. Growth faltering whose effects on the rapidly growing brain is unknown, nutritional rickets, iron deficiency anaemia and zinc deficiency have been reported in infants exclusively breast-fed beyond four months of age. It is therefore, strongly recommended that exclusive breast-feeding should not last beyond four months of age, while breast-feuding could continue for as long as it is feasible and practicable for the mother. This should ensure normal growth and development of the infant who would also reap other benefits of breast milk and breast-feeding.

Omokhodion SI, Baiyeroju-Agbeja AM, Adegboye VO, Adeyemo A, Lagunju IA. Patency of the Ductus Arteriosus in Newborns: Experience in a Special Care Baby Unit. Nigerian Journal of Paediatrics 2001; 29:61. 

A prospective cohort study of infants admitted into the Special Care Baby Unit, University College Hospital, Ibadan, has revealed a 24.5 per cent prevalence of patency of the ductus arteriosus (PDA) among 97 infants, who were admitted over a six-month period. The major factor predisposing to PDA was prematurity (p=0.014). A higher incidence of PDA (35 per cent) was found among the preterm infants, and of these preterm infants, the very low birth weight (VLBW) infants were found to be more highly susceptible to PDA (p = 0.028). The mean birth weight of the preterm infants who developed PDA in the study was 1447g, while that of those preterm infants without PDA was 1835g. There was no relationship between the sex of the infants and the development of PDA. A strong association was however, found between respiratory distress and PDA (p<0.001). Nine of the hospital mortalities recorded occurred in the preterm infants and more than half of them (55.5 per cent) had PDA. Thus, prematurity is a risk factor for PDA and the presence of a PDA appears to increase the risk for mortality for such infants. Evidence for PDA should be sought in all premature infants and prompt and aggressive management of those infants who show signs of decompensation from PDA is recommended to reduce mortality from this disease.

Adedoyin OT, Gbelee HOD, Adeniyi A. Chidhood Nephrotic Syndrome in Ilorin. Nigerian Journal of Paediatrics 2001; 28:68. 

A cohort of 17 children (12M:5F), aged 3-16 years, with nephrotic syndrome seen at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, between January 1995 and December 1998 were studied. Renal biopsies were performed in eight patients. Five (63 per cent) of the biopsies showed focal mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis while one each showed minimal change, membranoproliferative, and mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis on light microscopy. Only three (17.6 per cent) of the 17 patients were steroid responsive, while six (35 per cent) were steroid resistant. The predominant histological finding in the steroid resistant cases was focal mesangial proliferative lesion. Case fatality was 12 per cent from two deaths. The histopathological findings in the two patients who died of end-stage renal disease, consisted of minimal change lesion and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, respectively. 

Iroha EO, Egri-Okwaji MTC, Odum CU, Anorlu RI, Oye-Adeniran B, Banjo AAF. Perinatal outcome of obvious congenital malformation as seen at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Paediatrics 2001; 28: 73. 

A retrospective review of major congenital malformations in 353 newborns delivered at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital during a 10-year period, (1981-1990) has revealed an overall incidence of 15.8 per 1000 total births, while the contribution of such malformations to perinatal mortality was 11.9 per cent. Gastrointestinal, central nervous and musculo-skeletal system malformations were the commonest seen with individual incidences of 3.9, 3.5 and 2.1 per 1000 total births, respectively. Unclassified congenital malformations had the highest case fatality while central nervous system malformations constituted the commonest cause of death among the malformed neonates. The pattern and incidence of congenital malformations at the hospital would appear to have remained substantially unchanged in the last three decades


Iroha EO, Egri-Okwaji MTC. X-linked Hydrocephalus (Bickers-Adams Syndrome) in a Nigerian Family. Nigerian Journal of Paediatrics 2001; 28:78. 

A male infant with isolated prenatal hydrocephalus whose clinical features and family history were consistent with the diagnosis of X-linked hydrocephalus (Bickers-Adams syndrome) is described. Clinical, serological and radiological evidence for other causes of congenital hydrocephalus were lacking in the infant. Since the identification of an x-linked hydrocephalus has important consequences for genetic counselling, analysis of the family history of any male infant with isolated hydrocephalus is very important.