Pattern and Predictors of Epilepsy among Children with Cerebral Palsy in Jos, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a chronic motor disorder that results from a permanent injury to the developing brain. Co-morbidity of CP and epilepsy could be devastating to a child if not identified early and managed appropriately. AIM: To describe the pattern and predictors of epilepsy among children with CP in Jos, Nigeria. METHODS: This cross sectional study was carried out in the pediatric neurology clinic of Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria. Structured questionnaires and hospital records were used to document all relevant information of children with CP from January 2015 to December 2016. RESULTS: A total of 162 subjects with CP were studied, epilepsy was seen in 75 (46.3%) of the subjects. The mean age at the onset of seizure was 1.52±0.43 years. Among those with epilepsy, 52 (69.3%) had their first seizure before 1 year of age while 26 (34.7%) had a history of neonatal seizures. The commonest type of epileptic seizure seen was generalized tonic-clonic seizures in 33 (44.0%) subjects, followed by focal seizures 30 (40.0%), myoclonic seizures 5 (6.7%) and epileptic spasms 3 (4.0%). Focal seizures were predominantly seen in spastic hemiplegic CP while generalized seizures predominated in other types of CP. Independent predictors of epilepsy were seizure in the first year of life, neonatal seizure and spastic CP (adjusted odds ratio 4.97, 2.45 and 8.85 respectively). CONCLUSION: Co-morbidity with epilepsy is common among children with CP. Children with CP should be properly evaluated for epilepsy and appropriate treatment commenced if indicated.

Current aetiology of neonatal sepsis in Jos University Teaching Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Periodic bacteriologic surveillance in neonatal units is a necessity. OBJECTIVE: To determine the currently prevalent pathogens of neonatal sepsis in the Special Care Baby Unit of Jos University Teaching Hospital, and their antibiotic susceptibility profiles. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and twenty two neonates with clinical suspicion of sepsis underwent bacteriologic screening over a 4 month period. RESULTS: One hundred and fourteen bacteria were isolated from 66 (54.1%) of the infants. Forty two (36.8%) isolates were gram positive (predominantly Staphylococcus aureus), while 72 (63.2%) were gram negative (predominantly Escherichia coli). Gentamicin was most useful antibiotic, though effective against only 67% of both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The susceptibilities of both gram positive and gram negative bacteria to the third generation cephalosporins were particularly poor (less than 10%). CONCLUSION: Our data show a change in the predominant gram negative bacterial pathogen compared with an earlier report from our unit, and an alarming overall decline in the susceptibilities of both gram positive and gram negative pathogens to the commonly used antibiotics.

Which babies get blood in Jos, Nigeria?

Documentation of the transfusion needs of neonatal units is required to guide blood banks in meeting demands. A prospective observational study of newborn transfusions over 35 weeks was conducted. Eighty-four transfusions were conducted in 62 of 377 (16.45%) admitted infants in 35 weeks. Neonatal jaundice (57.2%) and anemia (38.1%) were main indications. In 85.7% cases, blood transfused was < 3 days old. Weight of infants at transfusion was < 2500 g in 51.6% cases. Infants were first transfused at < 7 days in 59.7% cases. Whole blood was used in 64.3% of all cases. Overall transfusion rate was 2.4/week. Neonatal jaundice is the commonest indication for transfusion and whole blood is in greater demand.