Epidemiology of congenital anomalies of the central nervous system in children in Enugu, Nigeria: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Congenital anomalies, including those of the central nervous system (CNS), are among the leading causes of morbidity, mortality, and fetal loss. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and associated factors of CNS congenital anomalies in children. METHODS: A cross-sectional retrospective study of children managed with CNS anomalies was undertaken. Relevant clinical data of identified cases based on standard case definitions were retrieved from their case record files. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 while the level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Seventy-two cases of CNS anomalies were identified over the period under review; out of 7329 total pediatric admissions giving a prevalence of 0.98%. Spina bifida cystica, 49 (68.0%) was the most common of the five anomalies seen followed by congenital hydrocephalus 11 (15.3%). Fifty-seven (79.2%) of the mothers did not take periconceptional folic acid supplementation (P < 0.05) whereas 25 (34.7%), 6 (8.3%), and 1 (1.4%) reported history of febrile illness in the first trimester of pregnancy, alcohol use, and diabetes mellitus in pregnancy, respectively. Majority of the cases of spina bifida cystica (30 [61.2%]) seen had corrective surgeries while the overall case fatality rate was 1 (1.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Spina bifida cystica was the most common anomaly of the CNS seen in this study and majority of the mothers of affected children did not take periconceptional folic acid supplementation (P < 0.05). Efforts should be made to create awareness and apply adequate preventive health education models including the use of periconceptional folic acid supplementation as well as the provision of access to standard prenatal care to at risk mothers.

Sleep pattern and practice among adolescents school children in Nigerian secondary schools.

INTRODUCTION: Some adolescents may have sleep disorder at some point during adolescence. Determining the pattern and practice of sleep among adolescents could be useful to establish a lasting sleep hygiene program among adolescents. The objectives of this study are to describe sleep pattern and practice among adolescent in Nigerian secondary schools. METHODS: Sleep habits were investigated using a random sampling of adolescents from secondary schools from February to April 2013. A self-administered questionnaire was developed based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) IV criteria. Epworth Daytime Sleepiness Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used. RESULTS: A total of 443 subjects, comprising 263 (59.4%) females and 180 (40.6%) males completed the questionnaire. The mean duration of night sleep of the subjects during weekday was 7.84 (1.9) hours and 8.65 (2.07) hours during the weekend. 22.8% (101/443) had abnormal sleep onset latency (< 5 minutes and > 30 minutes). The gender of the subjects did not influence the sleep onset latency (χ(2) = 32.89, p= 0.57). Twenty six (5.9%)of the subjects reported difficulty falling asleep. CONCLUSION: Adolescents have varying degrees of sleeping practice and hygiene.