Prevalence and Risk Factors of Nephroblastoma Among Children Admitted at BMC Mwanza, Tanzania.
- Mwanza, Tanzania | Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences [CUHAS-Bugando] | 2024.
- 34 Pages Includes References
Abstract:
Background: Nephroblastoma (Wilms tumor – WT) is the most common kidney tumor in the pediatric population, fifth among malignant neoplasms and third among solid tumors (after brain tumors and neuroblastoma) [12] WT accounts for 5% of childhood malignancies and 80% of all diagnosed kidney tumors in children and adolescents[13] WT occurs in 7 per 1,000,000 children below 15 years of age, and the median age at diagnosis is 5 years. Most patients are diagnosed with localized disease, but in approximately 5% of patient’s distant metastases are present at the time of diagnosis [14] The tumor is most often located unifocal in the lower or upper pole of the kidney, less often multifocally. In 5–8% of cases, it occurs bilaterally, most often in cases with co-existing nephroblastomata, which is defined as disturbed, incomplete maturation of primary nephrogenic cells [15]
Method: The study involved 210 pediatric patients; The study included Pediatric patients Admitted at BMC between January 2013 to December 2023, systemic random sampling was employed.
Results: A total of 210 children who attended pediatric department clinic at BMC from January 2013 to December 2023 were recruited. Most patients were aged between 3 to 5 Years 156 (74.2 %) with mean age of 3.5, males138 (65.7%), females 71(33.8%). With majorities being young before school age 197 (93.8%). Among the 210 randomly selected participants who were attending Pediatric clinic, only 47 (22.4%) reported to be diagnosed with Nephroblastoma. With peak age at 3 Year 14 (29.8%). From the study it has been shown that nephroblastoma had been associated with various factors on Like other congenital anomalies 10 (21.3%), family history 23 (48.9%).
Conclusion: The study highlights the prevalence and characteristics of nephroblastoma among pediatric patients. Among the 210 participants, 22.4% were diagnosed with nephroblastoma, with a peak age of diagnosis at 3 years. This finding aligns with previous studies, such as the European study in 2017, which reported a median diagnosis age of 5 years, and the 2016 study at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center, which found a median age of 48 months. The majority of patients are diagnosed with localized disease, though approximately 5% present with distant metastases at diagnosis. Nephroblastoma was associated with several factors, including congenital anomalies (21.3%) and family history (48.9%).
Wurzburg Road 35, Premises, Post Code: 33102 | P. O. Box 1464 Mwanza, Tanzania | Phone: (255) 28-298-3384 | Fax: (255) 28-298-3386 | Email: vc@bugando.ac.tz | Website: www.bugando.ac.tz