AIM: To assess the nutritional pattern of Cameroonian diabetics and its relationship to lipid profile. METHODOLOGY: The nutritional status and nutrient intake of type 2 diabetes patients in Cameroon was determined using seven days food diaries. RESULTS: The median daily energy intake of these patients was found to be between 2119.27 kcal and .43 kcal for women and men. The derivation of this energy from the different macronutrient groups was as follow: lipids, 30.2-32.37%; saturated fatty acids, 9.20-9.84%; carbohydrates, 50.68-53.11%; proteins, 15.31-16.80%, alcohol, 0-3.3%. A significant number (48.9%) of subjects had fasting blood glucose levels lower than 7.4 mmol/1, while 92.77% had total cholesterol lower than 200mg/dl. Subjects ( 87. 95%) had HDL-cholesterol higher than 35mg/dl, while 74,59%had total triglycerides lower than mg/dl . CONCLUSION: The lipid profile of the majority of type 2 diabetes subjects studied in Cameroon was normal, suggesting that dietary management of type 2 diabetes in these subjects was effective.

AIM: To determine the pattern and identify problems and outcome of management of congenital anomalies in Ilorin, Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: We retrospectively studied all children presenting over a 5-year period (1998 to 2002 ) with congenital anomalies to the Paediatric S urgery and Neurosurgery unit s of the University Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria. Clinical data abstracted and analy zed include age, type of congenital anomaly, management, complications and outcome. RESULTS: There were 803 children with various systemic congenital malformations. Of these, 588 (73.2% ) were operated, constituting 54.4% of the total o perations performed on children (1080) during the study period. Malformations oj the gastrointestinal tract (536) including hernias (317), anorectal malformations (61), Hirschsprung's disease(45), and omphalocoeles(19), were the most frequent. Next in f requency were malformations of the centra/nervous system (114 ), the commonest being spinal dysraphism (50 ) and hydrocephalu s (44 ). Less common malf ormations included urogenital (105) and biliary (3) anomalies as well as lesions of the neck ( 35), skin (8) and soft tissues(2). The overall mortality rate of 3.4% (201586) was predominantly due to the deaths of infants with oesophageal atresia, gastroschisis, and ruptured myelomeningocoele. CONCLUSION: The commonest systemic congenital malformations encountered by the paediatric and neurosurgical units in this center are in order of decreasing frequency gastrointe.l'tinal, central nervous and genitourinary.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Blunt injury of the chest is the most common form of thoracic trauma. The resulting deceleration injury can cause a life threatening damage to any intra-thoracic structure. We therefore, aimed to highlight the importance of a high index of suspicion while examining patients involved in a traffic accident or other serious thoracic trauma. METHOLOGOY: All the case notes of patients who presented from 1994 to 2004 with blunt injuries to the chest following road traffic accident were reviewed. Those treated for traumatic rupture of the diaphragm were selected and analyzed for age, gender, cause of injury, associated injuries sustained and mode of treatment. They were all treated at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and a private clinic in Port Harcourt. RESULTS: 12 patients had traumatic rupture of the diaphragm. All were males and aged between 16 and 46 years (mean 32 years). 10 cases (83.3%) were left sided and 2 (16.7% ) were right-sided and there were no bilateral cases. The right-sided cases all died. There were associated injuries in all cases and they involved the spleen, rib fractures, liver and lungs. All the cases were repaired by laparotomy with the exception of the. right-sided cases that died from severe haemorrhage. CONCLUSION: A high index of suspicion combined with repeated and selectil•e radiological evaluation is necessary early diagnosis and treatment.

AIM: To deterime the prevalence of anaemia in patients with clinical AIDs METHODOLOGY: A retrospective small observational study of the prevalence of anaemia in 114 patients with confirmed HIVIAIDS seen at the department of medicine of the university of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital between January,2002 and June,2004 are reported. RESULTS: One Hundred and Three(90.4%) patients had anaemia and only 11(9.6%) did not have anaemia. one (36%) patients had immunological AIDS and anaemia was seen in 39 (95.1%) of them with median haematocrit of 31%΁ 4.7SD. Thirty-four (29.8%) had clinical AIDS and anaemia was seen in 31(91.2%) of them with median haematocrit of 32.5% ΁ 6.ISD. Thirty-nine (34.2% ) had HIV infection and anaemia seen in · 33( 84.6%) of them with median haematocrit of 35% ΁ 7.4SD. Regression of anaemia and opportunistic infection showed a positive correlation (p-value=0.003). CONCLUSION: The study shows that anaemia is a common finding in patients with HIV/AIDS with opportunistic infection being the most likely contributing factor in our environment. A large collaborative observational cohort study design and a prospective follow up design is necessary to address questions regarding causal relationship of anaemia and survival and whether HAART may ha ve a positive impact on reducing the prevalence of anaemia in patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Million's of lives are saved each year through blood transfusion. Nevertheless people ha ve increased risk of becoming infected with transfusion - transmissible viral infections through transfusion of blood and blood products that have not been tested correctly. This study was undertaken to determine the risk of transfusion- transmissible viral infections through transfusion of unscreened blood and blood products. METHODOLOGY: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to Hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) screening was performed on 1500 consecutive blood donors in the University of Port­ Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria. RESULTS: Of the one thousand five hundred blood donors screened, 15 (1%), 17 (1.1%) and 7 (0.5%) of donors had H1V, HBsAg and anti-HCV respectively. 12 (0.8%) had HIV-1 infection, 2 (0.1%) had HIV-2 while 1(0.07%) had dual HIV I and 2 infection. Two (0.1%) had co-infection of HIV and HBV. The highest HBsAg and anti-HCV burden / 1026 / 1026 accounted for the highest infection burden for HIV 7 362 ( 1.9%). Males accounted for the highest infection burden for 17 / 1481 ( 1.1%) and anti-HCV 7 (0.1%) while female donors had the highest HIV prevalence 1 (5.3%). mercial remunerated donors showed the highest HIV, HBsAg and anti-HCV infection rates (1.4%), (1 .7%) and (0.8%) respectively. CONCLUSION: This study confirms a high prevalence of transfusion-transmissible viral infections among blood donors and describes the groups that are at risk. This calls for the immediate implementation of a mandatory universal donor screening policy for screening all blood donor units intended for transfusion, the setting up of a national blood transfusion service, run on the basis of voluntary non remunerated, low risk blood donors, and health education of the entire Niger Delta Area aimed at behavioural change from high risk behaviour that makes people vulnerable.

BACKGROUND: Discolouration of urine in children raises concern among the general populace and forms a reason for consultation of physicians and other health work ers. Anecdotally, it seems there is an awareness of what constitute discoloured urine. However, there is no documented report of the knowledge, attitude and perception of people to it. OBJECTIVE: To determine the knowledge, attitude and perception of discoloured urine in children by respondents in a rural community in Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: The study was carried out in 1ponrin, in florin East Local Government Area of Nigeria with the aid of pre-tested questionnaires, which sought information on issues related to k nowledge, attitude and perception of discoloured urine in children. RESULTS: There were a total of 109 respondents comprising 64 (59%) males and 45 (41%) females with a mean age of :tl6 years. Most of the respondents 87(82%) have seen children with discolouration of urine and 65(65%) respondents claimed that such children received treatment from a health facility. Furthermore majority of the respondents 55(57%) reported that none of these children they saw developed anuria, while 93(87%) respondents felt such children would survive CONCLUSION: The study showed that respondents in the study community had an understanding of when urine colour is normal or abnormal. They are also aware that it could be caused by diseases and would therefore require treatment in a health facility. However, they did not know that it could cause anuria in some cases. We therefore recommend further enlightenment on the complication that ma y follow passage of discoloured urine.

A one-year-old male Nigerian child with congenital bilateral eyelid eversion and microphthalmia seen at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital , Benin City is presented. He had phenotypic features oj trisomy - 21 . This case is presented because of its rarity particularly as it is occurring in association with a trisomy. Other associated ophthalmologic features and problems encountered with management are also discussed.