Clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of nodding syndrome in Mundri County, southern Sudan.
Afr Health Sci
; 12(3): 242-8, 2012 Sep.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23382736
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Nodding syndrome (repetitive nodding and progressive generalized seizures) is assuming epidemic proportions in South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.OBJECTIVE:
To describe clinical and epidemiological features of nodding syndrome in southern Sudan based on preliminary investigations conducted in 2001 and 2002.METHOD:
Household surveys, clinical, electrophysiological (EEG) assessments, informant interviews and case-control studies were conducted in the town of Lui and the village of Amadi in southern Sudan.RESULTS:
Nodding syndrome is characterized by involuntary repetitive nodding of the head, progressing to generalized seizures; mental and physical deterioration. The EEGs were consistent with progressive epileptic encephalopathy. Prevalence of Nodding syndrome in Lui and Amadi was 2.3% and 6.7% respectively. All case control studies showed a positive association between cases and Onchocerca volvulus. A history of measles was negatively associated with being a case 2/13 of cases and 11/19 of controls had had measles odds ratio 0.13 (95% CI 0.02, 0.76). Environmental assessment did not reveal any naturally occurring or manmade neurotoxic factors to explain Nodding Syndrome, although fungal contamination of food could not be ruled out.CONCLUSION:
Nodding Syndrome was strongly associated with Onchocerca volvulus. There was no evidence to suggest an environmental pollutant, chemical agent, or other toxic factor.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Convulsões
/
Surtos de Doenças
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Animals
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Child
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Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
País/Região como assunto:
Africa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Afr Health Sci
Assunto da revista:
MEDICINA
/
SERVICOS DE SAUDE
Ano de publicação:
2012
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Uganda