Early pregnancy deficiency of vitamin D and the risk of preeclampsia

This study aimed at investigating the relationship between maternal deficiency of vitamin-D in early pregnancy and the risk of development of preeclampsia, and assessing the vitamin-D status of newborns of preeclamptic mothers. Prospective study. A prospective study was conducted in two tertiary hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from May 2005, till January 2007. Five hundred healthy pregnant women were chosen for the study, a blood sample was extracted from each patient at gestational age 15-20 weeks and serum saved. By the end of ante- natal care, the 41 patients who developed preeclampsia were classified group 1, while 70 normo-tensive patients constituted group 2. At the time of delivery a cord blood sample is taken from newborns of patients in the two groups. Sera of each patient and her newborn are checked for S. active vitamin-D and S. Calcium. Comparison is made between women of the preeclamptic group and the control regarding age, parity, mean s. active vitamin-D and s. Calcium. Similar comparison is made between patients with severe [n=15] and mild preeclampsia [n=26]. Newborns of preeclamptic and control women are also compared regarding the mean levels of s. Vitamin-D and s. Calcium. There was no statistical difference between the two groups regarding the mean age and parity. The sera of patients with preeclampsia showed significantly lower levels of mean active vitamin D [44.87 +/- 3.66] and S. Calcium [8.33 +/- 0.525] than in the control group [59.05 +/- 4.73 and 9.66 +/- 0.67] with no statistical difference between mild and severe preeclampsia. Sera of newborns of preeclamptic patients have significantly lower levels of s. active vitamin-D [38.8 +/- 2.492] and s. calcium [8.26 +/- 2.39] than newborns of the control patients. Early pregnancy deficiency of active vitamin-D is a risk factor for development of preeclampsia. Measurement of s. vitamin-El in early pregnancy can be a reliable screening test for the prediction of development of preeclampsia. External administration of vitamin-El in early pregnancy is expected to be of value in prophylaxis of preeclampsia

Antibiotic prophylaxis in premature rupture of membranes: maternal and fetal outcome

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Amoxycilline Clevulinate [Augmentin] as a prophylaxis against maternal and neonatal infections in P.R.O.M. Thirty-Five pregnant patients with gestational ages between 28-34 weeks, with a definitely diagnosed rupture of the fetal membranes were included in the study. They were divided into two groups: First: [20 cases] were given Augmentin 625 mg. tablet /12 hours for 5 days. Second: [15 cases] managed conservatively without antibiotics. Both groups were studied for prolongation of pregnancy, bacteriological examination of post partum endo uterine and neonatal nasopharyngeal swabs. Patients of the study group showed a significant prolongation of pregnancy than the control group. The mean duration of the period from the onset of R.O.M. till delivery was 5 days in the study group and 2.5 days in the controls [P< 0.05]. Bacteriological examination of uterine swabs showed a significant reduction of the incidence of [+ve] cultures in the study group [+ve swabs in 55%] than the control group [+ve swabs in 93%]. Neonatal naso-pharyngeal cultures showed a significant reduction of +ve cultures in the study group [in 40% of patients] than in the control group [80% of patients]. Augmentin therapy in patients with P.R.O.M. can significantly reduce the incidence of both maternal and neonatal infectious morbidity besides allowing for more prolongation of pregnancy giving the chance for better fetal maturation

Serum lipoprotein [a] in normal pregnancy and E.P.H. gestosis

The study aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that lipoprotein [a] level is elevated in patients with EPH [edema, proteinurea, hypertension] gestosis and the relation of this level to the severity of the disease. The study consisted of 85 pregnant women with gestational age above 34 weeks. They are classified into three groups: [A] 25 women with normal uncomplicated pregnancies, [B] 30 women with mild EPH gestosis, [C] 30 women with severe EPH gestosis. Serum lipoprotein [a] is measured in each patient using ELISA technique. The mean lipoprotein [a] level showed a significant increase in patients with EPH gestosis than in normal pregnancy. This level showed a direct positive correlation with the severity of the disease. Lipoprotein [a] mean level was 26.9 +/- 2.1 mg/dl in mild EPH and in severe EPH gestosis, it was 47.3 +/- 13.1 mg/dl. The results showed that lipoprotein [a] level is elevated in EPH gestosis and is proportionate to the severity of the disease and it may serve as a marker of the pathogenic process of the disease