ABSTRACT
Background: Pre-term Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM) is attributable to several causes including asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis among Caucasians and is commoner among black pregnant women. While malaria and high Body Mass Index (BMI) have been reported among Nigerians, the influence of metalloproteinases on PPROM has never been studied in Nigeria. Methods: A qualitative estimation of active matrixmetalloproteinase-8 (a-MMP-8) to assess the effect of chronic periodontitis on time to conception led to an accidental discovery of widespread elevation of a-MMP-8 among pregnant participants. Values of a-MMP-8 were compared across demographics of participants as well as educational status, BMI and other parameters. Results : One hundred and seventeen of 134 participants (117, 87.3%) had elevated a-MMP-8 based on a novel qualitative assessment using salivary diagnostics. Levels were increased across independent of age, Estimated Gestational Age(EGA), BMI, educational level and trimester. Conclusion: This population of black pregnant women exhibited higher a-MMP-8 levels than reported among pregnant Caucasians independent of demographics, educational level and trimester of pregnancy. Reasons for the association need to be further investigated.
ABSTRACT
Pregnancy tumour is a clinical term used to identify a pyogenic granuloma that occurs in pregnant women. Pregnancy tumour is not uncommon; but severe bleeding associated with the lesion necessitating blood transfusion is rare. We report a rare case of mandibular gingival pregnancy tumour with a life-threatening haemorrhage in a 25-year-old Nigerian woman. The patient had lost an estimated 2 litres of blood before presentation. Her packed cell volume was 8at presentation. The patient was managed by infusion of fluid; transfusion of 4 units of blood and ligation of the facial artery; and excision of the lesion. Following an uneventful healing; she was discharged 10 days later with a PCV of 40.5. Following subsequent review there was a recurrence 2 months later that regress after 1 month. She was subsequently lost to further follow up