Childhood acute glomerulonephritis in Umuahia, south eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Despite the declining incidence of acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) in the developed part of the world, the disease remains fairly common in low income countries with varied presentations leading to childhood mortality. Establishing the local pattern of the disease may assist in planning intervention strategies to improve disease outcome. This study aims to determine the hospital prevalence, sociodemographic characteristics, pattern of presentation and outcome of children admitted for acute glomerulonephritis in Federal Medical Centre Umuahia.

Subjects and Methods: A descriptive study of all children managed for AGN over a period of six years. Relevant information were obtained and analyzed.

Results: AGN accounted for 0.9% of paediatric admissions. Males accounted for 68.4% with a male to female ratio of 2:1. Their ages ranged from 2 to 15 years with a peak of 5 to 10 years. More than half of the patients (52.6%) were of low socioeconomic class. Common presenting features were oedema of varying degrees ( 94.7%) , anemia ( 6 8 . 4%) , hypertension (57.9%), fever (57.9%), oliguria (52.6%) and cola-coloured urine (36.8%). Proteinuria and haematuria were constant features while UTI was a notable co-morbidity. Complications noted were acute kidney injury, electrolyte imbalance, hypertensive encephalopathy and pulmonary edema. Mortality rate was 5.3%.

Conclusion: AGN remains a cause of childhood morbidity with varied complications leading to death. However, where facilities for intervention are available outcome is generally good.

Keywords: Acute glomerulonephritis, Childhood, Pattern, Outcome, Nigeria