Primary progressive multiple sclerosis in a 10-year-old Nigerian boy

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is generally believed to be extremely rare in black African children, and the primary progressive form is the rarest type. We describe a case of primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) in a 10-year-old Nigerian boy and highlight the challenges of management in a resourc...

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Main Authors: Jane Owo Anyiam, Sani Musa, Hadiza Aliyu, Robinson Daniel Wammanda
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2019-01-01
Series:Sahel Medical Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.smjonline.org/article.asp?issn=1118-8561;year=2019;volume=22;issue=2;spage=105;epage=108;aulast=Anyiam
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author Jane Owo Anyiam
Sani Musa
Hadiza Aliyu
Robinson Daniel Wammanda
author_facet Jane Owo Anyiam
Sani Musa
Hadiza Aliyu
Robinson Daniel Wammanda
author_sort Jane Owo Anyiam
collection DOAJ
description Multiple sclerosis (MS) is generally believed to be extremely rare in black African children, and the primary progressive form is the rarest type. We describe a case of primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) in a 10-year-old Nigerian boy and highlight the challenges of management in a resource-limited setting. He presented with 2 years history of inability to neither walk nor use the left upper limb, and a year history of progressive loss of vision. The symptoms were insidious in onset and associated with nasal and slurred speech, hesitancy, incomplete voiding, and occasional jerky movement of the lower limbs. Examination revealed a cheerful child with good memory and intelligence. There were reduced muscle power and lead-pipe rigidity in all the limbs except the right upper limb which was normal. Fundoscopy revealed bilateral optic atrophy. The diagnosis of PPMS was made by the typical clinical presentation, and brain and spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We had no facilities for cerebrospinal uid monoclonal IgG. This case highlights the need for pediatricians in the tropics to have a high index of suspicion and for healthcare systems to be equipped with facilities to accurately diagnose pediatric MS.
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spelling doaj.art-11e5fac340454311a9d767d97889b28c2022-12-21T18:47:33ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsSahel Medical Journal2321-66892019-01-0122210510810.4103/smj.smj_13_18Primary progressive multiple sclerosis in a 10-year-old Nigerian boyJane Owo AnyiamSani MusaHadiza AliyuRobinson Daniel WammandaMultiple sclerosis (MS) is generally believed to be extremely rare in black African children, and the primary progressive form is the rarest type. We describe a case of primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) in a 10-year-old Nigerian boy and highlight the challenges of management in a resource-limited setting. He presented with 2 years history of inability to neither walk nor use the left upper limb, and a year history of progressive loss of vision. The symptoms were insidious in onset and associated with nasal and slurred speech, hesitancy, incomplete voiding, and occasional jerky movement of the lower limbs. Examination revealed a cheerful child with good memory and intelligence. There were reduced muscle power and lead-pipe rigidity in all the limbs except the right upper limb which was normal. Fundoscopy revealed bilateral optic atrophy. The diagnosis of PPMS was made by the typical clinical presentation, and brain and spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We had no facilities for cerebrospinal uid monoclonal IgG. This case highlights the need for pediatricians in the tropics to have a high index of suspicion and for healthcare systems to be equipped with facilities to accurately diagnose pediatric MS.http://www.smjonline.org/article.asp?issn=1118-8561;year=2019;volume=22;issue=2;spage=105;epage=108;aulast=AnyiamChildrenmultiple sclerosisresource-limited setting
spellingShingle Jane Owo Anyiam
Sani Musa
Hadiza Aliyu
Robinson Daniel Wammanda
Primary progressive multiple sclerosis in a 10-year-old Nigerian boy
Sahel Medical Journal
Children
multiple sclerosis
resource-limited setting
title Primary progressive multiple sclerosis in a 10-year-old Nigerian boy
title_full Primary progressive multiple sclerosis in a 10-year-old Nigerian boy
title_fullStr Primary progressive multiple sclerosis in a 10-year-old Nigerian boy
title_full_unstemmed Primary progressive multiple sclerosis in a 10-year-old Nigerian boy
title_short Primary progressive multiple sclerosis in a 10-year-old Nigerian boy
title_sort primary progressive multiple sclerosis in a 10 year old nigerian boy
topic Children
multiple sclerosis
resource-limited setting
url http://www.smjonline.org/article.asp?issn=1118-8561;year=2019;volume=22;issue=2;spage=105;epage=108;aulast=Anyiam
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AT hadizaaliyu primaryprogressivemultiplesclerosisina10yearoldnigerianboy
AT robinsondanielwammanda primaryprogressivemultiplesclerosisina10yearoldnigerianboy