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When Jackson Macharia was born, he seemed a healthy normal baby boy who had his whole life ahead of him. He was energetic and a typical infant until he was one month old. Then he began experiencing digestive problems and constipation. For the next six years he suffered from these problems because no one could find out what was wrong with him. Worse still, he stopped growing and could not walk, while due to his condition his stomach became bloated and swollen. All the hospitals he was taken to misdiagnosed the condition, but because there are very few endocrinologists in Kenya, none was able to recognize this apparently unknown condition.
Endocrinology is a branch of biology and medicine dealing with the endocrine system, its diseases, and its specific secretions called hormones, as well as the integration of developmental events proliferation, growth, and differentiation, and also the psychological or behavioural activities of metabolism, growth and digestion, respiration, excretion, mood, stress, lactation, movement, reproduction, and sensory perception as caused by hormones.The mother was told that Jackson had insufficient blood and that was the cause of the constipation. He survived on a diet of fruits and plenty of fluids.
When the Gertrude’s Hospital Foundation held a medical camp organised in partnership with the Children’s Health and Development in Kenya (CHADIK) in Nanyuki, they examined young Jackson. He was presented as a child suffering from Hirschsprung’s Disease, a blockage of the large intestine due to insufficient bowel movement. After further observation, more tests needed to be conducted in Nairobi.
On 10th July at Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, two doctors, a surgeon and endocrinologist finally reached the correct diagnosis. Jackson was supposed to be operated on but the conclusion was congenital hypothyroidism. This is a condition of thyroid hormone deficiency present at birth. If untreated for several months after birth, severe congenital hypothyroidism can lead to growth failure and permanent intellectual disability. This bitter sweet news was a relief to the mother who finally found out what was the matter with Jackson. Also he did not require surgery but was put on levotryroxine for the rest of his life. This is a very affordable drug that was made available to Rumuruti District Hospital which is the nearest to Jackson and his mother.
Jackson is to report to the hospital after six months so that the doctors can decide whether the constipation was indeed caused by the condition or whether they should take further action. They will also monitor Jackson’s growth and the effect of the drug. “Thank you so much for taking good care of us and treating us like paying patients,” said his mother. She reiterated her gratitude by adding that she will never forget the kindness she witnessed from the Gertrude’s Hospital Foundation since she arrived in Nairobi.
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