A retrospective study was conducted on the prevalence of congenital malformations in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states of Nigeria from 1980-2003. These states lie in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The aim of the study was to determine the percentage of occurrence of birth defects and provide reference data for this part of the country. Details of congenital malformations were compiled by reviewing the delivery register of the records departments of maternity sections of University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, St Luke's Hospital Anua and St Mary's Hospital Uruakpan. A total of 127,929 births were recorded, of which 452 cases of malformations were recorded. The anomalies recorded in the skeletal system were the highest with 132 cases (29.2%) detected. Other malformations were found to be associated with the central nervous system with 111 cases (24.6%) detected. Those associated with the urogenital system were found in 83 cases (18.4%). Congenital anomalies of the lip, palate and jaw were found in 56 cases (12.4%), while those of the eye and ear were found in 12 cases (2.7%). Those of the gastrointestinal tract were found in 29 cases (6.4%), while those of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems were found in 28 cases (6.2%) and in one case (0.2%), respectively. Fifteen cases (3.3%) were associated with chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome. However, these results do not provide a complete incidence of congenital malformations in the two states studies because most anomalies are not recorded in rural health and traditional birth centers.

Introduction.Calabash chalk contains heavy metals, and this lead to this study on the effect of this chalk on the behavior and the histomorphology of the cerebral cortex of gestating rats.Material & Methods.24 female rats were equally divided into 4 groups and were mated at preostrous with the males. The day after mating was designated as day 1 of gestation. On gestation days 7–20, groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 animals were treated with 1 mL of distilled water, and 1 mL (200 mg/kg), 2 mL (400 mg/kg), and 3 mL (600 mg/kg) of calabash chalk suspension, respectively. On pregnancy day 21, behavioral tests using the open field and the light/dark mazes were carried out and the animals subsequently euthanized and their brains were routinely processed.Results.There was no difference in ambulatory activities, but group 4 animals had more (P<0.05) transition frequency and were more averse to the dark in the light and dark field, while sections of the cerebral cortex showed a higher (P<0.05) cellular population, hypertrophied pyramidal cells, and vacuolations in the treatment groups.Conclusion.Calabash chalk may have anxiolytic effect especially at high dose in the light and dark field but not in the open field and can stimulate maternal cerebral cortical cellular changes.

SUMMARY: Rauwolfia vomitoria (RV) has potent sedative effect, which may result in severe unpleasant consequences if not controlled. This necessitated this study on the effect of Gongronema latifolium (GL) on RV-induced behaviour, biochemical activities, and histomorphology of the cerebral cortex. Eighteen male Wistar rats of average weight 266 g were grouped into three (1-3). Group 1 was the control administered 0.5 mL of Tween®20, while groups 2 and 3 were administered 150 mg/kg of RV, and a combination of 150 mg/kg of RV and 200 mg/kg of GL (RV+GL), respectively for seven days. Twelve hours after treatments, open field neurobehavioral test was carried-out and the animals euthanized. Their sera were analyzed, and their cerebral cortices routinely processed by H&E method. There was lower (p<0.05) ambulatory, rearing and freezing activities in the RV group, while there was no difference in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, as well as serum cholesterol and triglycerides levels in all the groups. Cerebral cortical neurohistology of RV and RV+GL groups showed most neurons appearing hypertrophied with pyknotic nuclei in some, and less cellular population compared with the control group. RV produces sedative behaviour, and cerebral cortical neurohistological changes, which GL combination may help modulate.

Objective: Calabash chalk is a naturally occurring mineral consumed among the Nigerian community for pleasure and commonly by pregnant women as a remedy for morning sickness. Reports have shown that it contains different toxic substances, with lead being the most abundant. This study was therefore undertaken to ascertain the effect of two commonly available preparations of this chalk on some hematological parameters. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four adult female Wistar rats with average weight of 100 g were assigned into three groups (1, 2, 3). Group 1 served as the control and the animals received distilled water, while Groups 2 and 3 were treated by oral gavage with 40 mg/kg of non-salted (NSCC) and salted calabash chalk (SCC), respectively, for 14 days. Results: The hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and red blood cell (RBC) count were significantly (p<0.05, 0.001 respectively) lower in the NSCC group, while erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the NSCC group compared to the control. There were no significant differences in packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC) and platelet (Pl) counts compared to the control. The SCC group presented no significant difference in all blood count parameters compared to the control. Conclusion: This infers that calabash chalk, particularly the non-salted form, alters the normal concentration of Hb, RBC and Pl counts, and ESR, as observed in the female Wistar rats studied. (Turk J Hematol 2010; 27: 177-81) Key words: Calabash chalk, blood parameters, wistar rat Received: December 19, 2008 Accepted: January 28, 2010 Özet Amaç: Kalabaş tebeşiri, genellikle gebe ve diğer kadınlar tarafından keyfi olarak ve sabah bulantısını iyileştirmek için tüketilen, doğan oluşumlu bir mineraldir. Başta kurşun olmak üzere farklı toksik maddeler içerdiği raporlarda gösterilmiştir. Dolayısıyla bu çalışmada, bu taşın en yaygın iki preparatının bazı hematolojik parametreler üzerindeki etkisinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır.