Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Utilization of Paediatric Health Services at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Nigeria.

Background And Objectives: Corona virus disease was declared a global pandemic in March 2020 and it precipitated unprecedented and devastating crisis on non-COVID hospital visits in almost all the countries within the globe, with a downward slide in the number of paediatric consultations and emergency admissions. Thus, we assessed the utilization of services offered in the department of Paediatrics and the observed mortality rates in comparison to similar non-pandemic period.

Methods: This study was carried out in the department of Pediatrics, Federal Medical Center Asaba.

Correlation of Lead Poisoning and Intelligence Status of School Children in a Southern Nigerian Urban City.

Background: Lead is a heavy metal of utmost public health significance in Nigeria. It is a known neurotoxin that impairs neurotransmission and brain function resulting in cognitive and motor deficits. Ingestion of lead contaminated food or water is the major route of exposure to lead manifesting as neurologic symptoms which can interfere with the intelligence of school children.

Epidemiology of community-acquired acute kidney injury in children as seen in an emergency room of Tertiary Hospital in South-South Nigeria.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an abrupt or rapid decline in renal function as evidenced by a rapid rise in serum creatinine (SCr) or decrease in urine output. AKI occurs in children. The aim of the study is to document the epidemiology of AKI in our setting.

Modifiable Risk Factors for Chronic Kidney Disease in Adulthood seen among School Children in Asaba.

Background: The burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is huge especially in developing countries like Nigeria. In Nigeria, treatment modalities for ESRD (renal replacement therapy) are not readily available and, where available, they are not affordable. Consequently, preventive nephrology aimed at early detection and prompt treatment of children with CKD risk factors has become the viable alternative in curbing this rising problem.

Renal replacement therapy in children in the developing world: challenges and outcome in a tertiary hospital in southeast Nigeria.

A 5-year observational, retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the indications, the availability, the accessibility, the sustainability, and the outcome of children managed for acute kidney injury (AKI) and end stage kidney disease (ESKD) who required renal replacement therapy RRT in Enugu, southeast Nigeria. A total of 64 patients aged 5 months to 16 years required RRT, of which only 25 underwent RRT, giving an RRT accessibility rate of 39.1%.

Morbidity and mortality pattern of childhood illnesses seen at the children emergency unit of federal medical center, asaba, Nigeria.

Background: Morbidity and mortality from childhood illnesses has remained a major point of interest globally. Malaria, respiratory tract infection and diarrheal diseases are the leading causes of childhood morbidity and mortality.

Aim: The aim of the following study is to determine the pattern of morbidity and mortality of children seen at the children emergency room of a tertiary hospital, Federal Medical Center in Asaba, Nigeria.

The performance evaluation of a urine malaria test (UMT) kit for the diagnosis of malaria in individuals with fever in south-east Nigeria: cross-sectional analytical study.

Background: Accurate rapid diagnosis is one of the important steps in the effort to reduce morbidity and mortality of malaria. Blood-specific malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are currently in use but other body fluid specific diagnostic test kits are being developed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance characteristics of a one-step Urine Malaria Test™ (UMT) dipstick in detecting Plasmodium falciparum HRP2, a poly-histidine antigen in urine of febrile patients for malaria diagnosis.

Prevalence of hematological abnormalities and malnutrition in HIV-infected under five children in Enugu.

Background: Hematological abnormalities such as anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia occur in children infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These abnormalities are due to myelosuppression caused by the HIV and contribute to the morbidity and mortality of HIV-infected children. Malnutrition is prominent in HIV-infected children due to associated conditions such as oropharyngeal candidiasis, diarrhea, and cytokine production which result in poor intake, nutrient loss, and increased metabolic rate, respectively.

Chronic kidney disease in children as seen in a tertiary hospital in Enugu, South-East, Nigeria.

Background: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in children has been reported to be rising locally and globally. There is a dearth of data and inadequate facilities for the management of CKD in children in most of the developing countries like Nigeria.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to ascertain the prevalence of CKD among children seen at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, South-East Nigeria and also to determine the stage of CKD at presentation, possible etiology, treatment options offered and the outcome.

Epidemiology of rotavirus diarrhea among children younger than 5 years in Enugu, South East, Nigeria.

Background: Severe rotavirus diarrhea in children is a major cause of morbidity globally and mortality in developing countries. It is estimated to be responsible for >453,000 deaths in children <5 years of age globally and 232,000 in the African region. The aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence of rotavirus gastroenteritis among hospitalized children <5 years of age in Enugu and to support awareness and advocacy efforts for the introduction of rotavirus vaccines in Nigeria.

Clinical features of acute gastroenteritis in children at university of Nigeria teaching hospital, ituku-ozalla, enugu.

Background: Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children world-wide with the highest incidence in the developing countries. The persistence and effect of this condition require a study of the features and characteristics of the disease especially, within any (each) locality in order to offer possible control solutions.

Aim: To determine, the clinical and social characteristics associated with AGE among children seen in the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.