Nigerian Medical Journal

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year
: 2009  |  Volume : 50  |  Issue : 4  |  Page : 84--86

Comparative studies of spinal celes in Switzerland, Jamaica, and Nigeria, and possible relationship with environmental pollution


M.O.N. Ibe 
 Department of Surgery, Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Correspondence Address:
M.O.N. Ibe
Department of Surgery, Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State
Nigeria

Objective and Background:The need to sanitize our environment from elements hazardous to life on earth is hereby high-lighted, as well as a properly organized and efficiently run prenatal health care system. Clinical Methods and Materials:From 1975 to 2004,17 spinal celes (including 2 meningoceles) were routinely repaired in Imo and Ebonyi States of Nigeria, and 5 in Jam aica,the West Indies; none in Easel, Switzerland. All 20 meningomyeloceles were incontinent of urine and faeces, had severe paraparesis to paraplegia, sensory loss in both lower limbs, and bilateral pedes equino-varus in 16 cases. In addition, 2 were hydrocephalic, andall meningomyeloceles were ulcerated. All celes were micllme. The meninggoceles were normal. The operations were carried out under routine general anaesthesia. Results: The pre-operation status remained the same in all 20 meningomyeloceles 60 months later, though, they were able to sit up and shift around on their buttocks. The meningoceles remain d norm al. The hydrocephalus in both cases was arrested. There were no deaths within the hospitalization period of about 14 days. Conclusion: Vigorous endeavor to sanitize our environment from obnoxious elem ents(env ironm ental pollution, hazardous waste sites, agricultural chemicals, organic solvents, water chsinfection by-products, etc.), good and adequate antenatal care, with antenatal diagnosis of the malformed foetus and termination of the pregnancy, must be strived at, folic acid supplementation must begin before conception.


How to cite this article:
Ibe M. Comparative studies of spinal celes in Switzerland, Jamaica, and Nigeria, and possible relationship with environmental pollution.Niger Med J 2009;50:84-86


How to cite this URL:
Ibe M. Comparative studies of spinal celes in Switzerland, Jamaica, and Nigeria, and possible relationship with environmental pollution. Niger Med J [serial online] 2009 [cited 2024 Mar 29 ];50:84-86
Available from: https://www.nigeriamedj.com/article.asp?issn=0300-1652;year=2009;volume=50;issue=4;spage=84;epage=86;aulast=Ibe;type=0