The Clinical Spectrum Of Paediatric Neurological Disorders In Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano

Abstract

Background: Neurological disorders have been noted to account for more than 20% of global disease burden and that poor countries are disproportionately affected. The aim of this review was to highlight the clinical spectrum of neurologic disease seen in Kano as there had been no previous report from the center.
Materials and methods: The medical records of all children who attended the paediatric neurologic clinic over 8-year period were examined and all relevant data were extracted and analysed.
Results: Three hundred and fifty six patients were reviewed. There were 222 males and 134 females with ratio of 1.7:1. Age range was 2 months – 12years. Some patients had multiple morbidities. The predominant neurologic morbidities included: cerebral palsy (42.4%), epilepsy (27.8%), febrile seizure (6.5%), mental retardation(6.2%), microcephaly (5.6%), behavioral problems (5.6%), poliomyelitis (4.5%), hydrocephalus (4.2%), visual impairment (2.8%), down syndrome (1.7%), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (1.4%). A few others occurred infrequently. Birth asphyxia featured prominently in aetiology of cerebral palsy and epilepsy.
Conclusion: It is suggested that preventive measures through health education and improved perinatal health services will greatly help in reduction of neurologic morbidities in Kano


Keywords: Review, Neurological, Disorders

Sahel Medical Journal Vol. 11 (1) 2008: pp. 12-14