Percutaneous kidney biopsy and the histopathologic patterns of kidney diseases in children: An observational descriptive study at a South-East Nigerian tertiary hospital.

Background: Kidney biopsy remains the best standard for kidney tissue analysis. Although percutaneous kidney biopsy is an invasive procedure, it is an indispensable part of interventional nephrology for accurate diagnosis, selection of appropriate therapy protocol, and prognostication of kidney diseases in children. With improvement in expertise among pediatric nephrologists, data on procedure outcomes are now being documented. Aim: We aimed to describe the outcomes in a 5-year practice of kidney biopsy at the pediatric nephrology unit in a southeast Nigerian tertiary hospital. Patients and Methods: An observational descriptive study conducted on the kidney biopsy performed in our facility from 2017 to 2022. The focus was on the patients' clinical profile, indications for biopsy, the adopted procedure, and the histopathologic findings. Results: A total of 69 patients had kidney biopsy, 40 (58.0%) were males, while 29 (42.0%) were females. Sixty-four (92.7%) patients had the procedure at the age of >10 years, while five (7.2%) at the age of <7 years. The patients' prebiopsy mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 111.20 ± 16.93 and 74.64 ± 12.69 mmHg, respectively. Their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 119.27 ± 52.78 ml/min/1.73 m2. The most frequent indication was steroid resistance (39/69, 56.5%). Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis was the commonest histopathologic finding (38/69, 55.0%). Conclusion: Outcomes of percutaneous kidney biopsy at a Nigerian tertiary hospital are adjudged successful. The histopathologic patterns highlight FSGS as the major cause of steroid resistance in childhood nephrotic syndrome in this clime.

Seroprevalence and Correlates of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Secondary School Children in Enugu, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Although children comprise a small fraction of the burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, which is a major global health challenge, a significant number of them develop chronic HCV infection and are at risk of its complications. AIM: The aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of HCV infection in school children in Enugu urban. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional seroepidemiological study involving children aged 10-18 years selected using multistage systematic sampling in Enugu metropolis, Southeast Nigeria. The anti-HCV was tested using a 3(rd) generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 16.0 with the level of significance set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Four hundred and twenty children were selected and screened comprising 210 (50.0%) males and females. The seroprevalence of anti-HCV was 4 (1.0%). Three (75%) out of the four positive cases for the anti-HCV were females while one was a male giving a male to female ratio of 0.3-1. Traditional scarifications/tattoos were the putative risk factors observed to be significantly associated with anti-HCV seropositivity. CONCLUSION: This study has demonstrated an anti-HCV seroprevalence of 1.0% among children aged 10-18 years in Enugu with traditional scarification as the predominant associated risk factor. Proper health education including school health education and promotion of behavioral change among the public on the practice of safe scarifications/tattoos should be encouraged in our setting.

The Burden and Outcome of Pediatric Renal Admissions at the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki: A 3-year Review (2011-2013).

BACKGROUND: Renal diseases are important causes of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide particularly in the resource-poor countries of sub-Saharan Africa. Adequate data on these diseases in children in our setting are limited as a result of late/nonpresentation. AIM: The aim of the study is to review the pattern and outcome of pediatric renal admissions at the Federal Teaching Hospital (FETH) Abakaliki over a 3-year period. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective observational review of all childhood renal admissions in FETH, Abakaliki, Ebonyi state between 2011 and 2013. Relevant clinical data extracted from the hospital records included patients' biodata, presenting symptom(s), examination finding (s), laboratory investigation results as well as treatment and outcome using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS software package version 16.0. The differences in proportions were tested for statistical significance using the Chi-square statistics. Statistical significance was based on P < 0.05. RESULTS: In the period under review, 1780 children were admitted, of which 4.4% (79/1780) had renal disorders. The mean age of the children was 8.37 (5.1) years. Nephrotic syndrome 32.9% (26/79) was the most common while on individual basis, meatal stenosis, acute kidney injury and end-stage renal disease, respectively, 1.3% (1/79) were the least renal disorders in the study population. The association between treatment mode and outcome of the treatment was statistically significant (P = 0.03), whereas other variables, such as age (P = 0.42), sex (P = 0.28), socioeconomic status (P = 0.33), and type of renal disease (P = 1.00) were not statistically significant. The case fatality rate was 3.8% (3/79). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of individual renal cases in the current study appears to be high. Nephrotic syndrome was the most common with the majority having favorable outcome. There is need to encourage early presentation as the outcome of some of these renal diseases is encouraging, especially when diagnosis and effective management are possible.

Seroprevalence and Correlates of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Secondary School Children in Enugu; Nigeria

Background: Although children comprise a small fraction of the burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections; which is a major global health challenge; a significant number of them develop chronic HCV infection and are at risk of its complications. Aim: The aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of HCV infection in school children in Enugu urban. Subjects and Methods: This was a cross-sectional seroepidemiological study involving children aged 10-18 years selected using multistage systematic sampling in Enugu metropolis; Southeast Nigeria. The anti-HCV was tested using a 3rd generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 16.0 with the level of significance set atP 0.05. Results: Four hundred and twenty children were selected and screened comprising 210 (50.0%) males and females. The seroprevalence of anti-HCV was 4 (1.0%). Three (75%) out of the four positive cases for the anti-HCV were females while one was a male giving a male to female ratio of 0.3-1. Traditional scarifications/tattoos were the putative risk factors observed to be significantly associated with anti-HCV seropositivity. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated an anti-HCV seroprevalence of 1.0% among children aged 10-18 years in Enugu with traditional scarification as the predominant associated risk factor. Proper health education including school health education and promotion of behavioral change among the public on the practice of safe scarifications/tattoos should be encouraged in our setting

Childhood Urinary Tract Infection in Abakaliki: Etiological Organisms and Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common childhood infection in the Tropics which causes significant illness and is frequently missed; probably because of its non-specific presentation and similarity with other common illnesses. Objectives: To determine the prevalence; common etiological agents; and the susceptibility of these pathogens to the commonly available antimicrobial agents in this center. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study carried out at the Children's Outpatient Clinic and Children's Emergency Ward of Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (EBSUTH). The study was carried out between January 1; 2007 and December 31; 2009. Results: One hundred ten subjects of the 3625 children seen in the center during the period of study had UTI giving a case prevalence rate of 3.0. Majority of the patients (59; 53.6) were less than 2 years of age with a male:female ratio of 1:1.3. Fever was the commonest presenting symptom and the commonest organisms isolated in urine were Klebsiella (27; 24.5); and Staphylococcus aureus (24; 21.8). The drugs that were most sensitive to these organisms were Gentamicin (50; 45.5); Ceftriaxone (49; 44.5); and Ciprofloxacin (36; 32.7). Conclusion: The study revealed a high prevalence of UTI among children. Klebsiella was the commonest causative organism isolated in the urine. Gentamicin; Ceftriaxone; and Ciprofloxacin were the antimicrobials with the highest sensitivity to all the isolated microorganisms