Background There is growing concern as regards the emergence of metabolic disorders among children living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) worldwide. However, there is paucity of data on the correlates of metabolic indices among HIV-positive children in Africa. Methods This study examined 84 HIV-positive children on HAART recruited from the paediatric infectious diseases clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital for blood glucose levels using finger-prick testing with an Accu-check glucose meter and test strips. Clinical information was obtained via clinical history and medical records. Data was analyzed to examine the relationship between FBG and the classes of HAART, duration of illness and treatment using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results FBG was significantly associated with the classes of HAART (x2=12.4, p = 0.017). In addition, there was a significant association between FBG and duration of illness [F(2, 81) = 6.0; P = 0.004], as well as FBG and duration on HAART [F(2, 81) = 7.9; P = 0.001]. However, duration on HAART and type of HAART were the significant predictors of FBG in this study accounting for 10.5% and 4.1% of the variance, respectively. Conclusions There is a greater risk of dysglycemia in paediatric patients with a longer cumulative exposure to HAART. Routine blood glucose checks among children on HAART, especially those who have received HAART for a longer duration of time may therefore be useful in their management.

Objectives Despite the high prevalence of children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) in West Africa, there is paucity of data on the height velocity and prevalence of growth failure in SCA patients. With advances in clinical care of SCA patients, could there be a spatial and secular trend in the growth pattern of these children? Hence, the compelling needs to embark on this study. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of growth failure among patients with SCA and its correlation with age, gender and age at diagnosis. Methods A Prospective longitudinal study of a cohort of sickle cell anaemic paediatric patients from Pediatrics SCA Clinic, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku Ozalla. Patients were enrolled over a period of two years using a non-parametric convenient sampling method. Their heights were measured at baseline, three months, six months and at 12 months intervals and subsequently plotted on a standard WHO growth chart. The height velocities at different monthly intervals were calculated and compared with the WHO standard normal linear growth rates) for children (used as control) to identify those with GF. (i.e. <10th percentile). The main outcome measures were the mean height velocities at different months' intervals calculated and compared using the repeated measurement analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Wilcoxon signed test. Results A cohort of 316 children aged 1–18 years with SCA was evaluated with a male preponderance of 161 (57.4%). The mean age and age at diagnosis were 11.04 ± 5.56 and 4.2 ± 1.7 years, respectively. The prevalence of growth failure and short stature was 84.7%. The burden of GF was highest among post-pubertal participants (94.1%). The most important predictor of growth velocity deficit was age (R2=0.045, standard β coefficient = −0.22, t=−03.51, p=0.001). Conclusions The study demonstrated high prevalence of growth failure in children and adolescents with SCA which intensified with advancement in age and older age at diagnosis.

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Objectives There is need to generate epidemiological data regarding paediatric endocrine disorders (PEDs) in sub-Saharan Africa, since little attention has been given endocrine disorders in children in this sub-region over the years. The aim of the study was to determine the sociodemographic characteristics of children with endocrine disorders in our paediatric endocrinology clinic, as well as the pattern of presentation of these disorders. Methods This study included paediatric patients who presented to the endocrine clinic over an 11-year period. Data of patients seen during the study period were retrieved from the case notes and were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results A total of 188 patients were seen over the study period, with an almost equal male:female ratio. Five of the patients (2.7%) could not be classified into any gender because of genital ambiguity. The age of the patients at diagnosis ranged from 0 to 18 years of age with a median age of 9.03 (9.94) years. All the 14 subdivisions of paediatric endocrine disorders were documented among the patients, with thyroid disorders ranking highest among the PEDs seen. Type 1 diabetes mellitus, obesity and pubertal disorders were the most prevalent PEDs (in descending order), after thyroid disorders. Congenital hypothyroidism accounted for 14.3% of patients with thyroid disorders. Conclusions Thyroid disorders, type 1 diabetes mellitus and obesity rank highest among the PEDs in our locality. There is the need to create awareness among healthcare workers and the general public regarding these disorders, in order to improve appropriate and timely presentation of patients to the clinic.