Peripheral gangrene in childhood: further observations on its aetiology and psycho-social sequelae in Nigeria.

Nine children, aged one day to 10 years, presented with gangrene at the Paediatrics Department, University College Hospital, Ibadan. The aetiological factors included septic skin spots (4 cases), snake bite (1 case), femoral vein thrombosis (1 case), and congenital arterial block by embolized placental tissue (1 case). One patient had polyarteritis of undetermined aetiology, and another probably had vasculitis complicating a staphylococcal septicaemia. Two of the nine patients died. Five of the seven survivors had a significant physical handicap subsequently.