The role of melatonin to attain electroencephalograms in children in a sub-Saharan African setting.

Purpose: Limited access to electroencephalograms (EEGs) in sub-Saharan Africa results in a high patient load attending the few neurophysiology units. The state of sleep in children improves yield and reduces artefact of EEGs. Melatonin induces "natural sleep" without the risk of airway compromise.

Psychosocial dysfunction among adolescents who abuse substances in secondary schools in Abakaliki, Nigeria.

Background: Substance abuse has been associated with psychosocial dysfunction from previous reports; however, the prevalence and pattern of such morbidity is unknown in our environment.

Aims: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of psychosocial dysfunction among adolescents who abuse substance.

Methods: A case-control study was carried out among adolescents selected from five secondary schools in Abakaliki.

Prevalence and socioeconomic correlates of autism among children attending primary and secondary schools in south east Nigeria.

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence and socio-economic determinants of autism among children attending primary and secondary schools in South East, Nigeria.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that assessed the prevalence and socio-economic pattern of childhood autism among children attending primary and secondary schools in Enugu and Ebonyi states, South East Nigeria. The questionnaire was adapted from American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR, 2000).

Epileptic spasms - 175 years on: Trying to teach an old dog new tricks.

Purpose: This text provides an overview of how the condition "infantile spasms" has evolved in the last 175 years.

Method: Key references are summarised to assimilate this review.

Results: Infantile spasms, first described by Dr West in 1841, has undergone extensive investigation to understand the pathogenesis, aetiologies, optimal intervention and most likely prognosis for the affected child.

An assessment of sexual maturation among school girls in Abakaliki Metropolis, Ebonyi State, South-East Nigeria.

Background: Sexual maturation is an important milestone which starts between 8 and 14 years in girls. However, varying ages of onset of sexual maturation have been reported in different environments, with more recent studies showing earlier ages of onset in girls. There is therefore need to describe the sexual maturation of girls in each environment.