International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 9 (7), pp. 001-003, July, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Case Report

Delayed diagnosis of ataxia-telangiectasia in an adolescent patient

Ahmet Sert*, Dursun Odabas, Bahar Demir and Cengizhan Kılıcarslan

Department of Pediatrics, Konya Training and Research Hospital, Konya, Turkey.

Accepted 17 October, 2019

Abstract

Ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) is a rare autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cerebellar ataxia, telangiectasies, immune defects, and a predisposition to malignancy. Patients present in early childhood with progressive cerebellar ataxia and later develop conjunctival telangiectases, other progressive neurologic degeneration, sinopulmonary infection and malignancies. Under-diagnosis or diagnostic delay of AT and its pulmonary complications contribute to morbidity and early mortality. We reported a patient who, due to a delay in diagnosis of AT, presented with bronchiectasis at the age of seventeen. To reduce the morbidity associated with AT, there needs to be greater awareness of the respiratory complications. Early management and monitoring lung function can minimize pulmonary damage.

Key words: Adolescent, ataxia-telangiectasia, bronchiectasis.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 9 (7), pp. 001-005, July, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Cerebrospinal fluid characteristics of PCR diagnosed enteroviral meningitis (EVM) in children

Jaishen Rajah^1*, Jurgen Sasse², Rula Essam¹, Tayseer Hassan¹, Marthinus Pitout² Subashnie Devkaran³ and Afrozul Haq²

¹Department of Pediatrics, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, P. O. Box 51900, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

²Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, P. O. Box 51900, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

³Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Accepted 09 July, 2019

Abstract

Distinguishing bacterial from viral meningitis helps prevent unnecessary use of antibiotics and decreases the length of stay. The distinction may often be blurred by the typical textbook description of viral meningitis which states that mononuclear cells predominate in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The aim of the work is to accurately describe the CSF response in a group of children with enteroviral meningitis proven by the gold standard, polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A cross sectional study was performed at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). We examined retrospectively all children (< 12 years as per hospital definition) who tested PCR positive for enterovirus in the CSF from January 2005 to January 2007. 53 patients with mean age (SD) of 74.8 months (37.8) were included. There was a statistically significant dominance in polymorphnuclear cells (PMN) in both the CSF (Chi Square statistic 28.78, P < 0.001) and serum, which persisted after 24 h with mononuclear cells and PMN equally represented. A correlation between CSF and serum PMN% was also detected (Pearson's r = 0.447, P=0.001, 95% CI = 0.196 to 0.643). Our peak season was in spring, there was a male predominance and the median (IQR) length of stay was 48 h (48 -72). The majority of children with aseptic meningitis had PMN predominance in both CSF and serum, which is not limited to the first 24 h. This finding differs from most standard textbook descriptions and may have relevance in using PMN counts to distinguish bacterial from viral meningitis.

Key words: Enterovirus, viral meningitis, PCR, polymorphnuclear cells, length of stay, children.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 9 (7), pp. 001-005, July, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Geohelminthiasis among Nigerian preschool age children

O. P.G. Nmorsi¹*, C. Isaac¹, I. S. Aashikpelokhai¹ and N. C. D. Ukwandu²

¹Tropical Disease Research Unit, Department of Zoology, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria.

²Department of Medical Microbiology, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria.

Accepted 21 August, 2019

Abstract

A study of the prevalence, intensity and risk factors of geohelminth infections was investigated among preschool children aged 1-5 years old in Ibilo, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Two hundred and ninety eight children (94.30%) out of 316 volunteers examined were infected with one or more geohelminth parasites. The predominant geohelminth was Ascaris lumbricoides (85.7%, 104.4 epg), followed by hookworm (65.7%, 172.2 epg) and Trichuiris trichuira (2.9%, 305 epg). The difference in the prevalence of infection of the geohelminths among the preschool children was statistically significant (F=6.708, p <0.05). Infection rate of A. lumbricoides and hookworm (35.6%) was more than for either Ascaris and Trichuris (2.7%) or Hookworm and Trichuris (6.0%). The infection rate of multiple parasites of A. lumbricoides, hookworm and Trichuris was 3.4%. The difference in the mean pre treatment parasite load (369.8 epg) and post treatment parasite load (17 epg) was statistically signi-ficant ( ² =13.92, p < 0.05). The mean difference between children who were anaemic pre treatment (7.9 g/dL) and the improvement of the haemoglobin profile post treatment (10.5 g/dL) was not statistically significant (t=2.65, p > 0.05). Of the three anthelmintic drugs administered, namely, Albendazole, Mebendazole and Pyrantel pamoate, children treated with Pyrantel pamoate had the lowest parasitic load post treatment and highest cure rate. Places of defecation such as pit latrines, bushes and water closets as well as mothers’/caregivers’ occupation have been identified as potential risk factors contributing to the high infection rates of helminth parasites among preschool age children studied.

Key words: Geohelminthiasis, preschool age, children, albendazole, mebendazole, Pyrantel pamoate, haemoglobin, risk factors, Nigeria.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 9 (7), pp. 001-003, July, 2020.© International Scholars Journals

Case Report

Testicular embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma: A case report

Agabus N. Manasseh¹, Godwins O. Echejoh¹*, Olugbenga A. Silas¹, Matthew N. Tanko², Shola K. Jegede¹ and Barnabas M. Mandong¹

¹Department of Pathology, Jos University Teaching Hospital, P. M. B. 2076 Jos, Plateau State 930001, Nigeria.

²Department of Pathology, University of Botswana, P. M. B. 0022, Gaborone, Botswana.

Accepted 14 October, 2019

Abstract

Rhabdomyosarcoma is one of the most frequent soft tissue sarcomas in children. It is found mostly in children, primarily infants, toddlers, and pre-school pupils. However, pure testicular rhabdomyosarcoma is a very rare tumor and few cases have been reported in literature. The tumor usually presents as a painless testicular enlargement with early dissemination via the blood stream and lymphatics. The origin of this tumor is presumed to be from overgrowth of a sarcomatous area of the teratoma. Here, we present a case of testicular rhabdomyosarcoma in a 15-year-old student with a fatal outcome during chemotherapy. This is actually the first case of pure testicular rhabdomyosarcoma diagnosed in this centre after over 10 years.

Key words: Rhabdomyosarcoma, testicular, orchidectomy, chemotherapy.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 9 (7), pp. 001-004, July, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Intelligence quotient of 7 to 9 year-old children from an area with high fluoride in drinking water

H. R. Poureslami¹*, A. Horri¹, S. Khoramian and B. Garrusi²

¹Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Kerman Oral and Dental Research Centre, University of Medical Sciences, Iran.

²Department of Social Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran.

Accepted 21 April, 2020

Abstract

This paper reports the effect of chronic high fluoride exposure on children`s intelligence quotient (IQ). In this cross sectional study, two urban communities with similar socio-economic and cultural status but with different levels of fluoride in drinking water, in Kerman province of Iran were studied: Koohbanan City (fluoride 2.38 mg/L), Baft City (fluoride 0.41 mg/L). Study samples consisted of 119 children 6 to 9 years old: 59 children from Koohbanan and 60 children from Baft. Raven`s progressive matrices used to determine the effect of fluoride exposures on children`s IQ. The statistical analysis was carried out using the t-test, the chi-square test and the Mann-Whitney test. In the low fluoride area (control group), the mean IQ score of children was 97.80±15.95 that decreased to 91.37±15.63 for the high fluoride group (Koohbanan`s children), it was significantly different from the control group (P<0.05). Although fluoride is widely promoted for prevention of dental caries, its overconsumption may lead to dental fluorosis and other adverse effects. Based on the findings, the chronic exposure to high levels of fluoride can be one of the factors that influence intellectual development. Therefore, it is necessary to think about some solutions for preventing the bad effects of excessive intake of fluoride ion to the body, especially in cities like Koohbanan.

Key words: Fluoride, fluorosis, intelligence quotient, Raven test.

International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN 2326-7291 Vol. 9 (7), pp. 001-011, July, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Social Cognitive Theory and Perspectives of Community Pharmacists about Promotion of Lifestyle Modification in Hypertensive Adults

Olanike O. Kehinde*, Kimberly G. Dixon-Lawson and Aaron B. Mendelsohn

Faculty of Public Health, School of Health Sciences, Walden University.

Accepted 14 July, 2020

Abstract

Hypertension is a global public health problem. Promotion of lifestyle modification (PLM) by health professionals is a key aspect in the management of hypertension. The perspectives of community pharmacists about PLM among adults with hypertension have not been explored in Nigeria though they play an essential role in healthcare in the community. A phenomenological study was conducted to document the perspectives of community pharmacists about PLM using in-depth interviews and social cognitive theory as the guiding framework. The knowledge, experiences, and barriers to the practice of PLM by 12 community pharmacists were explored. From a thematic analysis of transcribed data, 3 categories (perception of roles, perception of practice, pharmacy school curriculum), and an overarching theme evolved to capture the perspectives of community pharmacists about PLM in hypertension. The overarching theme was that the roles and practice of PLM by community pharmacists among hypertensive patients is influenced by cognitive factors, pharmacy school training, agency (self-efficacy and patient factors), and social structure (stakeholders and environmental factors). These findings may aid the design of appropriate interventions that can help community pharmacists to contribute more meaningfully to the management of hypertension through PLM in adults.

Key Words: Promotion of lifestyle modification, community pharmacists, health promotion, hypertension, social cognitive theory.