Maternal serum vitamin D levels and pregnancy outcomes: from Lagos, Nigeria.

In an attempt to investigate the effect of vitamin D deficiency on pregnancy complications including caesarean section and foetal outcome in our population, blood samples of 461 pregnant women who attended antenatal booking clinic between 10 and 28 weeks of pregnancy were taken for vitamin D estimation and followed up. Details concerning pregnancy complications, labour and foetal outcome were obtained after delivery. They were divided into three groups according to the serum vitamin D level: group 1 (0-20)ng/ml (deficiency), group 2 (21-30)ng/ml (insufficiency), and group 3 (more than 30 mg/ml) normal.

Factors influencing CD4 cell count in HIV-positive pregnant women in a secondary health center in Lagos, Nigeria.

Background: Immunity in pregnancy is physiologically compromised, and this may affect CD4 count levels. It is well-established that several factors affect CD4 count level in pregnancy. This study aimed to determine the mean and reference range of CD4 count in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive pregnant women in Lagos, Nigeria.

Risk factors and pregnancy outcome in different types of placenta previa.

Objective: To compare risk factors and pregnancy outcome between different types of placenta previa (PP).

Materials And Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 306 women presenting with PP over a 10-year period from January 1996 to December 2005. Differences between women with major and minor PP regarding age, parity, history of Caesarean section, antepartum hemorrhage, preterm deliveries, placenta accreta, Caesarean hysterectomy, operative complications, and neonatal outcome were identified using Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, and multivariate logistic regression.

Breech delivery before and after the term breech trial recommendation.

Objective: To compare the outcome of breech delivery at term in women before and after the term breech trial (TBT) recommendation.

Methods: A retrospective study carried out at Abha Maternity Hospital, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia comprising 796 women with breech presentation at term who delivered at our hospital between May 1997 and February 2005 divided into 2 groups. Group 1 consisted of 394 patients who were delivered 4 years before the recommendation of the TBT, and group 2 comprised 402 patients delivered 4 years after the recommendation.

Removal of cervical mucus prior to embryo transfer improves pregnancy rates in women undergoing assisted reproduction.

The removal of cervical mucus during embryo transfer has been postulated to increase the pregnancy and implantation rates by not interfering with embryo implantation. Even so, this is a time-consuming procedure that may increase the incidence of difficult transfers by removing the naturally lubricant mucus. In addition, any cervical manipulations at the time of embryo transfer may cause unwarranted uterine contractions.

Multiple repeat caesarean sections: complications and outcomes.

Objective: To compare the complications and outcomes of Caesarean section (CS) in women who have had three or more previous lower segment Caesarean sections with those in women with one previous CS.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 371 patients undergoing repeat CS. Of these, 115 (31%) had previously had three or more Caesarean sections (group 1) and 256 (69%) had previously had one CS (group 2).

Emergency cervical cerclage. Does the gestational age make a difference?

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of emergency cervical cerclage in prolongation of pregnancy and its effect on pregnancy outcome in patients with cervical incompetence.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients who had an emergency cervical cerclage performed for cervical incompetence during the period from July 1995 to June 2002 was carried out in Abha General Hospital, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Twenty patients between 16 and 26 weeks of gestation with 1) cervical effacement, 2) cervical dilatation of < or =3 cm, 3) herniation of intact fetal membranes through the cervical os, 4) absence of established labor, and 5) absence of clinical evidence of infection were studied.

Is recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone more effective in IVF poor responders than human menopausal gonadotrophins?

Background: The objective of this study was to determine if the recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) is more effective than human menopausal gonadotrophin (hMG) in IVF poor responders.

Material/methods: A prospective comparative study over a 2-year period. The setting was the Tertiary IVF Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center.

Assisted breech delivery, is the art fading?

Objective: To review the modes of breech delivery over a 5 year period in Khamis Civil Hospital, Khamis Mushayt, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and to evaluate the trend and associated complications.

Methods: Relevant data was extracted from the delivery room records of all women delivered in Khamis Civil Hospital, Khamis Mushayt, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from 1st January 1996 through 31st December 2000. Available data was analyzed.

Right lower quadrant pain in females. Is it appendicitis or gynecological?

Objective: To determine if a gynecological consultation is needed for patients who are labeled to have acute appendicitis.

Methods: A retrospective study carried out in Assir Central Hospital, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Fifteen female patients who were clinically diagnosed and operated upon for acute appendicitis were discovered intra-operatively to have unrelated gynecological lesions, are presented.

Non puerperal inversion of the uterus in a teenager.

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