ABSTRACT
Background: TNF – α, a cytokine of a generalized intravascular inflammatory reaction, has been also shown to cause microvascular protein leakage and hypertrygliceridemia which are associated with pre-eclampsia. Increased serum uric acid is also associated with hypertension. Aims & Objective: To study the relationship between Tumour Necrosis Factor – alpha (TNF – α) with uric acid and to access the role of TNF – α as a determinant of Pre-eclampsia in women. Material and Methods: 100 patients with pre-eclampsia were studied out of which 50 were mild and 50 were severe pre-eclamptics. They were compared with 50 healthy subjects. Subjects were of similar gestational age, body mass index (BMI) and parity matched. They were all primigravidas at third trimester of pregnancy. Results: All studied subjects belonged to age group 28-40 years. The difference in mean age of healthy subjects and pre-eclamptics was non-significant (P=0.8). BMI values were ranged from 18-43 kg/m2. No significant difference was observed between healthy pregnant women and pre-eclamptics. Serum TNF – α co-related significantly with Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) and Uric acid levels. The association of TNF – α with uric acid was considerably significant compared to its association with other variables. The result showed that TNF – α is a strong determinant of pre-eclampsia. Conclusion: A co-relation exists between TNF – α and uric acid. The observed co-relation indicates that monitoring TNF – α and uric acid levels in Pre-eclamptic women might serve to help prevent the development of pre-eclampsia in pregnant women.
ABSTRACT
Background: Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is one of the common medical disorders in pregnancy in the developing world, which affect both the mother and the newborn and subsequent child and later adult. Aims & Objective: This study is undertaken to evaluate the safety and efficacy of parenteral iron sucrose complex therapy in iron deficiency anaemia in antenatal and postnatal women. Material and Methods: 110 consecutive pregnant women between 16-36 weeks of gestation and postnatal women, diagnosed as cases of Iron deficiency anaemia with Hb level 5-8 gm%, who were seen from May 2009 to April 2011 in our Hospital, were included in the study. All the patients received Iron Sucrose Complex in infusion form with the aim to correct the iron deficiency as well as to replenish the iron stores. The aim was to bring her Hb level to 10gm%. Result were analyzed in terms of the safety& efficacy, Results: Intravenous iron sucrose is effective in achieving target Hb of 10g/dl in 80% of patients. It shows that of IV iron sucrose significantly (P<0.001) increase Hb levels within 4 weeks. There were no major adverse reactions. All women stated that they found the treatment acceptable to them. Iron Sucrose Injection is relatively safe and well tolerated. Conclusion: Iron sucrose (intravenous) therapy is safe, more effective and well tolerated in the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy. Overall, iron sucrose appears to be a treatment of choice with no serious side effect indicated in the rapid correction of anaemia in pregnancy or restoring maternal iron stores, especially because the total dose can be administered over a shorter period of time. If used in time, this treatment will certainly help to reduce the risk of maternal and foetal complications as well as it also reduce the risk of blood transfusion during peripartum period.
ABSTRACT
Background: Estimated cervical cancer screening practice is very low and load of cases very high in India. The studies document that nurses play a crucial role of enlightening community about need and availability of Pap smear. It is important therefore to understand the perceptions and practices of nurses about cervical cancer and screening. Aims & Objective: To evaluate the Knowledge Attitude & Practices (KAP) of the Nurses on cervical cancer and screening. Material and Methods: A self-administered, structured, open ended and pretested questionnaire covering the general characteristics, KAP about cervical cancer and screening (Pap smear) was used to collect responses of nurses in a Teaching Hospital at Surat. The information thus collected was entered and analysed in Epi Info and Microsoft Excel software. Results: Responses from 200 female nurses were recorded and analysed. Majority (88%) were married; most common age of marriage being 21 to 25 years. Nurses linked multiple sexual partners (61%), sex at an early age (44%), Human Papilloma Virus infection (38.6%) and heredity (31%) to cervical cancer. Approximately 70% believed that Ca cervix is preventable, detectable and curable if detected early. Pap smear was recognized as major screening technique by 74% nurses. Major (84%) source of information was health professional. Eighty percent nurses never took cervical screening while 87.5% did not recommend it to others. Conclusion: For successful implementation of cervical screening program, the nurses should be targeted first by education and sensitization so that they can play pivotal role in developing the awareness, confidence and compliance of women.