Mammographic screening patterns in Sokoto, Northwestern Nigeria

Background: Screening mammography is a radiographic examination of the breast performed for early detection of breast cancer in asymptomatic women. The American College of Radiology recommends that women should have mammography at the age of 40 years and annually thereafter. However, those who are at increased risk of breast cancer should start screening mammography earlier. These include patients with a strong family history of breast cancer or those who had radiotherapy to the chest wall.Objective: This study is aimed at evaluating the mammographic outcomes among 77 Nigerian females who had screening mammographic breast examination. Materials and Methods: From December 2010 and November 2012, 77 females had routine screening mammography in the department with the general electric alpha­RT machine with model number MGF­101 (manufactured 2010). All the participants had to fill a mammographic form consisting of variables such as age, sex, occupation, family history ofbreast cancer, tribe, contraception, parity and caffeine consumption, history of surgical intervention (lumpectomy, biopsy, and/or mastectomy), previous mammography, and last childbirth. Mediolateral­oblique and cranial­caudal views were done for the breast examination though additional were occasionally employed. Results: Seventy­seven females had screening mammography. The minimum age recruited was 40 years. The mammographic outcome for those who had screening was normal in 51 (66.2%) and abnormal in 26 (33.8%) participants. The abnormal mammographic outcomes were architectural distortion in either or both breasts in 13 (16.9%) participants, masses in either or both breast in 11 (14.3%) participants, while isolated calcification in either or both breast among 2 (2.6%) participants. Two (18.2%) of the subjects with masses had associated macrocalcification. No masses with malignant features were seen. Conclusion: Screening mammography was found out to be useful in detecting various forms of breast pathologies which were mostly breast masses, calcifications, and architectural distortions. Screening mammography is, therefore,advised yearly and routinely for women age 40 years and above

Prevalence and outcome of hypoglycemia in children attending emergency pediatric unit of a specialist hospital in Nigeria

Background: Hypoglycemia is a common metabolic problem encountered in pediatric emergency admissions. The absence of clinical symptoms does not preclude the presence of hypoglycemia as presentation may vary from asymptomatic to central nervous system and cardiopulmonary disturbances. If untreated, hypoglycemia can result in permanent neurological damage or even death. Objectives: The objective of the study is to determine the prevalence, associated factors and outcome of hypoglycemia in pediatric emergency admissions at Ahmad Sani Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The study was a prospective cross­sectional study involving children aged 1 month­13 years. Blood glucose was determined at admission using Accu­Chek® Active Blood Glucose Meter, and hypoglycemia was defined as blood glucose levels <2.8 mmol/L (<50 mg/dL). Age of the patients, sex, interval of last meal, presenting complaints diagnoses were recorded. Results: A total of 154 children were studied.Thirty (19.5%) were infants and 71 (46.1%) were under­fives. Eighty­seven (56.5%) were males with male to female ratio of 1.3:1.The prevalence of hypoglycemia was 22.1%. The predominant disease conditions the children with hypoglycemia presented with were severe malaria, acute diarrheal disease, and sepsis. The prevalence of hypoglycemia was significantly higher among children whose last meal was 8 h and above before presentation (42.9%). Children who presented with hypoglycemia were significantly more likely to die (odds ratio [OR] =13.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] =4.6­38.7). Among those with hypoglycemia, males were significantly more likely to die (OR = 4.2, 95% CI = 1.0­18.0). Hypoglycemia was significantly associated with mortality in children with severe malaria and pneumonia (P = 0.04 and 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: The prevalence of hypoglycemia is still high in our emergency admissions. It is associated with significant mortality especially among male children and those presenting with severe malaria and pneumonia. We recommend that hypoglycemia sought for and promptly treated in children presenting to emergency to reduce mortality