This study found a relatively high incidence of severe rotavirus-associated diarrhea disease in Nigeria and infants were the most affected. It highlights the urgent need for introduction of rotavirus vaccine into the national immunization program and the need to adequately equip health facilities to enable them administer intravenous fluids to severe diarrhea patients to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Background:Accidental childhood poisoning is one of the recognized causes of morbidity and mortality in children under the age of 5 years worldwide. The prevalence and type of substance ingested vary from place to place and over time.Aim:This study was conducted with the aim of ascertaining the frequency and pattern of accidental childhood poisoning in Enugu.Subjects and Methods:This retrospective study was conducted at the Emergency Paediatric Unit of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, South-East, Nigeria from January 2003 to December 2012 (10 years). All the cases of childhood accidental poisoning that presented within the period were reviewed and important information extracted.Results:Sixty-five cases of childhood poisoning were recorded during the 10-year period, giving an incidence rate of 442 per 100,000 children. The mean age was 22.15 ± 11.7 months. Male:female ratio was 1.5:1. The prevalence was higher among those with low socioeconomic background. Kerosene poisoning was the most common agent. The overall mortality rate was 3.1% (2/65).Conclusion:Accidental childhood poisoning is common in Enugu, with appreciable mortality, with kerosene being the most common agent. We advocate regulatory policy on proper ways of storing kerosene and other harmful household chemicals and medications.

Background/Objectives: Performance of the vaccination programme in Nigeria is lower than the regional average as well the 95% target necessary for sustained control of vaccine preventable diseases. This study is aimed at assessing the vaccination coverage and its associated factors in children aged 11-23 months in Enugu Metropolis. Methods: A cross sectional study in which caregivers and their children pair, aged 11-23 months attending children's outpatient clinics in Enugu metropolis was undertaken. Respondents were selected consecutively while data were collected using pretested interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 while level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of full vaccination. Results: Of 351 subjects studied, 84.9% (298) were fully immunized according to the national programme on immunization schedule using both vaccination cards and history. The OPV0, OPV3, pentavalent-1, pentavalent-3 and measles coverage at the time of survey were 100.0%, 97.2%, 98.0%, 98.6%, 96.9% and 95.4%, respectively. On logistic regression: maternal occupation (government employees), children born in government hospitals and knowledge of when to start and complete vaccinations in a child were the likely predictors for completion of full vaccination in the children. Conclusion: The vaccination coverage among the study group was adjudged to be relatively high. Delivery of a child in a government hospital and the knowledge of the age when routine vaccinations should begin * Corresponding author. and end in a child were the independent predictors of the high vaccination coverage rate observed. Awareness and health education efforts in government tertiary hospitals should be extended to private and other hospitals to improve and sustain national vaccination coverage in Nigeria.

The seroprevalence of hepatitis B among children in the study population is high. Its screening in school children should be incorporated into school health services in our setting while awareness campaigns and health education on its modes of transmission and prevention should be promoted and strengthened.

Background:Congenital anomalies, including those of the central nervous system (CNS), are among the leading causes of morbidity, mortality, and fetal loss.Objective:To determine the prevalence and associated factors of CNS congenital anomalies in children.Methods:A cross-sectional retrospective study of children managed with CNS anomalies was undertaken. Relevant clinical data of identified cases based on standard case definitions were retrieved from their case record files. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 while the level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.Results:Seventy-two cases of CNS anomalies were identified over the period under review; out of 7329 total pediatric admissions giving a prevalence of 0.98%. Spina bifida cystica, 49 (68.0%) was the most common of the five anomalies seen followed by congenital hydrocephalus 11 (15.3%). Fifty-seven (79.2%) of the mothers did not take periconceptional folic acid supplementation (P < 0.05) whereas 25 (34.7%), 6 (8.3%), and 1 (1.4%) reported history of febrile illness in the first trimester of pregnancy, alcohol use, and diabetes mellitus in pregnancy, respectively. Majority of the cases of spina bifida cystica (30 [61.2%]) seen had corrective surgeries while the overall case fatality rate was 1 (1.4%).Conclusions:Spina bifida cystica was the most common anomaly of the CNS seen in this study and majority of the mothers of affected children did not take periconceptional folic acid supplementation (P < 0.05). Efforts should be made to create awareness and apply adequate preventive health education models including the use of periconceptional folic acid supplementation as well as the provision of access to standard prenatal care to at risk mothers.

Continued advocacy and public enlightenment campaigns should be strengthened in order to harmonize adoption process in our setting.

All the cases of rabies reported were as a result of bites from stray dogs with unknown history of rabies vaccinations, and the outcome was 100% fatality in all cases. Efforts should be made to create and strengthen awareness campaigns on control of rabies infections through responsible dog ownership including their regular vaccinations as well as provision and use of prompt postexposure prophylaxis in human cases of dog bites at all levels of health care.

Rotavirus gastroenteritis is a major public health concern globally, estimated to cause 215,000 deaths among children < 5 years of age in 2013; with majority of mortality occurring in developing countries. In 2013, it was estimated that Nigeria was the second country with the highest number of rotavirus deaths. Monitoring of circulating rotavirus strains in Enugu, Nigeria is part of ongoing rotavirus surveillance before the introduction of rotavirus vaccination. A total of 2694 stool samples were collected from enrolled under 5 years old children with diarrhoea between January 2011 and December 2016 and tested the virus using an antigen enzyme immunoassay. Randomly selected rotavirus positive samples were further characterized by rotavirus genotype methods to identify the G and P types circulating during the study period. Rotavirus was detected in 1242 (46%) of the 2694 samples collected over the six years period. Of these, 867 were randomly selected for genotyping. G and P types could be assigned for 832 samples (96%), while 31 (3.6%) could only #