Infantile spasms in Enugu children
Izuora, G.I.
Central African Journal of Medicine 28(3): 65-67
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-9176 PMID: 7116433 Document Number: 193851
Children (27) with infantile spasms were seen over a 3 yr period at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu [Nigeria] compared with 13 cases seen in Lagos over a 6 yr period. There was a preponderance of male to female patients in the ratio of 2.4:1. Birth trauma appeared to be the most important single cause of this syndrome, followed by congenital infections. In 26% the etiology was not known. The flexor type of spasms was the most common presentation. Mental retardation occurred in 96% of cases. Administrative, social and economic factors contributed to the irregularity of attendance and high default rate at the clinics. A plea is made for adequate governmental support for this group of handicapped children in all developing countries.