A Ten-Year Review of Childhood Renal Admissions into the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The exact burden of childhood renal disease among Nigerians, particularly in the Lagos environment is not known. Local literature by focusing on the nephortic syndrome seemingly gives the impression that it constitutes the most important and perhaps the most common of these diseases. In practices however, varies renal disease occur amongst out children.
Objective: To describe the pattern of children renal disease seen at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital in order to adequately advocate for needed personnel and equipment for care of children with renal disease.
Methods: A ten-year (1991 – 2000) retrospective review to children admitted into the paediatric wards at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) was undertaken. Those with the final diagnosis of renal disease were analyzed.
Results: Of a total of 5,176 children admitted in the period 203 (3.9%) were diagnosed with renal disease and they were significantly more males.
Between 1994 – 1996 when there was no paediatric nephrologists in the hospital, the numbers of children seen with renal disease were significantly reduced, p <0.05. Common renal disease include nephritic syndrome (40.4%), post-infectious acute glomerulonephrities (24.1%). Wilms Tumor (15.3%), acute renal failure (7.4%), urinary tract infection (4.9%), posterior urethral valves 3.4%), and chronic renal failure (0.5%) in order of ranking.
Mortality was 17.7% and deaths were mainly from post-infectious acute glomerulonephritis and acute renal failure.
Conclusion: The pattern of renal disease in the Lagos environment is similar to those previously described from other parts of Nigeria and this study shows that mortality from renal disease is high. In view of this therefore, and coupled with the technology for management is available there is need to train paediatric nephrologists and other relevant personnel to meet the healthcare needs of children with renal disease.
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NQJHM Vol. 13 (3-4) 2003: pp. 1-5