Acquired Brain Injury in Children in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

The World Health Organization estimates that the proportionate share of the total global burden of disease resulting from neurologic and psychiatric disorders will rise to 14.7 % by 2020. Although these disorders comprise only 1.4 % of all deaths, they account for a remarkable 28 % of all years of life lived with a disability. In Africa, brain injury acquired during childhood underlies the majority of the neurologic disorders. There are however very few comprehensive studies of these on the continent. Available studies are mostly of specific etiologies and often conducted in localized areas. This chapter provides an overview of traumatic and acquired non-traumatic brain injury in children in sub-Saharan Africa. It highlights the burden, causes, manifestations and management challenges and provides some perspectives for the future. The chapter will deal with only acquired brain injury in children after birth in sub-Saharan Africa. Genetic disorders and disorders due to early adverse foetal exposures are not included here.