Understanding the demographic and clinicopathologic characteristics of encephalocele at a tertiary institution

Abstract

Background: Encephaloceles are neural tube anomalies marked by either an incomplete formation of skull bone or a failure in the fusion  of the skull, leading to the protrusion of intracranial structures. These anomalies are classified according to their specific locations,  which may include occipital, parietal, sincipital, or basal regions. Risk factors include genetic predisposition, ethnicity,  infections, folate deficiency, and exposure to environmental contaminants. Detecting this abnormality can be done through medical  imaging or a physical examination.

Objective: To document the clinical pattern, management, and demographic characteristics of patients with encephaloceles in Kenya  between the years 2015 to 2021.

Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we analysed 27 patient files with confirmed  diagnoses of encephaloceles. We obtained the files from the records department at Kenyatta National Hospital.

Results: The mean age of  participants was 2.8 years with the range being from 0-6 years. 44% of these patients were female while 56% were male. 70% of the  patients had occipital encephaloceles, 26% had frontal encephaloceles, 2% had sincipital encephaloceles while 2% were uncategorized.  

Conclusion: Encephalocele affects children in Kenya. With Males being affected 1.3 times more than females. Occipital encephaloceles  had the highest proportion at 70% which is in line with international studies. All the patients were diagnosed at birth as opposed to  prenatal diagnosis which is the standard, which would greatly enhance patient outcomes and quality of life.