Disease Burden of Neonatal Care Unit at Al-Bayda Medical Center Al-Bayda Libya

This research was conducted to determine the number, disease pattern, and outcome of the patients admitted at the Neonatal Care Unit (NCU) at Al-Bayda medical center (AMC) in Libya. A retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on all neonates admitted to the NCU between January 2008 and December 2008. The collected data include age, gender, mode and site of delivery, number of gestations, maturity, duration of stay, cause of admission, and outcome. Total infants delivered were 10075, 620 (6.1%) of them were admitted to NCU with a (6.15%) admission rate, 56.5% were male and 43.5% were female, of whom 613 (98.9%) were inborn and 519 (83.7%) were term neonates; 523 (84.4%) of total born were by normal vaginal delivery (NVD). 48.7% of total admissions occurred during the first 24 hours of life. The average length of hospital stay for term births was 5.6 days (SD 5.4) and for preterm 8.7 days (SD 8.55). The common causes of admission were neonatal jaundice (29.3%), followed by neonatal infections (17.6%) were prematurity accounts for (16.3%), and respiratory distress (11.1%). The majority of the admitted neonates improved and were discharged 517 (83.4%), 37(6%) left against medical advice (LAMA) and nineteen (3%) were referred to other specialized hospitals for further management. The neonatal mortality rate was 0.4%, and the overall hospital neonatal mortality rate was 7.6%. According to the cause-specific death rate analysis, prematurity was the most common cause of death (29.8%), followed by sepsis (17%) and birth asphyxia (12.8%). In conclusion, neonatal jaundice, infection, and prematurity complications were the leading causes of morbidity in neonates. The case-fatality rate was high for prematurity, sepsis, and birth asphyxia. Most of these etiologies are preventable to some extent by regular prenatal visits, healthy delivery practices, and timely referral to hospitals which can reduce NCU burden and improve outcomes

Perinatal and maternal outcome in meconium stained amnioticfluid (thin and thick) at dhiraj general hospital, a rural tertiary health centre

Background: To determine the perinatal outcome of with Meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) compared with clear amniotic fluid at Dhiraj Hospital.Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out in obstetrics and gynaecology department of Dhiraj Hospital, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth from March 2021 to August 2021. All patients fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria as mentioned above were taken for the study. All the categorial variables were analysed independently with the help of chi square test and fisher’s exact test and all the continuous variables were analysed with independent ‘t test’.Results: Out of 500 patients selected for the present study which had inclusion criteria, 13.6% were meconium stained out of which 50 (73.5%) cases had thin meconium and 18 (26.4%) cases had thick meconium. Fetal CTG abnormalities were more common in MSAF group and were noted in 38.2% of cases which is significantly increased compared to control group with CTG abnormalities in 8.3%. The difference was significant with p value of <0.001. 32(47.0%) patients with meconium-stained amniotic fluid had normal vaginal delivery, while in control group out of 432, 360 (83.3%) delivered normally. Incidence of LSCS and assisted vaginal delivery was more in meconium-stained amniotic fluid.Conclusions: Meconium-stained amniotic fluid is associated with more frequency of operative delivery, birth asphyxia, neonatal sepsis, and neonatal intensive care unit admissions compared to clear amniotic fluid. Better perinatal outcome in clear amniotic fluid compared to meconium stained liquor.

Sublingual misoprostol to reduce blood loss at caesarean delivery

Background: Caesarean section is the most common obstetrical procedure performed worldwide. Sometimes oxytocin alone is not sufficient to prevent postpartum haemorrhage and additional uterotonics may be required. We attempted an additional uterotonic misoprostol by sublingual route to evaluate the role of it to reduce blood loss at caesarean delivery.Methods: This prospective clinical study was done on patients of S. S. G. Hospital, Baroda; 138 patients who underwent lower segment caesarean section (elective or emergency). The primary outcome was less intra/peri operative blood loss, need for additional uterotonic agents and perioperative haemoglobin (Hb) fall. The secondary outcomes studied were incidence of shivering, pyrexia, nausea, vomiting, operating time, blood transfusion, endomyometritis and hospitalization period. Average blood loss after normal vaginal delivery is 500 ml and after caesarean delivery is around 1000 ml.Results: Mean postoperative Hb was high with misoprostol group and perioperative Hb fall was less. Perioperative Hb fall of 1 g or more was lesser in this group.Conclusions: Sublingual misoprostol reduces intraoperative blood loss, perioperative blood loss and the need for additional uterotonic agents and blood transfusions at caesarean delivery.

A case study of caesarean sections in referred cases

Background: Referral is a coordinated movement of healthcare seekers through the health system to reach a high level of care in a small and often fatal window of time. Even physiological processes like pregnancy and childbirth are not free of complications. The purpose of this study is to understand maternal and foetal outcome in caesarean sections in referred cases.Methods: A prospective study was carried out in the OBGY department of SMT.SCL HOSPITAL, NHL Municipal medical college from April 2020 to April 2021. All referred antenatal and intranatal patients to our tertiary care centre with >20 weeks of gestation who underwent caesarean section with referral note.Results: A total 64% patients were referred from community health center. 63.5% patients were referred due to lack of high-risk management services. 211 patients underwent caesarean section while 69 patients had normal vaginal delivery. Difficulty in delivery of the baby was encountered in 53% of cases due to deep engagement of the fetal head. Major cause of admission in NICU was sepsis (38.6%) followed by prematurity (23.8%).Conclusions: Cesarean section is one of the quickest and most efficient method in the delivery of the baby and thus should in considered in patients in critical situations .The millennium development goals defined by united nation includes one goal (MDG 5) towards improving maternal health which still remains a challenge. Thus, improving knowledge of women regarding good antenatal care and strengthening referral services will play a big role in this.

A study of feto maternal outcome in primary caesarean section

Background: Primary caesarean section is defined as caesarean section to be performed in women who have not had previous caesarean delivery. The increase in the rates of primary caesarean section is not only due to increased caesarean section in nulligravida but also due to upward rise in caesarean section rates in parous women. Through this study we aimed to examine the frequency and the indications of primary caesarean section in nulliparous and multiparous women.Methods: A prospective study was carried out in the OBGY department of smt. SCL Hospital, NHL municipal medical college from April 2020 to April 2021. All multiparous women with previous normal vaginal delivery who underwent caesarean section this time were included in this study. Patients with previous caesarean section <28 weeks of gestation, patients who did not give consent were excluded from the study.Results: 92% were 20-30 years and are gravida 2 or 3 patients. 85% patients were booked patients. Most common indication of primary caesarean section in parous women was MSL+FD (31%). Difficulty in delivery of the baby was encountered in 45% of cases. Major cause of admission in NICU was MAS.Conclusions: Primary caesarean section has become a major driver of overall caesarean section rate. Decision making on primary caesarean section should be carefully scrutinized, introducing a diagnostic second opinion for all primary caesarean section. Primary caesarean section in both multigravida and primigravida becomes mandatory in many cases to prevent maternal and feta morbidity.

Effectiveness of Breast crawl in initiation and maintenance of effective breast feeding among new borns in selected hospital at Kollam

A quantitative research study to assess the effectiveness of breast crawl in initiation and maintenance of effective breast feeding among newborns in selected hospital at Kollam. The objectives of the study were to assess the effectiveness of breast crawl in initiation of breast feeding among newborns, to assess the effectiveness of breast crawl in maintenance of effective breast feeding among newborns and to find the association between the breast crawl of new born with the socio demographic variables. A quasi experimental non-equivalent control group design was used for the study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 60 newborns born by normal vaginal delivery who were alternatively posted as experimental group and control group. The tools were demographic proforma, observation checklist for breast crawl, observation checklist for initiation of breast feeding and observation checklist for maintenance of effective breast feeding. Breast crawl given to the experimental group and assessed the initiation of breast feeding. Routine initiation of breastfeeding given to control group. Continuation of breast feeding was assessed equally in both groups, for six feeds in a day for 3days. The unpaired ‘t’ value was used to assess the effectiveness of breast crawl in initiation of breast feeding. The calculated ‘t’ value, (14.47) was greater than table value, (2.660). Effectiveness of breast crawl in maintenance of effective breast feeding was assessed by using unpaired ‘t’ value. The calculated t value in Day I (8.6551), Day II (18.55) and Day III (19.24) were greater than table value (2.660) at 0.05 level of significance. It concludes that there was effectiveness of breast crawl in initiation and maintenance of effective breast feeding among newborns. There was also progressive increase in the second and third day.

An infant with 49XXXXY syndrome: a case report

Background 49XXXXY syndrome is the rarest X chromosome aneuploidy, with approximate incidence of 1:85,000–100,000 male births. Worldwide, around 100 cases have been reported. In this report, we describe one such case seen in Sri Lanka. Case presentation A 10-day-old Sri Lankan neonate born in a tertiary care center was referred to the pediatric endocrinology unit of Lady Ridgeway Hospital due to detection of ambiguous genitalia at birth. He was the first child born to nonconsanguineous healthy parents following an uncomplicated antenatal period. He was born at term via normal vaginal delivery, with a birth weight of 2.385 kg. The baby was active, and there was no documented hypoglycemia or alteration in basic biochemical investigations. On examination, the child had hypertelorism, upslanting palpebral fissures, flat occiput, and mild webbing of the neck. System examination was normal. Genitalia examination revealed bifid scrotum, perineal urethra, 2 cm phallus, and bilateral testis in situ. Hormonal analysis, including dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, testosterone, and 17-OH progesterone levels, was normal except for an elevated level of follicle-stimulating hormone, indicating gonadal dysgenesis. Ultrasound of the abdomen detected testis located at bilateral inguinal canal, and no Müllerian structures were visible. Echocardiography showed a small patent foramen ovale with otherwise normal heart. Chromosome analysis revealed 49XXXXY syndrome. Conclusion 49XXXXY syndrome should be entertained as a rare possibility for ambiguous genitalia, and karyotyping is an essential investigation for evaluation of such patients.

Evaluation of Breastfeeding in 6-24 Month Children in South of Iran

Background and aims: The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations International Children’s Fund have recommended that breastfeeding be continued until two years of age or over. This study aimed to investigate the duration of breastfeeding and weaning in children aged 6-24 months in south of Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2017 on 1653 children aged 6-24 months in Fars province of Iran. A multi-stage sampling was used and the data were obtained using a questionnaire including questions about breastfeeding and some related factors, as well as demographic questions about the children and their parents. The required information was collected by visiting and interviewing those mothers who had children aged 6-24 months in their homes. Data were evaluated using SPSS software (version 20.0) and performing descriptive and analytical statistics such as independent samples t test and one-way ANOVA. Results: On average, the children were breastfed up to 18.64±7.40 months of age and the mean age of initiation of complementary feeding was 5.86±1.04 months. Breastfeeding was stopped for 35.6% of children at the age of 24 months and higher. Mothers having had a normal vaginal delivery had a longer lactation period than mothers who had had cesarean delivery (19.27 and 18.05 months, respectively) (P=0.021). Conclusion: A decrease was observed in the mean duration of breastfeeding in this study compared to that obtained in the previous studies, and this decrease was found to be associated with the increase in the occurrence of cesarean delivery in mothers. Therefore, it was recommended that further comprehensive investigations be carried out in this regard.