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Jun 14, 2016Keywords:
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Pattern of paediatric ear, nose and throat diseases in Port Harcourt, South-South, Nigeria
Abstract
Background: It is known that children constitute the majority of the patients' population seen in a typical ORL clinic in most hospitals. In the absence of a well documented pattern of disease in these children, planning for their special health needs would be difficult. This study therefore is aimed at finding the prevalence and pattern of these diseases in the paediatric population in our environment so as to more appropriately equip these clinics and provide better health care to this population.
Method: This was a descriptive retrospective study involving all patients aged 0-15years that were seen in the ENT clinic of UPTH from Jan 2008 to Dec 2010. The clinic records and patients case files were the source of data.
Results: A total number of2163 patients were seen within the study period. 949 of this were of the paediatric age group constituting 43.87% of the total number of patients seen. There were 547males and 412 females giving a ratio of 1.3:1. Age group 0-5years were the most affected; 646 patients (67.33%) while the age 11 15years were the least affected;106 patients(11.16%). Otologic disorders were the commonest disease entity, 620 cases (65.33%). Aerodigestive disorders ranked 2rd; 226 cases (23.8%) while neck diseases were the least, 7 cases (0. 73%). Obstructive hypertrophy of the tonsils and adenoids (OHTA) was the highest single disease entity seen; 18.55% and the highest aerodigestive condition 77.87%. OHTA was seen more in the age group 0-5yrs. Cerumen auris the highest otologic disorder 28.06% ,was seen more in age group 6-10yrs, while CSOM was seen more in 11-15yrs group. Nasal Foreign bodies were the commonest rhinologic condition.
Conclusion: The prevalence of the ENT disease among the paediatric population is high. Obstructive hypertrophy of the tonsils and adenoids, cerumen auris, CSOM are amongst the commonest disorders seen in the paediatric population in this environment. The planning for healthcare service should be focused on providing facilities for managing these conditions, while the training of ENT specialist should emphasize on building competence in the management of these condition's.
Keywords: Pattern; Peadiatric ENT Disease; Nigeria
