Lo Abdur-Rahman

Motorcycle Injuries in a Developing Country and the Vulnerability of Riders, Passengers, and Pedestrians

At a Nigerian university hospital, none of the motorcyclists who presented over a 12 month period had been wearing a helmet, and of the eight patients who died, seven had head injuries. Of the five collision types described, the rate of motorcycle-other vehicle collisions was highest at 40.6%, while the motorcycle-pedestrian rate was 23.4%. Measures to prevent these collisions might reduce overall crashes by 64%; in addition, helmet law should be enforced.

Posterior urethral valve

BackgroundPosterior urethral valve (PUV) is a significant cause of morbidity, mortality and ongoing renal damage in children. It accounts for end-stage renal disease in a proportion of children. This article aims at highlighting the current trend in the management of boys with posterior urethral valve.Data sourcesPubMed/Medline and bibliographic search for posterior urethral valve was done. Relevant literatures on presentation, pathology, evaluation, management and outcomes of PUV were reviewed.ResultsPUV which is increasingly diagnosed prenatally presents a spectrum of severity. The varied severity and degree of obstruction caused by this abnormality depend on the configuration of the obstructive membrane within the urethra. The decision to intervene prenatally is dependent on gestational age, amniotic volume, and renal function of fetal urine aspiration. Identification of the patients who may benefit from early intervention remains inconclusive. Endoscopic ablation of the valve is the gold standard of treatment but use of Mohan’s valvotome and other modalities are invaluable in developing countries where endoscopic facilities are limited. Proximal urinary diversion may result in poor bladder compliance and should be reserved for patients with persisting or increasing upper urinary tract dilatation, increasing serum creatinine or inappropriate instruments. The behavior of the bladder and its subsequent management after valve ablation may influence the long-term renal outcome in PUV patients.ConclusionsThe care of children with PUV continues to improve as a result of earlier diagnosis by ultrasound, developments in surgical technique and meticulous attention to neonatal care. The ultimate goal of management should be to maximize renal function, maintain normal bladder function, minimize morbidity and prevent iatrogenic problems.

Genetic studies in the Nigerian population implicate an MSX1 mutation in complex oral facial clefting disorders.

Background Orofacial clefts are the most common malformations of the head and neck, with a worldwide prevalence of 1 in 700 births. They are commonly divided into CL(P) and CP based on anatomic, genetic, and embryologic findings. A Nigerian craniofacial anomalies study (NigeriaCRAN) was set up in 2006 to investigate the role of gene-environment interaction in the origin of orofacial clefts in Nigeria. Subjects and Methods DNA isolated from saliva from Nigerian probands was used for genotype association studies and direct sequencing of cleft candidate genes: MSX1, IRF6, FOXE1, FGFR1, FGFR2, BMP4, MAFB, ABCA4, PAX7, and VAX1, and the chromosome 8q region. Results A missense mutation A34G in MSX1 was observed in nine cases and four HapMap controls. No other apparent causative variations were identified. Deviation from Hardy Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) was observed in these cases (p = .00002). A significant difference was noted between the affected side for unilateral CL (p = .03) and bilateral clefts and between clefts on either side (p = .02). A significant gender difference was also observed for CP (p = .008). Conclusions Replication of a mutation previously implicated in other populations suggests a role for the MSX1 A34G variant in the development of CL(P).

Clinical Spectrum of Trauma at a University Hospital in Nigeria

AbstractBackground and Objectives: Data on trauma in Nigeria requires updating just as trauma care needs coordination and organization. This study was done to examine the clinical spectrum of trauma and to propose measures for organization of trauma care. Patients and Methods: A 2-year prospective report of an ongoing trauma research is presented. Data obtained from September 1999 to December 2000) include name, age, sex, presenting diagnosis at the accident and emergency (A and E) unit, injury-arrival time, ode of transportation of patients to the hosptial, and the outcome of care. Results: Trauma patients comprised 2,913 of the 4,164 (70.0%) surgical patients seen in the A and E but 129 of 171 deaths (75.4%). Types of trauma were lacerations (585 patients, 20.1%), fractures (542, 18.7%), head injury (250, 8.6%), multiple injuries (249, 8.6%), burns (159, 5.5%), and others. Road traffic accidents (RTA) occurred in 1,816 patients (62.3%), falls in 308, assaults in 258, burns in 159, home accidents in 122, gunshot injuries in 107, industrial accidents in 73, and foreign body injuries in 70. There was no pre-hospital care. Transport to the A and E was done by relations, the police and a few Good Samaritans. Most of the patients reached the hospital in < 6 h. Common mortalities were from head injury (37 patients, 28.7%), multiple injuries (35, 27.1%), fractures (12, 9.3%), and burns (9, 7.0%). Of 106 deaths with timed records, 22 (20.7%), 56 (53.0%) and 28 (26.3%) occurred in 0–1 h, > 1–24 h and > 24 h, respectively. Conclusions: The spectrum of trauma is predominantly RTA-related, hence, trauma care organization would include prevention of RTA, organization of pre-hospital care aimed at transport time of < 2h, training volunteers from the populace and the police as emergency medical services technicians for resuscitation during transport and getting patients to hospital in optimal state, and an enhanced in-hospital care by designation and categorization of hospitals. These strategies, including continuous trauma research and funding, would go a long way in reducing mortalities from trauma, especially from RTA.

The Global Paediatric Surgery Network: A Model of Subspecialty Collaboration Within Global Surgery

Attention to surgical conditions in lowand middle-income countries (LMICs) has increased in recent years. Because half of the population in the world’s poorest countries are children [1], paediatric surgical conditions compose a significant proportion of the global burden of disease (BoD), and there are critical shortages in workforce and skills to treat these diseases in LMICs. Several populationbased studies have highlighted the magnitude of the need for paediatric surgery and the limited capacity, both in human resources and in infrastructure, to tackle the problem [2, 3]. Africa, in particular, has a grave shortage of paediatric surgeons. The number of fully trained paediatric surgeons ranges from 1 in Malawi (population 13 million) to 120 in Egypt (population of 80 million). In more than

Salmonella intestinal perforation: (27 perforations in one patient, 14 perforations in another) Are the goal posts changing?

The pathology of salmonellosis after a faeco-oral transmission was first clearly described by Jenner in 1850. Over the years, the pathological manifestations in different tissues of the body have been described. The ileum is however mostly involved leading to enlarged Peyers patches, ulceration, and sometimes bleeding and perforation. Efforts at control have largely been improvement in public water supply, safe disposal of waste, and general public health measures. Despite these measures, intestinal perforation from salmonellosis remains the commonest cause of emergency operation in children above 3 years. The incidence continues to rise, so also the mortality, despite new antibiotics and improvement in facilities in the hospitals. Even more disturbing is that we now see more perforations per patient, and more involvement of the colon. Three recently managed patients with multiple ileal/colonic perforations were reviewed. Presenting problems, delay in referral, choice of antibiotics and postoperative complications were noted. One patient had 27 perforations and another 14 perforations. Both survived. Is salmonella changing? Are our patients changing? Is the environment changing? Are the goal posts changing? This article details our recent experience with this dreadful disease, reviews the new literature and makes suggestions for the way forwards.

Association Studies and Direct DNA Sequencing Implicate Genetic Susceptibility Loci in the Etiology of Nonsyndromic Orofacial Clefts in Sub-Saharan African Populations

Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are congenital dysmorphologies of the human face and oral cavity, with a global incidence of 1 per 700 live births. These anomalies exhibit a multifactorial pattern of inheritance, with genetic and environmental factors both playing crucial roles. Many loci have been implicated in the etiology of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) in populations of Asian and European ancestries, through genome-wide association studies and candidate gene studies. However, few populations of African descent have been studied to date. Here, the authors show evidence of an association of some loci with NSCL/P and nonsyndromic cleft palate only (NSCPO) in cohorts from Africa (Ghana, Ethiopia, and Nigeria). The authors genotyped 48 single-nucleotide polymorphisms that were selected from previous genome-wide association studies and candidate gene studies. These markers were successfully genotyped on 701 NSCL/P and 163 NSCPO cases, 1,070 unaffected relatives, and 1,078 unrelated controls. The authors also directly sequenced 7 genes in 184 nonsyndromic OFC (NSOFC) cases and 96 controls from Ghana. Population-specific associations were observed in the case-control analyses of the subpopulations, with West African subpopulations (Ghana and Nigeria) showing a similar pattern of associations. In meta-analyses of the case-control cohort, PAX7 (rs742071, P = 5.10 × 10−3), 8q24 (rs987525, P = 1.22 × 10−3), and VAX1 (rs7078160, P = 0.04) were nominally associated with NSCL/P, and MSX1 (rs115200552, P = 0.01), TULP4 (rs651333, P = 0.04), CRISPLD2 (rs4783099, P = 0.02), and NOG1 (rs17760296, P = 0.04) were nominally associated with NSCPO. Moreover, 7 loci exhibited evidence of threshold overtransmission in NSOFC cases through the transmission disequilibrium test and through analyses of the family-based association for disease traits. Through DNA sequencing, the authors also identified 2 novel, rare, potentially pathogenic variants (p.Asn323Asp and p.Lys426IlefsTer6) in ARHGAP29. In conclusion, the authors have shown evidence for the association of many loci with NSCL/P and NSCPO. To the best of this knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate any of these association signals in any African population.

Pediatric trauma care in Africa: the evolution and challenges.

Childhood trauma is one of the major health problems in the world. Although pediatric trauma is a global phenomenon in low- and middle-income countries, sub-Saharan countries are disproportionally affected. We reviewed the available literature relevant to pediatric trauma in Africa using the MEDLINE database, local libraries, and personal contacts. A critical review of all cited sources was performed with an emphasis on the progress made over the past decades as well as the ongoing challenges in the prevention and management of childhood trauma. After discussing the epidemiology and spectrum of pediatric trauma, we focus on the way forward to reduce the burden of childhood injuries and improve the management and outcome of injured children in Africa.

Congenital prepubic sinus: A variant of epispadiac dorsal urethral duplication

Congenital prepubic sinus is a tract originating in the skin overlying the base of the penis. Its embryologic basis is still debated. We present a 9-month-old boy with a recurrent muco-purulent discharge from a tiny opening in the midline prepubic area on the base of the penis. Examination revealed a ventrally hooded prepuce, dorsal chordee, penile torsion to the left, and a 3-mm-diameter prepubic sinus 1 cm from the base of the penis. Histology of the excised tract showed a transitional epithelium. We believe our case is an epispadiac variant of dorsal urethral duplication.

Concurrent dextrogastria, reverse midgut rotation and intestinal atresia in a neonate

A case of dextrogastria associated with multiple jejunal atresia and inverse rotation of the bowel in a neonate is presented. The management of this rare condition is highlighted with a review of the literature.