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Background: The exclusive breastfeeding rate in Nigeria has remained low. Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the knowledge of, and practice of exclusive (EBF) breastfeeding among mothers of infants attending the Children Out-patients Clinic. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study of 107 mothers of infants attending the Children Out-patients of the UNTH Enugu over three months. Results: One hundred and seven mothers of infants attending the Children Out-patients Clinic were included in the data analysis. One hundred and three correctly defined EBF. However, only 59 of the 107 mothers (55.1%) practiced or were practicing exclusive breastfeeding in the index infants There was a difference in the proportion of mothers that correctly defined EBF and the proportion that were actually practicing EBF (p

Background: Intestinal helminthiasis is associated with malnutrition in children.Aim: The objective of this study was to determine the intensity and effect of the common intestinal helminths on the nutritional status of children in Enugu, Nigeria.Subjects and Methods: A cross‑sectional study of 460 children conducted in Enugu metropolis, south‑east Nigeria between August and September 2003. Their stools were analyzed at the research laboratory of the Federal Ministry of Health, National Arbovirus and Vector Research Center, Enugu. The intensity of the common intestinal helminths was determined using the standard Kato‑Katz method of fresh stool samples. The classification intensity of helminthic infestation was according to the World Health Organization classification. Data were analyzed using Statistical Software for Social Sciences version 11.0 (Chicago IL, USA). P < 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. Results: 452 of 460 children (98.3%) had normal height for age, weight for age and weight for height Z‑scores. Six of the 460 children (1.3% were wasted), 1/460 stunted (0.2%) and 1/460 wasted and stunted (0.2%). 150 out of 460 (32.6%) studied were infected with helminths. There was no significantrelationship between the intensity of helminth infection and the nutritional status of the children. Conclusion: Although the prevalence of helminthiasis in children in Enugu was high, intensity of helminthiasis in these children was mainly mild. Hence, majority of them had normal weight and height measurements for age and sex.Keywords: Anthropometry, Children, Helminthic infection

Background: Intestinal helminthiasis is common in our environment and antihelminthic drugs are specie specific. Thus, need to identify and characterize the species cannot be overemphasized. Objective: To determine the prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides in Enugu Metropolis. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 361 subjects in Enugu metropolis was carried out in this study. A single stool sample was collected for examination from the subjects, using appropriately labelled clean specimen containers. The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides was determined using the kato-katz method. Data was obtained using questionnaires which were administered by the researchers to mothers and extended family members living in the same household. Results: Out of the 361 single stool samples collected, from the subjects (made up of 154 samples from mothers, 156 samples from children, and 51 samples from extended family members), 69 subjects (made up of 30 mothers, 27 children and 12 extended family members) were infected with Ascaris lumbricoides, giving an overall prevalence of 19.1%. Prevalence among the mothers, children and extended family members were 19.5%, 17.3% and 23.5% respectively. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of intestinal Ascaris lumbricoides among subjects living in Enugu metropolis. Attention should be given by the government to periodically carry out mass deworming exercise among households involving mothers, children and extended family members and indeed the whole members of each household. Key words: Ascaris lumbricoides, prevalence, Nigeria

Background: HepatitisC virus is a chronic life-long infection in themajority of patientswho are infected with the virus.Without accurate diagnosis and follow up, these children cannot be offered optimal care, and are at risk of presenting in adult life with significant liver pathology and long-term sequelae.Objective: To explore the possible diagnostic andmanagementoptions available to those affected.Materials and Method: Source of informationwasmainly from published works in and outside Nigeria. The information was extracted over a period of 12months fromJanuary to December 2007.Results: Treatment options available are use of immune response modifiers (interferons), antiviral agents (ribavirin), combination therapy with interferon and ribavirin, and liver transplantation.Conclusion: Early identification and optimal treatment to thosein which treatment are indicated.Niger Med J. Vol. 49, No. 4, Oct. – Dec., 2008: 96 – 100.Keywords:Acute infective hepatitis;Catalase; LiverFunction Tests;Malondialdehyde; Superoxide dismutase