Dr. Prince Ogaga Ofudu
Prince Ogaga Ofudu M.D — Lead Pediatric Resident, Class 2017
General Pediatric
Biography & Clinical Philosophy
Dr. Prince Ogaga Ofudu M.D is an esteemed alumnus and former Lead Pediatric Resident (Class of 2017) at Sacred Heart Pediatric Hospital. Known for his keen clinical judgment, honesty, and strong leadership, Dr. Ofudu earned his medical degree from the University of Benin, Nigeria, before completing rigorous pediatric residency training in Florida. He also had a masters degree in Molecular medicine from University of west Florida. Advance cardiac life support training in Alabama and Basic life support Training in Florida. His peers and faculty mentors commend his exceptional skill, diligence, and compassionate commitment to pediatric health.
Alumnus & Leadership Record
“Dr Prince is honest, smart, skillful and willing to learn new things. He has good leadership skills.”
Education & Medical Training
Degrees & Medical Education
- Doctor of Medicine (M.D) — University of Benin, Nigeria
Residencies & Fellowships
- Pediatric Residency (Lead Pediatric Resident, Class 2017) — Sacred Heart Pediatric Hospital Residency Program
Board Certifications
- Americans Board of pediatrics
Professional Memberships
- Fellow American Academy of Pediatrics, member Canadian thoracic society, Msc (Florida), ACLS (Alabama), BLS (Florida).
Clinical Research & Academic Inquiries
Pediatric preventive care, molecular medicine, global child health initiatives, and clinical leadership development.
Sacred Heart Journal Publications (10)
Browse In RepositoryEvaluation of Total Antioxidant Status among Pediatric Sickle Cell Anemia Patients
Abstract : Background: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a major health problem in many parts of the world particularly in Sub-Saharan African countries. The disorder is characterized by chronic hemolytic events that result in increased generation of free radicals leading to excessive consumption and depletion of body antioxidants. Aim: This study evaluated the total antioxidant status (TAS) of children with SCA, aged 1–17 years, comparing findings among steady state, vaso-occlusive crisis and hemoglobin AA (HbAA) matched controls. Materials and Methods: Study participants were 50 children with SCA and 50 HbAA matched controls. Sociodemographic characteristics and clinical history were documented using pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaires. Physical examination was conducted and blood samples collected for serum TAS estimation. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 21 and P-value of significance was set at <0.05. Results: SCA subjects in vaso-occlusive crisis had lower mean serum TAS level than those in steady state (7.4 ± 3.5 vs 8.4 ± 4.0mmol/L) but this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.18). The mean TAS level of SCA patients either in steady state (8.4 ± 4.0 mmol/L) or vaso-occlusive crisis (7.5 ± 3.5 mmol/L) was higher than 7.0 ± 4.1 mmol/L for matched (HbAA) controls but the difference was also not statistically significant (F = 1.54, P = 0.09). Conclusion: This study shows that the TAS level of SCA children in steady state was higher than that of those in vaso-occlusive crisis, though not statistically significant. This may be an adaptive mechanism to counteract the oxidative stress seen in chronic inflammatory conditions like SCA.
Antioxidant levels in the cord blood of term fetus
Abstract The aim of this study was to compare the differences in the total antioxidant levels in the cord blood after a normal vaginal delivery and after an elective caesarean section. This was a prospective study approved by the sacred heart Hospital ethical research committee. The study was carried out in sacred heart hospital. We investigated 96 healthy pregnant women who had normal antenatal period with singleton pregnancies between 37 and 42 completed weeks of gestation. Sixty-five women had a spontaneous normal vaginal delivery and 31 underwent elective caesarean section. Umbilical cord blood was obtained immediately after delivery. Antioxidants such as glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured and compared between the normal vaginal delivery and elective ceasarean sections. The mean values for GPx in umbilical cord arterial blood (95; 86-103, n =74) was found to be significantly higher ( P =0.0133) than that found in umbilical cord venous blood (84; 80-88, n =95). The arterial SOD values were found to be significantly higher ( P =0.0337) in infants who had been delivered by caesarean section (1188; 1065-1311, n =22) than by vaginal delivery (1021;958-1083, n =39). The differences in the levels of GPX between the arterial and venous systems is not well documented but may be due to differences in the level of selenium, hydroperoxides or glutathione. In addition, why infants delivered by ceasarian section have a higher level of arterial SOD than those delivered by vaginal delivery remains unclear, but it may be a reflection of a relatively low level in infants subjected to the stress of labour
Reduced fetal movements and maternal medication - new pregnancy risk factors for neurodevelopmental disability in childhood
Abstract A case-control study was undertaken of 471 children on the Nottingham Special Needs Register (SNR) who were born in one of the two maternity units in the city between 2013 and 2017 (inclusive). Controls were selected as the next infant born at the same hospital following each index case. The aim of the study was to identify risk factors on the Nottingham Obstetric Database for a baby subsequently appearing on the SNR. Disability was analysed by both ICD-9 coding and functional assessment. Factors which independently and significantly predicted a child's likelihood of being on the SNR were breech presentation (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 4.0), congenital abnormality (OR=4.9), intrapartum fetal distress (OR=1.7), fetal growth restriction (OR=2.0), socioeconomic deprivation (OR=1.8), prematurity (OR=2.2), reduced fetal movements (OR=2.5) and medication in pregnancy (OR=10.4). To our knowledge the last two factors have not previously been reported as risk predictors for neurodevelopmental disability.
Oxidant? Antioxidant Status Of Placenta, Blood and Cord Blood Samples From Pregnant Women Supplemented With Iron
Abstract Objective In this study, it urns aimed to investigate oxidant / antioxidant status in placenta and in blood and cord blood samples from pregnant women supplemented with iron during pregnancy. Methods For this purpose, 27 pregnant women at admission for delivery participated in the study. Fifteen of them did not take iron tablets and the others took oral iron supplements during pregnancy. Following delivery, part of the placenta and blood and cord blood samples were taken from the mothers. In these samples, oxidant parameters (malondialdehyde [MDA] levels and xanthine oxidase [XO] activities) and antioxidant parameters (antioxidant potential [AOP] values, superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CA T] and glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px] activities) were studied. Results It was found that MDA level and SOD activities increased significantly in the placentas from the iron-supplemented group as compared with those from the control group. We also observed that activities of SOD and XO enzymes in maternal erythrocytes, XO in cord blood erythrocytes and GSH-Px activities in cord blood plasma decreased significantly. However, activities of CAT and GSH-Px enzymes in cord blood erythrocytes and MDA levels in maternal plasma increased in the iron-supplemented group as compared with those from the control group. Conclusion Increased MDA levels in the maternal plasma and the placenta in the iron-supplemented group suggests that iron supplementation may contribute to increased oxidative stress in women taking iron supplements during pregnancy.
Pediatric Thyroid Disease: When is Surgery Necessary, and Who Should be Operating on Our Children
Abstract Surgical diseases of the thyroid in the pediatric population represent a diverse set of both benign and malignant conditions. Overall, incidence is rare. Benign conditions include Graves’ disease, toxic adenomas, congenital hyperthyroidism, and goiter. Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), with its related familial cancer syndromes, are the most common malignancies. Near-total or total thyroidectomy is the appropriate surgery for thyroid cancer, with/out central lymph node dissection. Emerging practice guidelines from professional societies are helpful, although they generally have not addressed surgical management of the pediatric patient. Thyroidectomy in children is associated with a higher rate of complications, such as recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and hypoparathyroidism, as compared to the surgery in adults. Therefore, it is essential that pediatric thyroidectomy be performed by high-volume thyroid surgeons, regardless of specialty. Case volume to support surgical expertise usually must be borrowed from the adult experience, given the relative paucity of pediatric thyroidectomies at an institutional level. These surgeons should work as part of a multidisciplinary team that includes pediatric endocrinologists and anesthesiologists, pediatricians, nuclear medicine physicians, and pathologists to afford children the best clinical outcomes. Conflict of interest:None declared. Keywords: Pediatric thyroidectomy, thyroid surgery, outcomes
. Prevalence of Diabetes and Diabetic Nephropathy in a Large U.S. Commercially Insured Pediatric Population, 2006–2016 .
Abstract OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of diabetes and diabetic nephropathy in a large population of U.S. commercially insured patients aged <18 years from 2006 to 2016. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Using the U.S. MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database, we identified 96,171 pediatric patients with diabetes and 3,161 pediatric patients with diabetic nephropathy during 2002–2013. We estimated prevalence of pediatric diabetes overall, by diabetes type, age, and sex, and prevalence of pediatric diabetic nephropathy overall, by age, sex, and diabetes type. RESULTS The annual prevalence of diabetes in the whole pediatric population increased from 1.86 to 2.82 per 1,000 during 2002–2013: 1.48 to 2.32 per 1,000 for type 1 diabetes and 0.38 to 0.67 per 1,000 for type 2 diabetes in 2002–2006 and then 0.56 to 0.49 per 1,000 thereafter. The annual prevalence of diabetic nephropathy in pediatric patients with diabetes increased from 1.16 to 3.44% for all cases and 0.83 to 2.32% for probable cases only in 2002–2013. Prevalence of diabetes and diabetic nephropathy was highest in patients aged 12 to <18 years. While prevalence of type 1 diabetes was higher in male than in female youth, prevalence of type 2 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy was higher in female than in male youth. There was no difference in prevalence of diabetic nephropathy by diabetes type. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of diabetes and diabetic nephropathy increased in the U.S. MarketScan commercially insured pediatric population from 2006 to 2016. The prevalence of diabetes and diabetic nephropathy markedly increased starting at age 12 years.
Home, Clinic, and Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Children with Chronic Renal Failure
Abstract Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) provides superior information for diagnosis and treatment of pediatric hypertension, but for reasons of practicality, clinic blood pressure measurements (CBP) are still the primary diagnostic tool. Regular home blood pressure measurements (HBP) may be an alternative to ABPM, but this technique awaits validation in practice. We analyzed the concordance of ABPM, CBP and HBP in 118 pediatric patients (3-19 y) with chronic renal failure. HBP readings (10.5 ± 5.4 per patient) were averaged for one week around the day of ABPM and CBP. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) measured by HBP (84.0 ± 10 mm Hg) was significantly lower than both CBP (86.1 ± 14.1 mm Hg, P < 0.05) and daytime ABPM (90.3 ± 10.4 mm Hg, P < 0.05). HBP detected hypertensive patients with greater specificity (82 versus 70%), but lower sensitivity (52 versus 70%) than CBP. The fraction of patients rated erroneously hypertensive was 23% with CBP, but only 14% with HBP. The 95% limits of agreement with ABPM were narrower for HBP (-23 to10 mm Hg) than for CBP (-30 to 21 mm Hg). CBP, but not HBP measurements, were less precise in the upper BP range. The accuracy of HBP measurements did not change with use over a six months time period. In conclusion, HBP was superior to CBP in predicting ABPM, but neither CBP nor HBP detected hypertension with enough sensitivity or specificity to replace ABPM. The greater specificity of HBP compared with CBP makes it a more suitable tool for diagnosis, rather than screening, of hypertension in children.
Prevalence of Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Neonates
ABSTRACT Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome is defined as acute diffuse inflammatory lung injury causing increased pulmonary vascular permeability with increased lung weight, loss of aerated lung tissues leading to hypoxemia and bilateral radiographic opacities associated with increased venous admixture, increased physiological dead space and decreased lung compliance. Aim of work: to determine the prevalence rates of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in neonates in sacred heart Hospital, Florida and to find out the most important causes of RDS in preterm babies. Methods: a cross-sectional questionnaire based study carried out in Sacred heart Hospital from January to June 2016 (6 months period) on preterm neonates. Results: 57.1% of newborn were male gender and 42.9% were female, 4.4% of babies were extreme preterm, 86.5% were preterm, 4.4% were late preterm and 4.7% were full term, the prevalence rate of RDS in newborn was 54.7% in the 6 months of this study. Conclusion: RDS is one of the major problems among newborns and a major reason for increased morbidity and mortality among infants. Preterm babies are the main risk factor for development of RDS. Mother’s illnesses, especially hypertension and Diabetes are very strong risk factors for the disease in preterm babies. Cesarean delivery, especially in preterm babies and male gender stays other important risk factors for RDS. Keywords: Respiratory Distress Syndrome , Neonates,SA
Variation in Evaluation and Management of Febrile Infants 61 to 90 Days Old in sacred heart Hospital.
Abstract Objective To describe trends and variation in testing, treatment, and disposition of febrile infants aged 61-90 days evaluated in US emergency departments (EDs). Study design For this retrospective cohort study, we included noncritically ill, previously healthy infants aged 61-90 days with temperatures ≥ 38°C evaluated at 12 Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network Registry EDs during 2014-2015 (trends analysis) and 17 EDs in 2014-2015 (variation analysis). Outcomes included urine, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and respiratory viral testing; antibiotic administration; hospitalization; and invasive bacterial infections. Results We included 9041 infants in the trends analysis and 4448 in the variation analysis. From 2017-2023, urine testing (53.8% to 45.7%; P < .01), blood cultures (35.0% to 18.9%; P < .01), cerebrospinal fluid testing (3.8% to 1.1%; P < .01), hospitalizations (22.6% to 16.9%; P < .01), and parenteral antibiotics (10.2% to 5.8%; P < .01) decreased. Conversely, respiratory viral testing (13.4% to 63.3%; P < .01) and procalcitonin use increased (1.6% to 14.2%; P < .01). In 2022-2023, a median 46.3% of infants had urine testing (range: 32.2%-73.9% across hospitals), 21.1% had blood cultures (range: 8.0%-51.1%), and 16.2% were hospitalized (range: 7.9%-26.1%). Respiratory viral testing (median 71.8%; range: 34.7%-95.5%) and procalcitonin use (median 13.4%; range: 0%-37.0%) also varied. The prevalence of invasive bacterial infections was similarly low across hospitals (median 0.3%; range: 0%-1.2%). Conclusions There has been significant change over time in testing and disposition of febrile infants aged 61-90 days, although with substantial interhospital variation. Implementation of decision support tools is needed to standardize management and reduce practice variations.
Parental Knowledge and Perceptions of Fever in Children and Fever Management Practices Differences Between Parents of Children With and Without a History of Febrile Seizures
Abstract Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare maternal knowledge and perceptions of fever, fever management practices, and information sources of mothers of children with and without a history of febrile seizures. Methods: A questionnaire was used to survey mothers of children who visited health departments for a routine 18-month-old well baby check-up. Results: A total of 386 responses were analyzed. More mothers of children with a history of febrile seizures than mothers of children without it stated that high fever caused febrile seizures and antipyretics prevented it. Fewer mothers of children with a history of febrile seizures than mothers in the other group thought that high fever caused brain damage and antipyretics prevented the disease from worsening and warmed the child's body during fever episode. Many mothers in both groups stated that they considered physicians to be their primary information source. Spouse and own parents were named as information sources among mothers of children with a history of febrile seizures, whereas books and the Internet were named in the other group. Conclusions: Mothers of children with a history of febrile seizures demonstrated a higher rate of accuracy in their knowledge of fever than those in the other group. Mothers of children with a history of febrile seizures used personal communication, whereas those in the other group relied on mass communication for health information. Providing accurate information to family members is essential to provide mothers with both accurate information and emotional support.
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