title: Endomyocardial fibrosis in Sub Saharan Africa: The geographical origin, socioeconomic status, and dietary habits of cases reported in Yaounde, Cameroon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) is a neglected heart condition of the inter-tropical regions. Numerous hypotheses suggest a relationship between its geographical distribution in the affected regions and other etio-pathogenic factors such as dietary habits, infectious causes, and geochemical causes. Knowledge of its epidemiology in Cameroon remains limited, which is why we decided to describe the profile of a paediatric series of EMF in Yaoundé.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was carried out on EMF in 54 patients diagnosed from 1 January 2006-31 December 2014 in a Paediatric Centre of Yaoundé. Diagnosis was mainly echocardiographic. We compiled data on the geographic origins of the patients, their dietary habits and the socioeconomic profile of their families.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients' ages ranged from 2 to 17 years, most of whom (83.3%) were between 5 and 15 years. For geographical distribution, all came from three tropical forest zones where they have lived since their childhood. These were Center (32/54), South (12/54), and East (10/54). All families had a moderate income, consumed tubers at least twice a week especially cassava (43/54) and had low sources of proteins.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Apart from geographical similarities all patients of our series shared the same dietary habits. Our study was conducted in a hospital setting; therefore a screening of the disease in the whole national territory would enable a more reliable mapping.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Mother and Child Center of Chantal BIYA Foundation, Yaounde, Cameroon ; Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Yaounde I, Cameroon.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chelo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Mother and Child Center of Chantal BIYA Foundation, Yaounde, Cameroon ; Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Yaounde I, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Félicitée
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nguefack
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Mother and Child Center of Chantal BIYA Foundation, Yaounde, Cameroon ; Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Yaounde I, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Hubert D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Mbassi Awa
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, General Hospital, Service of Cardiology, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde I, Cameroon ; Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Yaounde I, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kingue
keywords: Cameroon; Yaounde; dietary habits; endomyocardial fibrosis; geographical origin; socioeconomic status