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.

Epidemiology of congenital anomalies of the central nervous system in children in Enugu, Nigeria: A retrospective study.

Background: Congenital anomalies, including those of the central nervous system (CNS), are among the leading causes of morbidity, mortality, and fetal loss.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and associated factors of CNS congenital anomalies in children.

Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study of children managed with CNS anomalies was undertaken.

Determinants of Noncompliance to Clinic Appointments and Medications among Nigerian Children with Epilepsy: Experience in a Tertiary Health Facility in Enugu, Nigeria.

Purpose. To determine the frequency and determinants of noncompliance to clinic appointment and medication among Nigerian children with epilepsy. Method.

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Adolescents in Enugu, Nigeria.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and correlates of hepatitis B virus infection in adolescents in Enugu-urban.

Methods: A cross-sectional seroprevalence survey was conducted among school children aged 10-18 years. Subjects were selected using multistage sampling.

End--users' perception of quality of care of children attending children's outpatients clinics of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku--Ozalla Enugu.

Background: Knowledge of the specific details of end-users actual experiences with health system helps to identify areas for improvement in ways that standardized satisfaction measures are less able to provide in order to save lives, uphold public confidence and trust in healthcare delivery. The aim of the study was to assess the end-users' perception of the quality of clinical services rendered to children attending paediatric out-patient clinics of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku - Ozalla, Enugu.

Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was undertaken using exit point interviewer administered pre-tested/semi-structured questionnaire.

Outcome of exchange blood transfusions done for neonatal jaundice in abakaliki, South eastern Nigeria.

Background: Neonatal jaundice (NNJ) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among neonates in Nigeria and exchange blood transfusion (EBT) is a common modality of its treatment in Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital (EBSUTH), Abakaliki. This communication aims to audit this service.

Materials And Methods: A 3-year retrospective review of the case files of all neonates that had EBT for NNJ at the new born special care unit of EBSUTH.

Factors associated with mortality in under-five children with severe anemia in Ebonyi, Nigeria.

Objective: To determine the risk factors associated with poor outcome among under-five children with severe anemia in sub Saharan Africa.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.

Infant sleeping environment in South-eastern Nigeria (sleeping place and sleeping position): a preliminary survey.

Objective. To determine infant sleeping position/place and the factors associated with them in South-eastern Nigeria. Methods.

Factors influencincing discharge against medical advice among paediatric patients in Abakaliki, Southeastern Nigeria.

Discharge against medical advice (DAMA) has become a major problem in health care delivery in Nigeria. Children are the victims because most of the times they are not the one taking the decision, and may not understand or contribute to it. This retrospective study was undertaken to identify the factors that influence DAMA among paediatric patients in Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki in southeastern Nigeria, with a view at curbing it.

Childhood epilepsy and school absence.

Epilepsy is one of the most common diseases encountered among school children. Its effect on school attendance and academic performance is a major cause of concern to both parents and clinicians. In this communication, the absence rate and academic performance of 50 school children with epilepsy attending normal schools was compared with that of their age- and sex-matched classmates using the class attendance register and overall score of the 2001/2002 academic year.