Unusual Metastatic Patterns of Wilms Tumor: A Case Series.

Wilms tumor (WT) is the most common renal malignancy of childhood. The common metastatic sites are the lungs, liver, and lymph nodes, with brain and bone metastases occurring rarely. Metastatic disease can be present at initial diagnosis or may occur with relapse or disease progression. The majority of relapses in WT occur within the first two years post-treatment. Late relapses are rare. This article describes four cases of WT, each demonstrating an unusual site or timing of metastases. Case 1 presented primarily with jaw metastases, Case 2 presented with bone (vertebrae) and spinal metastases manifesting as paraplegia, at relapse one year after completion of treatment, Case 3 presented with isolated liver metastases four years after treatment completion, and Case 4 presented with brain metastases after six weeks of treatment abandonment. This case series demonstrates the varied pattern of metastases of WT and highlights the need for a high index of suspicion for WT among patients who present with unusual sites of tumor or for metastasis in those who present with neurologic symptoms during or after treatment.

Diagnosis and management of extrahepatic oesophageal variceal bleed in children in a low resourced setting.

Extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO) is a major cause of portal hypertension (PH) in children. Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is the most common cause accounting for up to 75% of cases in developing countries. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is the most dreaded and commonest presentation of portal hypertension. Successful treatment of paediatric PH, though challenging is performed in resource constraint countries. CASES: Five children presented over three years to a tertiary hospital in Ghana, with massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding. They had anaemia, thrombocytopaenia and four had splenomegaly. Liver function tests, INR, haemoglobin electrophoresis as well as HIV serology, hepatitis B and C screening were all normal. Abdominal doppler ultrasound scan confirmed portal vein thromboses. They were resuscitated and managed with octreotide, propranolol, antibiotics and sclerotherapy or oesophageal variceal banding in the acute setting and long term secondary prophylaxis with propranolol. Subsequently, an algorithm was developed to assist with the management of bleeding from oesophageal varices and the diagnosis of EHPVO. CONCLUSION: Portal hypertension due to EHPVO is an important cause of upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in children. This can be successfully managed even in a resource constraint setting once the appropriate measures are taken.

Prevalence of Polyparasitic Infection Among Primary School Children in the Volta Region of Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Polyparasitic infection is a possibility in areas where parasites are endemic, especially among children. This study looked at the prevalence of polyparasitic infections among children in the Volta Region of Ghana. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study, among 550 primary school children (aged 6-14 years) in 3 districts in the Volta Region. Questionnaires were administered, and blood, stool, and urine samples were collected. Blood samples were screened for Plasmodium falciparum with rapid diagnostic test and microscopy, together with hemoglobin estimation. Stool and urine samples were microscopically examined using wet mount and sedimentation methods to detect intestinal parasites and Schistosoma haematobium, respectively. Pearson χ2 test was used to evaluate the association between parasitic infections and socioeconomic variables, and multivariate logistic regression to evaluate paired associations among parasites. RESULTS: The most prominent infection among the children was P. falciparum (present in 383 children [69.6%]), followed by S. haematobium (57 [10.36%]). There was low prevalence of intestinal protozoa (present in 11 children [2%]), Ascaris lumbricoides (7 [1.27%]), and hookworm (5 [0.91%]). A total of 62 children had polyparasitic infection, with P. falciparum and S. haematobium having significant paired association (both present in 46 children [74.19%]; adjusted odds ratio, 2.45; P = .007). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of polyparasitic infection was low in this study, and significant coinfection was seen with P. falciparum and S. haematobium.

Neonatal Jaundice: awareness, perception and preventive practices in expectant mothers.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal jaundice (NNJ) is a preventable cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Improving mothers' knowledge will help with early recognition of NNJ, prompt and appropriate intervention. This study highlights the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding neonatal jaundice among expectant mothers attending the antenatal clinics of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and Mamprobi Polyclinic in Accra. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 175 expectant mothers. Interviewer based questionnaire was used to obtain data on knowledge, attitude and practice concerning NNJ. The study was conducted between 1st and 17th November 2013 at two antenatal clinics in Accra. RESULTS: Out of the 175 respondents, 135 (77.1%) had heard about NNJ but only 37 (27.4%) of them heard it from the hospital. Among those who had heard about NNJ, 98 (72.6%) knew at least one symptom of NNJ; 125 (92.6%) did not know the causes of jaundice or had the wrong information and there was no significant association with their level of education (X2 =6.757, p=0.15). Only 7(5.2%) knew one or more correct forms of treatment of NNJ; 67(49.6%) knew one or more danger signs and 86(63.5%) knew one or more complications. CONCLUSION: Majority of expectant mothers attending antenatal clinics at a Teaching Hospital and a Polyclinic in Accra, Ghana are aware of NNJ but have poor knowledge about the causes, danger signs and treatment of NNJ, irrespective of their level of education or their parity. FUNDING: None declared.