Electrocardiographic features in children with severe falciparum malaria at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

Introduction: The high burden of Malaria morbidity and mortality in children is due to its potential to cause multi-organ dysfunction. There is however limited information on the specific electrocardiographic features in falciparum malaria in paediatric age group. Aim: To investigate the electrocardiographic (ECG) features in children with (complicated) severe falciparum malaria (SM) and acute uncomplicated malaria (AUM) at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional study conducted among 398 children with symptomatic and confirmed Plasmodium falciparum malaria and apparently healthy controls. The frequencies of ECG features were described and compared among these children. Results: The prevalence of ECG abnormality was 79.7% and 63.2% in Severe Malaria SM and Acute uncomplicated malaria AUM patients, respectively. Sinus tachycardia was significantly more frequent in SM than AUM and control groups (p <0.001). The risk of an ECG abnormality was about three times higher in SM than healthy children (p<0.001; OR=2.89;95%CI[1.68,4.99). Conclusion: Severe malaria patients had significant ECG abnormalities (Sinus Tachycardia).

Introduction: Le fardeau élevé de la morbidité et de la mortalité du paludisme chez les enfants est dû à son potentiel de provoquer un dysfonctionnement de plusieurs organes. Il existe cependant des informations limitées sur les caractéristiques électro cardiographiques spécifiques du paludisme à falciparum dans le groupe d'âge pédiatrique. Objectif de l'étude: Étudier les caractéristiques électro cardiographiques (ECG) chez les enfants atteints de paludisme à falciparum sévère (compliqué) et de paludisme aigu non compliqué (AUM) dans l'hôpital du collège universitaire d'Ibadan. Méthode de l'étude: Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale comparative menée auprès de 398 enfants atteints de paludisme à plasmodium falciparum symptomatique et confirmé et de témoins apparemment sains. Les fréquences des caractéristiques ECG ont été décrites et comparées chez ces enfants. Résultat de l'étude: La prévalence des anomalies de l'ECG était de 79,7 % et 63,2 % chez les patients atteints de paludisme grave SM et de paludisme aigu non compliqué AUM, respectivement. La tachycardie sinusale était significativement plus fréquente dans les groupes SM que dans les groupes AUM et témoin (p <0,001). Le risque d'anomalie de l'ECG était environ trois fois plus élevé chez les SM que chez les enfants sains (p<0,001; OR=2,89; IC95 %[1,68, 4,99]). Conclusion: les patients atteints de paludisme grave présentaient des anomalies significatives de l'ECG (tachycardie sinusale).

Comparative evaluation of three histidine-rich Protein-2 based rapid diagnostic tests, microscopy and PCR for guiding malaria treatment in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs) are the preferred option for programmatic deployment. AIMS: There are numerous mRDTs on the Nigerian market and there is a need to guide practitioners on the relative performance of the commonly used brands of mRDT in Nigeria. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The performance of three commonly used Histidine-Rich-Protein-2-based mRDTs (SD-Bioline™, Carestart™ and Paracheck-Pf™) against microscopy of Giemsa stained blood and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was evaluated among 190 febrile under-5 children in Ibadan, Nigeria. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, accuracy, and agreements. RESULTS: There were 53.2% males. The prevalence of malaria parasite by microscopy was 46.8% and 57.9% by PCR. Malaria parasite detection by SD-Bioline™ was 60.5%, Carestart™: 60.0% and Paracheck-Pf™ 60.0%. Using microscopy as the gold standard, the sensitivities of SD-Bioline™, Carestart™ and Paracheck-Pf™ mRDT were 97.8%, 96.7% and 97.8% respectively while the specificities were 73.0%, 72.0% and 74.0% respectively. Using PCR as the gold standard, the sensitivity for both SD-Bioline™ and Paracheck-Pf™ was 85.5% and for CareStart was 84.6% while the specificity of SD-Bioline™, Carestart™, and Paracheck-Pf™ was 73.8%, 72.4%, and 75.0% respectively. The test accuracy was 81.0% for both SD-Bioline™ and Paracheck-Pf™ and 80.0% for Caresatrt™. The kappa coefficient of agreement between PCR and each of SD-Bioline™, Carestart, ParaCheck™ and microscopy was 0.597, 0.578, 0.609 and 0.739 respectively. CONCLUSION: The performance of the three mRDTs is a proof that any of the three is suitable for use in the diagnosis of malaria in the southwest of Nigeria.

Diagnostic Accuracy of a Clinical Scoring Scheme in Childhood Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure remains a major health problem. But its early diagnosis remains a significant challenge especially among the Paediatric population. A standardized highly sensitive and specific clinical basis of diagnosis requiring no sophisticated equipment readily elicitable at the patients beside at presentation is required. OBJECTIVE: The study set out to determine the accuracy of a clinical scoring scheme for the diagnosis of heart failure in infants in Ibadan, Nigeria, using B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) as gold standard. METHODOLOGY: Forty-five consecutive infants admitted into the Paediatric wards of the University College Hospital and the Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria were evaluated with the Ibadan Childhood Heart Failure Index (ICHFI) and those with clinical score of > 3 were recruited. Their plasma BNP levels and those of 45 age-matched controls were also measured. RESULTS: There was a strong positive correlation (0.920) between the ICHFI scores and plasma BNP values (rs = 0.920, P = 0.000). At a cut-off score of 2, the ICHFI has a sensitivity of 97.6%, specificity of 89.8%, a positive predictive value of 88.9% and a negative predictive value of 97.8%. The receiver operating characteristic curve plotted had an AUC of 0.978 at the 95% CI, 0.951-1.000; P < 0.001. CONCLUSION: The ICHFI was found to be an accurate tool for the diagnosis of heart failure in infants and it is therefore recommended for use in primary care and resource challenged settings for the rapid diagnosis, grading of the severity of heart failure and monitoring of treatment.

Steroid response in primary childhood nephrotic syndrome in a tropical african environment.

BACKGROUND: Earlier studies on childhood nephrotic syndrome (NS) in tropical Africa showed steroid resistance in the majority. More recent studies show a variable picture, necessitating a re-evaluation. This study was aimed at determining the current pattern of steroid response in childhood NS, in an environment known to be dominated by steroid resistance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study of consecutive children who received steroid therapy for primary NS was carried out at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria between 2006 and 2013. The outcomes of interest were steroid sensitivity and death. The recruited patients received a 4-6 weeks' course of prednisolone at 60 mg/m2/day followed by alternate day doses of 40 mg/m2 up to total steroid therapy duration of 6 months in steroid sensitive patients. Statistical analysis was carried out using STATA version 12.0. P value <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Of 109 children that received steroids for at least 8 weeks, whose mean (SD) age was 7.9 (3.7) years, 69 (63.3%) were steroid sensitive. Those aged ≥6 years responded as well as those aged <6 years (P = 0.78). Boys were more likely to be steroid-sensitive than girls, 65.2% versus 34.8% (P = 0.039). There was zero mortality among the patients studied. CONCLUSION: This study has shown a better steroid sensitivity of 63.3% in children with primary NS compared with the previously reported 36.8-42.9% in patients with highly selective proteinuria. This improved steroid response and zero mortality show a remarkable departure from the past.

Acquired ventricular septal defect: a rare sequel of blunt chest trauma in a 7-year-old boy.

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most common congenital cardiac lesion encountered worldwide. Only very rarely is it acquired, and causation through blunt injury in a child is extremely rare. A previously healthy 7-year-old boy suffered blunt chest trauma while at play. He presented 11 days later with features of acute congestive cardiac failure. Two-dimensional echocardiographic examination revealed a mid-muscular VSD. The connection between the defect and the trauma was not initially appreciated. Facilities for required urgent open-heart surgery were not available. Cardiac failure was refractory to anti-failure therapy. His clinical condition steadily worsened, and he succumbed after 20 days on admission. We conclude that a diagnosis of traumatic VSD, though rare, should be considered in any previously well child presenting in acute congestive cardiac failure following blunt trauma to the chest. Any such patient should undergo careful echocardiographic evaluation. There is an urgent need for facilities for open-heart surgery to be more readily available and accessible in Nigeria.

Evaluation of the comparative efficacy and safety of artemether-lumefantrine, artesunate-amodiaquine and artesunate-amodiaquine-chlorpheniramine (Artemoclo™) for the treatment of acute uncomplicated malaria in Nigerian children.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of artemether-lumefantrine (AL), artesunate-amodiaquine (ASAQ) and artesunate-amodiaquine-chlorpheniramine (AQC) for the treatment of acute uncomplicated malaria among Southwest Nigerian children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred and sixty children aged 6 months to 14 years with acute uncomplicated malaria were randomized to AL (n = 53), ASAQ (n = 53), or AQC (n = 54). Enrollees were seen daily on days 0-3 and then on days 7, 14, 21, 28 and 42 for clinical and parasitological evaluations. Paired samples of genomic DNA at enrolment and at the time of recurrent parasitaemia were genotyped using nested PCR to distinguish between reinfection and recrudescence. Detailed haematological and biochemical evaluations were carried out in a subset of enrollees on days 0, 7 and 28 as part of a safety evaluation. RESULTS: Of the 160 children, 144 (90%) completed the study. The mean fever clearance times and parasite clearance times for AL, ASAQ and AQC were comparable (p = 0.94 and p = 0.122, respectively). On day 14, the adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR) for AL and AQC was 100% and for ASAQ it was 90% (p = 0.39). The PCR-uncorrected results on days 28 and 42 and the ACPR-corrected results on day 42 were similar for all drugs (p = 0.62 and p = 0.56, respectively). AQC resulted in the best parasite clearance and haematological recovery on day 2 (p = 0.022 and p = 0.018, respectively). Biochemical parameters were not adversely affected by the three artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) and these were well tolerated. CONCLUSION: The three ACTs were efficacious and safe, but AQC resulted in a better haematological recovery on day 2 and higher cure rates throughout the study period.

An evaluation of school health services in Sagamu, Nigeria.

CONTEXT: School health services (SHS) have been shown to be suboptimal in Nigeria. The paucity of data on the status of SHS in Sagamu makes it even more challenging for instituting corrective action. AIM: To evaluate SHS in public and private schools in Sagamu. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study carried out on private and public nursery/primary and secondary schools in Sagamu, Ogun State. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 91 schools, randomly selected from 182 available, comprising 53 private nursery/primary schools, 22 public nursery/primary schools, 11 private secondary schools and 5 public secondary schools, were inspected for availability of the components of the SHS and evaluated using the SHS Evaluation Scale (SHSES). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data were analyzed using SPSS version 15.0. Categorical variables were analyzed using Chi-square test. Level of significance was taken to be P < 0.05. RESULTS: Only one (1.1%) school benefited from the services of a school doctor. Essential drugs and materials for first aid services were available in 85 (93.4%) of the schools, while only 26 (28.6%) had a sick bay. Screening tests for disabilities were performed in only 10 (11%) of the schools visited. Although school midday meals were available in all the schools, they were not free. Private secondary schools had the highest percentage of good school health evaluation scores (63.6%), while 96.2% of the private primary schools had poor health service evaluation scores. CONCLUSIONS: SHS are unsatisfactory in Sagamu. It is therefore necessary for all stakeholders in Sagamu schools (private and public) to provide the materials and manpower needed to achieve effective SHS in the area.

Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus and atrial septal defect without on-site surgical backup: a two-year experience in an African community.

Congenital heart disease contributes significantly to the health burden of children in Nigeria. Interventions for congenital heart disease have been available in the developed world since the first report on device closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in 1967 by Porstmann. However, this did not start in Nigeria until October 2010. This study aimed to document the profiles of the patients who had undergone interventions for congenital heart diseases since the availability of the procedure, the challenges encountered, and the prospects associated with the interventions at the study site. All the patients referred to undergo interventions for congenital heart disease at the study center between October 2010 and 2012 were studied. The profile of the patient, including diagnosis at referral, indication for interventions, and interventions performed, were documented. The patients ranged in age from 3 to 62 years (mean age, 13.54 ± 17.7 years), and the male-to-female ratio was 1:3. The diagnosis at referral included PDA in 10 (83 %) of the 12 patients and secundum atrial septal defect in 2 patients (17 %). They all had transcatheter closure of the defects. Interventional procedures for congenital heart diseases currently are available locally, but the high degree of manpower training required, the cost, and the local availability of consumables are major factors limiting their use. Regional and international collaboration could be mutually beneficial.

Kidney disease in hospitalised HIV positive children in Ibadan, south west Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of data on the clinicopathologic pattern of kidney disease in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive children from sub-Saharan Africa and non from south west Nigeria. OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical pattern and outcome of kidney disease among HIV positive children hospitalised at a tertiary hospital South West Nigeria METHODOLOGY: A retrospective study of all HIV positive children who were hospitalised and managed for kidney diseases over a period of 78 months at the University College Hospital Ibadan, South West Nigeria. Patients were followed up over the duration of hospital admission. RESULTS: Ten children (six males and four females) aged 4-15 (10.4 +/- 3.2) years were identified. Four presented in acute kidney injury, (AKI) three with nephrotic syndrome (NS) and two in chronic kidney failure (CKF). One patient had left renal artery stenosis. Renal biopsy performed in three children showed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in two patients and membranous nephropathy in the third. Management included antiretroviral therapy, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and acute haemodialysis. Mortality was 40%. CONCLUSION: AKI, NS and CKF were the predominant clinical patterns of kidney disease in hospitalised HIV positive children and the mortality is high.

Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus: report of the first case in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Since the first report on device closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) by Porstmann et al in 1967, the procedure has gained wide acceptance and has been used all over the world, including parts of Africa. The advantages when compared to surgical closure include shorter procedure time and hospital stay and no scar being left. This mode of treatment was not available in Nigeria prior to this with patients having to travel abroad to benefit. PATIENT AND METHOD: Cardiac catheterisation laboratory became available in Lagos, Nigeria in 2009 and in October 2010, the laboratory collaborated with Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), to perform a device closure on a 3-year old girl with PDA who had presented to LASUTH with heart failure at the age of 6 months. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time the procedure has been performed in Nigeria RESULTS: The patient made a successful recovery and is haemodynamically stable, on no medications. CONCLUSION: Device closure of PDA is now safe and available in Nigeria.

Cardiovascular dysfunction in HIV-infected children in a sub-Saharan African country: comparative cross-sectional observational study.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiac dysfunction is rarely diagnosed in HIV-infected children in our setting and standard care does not include baseline and follow-up echocardiography. We aimed to determine the prevalence, pattern and predictors of HIV-related cardiac dysfunction. METHODS: Pre-diagnosed HIV-infected children aged 18 months to 12 years from a tertiary teaching hospital in Lagos, South-West Nigeria were enrolled in a comparative, observational cross-sectional study; matched with apparently healthy controls of the same age group, were recruited sequentially between May 2004 and 2007. Proportions of pre-defined cardiac abnormalities such as heart failure diagnosed by clinical examination and dilated cardiomyopathy and ventricular dysfunction by echocardiography were determined. RESULTS: Prevalence of cardiac abnormalities in HIV-infected children was 75.9%. Abnormalities included heart failure, dilated cardiomyopathy (33.7%), decreased LVSF of ≤ 25% in 33.7%, increased left ventricular mass (20.5%) and pericardial effusion (14.5%). CONCLUSION: Structural and functional abnormalities are prevalent in HIV-infected African children and therefore justify inclusion of routine echocardiography in their standard care.

Routine Electrocardiography Request in Adenoidectomy: Is it necessary?

To evaluate the relevance of routine electrocardiographic request in pre-operative work-up of children undergoing adenoidectomy. This is a two year prospective study of children with obstructive adenoid that had adenoidectomy. This is a tertiary hospital based study at the Otorhinolaryngology Department of University College Hospital, Ibadan. Children (≤12 years) with clinical and radiological evidence of an obstructive adenoid were investigated. Information obtained with an interviewer assisted questionnaire included the biodata, clinical presentation of the patients, ECG findings, echocardiographic findings, cardiothoracic ratio, palatal airway and ratio of adenoid diameter to the nasopharyngeal diameter. The adenoid volume was measured after adenoidectomy. The results were analyzed using SPSS version 14 and level of statistical significance was P < 0.05. There were seventy four patients; 45 (60.8%) males and 29 (39.2%) females with a mean age of 38.35 months, S.D ± 30.32 (range 5-144 months). All the patients presented with mouth breathing and recurrent mucopurulent rhinorrhea. Mild snoring was detected in 18 (25%) patients, moderate snoring in 39 (54.17%) patients and severe snoring in 15 (20.83%) patients. Mild apnea was observed in 55 (74.32%) patients and moderate in 19 (25.68%) patients. Only seven (9.46%) patients had abnormal electrocardiographic findings but their ejection fraction on echocardiography ranged from 63 to 72% with a mean value of 68.17%, S.D ± 3.22. Cardiac complications of enlarged obstructive adenoid appear not to be common. Routine preoperative electrocardiography should therefore be restricted to only the high risk patients.

The influence of socioeconomic status on the hemoglobin level and anthropometry of sickle cell anemia patients in steady state at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) has multisystemic manifestations and is associated with severe morbidity and high mortality. It commonly affects growth leading to wasting and stunting. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the influence of socioeconomic status on the nutritional status using anthropometric measurements and steady-state hemoglobin, of children with homozygous SCA, aged 1 year to 10 years in steady state at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study involving 100 children with SCA and 100 age-, sex-, and social class-matched controls that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Social class was assessed using educational attainment and occupation of parents. Hemoglobin concentration was determined using the oxy-hemoglobin method. RESULTS: This study demonstrated a significantly lower mean weight and weight-for-height in the SCA patients than those of controls (P < 0.001). By contrast, this study did not demonstrate any statistical significant difference in the mean height and mean body mass index of SCA patients and controls (P = 0.06) and (P = 0.12), respectively. The mean weight, height, and body mass indices of the subjects and controls were consistently below those of the NCHS standards. The magnitude of the difference from the NCHS standard was also more pronounced in the subjects, increased with advancing age and affected male subjects more than females. Progressive declines in the anthropometric attainment and hemoglobin concentration were observed from social class 1 to 4; this was statistically significant in controls (P = 0.00) but not in subjects (P > 0.1). However, SCA patients had significantly lower values than controls in each of the social classes. CONCLUSION: Poor socioeconomic status has an adverse effect on the nutritional status and hemoglobin of SCA patients.

The influence of socioeconomic status on the hemoglobin level and anthropometry of sickle cell anemia patients in steady state at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital

Background: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) has multisystemic manifestations and is associated with severe morbidity and high mortality. It commonly affects growth leading to wasting and stunting. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to determine the influence of socioeconomic status on the nutritional status using anthropometric measurements and steady-state hemoglobin; of children with homozygous SCA; aged 1 year to 10 years in steady state at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 100 children with SCA and 100 age-; sex-; and social class-matched controls that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Social class was assessed using educational attainment and occupation of parents. Hemoglobin concentration was determined using the oxy-hemoglobin method. Results: This study demonstrated a significantly lower mean weight and weight-for-height in the SCA patients than those of controls (P 0.001). By contrast; this study did not demonstrate any statistical significant difference in the mean height and mean body mass index of SCA patients and controls (P 0.1). However; SCA patients had significantly lower values than controls in each of the social classes. Conclusion: Poor socioeconomic status has an adverse effect on the nutritional status and hemoglobin of SCA patients

The Relationship between Basal Blood Pressure and Body Mass Index in Apparently Healthy Nigerian Adolescent Students

Background: In contrast to the situation in developed countries, very few studies have been done on blood pressure (BP) determinants among Nigerian adolescents. Aim: To evaluate the relationship between basal BP and body mass index (BMI) in a group of healthy Nigerian secondary school students. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 1080 adolescent students selected by a two-stage multi-phase cluster sampling technique. The height, weight and BP of each student were taken using standard methods. Pearson correlation was used to describe the strength of association between variables. Multiple stepwise regressions were conducted to determine the individual or combined contribution(s) of some variables to the variation in BP levels.Results: Mean BMI for males and females were 17.63 ± 2.54 kg/m2 and 18.87 ± 1.81 kg/m2 respectively. Forty six students (4.3%) were overweight. Mean systolic and diastolic BPs were 113.13 + 11.44 mm Hg and 68.29 + 8.07 mm Hg respectively. Thirty-five subjects (3.2%) had systolic or diastolic BP above the 95th percentile for age and sex. Twenty-four (68.6%) of these subjects were also found to be overweight. A moderate positive correlation was observed between both systolic and diastolic BP and BMI. Regression analysis showed that weight, height and BMI were predictors of systolic BP. Height and BMI were the only predictors of diastolic BP. Conclusion: These findings suggest that there is a moderate association between basal BP and BMI

Nephrotic syndrome complicating cyanotic congenital heart disease: a report of two cases.

BACKGROUND: Renal complications are said to be common in cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD), but have not been documented frequently in Nigerian children. Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is an uncommon complication of CCHD. OBJECTIVES: To report two cases of NS complicating CCHD who presented within months of each other, in order to draw attention to the problem. METHODS: The details of the clinical presentation, course and outcome of two children with CCHD, presenting with features of NS within months of each other, were reviewed. The patients were fully assessed clinically and were further investigated with chest X-ray, ECG ad echocardiography. RESULTS: A 12-year old girl with Fallot's tetralogy underwent a Blalock-Taussig shunt at the age of 2 years, but subsequently defaulted from follow-up. She reappeared 10 years later with features of NS. Echocardiography revealed impaired myocardial function. Despite initial clinical improvement following three plasma exchanges and Enalapril therapy, she suddenly died on the 15th day of admission. The second patient was a 7-year old boy with tricuspid atresia, diagnosed at the age of 10 months, and similarly defaulted, reappearing six years later with features of NS. Oedema regressed with similar treatment, but his renal function deteriorated. He was stable enough to be discharged after six weeks on admission. CONCLUSION: Proteinuria is likely to be more common in Nigerian children with CCHD than has been previously appreciated. Early intervention in patients with CCHD is desirable in order to prevent development of complications which worsen the prognosis. Patients with CCHD should be screened regularly for proteinuria in order to detect and address renal complications early.

Increased steroid responsiveness of young children with nephrotic syndrome in Nigeria.

UNLABELLED: A previous study on the nephrotic syndrome (NS) in our unit showed that the histological patterns associated with steroid resistance were more common in children over 5 years of age. AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of steroid-responsiveness amongst nephrotic children

Heart failure complicating tetralogy of Fallot.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure is considered to be an unusual complication of uncorrected tetralogy of Fallot. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Three adolescents with tetralogy of Fallot, presenting in congestive cardiac failure are presented. Two died. Myocardial infarction was found in the only patient that underwent autopsy, and is thought to be an important aetiological factor in the development of the heart failure in the patients. CONCLUSION: The cases presented illustrate the fact that heart failure complicating tetralogy of Fallot may not be as uncommon as was previously thought to be the case, especially in older children. There is a need for early diagnosis and expeditious institution of appropriate management before such complications occur.

The echocardiographic findings in kwashiorkor.

Echocardiography (ECHO), electrocardiography (ECG), and chest radiography (CXR) were performed in 44 children with kwashiorkor, and 44 age- and sex-matched controls. In patients with kwashiorkor, mean values obtained for end diastolic dimension (29.2 +/- 3.8 mm), end systolic dimension (20.9 +/- 2.8 mm), posterior ventricular wall thickness (5.42 +/- 0.57 mm), and shortening fraction (28.2 +/- 4.3%) were significantly smaller than the corresponding values obtained in the controls -38.0 +/- 5.8 mm (P < 0.001), 27.6 +/- 4.5 mm (P < 0.001), 7.07 +/- 0.71 mm (P < 0.001) and 31.4 +/- 4.5% (P < 0.05), respectively. Similarly, mean cardiothoracic ratio (48.6 +/- 3.4%) and QRS amplitude (13.20 +/- 4.85 mm) were significantly (P < 0.001) smaller in subjects than controls, corresponding values being 54 +/- 3.2 per cent and 20.18 +/- 5.12 mm, respectively. In the subjects, there was very good correlation between posterior ventricular wall thickness and cardiothoracic ratio (r = 0.93; P < 0.001) and also between the estimated left ventricular mass and S1 + R6 amplitude (r = 0.89; P < 0.001).

The electrocardiographic changes in kwashiorkor.

An electrocardiogram (ECG), serum electrolytes, serum albumin, haematocrit and cardiothoracic ratio were recorded in 90 Nigerian children with kwashiorkor and 90 age- and sex-matched controls. The ECG abnormalities observed among the study group included sinus tachycardia (91%), low QRS amplitude (100%) and prolonged QTc intervals (17%). Other ECG abnormalities noted were short QTc intervals (three children), prolonged PR intervals (four children) and right axis deviation (two children). The mean serum sodium, potassium, calcium, albumin, haematocrit and cardiothoracic ratio were significantly lower in children with kwashiorkor than in the controls (p < 0.001). The correlation between the QRS amplitude and serum potassium and calcium was poor (p > 0.05). Also, there was poor correlation between heart rate and haematocrit (p > 0.05) and between QTc intervals and serum calcium and potassium (p > 0.05). However, the correlation between the QRS amplitude and cardiothoracic ratio was good (r = 0.91, p < 0.001). These findings suggest that the ECG changes in kwashiorkor are due to myocardial atrophy.