High blood pressure pattern amongst adolescents in Lagos, South West Nigeria.

Introduction: high blood pressure (HBP), once considered rare in adolescents is now a growing health problem. Usually asymptomatic in adolescents, if uncontrolled, can track into adulthood leading to various end-organ complications. In 2017, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published a new Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) for screening and management of high blood pressure in children and adolescents to update the 2004 Fourth report.

Impact of the 2017 AAP clinical guideline on the prevalence of high blood pressure among adolescents in Lagos, Nigeria.

Introduction: Adolescent high blood pressure (HBP) can lead to several end-organ complications if it continues into adulthood. The 2017 AAP Guideline has lower blood pressure cut-off points and consequently leads to the identification of more people with high blood pressure. This study evaluated the impact of the 2017 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Clinical Guideline on the prevalence of high blood pressure among adolescents when compared to the 2004 Fourth Report.

Echocardiographic reference z scores of right ventricular dimension and systolic function of children aged 5-12 years.

Background: Reference values for right ventricular dimension and systolic function in Nigerian children are scarce despite their high burden of right ventricular abnormalities. Reference values from other countries may not be suitable for use in Nigerian children because of possible racial variations in cardiac size.

Purpose: To develop reference values for right ventricular dimension and systolic function in healthy Nigerian children aged 5-12 years.

Prevalence and determinants of peripheral arterial disease in children with nephrotic syndrome.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is the least studied complication of nephrotic syndrome (NS). Risk factors which predispose children with NS to developing PAD include hyperlipidaemia, hypertension and prolonged use of steroids. The development of PAD significantly increases the morbidity and mortality associated with NS as such children are prone to sudden cardiac death.

Reference values and equations for the 6-minute walk distance of Nigerian children aged 6-11 years: A cross-sectional study.

Background: The 6-minute walk test (6MWT), a simple, reliable, and valid test that uses the distance walked in 6 minute walk distance (6MWD) to quantify functional capacity, is widely used in the management of chronic disorders. However, the absence of reference standards from sub-Saharan African, including Nigerian, school-aged children limits its utility in this age group.

Objectives: To develop normative values and equations for the 6MWD of school-aged Nigerian children.

Comparative Effectiveness of a Six-Week Treatment Course of Vitamin D and D in Children With Sickle Cell Anemia in Steady State With Hypovitaminosis D: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Correction of vitamin D deficiency through administration of either vitamin D or D has been shown to reduce chronic bone pains and frequency of acute bone pains, increase bone density as well as improve growth stature in children with sickle cell anemia (SCA). Findings vary on the effectiveness of the two forms of the vitamin. The current study was carried out to compare the effectiveness of a 6-week treatment course of vitamin D and D in the correction of hypovitaminosis D (vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency) as well as evaluate treatment response to derangement of serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in children with SCA in steady state.

Psychotic like experiences among Nigerian school adolescents: Findings from the Lagos Schools Emotional and Behavioral Health Survey.

Aim: This study aimed to explore the presence of psychotic like experience (PLE) symptoms and evaluate for the possible socio-demographic, family, school and mental health variables associated with clinically significant PLE symptoms in Nigeria school adolescent.

Methods: A total of 9441 adolescents from 47 secondary schools in Lagos Nigeria completed questionnaire detailing sociodemographic, family and school related variables. Mental health was assessed with the Mini International Diagnostic Interview for children and adolescents (MINI-KID).

Acute Kidney Injury in Children with Severe Malaria Is Common and Associated with Adverse Hospital Outcomes.

Background: The prevalence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in children with severe malaria in sub-Saharan African may have been underestimated. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of AKI in children with severe malaria and its association with adverse hospital outcomes.

Methods: At presentation, we measured complete blood count, serum bilirubin, and serum electrolytes, urea and creatinine in children with severe malaria.

Pre- and Post-ductal oxygen saturation among apparently healthy low birth weight neonates.

Introduction: Reference values of oxygen saturation (SpO2) to guide care of low birth weight neonates have been obtained mainly from Caucasians. Data from African newborns are lacking. To determine the pre- and post-ductal SpO2values of low birth weight neonates within the first 72 h of life, compare SpO2values of moderate-late preterm and term low birth weight neonates and determine how mode of delivery affected SpO2in the first 24 h of life.

Caregivers of Children with Congenital Heart Disease: Does Socioeconomic Class Have Any Effect on Their Perceptions?

Background: Studies from other parts of the world have documented knowledge gaps in parents of children with congenital heart disease (CHD). The authors are not aware of any study in the Nigerian population assessing the effect of socioeconomic class on the perceptions of caregivers of children with CHD.

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of socioeconomic class on the perceptions of caregivers of children with CHD.

Eosinophilic meningitis in a 10-year old nigerian boy: a case report.

Eosinophilic meningitis is rare, commonly caused by invasion of the central nervous system by helminthes. The present case is that of a 10-year-old boy who presented with history of generalized pruritus not associated with skin eruptions, followed by pain and weakness of the extremities and loss of consciousness. Patient did not receive BCG vaccination.

Current pattern of Ponderal Indices of term small-for-gestational age in a population of Nigerian babies.

Background: Small-for-gestational age (SGA) newborns constitute a special group of neonates who may have suffered varying degrees of intrauterine insults and deprivation. Variations in birth weight, length and Ponderal Index (PI) depend on the type and degree of intrauterine insults the babies were exposed to. The objective of the study was to determine the current prevalence of term SGA births in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital and the current pattern of Ponderal Indices among term SGA in a population of Nigerian babies.

Serum cardiac troponin T in asphyxiated term neonates delivered at two teaching hospitals in lagos, Nigeria.

Background: Asphyxia is a leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality in the developing countries. All organs including the myocardium are vulnerable to ischemic injury in asphyxia. The aim of the current study was to assess myocardial injury in asphyxiated full-term neonates using their serum cardiac troponin T levels.

Parasitic etiology of childhood diarrhea.

The objective was to determine the prevalence of parasitic agents among under-five children with diarrhea in Ilesa, Nigeria and the clinical correlates of diarrhea associated with parasitic infestation. All under-five children presenting with diarrhea in the hospital had stool microscopic examination. Children with parasites in diarrheic stools (cases) were compared with those without (controls) for clinical features.