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Childhood convulsions: a hospital survey on traditional remedies
G O Okoji1, I E Peterside, R S Oruamabo
1Department of Paediatrics, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
Insights
Many Nigerian children with convulsions received traditional remedies at home, with crude oil and palm kernel oil being most common. Crude oil-based remedies significantly impacted the central nervous system.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Traditional Medicine
Background:
- Convulsions are a common pediatric emergency.
- Traditional remedies are frequently used in Nigeria for childhood illnesses.
- Understanding the safety and efficacy of traditional remedies is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and types of traditional remedies used by children with convulsions in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
- To assess the impact of these remedies on central nervous system effects.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 135 children admitted with convulsions.
- Data collected on home-administered traditional remedies prior to hospital presentation.
- Statistical analysis to determine associations between remedies and CNS effects.
Main Results:
- 48% of children received traditional remedies before hospital admission.
- Crude oil and palm kernel oil were the most frequent remedies.
- Remedies containing crude oil showed a statistically significant negative impact on the central nervous system (P < 0.05).
- Cow's urine, reported elsewhere, was not observed in this study.
Conclusions:
- Traditional remedies, particularly those containing crude oil, are commonly administered to convulsing children in this region.
- Crude oil-based remedies pose a risk to the central nervous system in pediatric patients.
- Further research into the neurotoxicity of traditional remedies is warranted.
Abstract:
A study of one hundred and thirty five children with convulsions admitted in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria over a 15-month period, October 1986 to December 1987 showed that 65 (48%) of the children received some traditional remedy at home prior to presentation in hospital. Crude oil and palm kernel oil either singly or in combination were the most commonly administered remedies. The central nervous system was more affected by remedies containing crude oil than others (P < 0.05). Administration of cow's urine to convulsing children, reported from other parts of Nigeria, was not observed in the present study and would appear to be uncommon in this part of the country.