Childhood seizures: assessment of the knowledge, attitude and home interventions among patients attending a paediatric outpatient clinic in Nigeria

Most seizures in children occur outside the hospital and effective first aid would protect individuals from harm. Study assessed the knowledge, attitude and home-based interventions for childhood seizures.Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional survey conducted from 1stJune to 31stDecember, 2021 among caregivers of patients in a Paediatric outpatient clinic. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to assess knowledge, attitude, and home intervention of childhood seizures. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24 and results presented as frequency tables, percentages and charts. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant.Results: Out of 218 respondents, the commonest source of information on childhood seizures was from friends and relatives 126(73.2%). Fever was the commonest known cause. Only 15(6.9%) recognized seizure as a neurological disorder. Jerking of the body and clenchingof the teeth were the commonest recognizable symptoms. The majority said seizures were contagious (176(80.7%) and children with seizures should not go to school 187(85.8%). The overall knowledge score was poor. Negative attitudes included avoidance 19(8.7%), isolation from playing with peers (15(6.9%) and from the public 17(7.8%). Common interventions during seizures were putting palm kernel oil in the mouth while only 25(29.4%) took the child to the hospital or laid him down away from harmful objects 25(29.4%). The practice of home intervention for seizures was good in only 11(5.0%) of respondents

Pattern and determinants of outcomes of neurological emergencies admitted into children emergency ward in a tertiary hospital in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Neurological emergencies are life-threatening central nervous system disorders, significantly contributing to childhood morbidity and mortality. The sequelae may be irreversible and may impact negatively on the quality of life of affected children and their families. This study identified the morbidity pattern and determinants of the outcomes of children with neurological emergencies in the Children Emergency Room (CHER) of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH). Method: A 4-year retrospective study was carried out in the CHER. Data on demography, diagnosis and outcomes of children with neurological disorders were extracted from the records. Data analysed with SPSS 24 were expressed in percentages and frequency tables. Results: Of the 3040 children admitted in the CHER, 364(12%) aged 0-15 years had neurological emergencies, commoner among males (59.3%) and children aged less than five years (70.9%). Meningitis (40.2%) and febrile convulsion (28.2%) were the topmost diagnoses made. Raised intracranial pressure (17.4%) and head injuries (25.5%) were significantly more prevalent among children aged five years and above. The mortality rate was 61(16.8%) and more among adolescents (30.6%). All the mortalities took place within the first 48hours of admission especially among those with head injuries (46.5%) and perinatal asphyxia (95%), (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Meningitis and febrile convulsion were the commonest neurologic emergencies seen in this study. Mortality rate was high, especially in the first 48 hours of admission and mainly from perinatal asphyxia and head injuries. Education on the prevention and management of neurologic emergencies should be strengthened

Pattern and determinants of outcomes of neurological emergencies admitted into children emergency ward in a tertiary hospital in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: Neurological emergencies are life-threatening central nervous system disorders, significantly contributing to childhood morbidity and mortality. The sequelae may be irreversible and may impact negatively on the quality of life of affected children and their families. This study identified the morbidity pattern and determinants of the outcomes of children with neurological emergencies in the Children Emergency Room (CHER) of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH). Method: A 4-year retrospective study was carried out in the CHER. Data on demography, diagnosis and outcomes of children with neurological disorders were extracted from the records. Data analysed with SPSS 24 were expressed in percentages and frequency tables. Results: Of the 3040 children admitted in the CHER, 364(12%) aged 0-15 years had neurological emergencies, commoner among males (59.3%) and children aged less than five years (70.9%). Meningitis (40.2%) and febrile convulsion (28.2%) were the topmost diagnoses made. Raised intracranial pressure (17.4%) and head injuries (25.5%) were significantly more prevalent among children aged five years and above. The mortality rate was 61(16.8%) and more among adolescents (30.6%). All the mortalities took place within the first 48hours of admission especially among those with head injuries (46.5%) and perinatal asphyxia (95%), (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Meningitis and febrile convulsion were the commonest neurologic emergencies seen in this study. Mortality rate was high, especially in the first 48 hours of admission and mainly from perinatal asphyxia and head injuries. Education on the prevention and management of neurologic emergencies should be strengthened.