REVIEW ON EAST AFRICA MYSTERIOUS DISEASE: NODDING SYNDROME

Nodding syndrome (NS) is a complex type of epilepsy that is characterized by repeated head nodding that occurs from 5-20 times per minute and affect children aged 5-15yr. To date it is rapidly spreading among geographically localized areas in South Sudan, southern Tanzania, and northern Uganda. Uganda is the main affected area there were 3,094 suspected cases reported until 2012. The aim of this seminar is to compile the available data on possible etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis; prevention and control of nodding syndrome .A variety of hypotheses about the etiology of NS have been advanced. Theories have linked the syndrome toviral, bacterial, and parasitic infectious diseases, nutritional deficiencies, genetic disorders, exposures to heavy metals, pesticides, slow virus or prion diseases, exposures to munitions from the war, post-traumatic stress disorder, pseudo-seizures, and, vitamin B6 deficiency, vaccine reaction, a fungi found in bush meat, but nothing has yet been conclusively proven. Epidemiological data suggest a strong association between Onchocerca volvulus with the syndrome, but it is still unclear whether this represents a causal relationship or not. Nodding Syndrome developed in chronological orderaffecting children in physical and neurological development. Nodding syndrome perform using psychiatric manifestations and laboratory findings. There is no established definitive treatment and preventive measure, treated symptomatically usingantiepileptic drugs with nutritional supplements and treat infection like Onchocerca volvulus. Nodding syndrome is increasingly becoming a considerable public health problem with high morbidity and mortality. Based on the above information drawn, the following recommendations are forwarded: Further collaborative and multidisciplinary research is needed to identify the cause, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatments, prevention and control of nodding syndrome, Further collaboration is needed to support life and to avoid or decrease child death and Research needed to know about the status and socio-economic impact of other east Africa country including Ethiopia about NS.