Christopher Imokhuede Esezobor

Paediatric Acute Kidney Injury in a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria: Prevalence, Causes and Mortality Rate

Background The modest decline in child mortality in Africa raises the question whether the pattern of diseases associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) in children in Nigeria has changed. Methods A database of children, aged between one month and 16 years, with AKI (using modified pediatric RIFLE criteria) was reviewed. The cause of AKI was defined as the major underlying disease. The clinical and laboratory features of children with AKI who survived were compared to those who died. Results Of the 4 015 children admitted into Lagos University Teaching Hospital between July 2010 and July 2012, 70 episodes of AKI were recorded equalling 17.4 cases per 1000 children. The median age of the children with AKI was 4.8 (range 0.1–14.4) years and 68.6% were males. Acute kidney injury was present in 58 (82.9%) children at admission with 70% in ‘failure’ category. Primary kidney disease (38.6%), sepsis (25.7%) and malaria (11.4%) were the commonest causes. The primary kidney diseases were acute glomerulonephritis (11) and nephrotic syndrome (8). Nineteen (28.4%) children with AKI died. Need for dialysis [odds ratio: 10.04 (2.94–34.33)], white cell >15 000/mm3 [odds ratio: 5.72 (1.65–19.89)] and platelet <100 000/mm3 [odds ratio: 9.56 (2.63–34.77)] were associated with death. Conclusion Acute kidney injury is common in children admitted to hospitals. The common causes remain primary kidney diseases, sepsis and malaria but the contribution of sepsis is rising while malaria and gastroenteritis are declining. Acute kidney injury-related mortality remains high.

Prevalence of proteinuria among HIV-infected children attending a tertiary hospital in Lagos, Nigeria.

Sub-Saharan Africa is the epicentre of the HIV pandemic but there are few reports of HIV-related kidney diseases in children in this region. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of proteinuria in HIV-infected children at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Proteinuria was determined using urine protein-creatinine ratio. CD4+ cell count was determined for all the HIV-infected children. The mean age of the HIV-infected children was 74.4 +/- 35.6 months with a male: female ratio of 3:2. Compared with 6% of the 50 controls 20.5% of the 88 HIV-infected children had proteinuria (p = 0.026). Of 20 children with advanced clinical stage 40% had proteinuria compared with 14.7% of 68 children with milder stage (p = 0.004). Similarly, proteinuria was commoner among those with severe immunosuppression (p = 0.014). HAART use was not associated with significant difference in proteinuria prevalence (p = 0.491). Proteinuria was frequent among HIV-infected children, especially among those with advanced disease.

Pediatric kidney diseases in an African country: Prevalence, spectrum and outcome

Insufficient data to guide the authorities responsible for resource allocation and a focus on communicable diseases increase the challenges of care of children with kidney disease in resource-constrained settings like ours. This study was performed with the aim to describe the current spectrum of pediatric nephrology disease in a tertiary hospital in Sub-Saharan Africa and highlight the challenges encountered in their care. A 4-year retrospective review of pediatric renal admissions was carried out and the overall prevalence, disease-specific prevalence and mortality rates were determined. Results were compared with nationwide data. Kidney diseases accounted for 8.9% of pediatric admissions with a prevalence of 22.3 admissions per 1000 child-admissions per year. Nephrotic syndrome, acute kidney injury and nephroblastoma accounted for almost 70% of admissions. The overall mortality was 14.4% with acute kidney injury accounting for 36% of this. Chronic kidney disease was also associated with poor outcome. The spectrum of disease nationwide is similar with a wide variation in disease-specific prevalence between geographic regions. The prevalence of genetic and hereditary conditions was low. The prevalence of pediatric renal disease in our environment is on the increase and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Late presentation and high treatment costs were limitations to care. Preventive nephrology, training of pediatric nephrologists and strengthening of health insurance schemes are advocated.

High Steroid Sensitivity among Children with Nephrotic Syndrome in Southwestern Nigeria

Recent reports from both Caucasian and black populations suggest changes in steroid responsiveness of childhood nephrotic syndrome. This study was therefore undertaken to determine the features and steroid sensitivity pattern of a cohort of black children with nephrotic syndrome. Records of children managed for nephrotic syndrome from January 2008 to April 2013 were reviewed. Details including age, response to treatment, and renal histology were analysed. There were 108 children (median age: 5.9 years, peak: 1-2 years), 90.2% of whom had idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. Steroid sensitivity was 82.8% among children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome but 75.9% overall. Median time to remission was 7 days. Median age was significantly lower in steroid sensitive compared with resistant patients. The predominant histologic finding in resistant cases was focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (53.3%). No cases of quartan malaria nephropathy or hepatitis B virus nephropathy were diagnosed. Overall mortality was 6.5%. In conclusion, unusually high steroid sensitivity is reported among a cohort of black children. This is likely attributable to the lower age structure of our cohort as well as possible changing epidemiology of some other childhood diseases. Surveillance of the epidemiology of childhood nephrotic syndrome and corresponding modifications in practice are therefore recommended.

Peritoneal Dialysis for Children with Acute Kidney Injury in Lagos, Nigeria: Experience with Adaptations

♦ Introduction: International professional groups are supporting the training of physicians in developing countries in nephrology, including peritoneal dialysis (PD). This report documents the impact of such efforts in the provision of manual PD for children with acute kidney injury (AKI) in a public hospital in Lagos, Nigeria. ♦ Methods: Medical records of all children with AKI managed with PD between July 2010 and March 2013 were reviewed. ♦ Results: Seventeen children with a mean (SEM) age of 3.8 (0.8) years received PD for 0 - 18 days; about half were infants. PD was provided manually, frequently with intercostal drains as catheters. Blockage of catheters and peritonitis occurred in 4 (23.5%) and 2 (11.8%) children, respectively. Eight (47.1%) of the 17 children had resolution of AKI and were discharged from hospital. In 4 (57.1%) of the 7 children who died, PD was performed for ≤ 2 days. ♦ Conclusion: PD for childhood AKI is feasible in resource-constrained regions with fairly good outcome. Blockage of catheter was the most common complication encountered.

Kidney function of HIV-infected children in Lagos, Nigeria: using Filler's serum cystatin C-based formula

BackgroundLimited data is available on kidney function in HIV-infected children in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, malnutrition in these children further reduces the utility of diagnostic methods such as creatinine-based estimates of glomerular filtration rate. We determined the serum cystatin C level and estimated glomerular filtration rate of 60 antiretroviral-naïve, HIV-infected children and 60 apparently healthy age and sex matched children.MethodsSerum cystatin C level was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique, while glomerular filtration rate was estimated using Fillers serum cystatin C formula. Student t test, Mann Whitney U test, Pearson chi square and Fishers exact test were used, where appropriate, to test difference between groups.ResultsCompared to the controls, the HIV-infected group had significantly higher median (interquartile range) serum cystatin C levels {0.77 (0.29) mg/l versus 0.66 (0.20) mg/l; p = 0.025} and a higher proportion of children with serum cystatin C level >1 mg/l {10 (16.7%) versus one (1.7%); p = 0.004}. The HIV-infected children had a mean (± SD) eGFR of 96.8 (± 36.1) ml/min/1.73 m2 compared with 110.5 (± 27.8) ml/min/1.73 m2 in the controls (p = 0.021). After controlling for age, sex and body mass index, only the study group (HIV infected versus control) remained a significant predictor of serum cystatin C level (β = -0.216, p = 0.021). The proportion of HIV-infected children with eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 was eight (13.3%) versus none (0%) in the control group (p = 0.006). However, the serum cystatin C level, eGFR and proportions of children with serum cystatin C level >1 mg/l and eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 were not significantly different between the HIV-infected children with advanced disease and those with milder disease.ConclusionsHIV-infected children in Nigeria have higher serum cystatin C level and lower eGFR compared to age and sex matched controls.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected children attending a donor-funded clinic at a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.

The success of antiretroviral therapy (ART) depends on a high level of adherence to a life-long regimen of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). Since the scale-up of access to ARVs in Nigeria, few studies have determined the level of adherence of ART among children. This study was undertaken to determine the level of ART adherence among paediatric patients at an outpatient clinic, the reasons for non-adherence, and the factors associated with adherence, according to caregivers’ reports. Out of a total of 212 children, 183 (86%) were adherent in the three days preceding the interview, while 29 (14%) were not adherent. Drug exhaustion at home (16 children), followed by ‘child slept through’ (7 children) and ‘caregiver away’ were the most common reasons for a child having missed one or more ARV doses. Independent factors for adherence were male gender (odds ratio [OR] = 2.85; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17–6.92) and attendance at last scheduled clinic appointment (OR = 4.76; 95% CI: 1.73–13.04). The caregivers highest educational attainment, distance travelled to the clinic, use of medication reminders, formulation of ARVs, duration of HAART usage, age of the child and orphan status were not significantly associated with adherence to drug treatment. The overall level of adherence was high and similar to the rate reported prior to free access to ART services in Nigeria. Among child patients on HAART, there is a need to identify factors affecting clinic attendance and drug exhaustion at home.

Prevalence and predictors of childhood enuresis in southwest Nigeria: Findings from a cross-sectional population study

INTRODUCTION Childhood enuresis is common, but the prevalence and factors associated with childhood enuresis in Africa have been poorly described. Furthermore, most studies from the continent have not provided data distinguishing monosymptomatic from non-monosymptomatic enuresis. This distinction is important as it guides enuresis therapy. OBJECTIVES The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of enuresis in children aged 5-17 years in a community in Nigeria. The secondary objectives were to determine the relative proportions of monosymptomatic and non-monosymptomatic enuresis and identify independent sociodemographic and clinical predictors of enuresis. STUDY DESIGN Parents or guardians in the community were interviewed using a pretested questionnaire. Standardized definitions were used, as recommended by the International Childrens Continence Society. RESULTS A total of 928 children were included in the study. The prevalence of enuresis or daytime incontinence and enuresis was 28.3% (enuresis 24.4%, and daytime incontinence and enuresis 4%); it decreased with age. Primary and monosymptomatic enuresis were the most common types of enuresis. In multiple logistic regressions, children aged 5-9 years were 10.41 (5.14-21.05) times more likely to have enuresis or daytime incontinence and enuresis compared with those aged 14-17 years. Other predictors of enuresis or daytime incontinence and enuresis were: male gender (OR 1.56 (1.13-2.14)); constipation (OR 2.56 (1.33-4.93)); and a sibling (OR 2.20 (1.58-3.06)) or parent (OR 3.14 (2.13-4.63)) with enuresis. Enuresis or daytime incontinence and enuresis was 1.92 (1.06-3.48) times more likely in fourth-born, or higher, children compared with first-born children. Only parents of nine (3.4%) children with enuresis had consulted a medical doctor about it. DISCUSSION The high prevalence of childhood enuresis in the present study was consistent with most studies from developing countries and contrasted sharply with the lower rates reported among children in developed countries. Common reasons for this disparity were the influence of socioeconomic status on enuresis rates and the low utilization of effective enuresis therapies in developing countries. Consistent with published literature, monosymptomatic enuresis was the commonest form of enuresis in the present study. Furthermore, younger age, male gender and a family history of enuresis were strongly associated with enuresis. A major limitation of the study was the lack of use of a voiding diary. CONCLUSION Childhood enuresis was common in the community but parents rarely sought medical attention. Predictors of enuresis were younger age, male gender, constipation, higher birth order, and a family history of enuresis.

Attitude to organ donation among healthcare workers in Nigeria

As transplantation services are scaled up in Nigeria so will the need for organ donation. Crucial to the success of organ donation is the attitude of healthcare workers (HCW); this was determined in the present study.

Clinical Profile and Hospital Outcome of Children with Severe Acute Kidney Injury in a Developing Country

INTRODUCTION In resource-constraint regions of the world, the spectrum of childhood diseases is changing, creating a need to clearly define the epidemiology of severe acute kidney injury (AKI). METHODS Medical records of children aged between 1 month and 17 years with stage 3 AKI in a tertiary hospital were reviewed. RESULTS Ninety-one children, comprising 63 (69.2%) males and 26 (28.6%) infants, were studied. Majority (75.8%) had stage 3 AKI at the point of hospitalization. Sepsis (41.8%), primary kidney diseases (PKD; 29.7%) and malaria (13.2%) were the most common causes of stage 3 AKI. Twenty-eight (30.8%) children died. Mortality was highest in those with sepsis, less than 5 years old and needing dialysis. CONCLUSION Sepsis, PKD and malaria were the most common causes of severe AKI. A third of children with severe AKI died. Mortality was highest in those less than 5 years old, with sepsis and needing dialysis.