PATTERN OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AT PEDIATRIC OUTPATIENT NEUROLOGIC SERVICES AT TIKUR ANBESSA SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background : Description of the patterns of morbidity in a given population is an essential undertaking not only for healthcare finance planning & appropriation but also serves as a platform for additional analytical study. In this regard, studies about the patterns of pediatric neurologic morbidity are scarcely available in Africa.

Aims of Study : To describe the patterns of neurologic morbidities among patients attending the pediatric neurology clinic of TASH.

Methods: 228 patients were selected using consecutive/ convenient sampling method over a period of eight weeks using the patient registration log book while they were attending their follow-up visits at the pediatric neurology clinic of TASH. Data abstraction forms were used to collect the data. Diagnoses were categorized based on the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems version 10 (ICD-10). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the results using SPSS version 16 software. Frequency (percentage) and mean ±2SD, with appropriate graphic display, were used for nominal/dichotomous and continuous interval variables respectively

Results: The mean age for the sample was 63.7 (SD=48.4) months with a range of 2-192 months. Male sex contributed for 60.2% of the participants. Cerebral palsy (24.6%), Global developmental delay/mental retardation (21.5%), idiopathic epilepsy (13.2%), and CNS infections (12.7%) accounted for most of the morbidities seen in the pediatric neurology clinic of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital.

Conclusion: This study showed the wide spectrum of pediatric neurologic disorders seen in a pediatric neurology clinic. Cerebral palsy was found to be the most common pediatric neurologic problem seen in the clinic followed by global developmental delay/mental retardation, idiopathic epilepsy, and CNS infections respectively. The neuro-rehabilitation services have to be strengthened to address the needs of these patients. Further institution and community based large-scale studies about childhood neurological disorders are required to be done in Ethiopia. So this study can serve as a baseline.