High Anion Gap Metabolic Acidosis among Children with Nodding Syndrome (NS) in Northern Uganda: Case Series

Aims: To conduct a hormonal and biochemical studies on 10 patients with diagnosis of probable Nodding Syndrome (NS).
Study Design: A cross-sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: Atanga Health Center III in Pader District in Northern Uganda in September 2012.
Methodology: We recruited consecutively 10 children with probable Nodding Syndrome who had been admitted for symptomatic management of seizures, injuries resulting from falls and nutritional rehabilitation. History, physical examinations, biophysical measurements (anthropometry) and blood investigations including serum electrolytes, liver function tests, thyroid hormones and vitamin D assays. Ethical approval was obtained from Gulu University Institutional Review Committee.
Results: All children had severely low serum calcium and bicarbonate levels and a high Anion Gap. Thyroid hormones and vitamin D assays were largely normal.
Conclusion: Children with Nodding Syndrome undergoing treatment for seizure control and nutritional rehabilitation have high Anion Gap metabolic acidosis.