A Cross-Sectional Study of Histopathologic Spectrum of Childhood Diseases in a Tertiary Hospital

Abstract

Background: Paediatric lesions requiring histopathological evaluation encompass a wide variety of conditions, ranging from developmental or congenital anomalies to acquired disorders such as inflammatory and neoplastic diseases. 

Objectives: To describe the histopathologic profile of paediatric diseases in specimens submitted for diagnosis at the Department of Morbid Anatomy and Histopathology, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. 

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all paediatric specimens received in the department over 11 years (January 2012 to December 2022). Clinical data, including patient demographics and histologic diagnoses, were extracted from departmental records for statistical analysis. 

Results: A total of 406 paediatric specimens were analysed, comprising 223 (54.9%) females and 183 (45.1%) males. The ages ranged from 31 days to 18 years, with a mean of 11.12 ±5.6 years. By organ system, gastrointestinal lesions were the most frequent (28.8%), followed by lymphoreticular lesions (20.2%). Urological lesions were the least common (3.2%). Histologically, inflammatory lesions predominated (49.3%), followed by benign neoplasms (30.3%) and congenital anomalies (8.4%). Reactive lymphoid hyperplasia was the most common diagnosis across all age groups (16.3%), followed by appendicitis (15.5%), fibroadenoma (12.1%), and hypoganglionosis/aganglionosis (5.2%). 

Conclusion: This study highlights the spectrum of paediatric diseases diagnosed via histopathology in this setting, with inflammatory and benign neoplastic lesions being the most prevalent. The findings provide valuable insights for clinical and pathologic practice.