The offspring of a mother with Graves’ disease is at increased risk of morbidity (both immediate as well as long term) and mortality. The aim of the study was to retrospectively assess the concentrations of the serum Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3) as well as the anthropometric measurements in the first 6 months of life among offspring of mothers with Graves’ disease. In this study, the case files of all infants born to mothers with Graves’ disease who were referred to the Paediatric Endocrinology Clinic, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City were retrieved and audited. The thyroid function tests (TFT) results as well the anthropometric data obtained in the first 6 months of life for offspring of mothers with Graves’ disease were recorded. Of the 10 neonates born to mothers with Graves’ disease, the thyroid function was normal in eight (80.0%) and abnormal in two (20.0%). Of the two infants with abnormal thyroid function, one had Transient Hyperthyrotropinaemia (elevated TSH with normal fT4) and the other had Euthyroid Hyperthyroxinaemia (elevated fT4 with normal TSH and no clinical symptoms). No case of neonatal Graves’ disease was observed. In the first 6 months of life, there was no statistically significant difference in anthropometric measurements between offspring of mothers with Graves’ disease and their counterparts whose mothers did not have Graves’ disease. Conclusion: Majority of infants born to mothers with Graves’ disease had normal thyroid function but the two leading abnormality of thyroid function observed in the newborn were Transient Hyperthyrotropinaemia and Euthyroid Hyperthyroxinaemia. No statistically significant difference was observed in the anthropometric measurements of offspring of mothers with Graves’ disease and those of mothers without Graves’ disease

In this report, we describe a rare case of a Nigerian male infant who presented with resistance to thyroid hormone associated with hyperthyroidism, cholestatic jaundice, a huge goitre and failure to thrive (weight faltering). He had delayed developmental motor milestones and at the age of 7 months, he has developed craniosynostosis. The hyperthyroidism persisted despite treatment with beta-blocker for tachycardia and antithyroid medications. The challenges encountered in the management of the patient are discussed

Brachial artery aneurysm is rare but could be potentially both life-threatening and limb-threatening. It may lead to peripheral nerve injuries which cause disability and affect everyday function, both domestic and economic. We present a rare case of pre-menarcheal adolescent girl with Graves’ disease co-existing with radial neuropathy due to radial nerve compression by a giant brachial artery pseudoaneurysm. The patient was managed surgically with aneurysmal resection and saphenous vein graft interpositioning. Prompt diagnosis and institution of appropriate surgical repair to prevent adverse outcome was imperative.

Zinc deficiency impairs growth and development but epidemiological data for zinc nutrition status among preschool children living in rural areas of Nigeria is lacking. The aim of the present study was to assess the zinc status and anthropometric indices of children aged between 6 and 60 months, living in a rural community in Edo State, Nigeria. In this community-based cross-sectional study, five out of the nine political wards (quarters) in the community were randomly selected; all the households with children aged between 6 and 60 months were included the study. A total of 252 children were selected to participate after obtaining informed consent from their parents. Steps were taken to avoid exogenous zinc contamination of the blood samples which were collected in the mornings. The serum zinc levels of the subjects were determined, using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The weights, heights, head and mid-upper arm circumferences of each child were measured, using standard procedures. Z- scores of anthropometric indices of height-for-age, weight-for-age and weight-for-height were computed to assess the nutritional status of the children. The mean age of the study population was 32.7±17.0 months. The prevalence rates of stunting, underweight and wasting among the children were 18.2%, 14.7% and 11.1%, respectively. The overall mean serum zinc concentration was 4.77±3.02μmol/L, with a range of 1.0 16.52μmol/L. Of the 252 children, 220 (87.3%) had mean serum zinc concentration below 7.65μmol/L, representing severe zinc deficiency. The highest mean serum zinc concentration was found among children aged 6 to 12 months and this was followed by a progressive decline in serum zinc concentration from the age of 13 months up to 48 months. Correlation between the serum zinc concentration of the children and their age and social class of the parents were as follows: age, r = 0.09, at p = 0.15; social class, r = 0.08; at p = 0.21. The children with wasting had the lowest mean serum zinc concentration compared with either the group with underweight or stunting. The zinc nutritional status of preschool-age children in this community clearly indicates a suboptimal zinc status at the time of this study. According to the IZiNCG criteria, this should be considered as a public health problem among preschool-age children in this community. To effectively address the issue, social mobilization, intensive education and awareness campaign, with all target groups and policy makers are urgently required. Public health measures aimed at improving their zinc nutritional status should also be considered.

Isolated progressive macrodactyly belongs to a heterogeneous group of congenital overgrowth syndromes, resulting in enlargement of all tissues localized to the terminal portions (fingers or toes) of a limb. The aim of this case report is to create further awareness among physicians on this rare clinical entity and present a short review of the literature. We present the case of a 10-year-old Nigerian girl with a history of progressive overgrowth of left thumb since birth. The patient‟s facies and body habitus were normal without hemihypertrophy. Anthropometric measurements of the child‟s hands, revealed an overgrowth of the left thumb compared with the right. The child had no café-au-lait spots or any other skin lesions. The radiograph of the hands revealed increase in size of both soft tissue and phalangeal bones (enlongated and broadened) of the left thumb. A diagnosis of isolated progressive left thumb macrodactyly was made and the patient was referred to the orthopaedic surgeon for surgical intervention. The child and her parents suffered psychological distress. Isolated progressive macrodactyly is very rare but it is cosmetically displeasing to the child, resulting in psychological distress.