Neurodevelopmental delay among children under the age of three years at immunization clinics in Lagos State, Nigeria – Preliminary report

Abstract

Late diagnosis and interventions characterize childhood neurodevelopmental disorders in Sub-Saharan Africa. This has negatively impacted on the prognosis of the children with neurodevelopmental disorders. This study examined the prevalence and pattern of neurodevelopmental delays among children under the age of 3 years attending immunization clinics in Lagos State, Nigeria and also affords opportunity of early follow-up and interventions, which had been documented to improve prognosis. The study involved two stage assessments; which consisted of first phase screening of the children for neurodevelopmental delays in immunization clinics at primary healthcare centers Lagos State, Nigeria and second phase which consists of definitive clinical evaluation and follow-up interventions for children screened positive for neurodevelopmental delays. Twenty seven (0.9%) of a total of 3,011 children under the age of 3 years were screened positive for neurodevelopmental delays and subsequently undergoing clinical evaluation and follow-up interventions. Preliminary working diagnoses among these children include cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder trait, nutritional deficiency, Down syndrome and Non-specific neurodevelopmental delay with co-morbid seizure disorder accounting for 33.3%, 14.8%, 18.5%, 7.4% and 25.9% respectively. This is a preliminary report that would be followed up with information on medium and long term intervention phase.

Improving access to interventions among mothers screened positive for post-partum depression (PPD) at National Programme on Immunization (NPI) clinics in south-western and south-eastern Nigeria – A service development report

“…Immunization clinics at the primary healthcare centers had been earlier noted to constitute major clinical source of convergence for mothers and their infants and might provide a good forum for screening for depression in the mothers and developmental concerns in the children [1] [2] and may also provide a right forum for providing interventions [1] [2]. It is along this assumption that the idea behind the present study was tested.…”

Nigeria and Autism

“…5. Lastly, research direction should focus on massive public health education to positively influence help seeking behavior for children with ASD and other neurodevelopmental delay, which often leads to late diagnosis and interventions (Bakare et al 2016).…”

Engaging One Health for Non-Communicable Diseases in Africa: Perspective for Mycotoxins

“…The ASD is an increasing neurodevelopmental disorder with a broad phenotype, appearing by 3 years of age: it often shows comorbid situations, such as mental retardation, epilepsy, and recurrent gastrointestinal abnormalities. In Nigeria about 0.9% of the children under the age of 3 years manifested neurodevelopmental delays in a recent survey ( 176 ). It is even feared that this value may be higher considering late diagnosis ( 176 ).…”

“…In Nigeria about 0.9% of the children under the age of 3 years manifested neurodevelopmental delays in a recent survey ( 176 ). It is even feared that this value may be higher considering late diagnosis ( 176 ). Like most aspects of ASD, the mycotoxin impact on this prevalence remains unknown.…”