Affiliations: Department Pediatrics and Child Health, College of
Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Osogbo, Nigeria | Department Pediatrics, Ladoke Akintola University of
Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria
Note: [] Correspondence: Dr. Adebami Joseph Olusegun, FWACP, Department
of Pediatrics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital,
Osogbo, Nigeria. Tel.: +234 (0) 8037115347; E-mail: adebamisegun@yahoo.com,
adebamiolusegun@gmail.com
Abstract: Neurological disorders in children cause disability, handicapping
and reduction in the potential of the affected child and are therefore sources
of major concern to parents, health workers and governments worldwide. To
determine the pattern of neurologic abnormalities at a follow up clinic in our
health facility, a descriptive study of the patients who attended the neurology
clinic of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital. Osogbo
for 4 yr that is, between January 2006 and December 2009 was undertaken. The
data obtained at first clinic attendance included age, sex, family history of
neurological disorders and clinical presentations. Detailed physical and
neurological examinations and the anthropometric measurements of the patients
were also performed. Two hundred and forty nine patients were studied. One
hundred and forty two (57.0%) males and 107 (43.0%) females with
male:female ratio 1.33:1. The ages of the patients at first contact ranged
between 2 to 168 mo (2 mo to 14 yr) with the mean of 56.83 ± 49.56 mo.
Leading clinical presentations were seizures in 168 (67.5%), developmental
delay in 86 (34.5%), movement disorders, ataxia and gait abnormalities in 44
(17.7%), and microcephaly in 36 (14.4%). In descending order, the maain
diagnoses were cerebral palsy, kernicterus and Down syndrome, post-meningitis
complications, craniosynostosis, post-cerebral malaria complications and acute
flaccid paralysis Patients were managed with chemotherapy, physical therapy,
social and surgical care. To reduce the burden of neurologic abnormalities, a
multi-pronged approach must be pursued at controlling the prevailing factors of
cerebral palsy, kernicterus and meningitis. Improvement and sustained
immunization programs – especially against poliomyelitis and measles – should also be ensured.
