In-hospital psychoeducation for family caregivers of Nigerian children with cancer (The RESCUE Study).

Objectives: High levels of caregiver burden (CB) are experienced by informal caregivers of pediatric patients with cancer. There is increasing evidence highlighting the extent of CB across sub-Saharan African countries, although there remains lack of interventions that target improvements in their experience. This study aimed to determine the impact of a structured psychoeducation program on caregivers' outcomes relating to preparedness to provide care, burden of caregiving, and quality of life (QoL).

Sexual and procreation preferences of adolescents and young adults infected perinatally with HIV in Southeast Nigeria: a hospital-based cross-sectional study.

Introduction: children with perinatal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection now survive to adolescence and adulthood and so are confronted with issues related to sexuality and sexual reproductive health. This study is aimed at determining the sexual knowledge and behaviours of these adolescents, determining their procreation intention and the impact of their age, gender and understanding of the mother to child transmission risk on their procreation intention.

Methods: a hospital-based cross-sectional study of adolescents and young adults aged 15-24 years infected with HIV in the perinatal period, accessing tertiary care in Enugu.

Sexual maturation of HIV-infected and uninfected male children in Abakaliki, South-East, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: HIV infection, through various mechanisms causes a derangement in sexual maturation. This study compared the Marshal and Tanner staging of HIV-infected and uninfected males. The aim of the study was to determine the sexual maturation in male children infected with HIV on HAART in Abakaliki.

Folate levels in children with sickle cell anaemia on folic acid supplementation in steady state and crises at a tertiary hospital in Enugu, Nigeria: a prospective, comparative study.

Introduction: Folic acid supplementation is an integral aspect of the management of children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) especially in Africa. In spite of this, there have been concerns about lower folate levels, especially during crisis.

Aim: To determine red cell folate levels of children with sickle cell anaemia in steady state and during crisis and compare with those with haemoglobin AA genotype.

Assessment of depression in children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia in a low-resource setting: a comparative study.

Children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) usually face psychological complications especially depression. Assessment of depression in resource-limited settings may help identify the extent to which the children with SCA in such settings may need its introduction as part of routine care. This study aimed to assess depression in children and adolescents with SCA in a low-resource setting.

Clinical depression in children and adolescents with sickle cell anaemia: influencing factors in a resource-limited setting.

Background: Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is the commonest monogenic haematologic disorder resulting from the inheritance of homozygous mutant haemoglobin genes from both parents. Some factors have been identified as important in explaining the variability in depression in sickle cell anaemia (SCA). Information on this is limited in a resource-limited setting like Nigeria.

Relationship between disease severity and folate status of children with sickle cell anaemia in Enugu, South East Nigeria.

Background: Repeated crises in children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA), which is a manifestation of disease severity, results in depletion of their minimal tissue folate stores, with higher likelihood of folate deficiency. The study aimed to determine the relationship between disease severity and the folate status of children with SCA attending University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu.

Methods: This was a hospital based, cross-sectional study conducted between September 2018 and March 2019.

The effect of sickle cell anemia on the linear growth of Nigerian children.

Objectives: Despite the high prevalence of children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) in West Africa, there is paucity of data on the height velocity and prevalence of growth failure in SCA patients. With advances in clinical care of SCA patients, could there be a spatial and secular trend in the growth pattern of these children? Hence, the compelling needs to embark on this study. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of growth failure among patients with SCA and its correlation with age, gender and age at diagnosis.

Glanzmann's thrombasthenia: a rare bleeding disorder in a Nigerian girl.

Introduction: Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia (GT) is a rare autosomal recessive bleeding disorder due to defective platelet membrane glycoprotein GP IIb/IIIa (integrin αIIbβ3). The prevalence is estimated at 1:1,000,000 and it is commonly seen in areas where consanguinity is high.

Case Presentation: The authors report a 12 year old Nigerian girl of Igbo ethnic group, born of non-consanguineous parents, who presented with prolonged heavy menstrual bleeding which started at menarche 3 months earlier, weakness and dizziness.

Comparative study of nutritional status of children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria.

Background: Poor growth and nutritional status are common features of sickle cell anemia (SCA) in children. The rising trend of obesity in children in developing countries has been reported despite a huge burden of undernutrition in these settings. In SCA, overweight/obesity is being increasingly reported.

Knowledge and awareness of individual sickle cell genotype among adolescents in a unity school in Southeast, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: Our study sought to assesses the knowledge and awareness of individual sickle cell genotype among adolescents.

Methods: Participants were recruited from a large school in Southeast Nigeria where adult prevalence of sickle cell trait is 25%. Data was collected through a 50-item survey with previously pretested questions that assessed awareness of individual genotype, general knowledge of sickle cell disease, perception of sickle cell trait and sickle cell anaemia (SCA).

Pre-Transition Readiness in Adolescents and Young Adults with Four Chronic Medical Conditions in South East Nigeria - An African Perspective to Adolescent Transition.

Introduction: When a child reaches a certain age, he or she moves over to the adult physician. For this to maximally benefit the child, there has to be a process of equipping the child with skills required for taking on more responsibilities. Transitioning involves a process in which the adolescent with chronic illness is prepared ahead of time to enable them to eventually transfer to adult care with good outcomes.

Generalized lymphadenopathy: an unusual presentation of burkitt lymphoma in a Nigerian child: a case report.

Introduction: Burkitt Lymphoma is the fastest growing tumor in human and the commonest of the childhood malignancies. Generalized lymphadenopathy is a common feature of immunodeficiency associated Burkitt lymphoma but an uncommon presentation of the endemic type in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) negative children.

Case Presentation: The authors report a 6 year old HIV negative boy who presented with generalized lymphadenopathy, cough, weight loss, fever and drenching night sweat and had received native medication as well as treatment in private hospitals.

Persistent hematuria among children with sickle cell anemia in steady state.

Introduction: Persistent hematuria is a chronic complication of sickle cell anemia (SCA) which can progress to chronic kidney disease. The practice of early detection of persistent hematuria in children with SCA in steady state is important for timely intervention.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of persistent hematuria among children with sickle cell anemia in steady state and compare the result with that of a group of HbAA controls.

Prevalence and Pattern of Psychosocial Disorders among Caregivers of HIV-infected Children in Enugu, South-Eastern Nigeria.

Background: Nigeria has the highest burden of paediatric HIV in the world. HIV infection may result in significant life stressors, on both the infected children and their caregivers.

Methods: This included a hospital-based cross-sectional and comparative study.

Impact of zinc on sexual maturation of female sickle cell anemia (SCA) children in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria.

Adolescence is an important developmental period of childhood. Good health and adequate nutrition consisting major food constituents and trace elements like zinc are fundamental for optimal sexual maturation. To determine the relationship between zinc levels and pattern of breast and pubic hair development, as well as menarcheal age of female SCA children aged 6-18 years and their matched controls with hemoglobin genotype AA.

A Multi-centre Survey of Acceptability of Newborn Screening for Sickle Cell Disease in Nigeria.

Background Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a major genetic disease that manifests early in life and may lead to significant morbidities. One of the health care services that have been effective in reducing the burden of SCD in developed countries is newborn screening (NBS) followed by pneumococcal vaccines, penicillin prophylaxis, and hydroxyurea treatment. Yet, in sub-Saharan African countries, where about 75% of annual affected babies worldwide are born, NBS programmes are largely unavailable.

Relationship between zinc levels and anthropometric indices among school-aged female children with sickle cell anemia in enugu, Nigeria.

Background: Sickle cell anaemia is one of the most common inherited disorders globally. Some affected children have retardation of physical growth which is also seen in those with zinc deficiency.

Objective: To assess the relationship between zinc levels and anthropometric indices of SCA children.

Comparison of Tanner staging of HIV-infected and uninfected girls at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria.

Background: A number of factors influence sexual maturation in adolescents, including chronic illnesses like HIV. Marshall and Tanner devised a method of classifying the adolescent based on the level of sexual maturation into five stages. This study compared the Tanner staging of HIV-infected and uninfected girls.

Preliminary Evaluation of a Point-of-Care Testing Device (SickleSCAN™) in Screening for Sickle Cell Disease.

Sickle cell disease affects about 150,000 births annually in Nigeria. Early diagnosis is hampered by factors such as centralized and urban localization of laboratories, high cost of diagnostic equipment and inadequate skilled manpower to operate them. The need for a low-cost, portable, easy-to-use diagnostic test for sickle cell disease is critical, especially in resource-poor countries.

Neurocognitive Function of School-aged HIV-infected Children in Enugu, Nigeria.

Background: Evidence has shown neurocognitive problems often exist among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children. There are limited data for children in Nigeria.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 100 school-aged perinatally HIV-infected children seen in the paediatric HIV clinic and age/sex-matched controls from the general paediatric clinic.

HIV status disclosure rate and reasons for non-disclosure among infected children and adolescents in Enugu, southeast Nigeria.

Aims: To determine the rate of HIV status disclosure, caregivers' reasons for non-disclosure, and factors influencing disclosure among a sample of HIV-infected children in Enugu, southeast Nigeria.

Methods: Data were collected prospectively via a questionnaire on HIV-infected children and their caregivers who visited the pediatric HIV clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital between July 1, 2012, and June 30, 2013. The data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 19 software.

Blood transfusion services for patients with sickle cell disease in Nigeria.

Background: Safe, timely red blood cell transfusion saves lives and chronic transfusion therapy (CTT) prevents or limits morbidities such as stroke, therefore improving quality of life of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD).

Methods: This questionnaire-based study assessed the ability of sickle cell centers in Nigeria to provide safe blood to patients with SCD between March and August 2014.

Results: Out of the 73 hospitals contacted, responses were obtained from 31.

Microbiological profile of chronic suppurative otits media among HIV infected children in South Eastern Nigeria.

Background: Immune compromised HIV/AIDS infected children have consistently shown a higher prevalence of chronic suppurative otitis media than their immune competent counterparts.This study aimed to compare the microbial isolates from ear discharges in HIV infected and non infected children.

Method: This was a Hospital based prospective cohort study designed to determine the relative prevalence of the common organisms present in chronically discharging ears of HIV infected children and their antimicrobial sensitivities and compare that of age and sex matched non HIV infected children.

Hematological Indices at Birth of Infants of HIV-Positive Mothers Participating in a Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission Program.

Background: The mother-to-child transmission of HIV, which accounts for 90% of infections in children, has been reduced markedly through the use of antiretroviral drugs by pregnant women and their newborns. Changes to the World Health Organization guidelines support further extension of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission programs with increased risk of toxicity on the fetuses.

Aim: To determine the hematological indices at birth of infants exposed in utero to maternal antiretroviral drugs.