Imaging of developmental delay in black African children: A hospital-based study in Yaoundé-Cameroon
Seraphin Nguefack1, Nasser Ndongafack Fongue2, Daniel Armand Kago Tague1
1University of Yaounde I Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Pediatrics; Yaounde Gynaeco-Obstetric and pediatric Hospital, pediatrics.
Insights
Brain imaging anomalies are common in Black African children with developmental delay, often showing cerebral atrophy linked to hypoxic events. Epilepsy increases the likelihood of abnormal imaging findings.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuroradiology
- Global Health
Background:
- Developmental delay is a significant concern in pediatric populations.
- Imaging plays a crucial role in identifying underlying causes of developmental delay.
- Limited data exists on neuroimaging findings in Black African children with developmental delay.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize neuroimaging anomalies in Black African children presenting with developmental delay.
- To identify common patterns and causes of these anomalies.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted.
- Included 94 children (1 month to 6 years) with developmental delay who underwent brain MRI or CT.
- Data collected included demographics, clinical history (e.g., perinatal asphyxia), developmental assessments, and imaging findings.
Main Results:
- 78.7% of imaging tests were abnormal, with cerebral atrophy (cortical and subcortical) being the most prevalent finding.
- Perinatal asphyxia was noted in 55.3% of cases.
- Epilepsy was associated with a 4-fold increased likelihood of abnormal brain imaging (OR=4.12, p=0.05).
Conclusions:
- A high prevalence of organic anomalies, particularly cerebral atrophy secondary to hypoxic-ischemic events, is observed in the neuroimaging of children with developmental delay in this population.
- These findings underscore the importance of neuroimaging in evaluating developmental delay in this demographic.
- Further research is needed to explore the specific etiologies and long-term implications.
Background:
The purpose of this study was to describe the anomalies observed on imaging for developmental delay in black African children.
Methods:
It was a descriptive cross-sectional study, which included children aged between 1 month to 6 years with developmental delay and had done a brain MRI and/or CT scan.
Results:
We included 94 children, 60.6% of whom were males. The mean age was 32.5 ± 6.8 months. A history of perinatal asphyxia found in 55.3% of cases. According to the Denver developmental II scale, profound developmental delay observed in 35.1% of cases, and severe developmental delay in 25.5%. DD was isolated in 2.1% of cases and associated with cerebral palsy, pyramidal syndrome, and microcephaly in respectively 83%, 79.8%, and 46.8% of cases. Brain CT scan and MRI accounted for 85.1% and 14.9% respectively. The tests were abnormal in 78.7% of the cases, and cerebral atrophy was the preponderant anomaly (cortical atrophy = 80%, subcortical atrophy = 69.3%). Epileptic patients were 4 times more likely to have abnormal brain imaging (OR = 4.12 and p = 0.05),. We did not find a link between the severity of psychomotor delay and the presence of significant anomalies in imaging.
Conclusion:
In our context, there is a high prevalence of organic anomalies in the imaging of psychomotor delay, which were dominated by cerebral atrophy secondary to hypoxic ischemic events.
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