Mentees' Perspectives on the Factors that influence the Choice of Mentors in the Medical Profession.

Background: Mentorship is an age-long act in most fields of learning. It plays a pivotal role in medical education. The strength of any mentorship relationship could have a direct bearing on the character traits of the mentor.

HIV-Associated Nephropathy among Children with Renal Disease in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Introduction: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infects multiple tissues of the body, including the renal parenchyma, with HIV-associated Nephropathy (HIVAN) being the most common form of the HIV-related renal disease and an important cause of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) in HIV infected patients. There is paucity of studies on HIVAN among children with renal diseases, most studies on HIVAN focused on prevalence among HIV patients with vertical transmission being the commonest route. We undertook this study to determine the prevalence and impact of HIVAN among our renal patients and to highlight the new route of HIV transmission observed in these group of patients in Port Harcourt, Southern Nigeria.

The current status of kidney transplantation in Nigerian children: still awaiting light at the end of the tunnel.

Background: Kidney transplantation (KT) is the gold standard treatment for children with chronic kidney disease stage 5 (CKD5). It is easily accessible in well-resourced countries, but not in low/middle-income countries (LMICs). We present, a multicentre experience of paediatric KT of children domiciled in Nigeria.

IPNA clinical practice recommendations for the diagnosis and management of children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome.

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome newly affects 1-3 per 100,000 children per year. Approximately 85% of cases show complete remission of proteinuria following glucocorticoid treatment. Patients who do not achieve complete remission within 4-6 weeks of glucocorticoid treatment have steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS).

Pattern of blood pressure and hypertension in adolescents in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Background: The rate and prevalence of hypertension in children is increasing. Childhood hypertensionif untreated can lead to hypertension in adulthood with its consequent cardiovascular and renal complications. Early detection of paediatric hypertension may lead to improvement in cardiovascular health in adults.

Familial focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in a Nigerian family and exclusion of mutations in NPHS2,WT1 and APOL1.

Background: Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a significant cause of end-stage renal disease. It is generally considered to be sporadic but familial cases have been reported in varied ethnic groups. Genetic mutations implicated in familial FSGS involving NPHS1, NPHS2, WTI and APOL1 have not been studied in African children living outside America.

Prevalence of microalbuminuria among secondary school children.

Background: Microalbuminuria is an early sign of kidney and cardiovascular damage. Therefore, early detection in asymptomatic individuals may be helpful in preventing deterioration in renal function.

Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study of 820 secondary school students aged 10 - 19 years from September to November 2008.

Weight status of adolescents in secondary schools in port Harcourt using Body Mass Index (BMI).

Background: Adolescent weight status is a cumulative effect of health and nutritional problems. Adolescent weight problems often go unnoticed as weight assessment is not considered a priority in adolescents.

Objectives: To determine the weight status of adolescents using BMI and to identify the contributing factors to adolescent weight problems.

Diagnosing renal failure due to diethylene glycol in children in a resource-constrained setting.

Background: In 2008, several Nigerian children developed acute kidney injury (AKI) after ingesting teething syrup contaminated with diethylene glycol (DEG). Because there are limited diagnostic facilities in resource-constrained countries, this study investigated whether AKI associated with DEG could be identified by other means.

Methods: This was a multicenter study.

Microalbuminuria in children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Background: Microalbuminuria is an early manifestation of HIV associated nephropathy (HIVAN). This study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for microalbuminuria in children with HIV infection in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Methods: Urine specimen of 50 children with HIV infection seen over a 4 months period (October 2007-February 2008) was assayed for albumin and creatinine to determine urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR).

Childhood acute glomerulonephritis in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Background: Acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) is an important cause of renal morbidity and mortality in children. The incidence varies across the countries with lower rates in developed countries due to improved environmental hygiene and socio-economic status.

Methods: A prospective study of patients admitted with the diagnosis of AGN was carried out in the Department of Paediatrics, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) from June 2006 to June 2008.

Screening for congenital color vision deficiency in primary children in Port Harcourt City; teachers' knowledge and performance.

Background: One hundred and thirty teachers were studied to evaluate their knowledge of congenital Color Vision Deficiency (CVD), and their ability to perform the Ishihara color vision test, so as to determine if they can provide color vision screening services for their pupils.

Methods: The teachers were randomly selected from 13 schools in Port Harcourt City (PHC) and given a six hours training workshop on vision disorders in children and congenital color vision screening. They were given a self administered pre and post test questionnaires before and after training respectively.

Development and validation of standardized clinical summary format.

Background: The use of a structured guideline in medical education to reach a diagnosis provides accurate information which is relatively free from bias. The purpose of this paper is to assess the performance of medical students using unstructured and structured format in case summary.

Methods: One hundred and sixty- nine medical students in Part III MB; BS Programme in the University of Port Harcourt were studied.

Human immunodeficiency virus-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) in Nigerian children.

Human immunodeficiency virus-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) has rarely been reported in African children. In this single-center study, we analyzed ten children diagnosed with HIVAN from January 2000 to October 2006. There were eight boys and two girls, with a male:female ratio of 4:1.

Kocher-Debre-Semelaigne syndrome: a case report.

Background: Kocher-Debre-Semelaigne (KDS) syndrome is a myopathy of hypothyroidism associated with pseudohypertrophy in infancy or childhood. There are few reported cases of KDS syndrome in the literature.

Study Design: We present a 5-year-old boy with poor growth and delayed dental and motor development.

Childhood nephrotic syndrome: change in pattern and response to steroids.

Background: In our center, childhood nephrotic syndrome (NS) had been reported for over a decade to be steroid sensitive contrary to reports in other parts of Nigeria. The purpose of this study was to determine if there are changes in presentation and response to steroids, with reviews of the literature on NS.

Methods: Analysis of 28 patients seen at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, from 1999-2004 with the diagnosis of NS was performed.

Spontaneous enterocutaneous fistula--A rare presentation of enteric fever.

Background: Enterocutaneous fistulae (ECFs) after typhoid perforation have been previously recorded postoperatively due to repair leak or new perforation. Spontaneous ECF formation due to primary intra-abdominal pathologic processes has been attributed to infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and Crohn's disease. A review of the literature has shown no previous report of spontaneous ECF caused primarily by salmonella typhi infection.

Paediatric acute peritoneal dialysis in southern Nigeria.

Background: Acute peritoneal dialysis (APD) is the preferred treatment for isolated failure of the kidney. The authors reviewed children with acute renal failure (ARF) who had APD in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Results: 221 patients, 147 boys and 74 girls (M: F, 1.

Acute renal failure in Nigerian children: Port Harcourt experience.

Acute renal failure (ARF) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children. It may be pre-renal, intrinsic, or post-renal (obstructive) in aetiology. ARF was investigated in children in the south-southern part of Nigeria to determine the prevalence, aetiology, management and outcome of ARF.

Renal vein thrombosis in the neonate: a case report and review of the literature.

We report a case of bilateral renal vein thrombosis in a neonate, and reviewed available literature. The neonate was a macrosomic male born to a mother with glycosuria in pregnancy. There was delay in commencing breasttfeeding for up to 36 hours due to lack of lactation by themother.

Obstructive uropathy in childhood, as seen in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.

Background: Obstructive uropathy is a cause of morbidity and mortality in children. In Port Harcourt, data on causes of obstructive uropathies are not readily available. This study was carried out to identify the causes and outcome of obstructive uropathies seen in our children's ward.

The knowledge, attitude and use of contraception among secondary school girls in Port Harcourt.

Background: Sexual activity is on the increase among teenagers worldwide, with a trend towards early onset. These activities are often unplanned and may lead to unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases including AIDS. Teenagers in developing countries exhibit little knowledge, and exposure to contraceptives.

AIDS awareness and knowledge among primary school children in Port Harcourt metropolis.

The research was carried out to study the AIDS awareness and knowledge of 462 final year primary school pupils selected by multistage sampling technique from four primary school in Port Harcourt metropolis. Ninety-seven point six percent pupils reported that they had heard of AIDS. Only 47.

Effects of pyrimethamine versus proguanil in malarial chemoprophylaxis in children with sickle cell disease: a randomized, placebo-controlled, open-label study.

Background: Malarial chemoprophylaxis is essential for patients with homozygous sickle cell disease (SCD) who live in areas where malaria is endemic. Endemic regions include most sub-Saharan African countries and Southeast Asia.

Objective: This study compared the efficacy and tolerability of pyrimethamine with that of proguanil and placebo in the prevention of malaria and the complications of Plasmodium falciparum infection (hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, bone pain crisis, hemolytic crisis) in children with SCD.

Chronic renal failure in children: a report from Port Harcourt, Nigeria (1985-2000).

A 15-year review of children who presented with chronic renal failure (CRF) to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State of Nigeria, was carried out. Forty-five children (28 boys, 17 girls) with CRF, defined as a glomerular filtration rate below 30 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) body surface area or a rise in serum creatinine above 120 micro mol/l for at least 6 months, often accompanied by other biochemical abnormalities, were identified.