Elimination disorders in a group of South African children
Date
2010-09-17
Authors
Patel, Firuzan Harishkumar
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Abstract
Background: Elimination disorders are childhood behavioural disorders. In South Africa these
disorders fall within a neglected field of study when compared to physical illnesses. This
report serves as formative research in order to address this neglect.
Aims: To identify and summarise the clinical presentations, age and gender distribution,
associated comorbid disorders and psychosocial factors in our mainly black patients from
Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Methodology: One hundred and sixteen children aged 4 – 14 years with these conditions were
enrolled into a descriptive prevalence or survey study over a period of three years. An
interview questionnaire was explained and responses recorded, from the caregivers and
subjects.
Result: There were 72 males and 44 females and their mean age at presentation was 9 years.
More males suffered from encopresis only and both elimination disorders than females. There
was only one female with encopresis alone. More females had enuresis than males. A greater
percentage of subjects had primary enuresis as compared to encopresis, which was
predominantly secondary in nature. Mental retardation, learning disability and ADHD were
common comorbid conditions.
Conclusion: The prevalence of elimination disorders in children attending an outpatient
paediatric facility does justify the need for a specialised elimination disorder clinic. This clinic
needs to be accommodated within an ambulatory paediatric unit such as the paediatric
outpatients department of the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.
Description
MSc (Med) Neurodevelopmental Paediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand
Keywords
enuresis, encopresis, elimination disorders, children