Neutropaenic enterocolitis: A medical/surgical oncological dilemma.

Neutropaenic enterocolitis (NE) is a life-threatening condition characterised by an inflammation of the colon and/or the small bowel in the background of chemotherapy-induced neutropaenia. A 16-year-old girl with acute myeloblastic leukaemia (AML) developed fever, right-sided abdominal pain and tenderness with severe neutropaenia. Initial ultrasound findings suggested acute appendicitis for which she had surgery.

Haematological Parameters and Spleen Rate of Asymptomatic and Malaria Negative Children in Edo South District, Nigeria.

Background: Malaria is commonly associated with alteration in haematologic cells of infected individuals in both the acute uncomplicated and severe phases. Whether this alteration occurs in the asymptomatic phase of the disease is still being investigated.

Objectives: To examine the haematocrit, thrombocytes, and monocytes levels of children with asymptomatic malaria compared with age/sex-matched controls who are malaria parasite negative and living in a stable malaria endemic region.

HemoTypeSC, a low-cost point-of-care testing device for sickle cell disease: Promises and challenges.

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a neglected burden of growing importance. >312,000 births are affected annually by sickle cell anaemia (SCA). Early interventions such as newborn screening, penicillin prophylaxis and hydroxyurea can substantially reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with SCD.

Pattern of Accidental Childhood Poisoning at the Children Emergency Room of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.

Background: Accidental childhood poisoning contributes significantly to childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. A review of the agents which cause poisoning in our locality from time to time is important in planning prevention strategies and treatment modalities.

Objective: To document the pattern of accidental childhood poisoning at the Children Emergency Room (CHER) of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Nigeria.

Emergency Blood Transfusion in Children in a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria: Indications, Frequency and Outcome.

Background: Blood transfusion is a life-saving procedure in paediatric practice. It is important in replacing blood volume in cases of haemorrhage or providing specific blood components as required. However, the procedure carries some risks and complications.

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.

Comparison of obesity, overweight and elevated blood pressure in children attending public and private primary schools in Benin City, Nigeria.

Background: Overweight and obesity in children, and adolescents is on the rise globally. Affected children are prone to cardio-metabolic problems later in life, especially hypertension. The prevalence of obesity/overweight may differ depending on school type.

Pattern of Care Before Presentation Among the Psychiatric Emergency Cases at a Tertiary Health Care Center in Nigeria.

Objective: To determine the pattern of care sought in cases of psychiatric emergency before presentation to a tertiary health care center.

Method: Consecutive recruitment of 180 emergency psychiatric cases, which comprised a total of 156 patients, presenting to the accident and emergency unit of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Edo State, Nigeria, was conducted from June 2008 to January 2009. A structured instrument was used to gather the patients' information including their sociodemographic characteristics, their care before presentation, and the relations accompanying them to the hospital.

Awareness and screening for retinopathy of prematurity among paediatricians in Nigeria.

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vasoproliferative disorder of the retina which occurs in premature babies due to defective vasculogenesis. There are established screening guidelines to enhance its early identification and prompt treatment. The aim of the study was to determine the level of awareness of the screening protocols for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) among paediatricians in Nigeria.

PREVALENCE OF RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS IN MID-WESTERN NIGERIA.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of RHD among primary school pupils in Egor Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State of Nigeria.

Design: A cross sectional study

Setting: The study was carried out among selected primary pupils in three public and six private schools in Egor LGA, (the smallest governmental unit) in mid-Western Nigeria.

Subjects: Using a multistage sampling technique, pupils were selected from public and private primary schools in Egor LGA.