Pattern of neurological disorder presenting at a paediatric neurology clinic in Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
Neurological diseases account for more than 20% of the world's disease burden with majority of affected people living in Africa. However there is a paucity of literature on neurological disease in Africa.


METHODS
A retrospective review of 114 children with neurological problem seen at a paediatric neurological clinic in a 2-year.


RESULTS
Delayed developmental milestone, convulsion and inability to walk were the 3 most common reasons for referral to our Paediatric neurology clinic. Cerebral palsy (55.3%), Seizure disorder (26.3%) and postmeningitic complications (6.2%) were the common neurological disorder seen at our neurology clinic. The Paediatric outpatient department (POPD) of our hospital was the main source of referral for most cases (83.2%) and 71.1% of all patients resides within Zaria metropolis. The default rate from follow-up was higher among children with cerebral palsy compared to children with seizure disorder (58.7% vs. 13.3%, P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Lack of adequate facilities for proper rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy could have been the main reason for the high default rate from follow-up.
Wammanda
R D
RD
Department of Paediatrics, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria. wammanda@yahoo.com
Onalo
R
R
Adama
S J
SJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002547:Cerebral Palsy; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008511:Medicine; D008581:Meningitis / Q000150:complications; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010372:Pediatrics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012640:Seizures; D013038:Specialization