Joycelyn Odegua Eigbobo

Clinical and echocardiographic findings in an African pediatric population of cleft lip/palate patients: A preliminary report

Background: Every congenital structural defect in the body represents an inborn error in morphogenesis and may affect one or more systems and Orofacial clefts are one of the commonest birth defects. Objective: Cleft lips and/or palate are frequently associated with other congenital anomalies including cardiovascular. Methods: All pediatric orofacial cleft patients presenting for free treatment during a surgical outreach at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital were examined by the pediatric cardiologist, pedodontist, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, and anesthetist. Results: Of the 20 patients studied, three (15%) had congenital heart disease (CHD), 1 (5%) had skeletal anomaly and one of the children with CHD had an ileo-vaginal hernia (digestive and urogenital system anomaly). Conclusions: The most common associated congenital abnormality was CHD in 15% of children.

Trends in dental treatment of children at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: Utilization of oral health services by children is dependent on factors related to the children, parents, and health facilities. Availability of dental personnel (skills) and facilities are very essential for optimal dental care. The aim was to assess the trends in service provision to child dental patients at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A 5 years (2009-2013) retrospective review of clinical records of pediatric dental patients aged 0-16 years was carried out at the Child Dental Health Clinic of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt. The following information was obtained from the records: (i) The period of the procedures, (ii) demographic characteristics, and (iii) the procedures done. The information was collated and analyzed using the SPSS version 20. Results: There were 1692 children treated during the study period; comprising 905 (53.5%) females and 787 (46.5%) male and their mean age was 8.4 (±3.9) years. Most (550 [31.2%]) of the dental procedures were carried out in 2013. In the study period, March and April had the least (4.3%) and most (11.5%) dental procedures, respectively. Tooth extractions and minor surgical procedures represented one-third (33.3%) of the procedures carried out. Preventive procedures were more frequently performed during school vacations while emergency procedures were done when schools were in session. There was a decline in tooth extractions from 2011 to 2013 while there was an increase in preventive procedures. Conclusion: Dental services were more utilized during school vacations, and there was an increase in utilization of preventive dental procedures as a result of increasing oral health awareness.

Utilization of dental services among secondary school students in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: Regular use of dental services has been associated with optimal oral health. Reports in some parts of Nigeria have shown the poor utilization of dental services, but there is a paucity of information relating to oral health care seeking behavior in the South-South region of Nigeria. Aim: To determine the pattern of utilization and identify barriers to utilization of dental services among children. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study done among children aged 12-15 years in secondary schools in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Information was elicited by means of a self-administered structured questionnaire. These included sociodemographic characteristics, views on dental visits, reported visits during the previous year, pattern of dental visits, and the barriers to utilization. Demographic variables and associations were tested using Chi-squared tests with the level of statistical significance set at P < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval. Results: There were 200 school children; 98 (49%) males and 102 (51%) females with a mean age of 13.3 (΁1.1) years. Dental visits were deemed important by 187 (93.5%) children, and 32.0% respondents suggested that visits should be when there are symptoms. Only 42 (21%) pupils had been to the dentist in the last 12 months. The barriers to utilization of dental services majorly included no perceived needs (64.3%). Demographic variables had no significant association with reported visits and pattern of visits. Conclusion: Utilization of dental services among these school children was low and the major barrier was no perceived need. Oral health awareness needs to be improved on the importance of a regular checkup.

Amniotic band syndrome in a Nigerian cleft patient: A case report

Amniotic band syndrome is a set of congenital malformations ranging from minor constriction rings and lymphedema of the digits to complex, bizarre multiple congenital anomalies that are attributed to amniotic bands that stick, entangle, and disrupt fetal parts. The most commonly associated anomalies include amputations, constriction bands, syndactyly, craniofacial defects, and club feet. A case of amniotic band syndrome involving limb anomalies and orofacial cleft deformity in a Nigerian child is reported.

Bilateral tuberculate supernumerary teeth

Supernumerary teeth are teeth in excess of the normal series occurring in any region of the dental arch. They are located mostly in the anterior maxillary region and are classified according to their location and morphology. The tuberculate type of supernumerary tooth possesses more than one cusp or tubercle (barrel shaped). It is rare to find bilateral tuberculate supernumerary teeth in the premaxillary region and when found they rarely erupt. This report describes a 13-year-old boy with erupted palatally placed bilateral tuberculate supernumerary teeth. The presence of these supernumerary teeth led to the labial displacement and rotations of the anterior maxillary teeth. The treatment involved extraction of the supernumerary teeth and a referral for orthodontic management of the crowding, displacement and rotations. The occurrence of erupted palatally placed tuberculate anterior teeth in this case is a rare experience. However, the associated orthodontic problems are within familiar spectrum.