Presentation and management outcome of tibial infected non-union with Ilizarov technique

Objective: To document the presentation of tibial infected non-union and analyze the management outcome with Ilizarov technique in terms of bone results, functional outcome, bone transport time, external fixation time, external fixation index and any complications

Methods: This case series was conducted at the Departments of Orthopedic Surgery, National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine [NIRM], Islamabad and Civil hospital, Quetta over a period of 3-years

Results: There were 56 patients with 53[94.64%] males and 3[5.35%] females. The age range was 16-50 years with a mean of 32.58+/-9.98 years. According to ASAMI criteria, bone results were excellent in 37[66%], good in 10[17.85%], fair in 6[10.71%] and poor in 3[5.35%]. The functional results were excellent in 37[66%], good in 9[16%], fair in 7[12.5%] and poor in 3[5.35%]. The bone union rate was 98.21%

Conclusion: Ilizarov method beautifully addresses the formidable issue of infected non union of tibia with good outcome in terms of bone healing and infection eradication. The treatment period is relatively lengthy and hence patience on part of patient as well as the surgical team is imperative for achieving favourable outcomes

Accuracy of grey scale ultrasound in correctly identifying acute appendicitis

Objective: To validate diagnosis of acute appendicitis using grey scale ultrasound. Study Design: Cross sectional validation

Material and Methods: All the patients were referred to the sonography section of Emergency Radiology Department for suspected diagnosis of acute appendicitis. All patients of suspected appendicitis had ultrasound of abdomen. Indication of any above stated criteria resulted in appendicectomy of the patient. Patients were operated by conventional method of appendicectomy. Results regarding appendix by ultrasonography and surgical outcome were recorded on the proforma. Data entry and analysis were done by using SPSS 21. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Radiology Department, Armed Forces Institute of Radiology and Imaging [AFIRI] Rawalpindi, from Mar 2013 to Aug 2013

Results: Mean age of patients was 21.39 +/- 4.332 years. There were 77 [48.1%] male and 83 [51.9%] female patients. Clinically, there were 126 [79%] patients positive for appendicitis and on ultrasound findings 121 [76%] patients had appendicitis. Surgical outcome showed 125 [78%] patients as positive. Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound for the diagnosis of appendix was 87.20% and 65.71%. While positive predictive value [PPV] and negative predictive value [NPV] of ultrasonography was 90.80% and 58.97% respectively. Overall diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound was 82.5%

Conclusion: In patients who present with clinically suspected acute appendicitis, imaging with ultrasound was effective technique to confirm the clinical diagnosis

Prevalence of different sonographic stages among newly diagnosed cases of chronic hepatitis C

Objective: To find the prevalence of different sonographic stages among newly diagnosed cases of chronic hepatitis C

Study Design: Cross sectional study

Places and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Radiology and Imaging Rawalpindi, from June 2014 to December 2015

Material and Methods: All freshly diagnosed patients of chronic hepatitis C [CHC] with a positive anti-HCV and a positive PCR for HCV were subjected to ultrasound abdomen. The sonographic stage of CHC was decided as per previously defined criteria. Prevalence of each sonographic stage at the time of initial diagnosis was determined. Study population was divided in two groups of 'Early stage CHC' [sonographic stage I, II] and 'Advanced stage CHC' [sonographic stage III, IV, V]. Student's t-test was applied to compare the means of the values for different sonographic parameters in the two groups

Results: The study included 178 patients with male to female ratio of 1.86:1. Mean age was 47.5 +/- 12.5 years. Prevalence of sonographic stages I, II, III, IV, Va and Vb in study population was 68% [n=121], 12% [n=21], 9% [n=16], 6% [n=11], 3% [n=5] and 2% [n=4] respectively. 'Early stage CHC' and 'advanced stage CHC' showed statistically significant [p-value <0.01] difference between average values of liver size, portal vein caliber, mean portal vein velocity and splenic size

Conclusion: The prevalence of advanced stage CLD [stage III-V] among newly diagnosed cases of chronic hepatitis C is as high as 20% despite the availability of diagnostic facilities

Diffusion-weighted MR imaging and ADC mapping in differentiating benign from malignant thyroid nodules

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging [DWI] and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient [ADC] mapping in differentiating benign from malignant thyroid nodules by taking histopathology as the gold standard

Study Design: A cross-sectional analytical study

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Radiology at Combined Military Hospital [CMH], Lahore, from August 2012 to July 2013

Methodology: Thirty-five patients, who were referred to radiology department of CMH, Lahore, for ultrasound or Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology [FNAC] of thyroid gland, fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria, were included in the study. They were evaluated on 1.5 Tesla MRI machine with T1- and T2-weighted imaging as well as fat suppressed technique. DWI was done using b-values of 0 and 1000 s/mm[2] and ADC values were calculated for the thyroid nodules. All of these patients were subjected to ultrasound guided core biopsy and histopathology results were correlated with ADC values

Results: The benign nodules showed facilitated diffusion while malignant nodules showed restricted diffusion. T-test was used to assess the difference in mean ADC values between benign and malignant nodules. The mean ADC value of the malignant thyroid nodules [0.94 +/- 0.16 x 10[-3] mm[2]/s] was significantly lower than that of the benign thyroid nodules [1.93 +/- 0.13 x 10[-3] mm[2]/s] [p-value < 0.05]. ADC value of 1.6 x 10[-3] mm[2]/s was used as a cut-off, for differentiating benign from malignant thyroid nodules. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and diagnostic accuracy of DWI and ADC values in differentiating benign from malignant thyroid nodules were 93%, 95%, 93%, 95% and 92.3%, respectively

Conclusion: DWI is a non-invasive diagnostic tool for characterization and differentiation between benign and malignant thyroid nodules. It not only decreases the burden of unnecessary surgeries when pre-operative FNAC and biopsy are inconclusive, but is also helpful in reaching a definite diagnosis when a nodule is not amendable to biopsy due to any reason

Intra-operator reliability for the evaluation of the retention of maxillary denture bases constructed through close mouth impression technique

This study was conducted to establish the reliability of the results by three operators for evaluation of retention in maxillary denture bases constructed by closed mouth impression technique. A cross-sectional comparative study was carried out in the Department of Prosthodontics, de, Montmorency College of Dentistry/ Punjab Dental Hospital, Lahore. The duration of the study was six months. Data was collected, statistical analysis done by SPSS software program and results were tabulated. Fourty otherwise healthy [21 males and 19 females] in an age range of 50-65 years, who visited the Department of Prosthodontics, de, Montmorency College of Dentistry/ Punjab Dental Hospital, Lahore. New denture wearers, edentulous patients of both genders otherwise healthy were included in the study. Patient suffering from neuromuscular disease, any oral pathology, short primary impressions patient suffering from neuromuscular disease or oral pathology were excluded from the study. After taking consent structured three proformas were filled for every patient. Denture base constructed by closed mouth impression technique was evaluated by three operators in the anterior, right and left canine area using Kapur index.3 Results were analyzed and compared using descriptive statistical analysis protocol. In 73.97% of the results, retention of upper complete denture base constructed through closed mouth technique showed the intra operator reliability. Intra operator reliability was seen among the results showing retention of the upper complete denture base constructed through closed mouth technique

HBV and HCV patients; psychiatric comorbidity and coping strategies

Objectives: The main purpose of this research was to compare the level of psychological distress between HBV and HCV patients and to determine the effect of gender and age on psychological distress. Determine the relationship between coping strategies and psychological distress

Method: For the present study 100 HBV patients [50 male and 50 female] and 100 HCV patients [50 male and 50 female] were selected. The sample was selected from Liver Centre, district headquarter hospital Faisalabad. This was a cross sectional study. MHI-38 was used to measure the psychological distress and CRI was used to measure the copying styles among HBV and HCV patients

Result: HCV patients have higher levels of psychological distress t [198] = 6.54, p< .05 compared to HBV patients. Female hepatitis patients were suffering from high levels of psychological distress t [198] = 3.90, p < .05 as compared to male hepatitis patients, with male, age is positively correlated with psychological distress, r = .32, p < .01 but with female age is negatively correlated with psychological distress r = -.49, p <.01. Approach coping is negatively correlated with psychological distress in male and female hepatitis patients, respectively, r = -.45, p < .01 and, r = -.29, p <.01

Conclusion: HCV and female patients have higher levels of psychological distress comparatively of HBV and male patients. Age is correlated with psychological distress. The approach coping styles play an important role in controlling the psychiatric comorbidity in HBV and HCV patients

Assessment of occult cervical lymph node metastasis in primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck by computed tomography

To determine the frequency of occult [node negative] cervical lymph node metastasis in primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, using contrast enhanced computed tomography [CT]. Cross sectional descriptive study. Study was conducted in Department of Radiology, Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi. Duration of the study was 06 months i.e. from 19[th] February 2011 to 19[th] August 2011. A total of 141 cases, fulfilling the inclusion criteria, reporting to the radiology department, were included in the study after seeking written informed consent. All patients underwent contrast enhanced CT scan of the neck from base of skull to root of neck using Asteion Whole Body X-ray CT Scanner [Model TSX-021A]. Images were evaluated for the presence or absence of cervical lymph node metastasis according to the cervical lymph node metastatic criteria at each level of the neck. Of the 141 patients with clinically no head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, 45.4% were found to have lymph node metastases. Frequency of occult metastases in squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity was 47.6%, oropharynx 23.5%, larynx 33.3% md hypopharynx 78.6%. In clinically node negative neck the risk of lymph node metastases is significantly high in patients of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in our population AU patients presenting with node negative neck should undergo CT scans for early detection of occult metastasis

Isolated cardiac hydatid cyst

Hydatid cyst disease is common in our part of the world. Cardiac hydatid cyst is its rare manifestation. We report this case of 48-year male having isolated cardiac hydatid cyst, incidentally found on computed tomography. This patient presented in medical OPD of Combined Military Hospital, Lahore with one month history of mild retrosternal discomfort. His general physical and systemic examinations as well as ECG were unremarkable. Chest X-ray showed an enlarged cardiac shadow with mildly irregular left heart border. Contrast enhanced CTscan of the chest showed a large well defined multiloculated non-enhancing cystic lesion with multiple daughter cysts involving wall of left ventricle and overlying pericardium. Serology for echinococcus confirmed the diagnosis of hydatid cyst. Patient was offered the surgical treatment but he opted for medical treatment only. Albendezol was prescribed. His follow-up echocardiography after one month showed no significant decrease in size of the cyst

Gagne's 9 events of instruction - a time tested way to improve teaching

To demonstrate the effect of using Gagne's 9 events of instruction in teaching. Quasi experimental study. Armed Forces Institute of Radiology and Imaging, Rawalpindi, Pakistan and Armed Forces Postgraduate Medical Institute, Rawalpindi, Pakistan from May 2014 to Sep 2014. This two phased study consisted of 4 lectures in each phase. In Phase I conventional lectures were delivered without taking Gagne's 9 events of instruction into account while in Phase II lectures were based on these events. Learners' Approval Rate [LAR] was used as performance assessment tool for every lecture. LAR for every lecture was calculated, making use of a score assigned by the learners in a feedback proforma. Average LAR for each phase was also calculated. Data was presented in tabulated and graphical form and analyzed by 2-sample t-test with Minitab version 16. Lecture LAR in phase I of the study ranged from 57% to 66% with phase LAR of 60.7%. In phase II however a significant [p<0.05] rise in lecture LAR was seen ranging from 78% to 88% with phase LAR of 82.5% suggesting greater learners' approval and satisfaction after using Gagne's 9 events of instruction. A steady increase in LAR was also noted in phase II. Gagne's 9 events of instruction provide an important framework for teaching sessions which improves performance as a teacher and also ensures improved Learners' Approval Rate because of better understating and retention of knowledge

Screening of solvent dependent antibacterial activity of Prunus domestica

Fruit of Prunus domestica was extracted in ethanol. The ethanol extract was further extracted with two solvents ethyl acetate and chloroform. The crude ethanol extract and two fractions [ethyl acetate and chloroform] were screened for their antibacterial activity using the agar well diffusion method. They were tested against nine bacteria; five Gram positive bacteria [Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcuc intermedius, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus pumilus] and four Gram negative bacteria [Eschrichia coli, Proteus mirabilis Shigella flexneri, Salmonella typhi and Klebsiela pneumoniae]. The susceptibility of microorganisms to all three fractions was compared with each other and with standard antibiotic [Ampicillin] Among all fractions ethyl acetate exhibited highest antibacterial activity [average zone of inhibition 34.57mm +/- 1.3] while ethyl alcohol exhibited least antibacterial activity [average zone of inhibition 17.42mm +/- 3.3]. Minimum inhibitory concentration of ethanol, ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions was found in the range of 78ug/ml to 2500ugl/ml against gram positive and gram negative bacteria

Complications in cases of enteric perforation

Enteric perforation is a disastrous complication of untreated or poorly treated typhoid fever and unless treated by surgical method, it results in considerable morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study to describe complications of ileostomy in patients of enteric perforation. The study was conducted was in surgical units B-V hospital, Bahawalpur from 1[st] July 2008 to 30[th] June 2009. This was a descriptive case series study. 100 patients of both genders suffering from typhoid fever with perforation who underwent ileostomy were included the study. All the data was collected on pre-designed proforma. Most of the patients were young with male to female ratio 1.6:1. Ileostomy was done in all the patients after cleaning the peritoneal cavity. Ileostomy was associated with diarrhea 20%, peristomal skin problems 22%. Other complications were bleeding in 3%,prolapsed in 5%, retraction in 4%, parastomal hernia in 5%, wound infection in 8%, intestinal obstruction in 5% patients, incisional hernia and psychological symptoms in 2% patients and stoma stenosis in one patient in our study. Two patients expired due the complication of ileostomy. Although ileostomy is not the most favored way of treatment of enteric perforation and it is associated with a number of complications and management problems, it is still a good option and life saving procedure in our setup where patients present very late with gross peritoneal contamination

Lumbar discectomy; comparative study of endoscopic VS fenestration operation

Discectomy is the standard treatment for lumber disc disease. Fenestration operations involved lot of issue dissection and so the complications Instead the endoscopic discectomy involved less tissue dissection but limited exposure. The objectives of this study were to compare the outcome of endoscopic discectomy and fenestration discectomy interms of relieve from symptoms and complications. Analytic study. Neurosurgical unit Bahawal Victoria hospital Bahawalpur, from Feb 2010 to Aug 2010. Forty cases fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected. Efficacy of procedure was determined by improvement in Denis pain scale, Macnab's criteria and straight leg raising [SLR] improvement. Forty patients divided in two equal groups. Patients of group A underwent fenestration and Group B endoscopic discectomy 60%of patients had left sciatica while 40% of patients had right sciatica. According to Denis pain scale 10% patients had moderate pain, 30% had severe pain and 60% had constant pain. Straight leg raising test showed, 50% patients had less than 30° SIR, 3O%patients showed SLR of 31 ° to 40 and 2O%patients had SLR more than 40°. MRI findings were disc bulging, protrusion and rupture. Considering SLR, Denis pain scale and Mcnab's criteria of pain control there was no clinical difference found between the two operative procedures except in two patients in group B when open discectomy had to be performed. MED is a safe and effective mode of treatment for low back pain in patients with lumbar disc herniation

Chronic hepatitis C; response to interferon and ribavirin combination

To know efficacy of combination of standard interferon alpha2b and ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C. Prospective and analytical. CMH Bahawalpur. Nov 2008 to Dec 2009. A total of 126 patients, 104 males and 22 females, fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria were started combination treatment. Of these, 110 [87.3%] completed the treatment while 16 [12.7%] patients couldnot complete the treatment so they were dropped out of this study. Patients were started on Interferon alpha2b in a dose of three million units sub-cutaneous [s/c] thrice a week along with daily Ribavirin 1000 milligram [mg] and 1200 mg orally for patients weighing less or more than 75 kilogram [kg] respectively. The primary outcomes, normalization of ALT and undetectable HCV-RNAby PCR, were determined at end of three and six months of treatment. From Nov 2008 to Dec 2009, a total of 110 patients were treated with combination of Interferon alpha2b and Ribavirin for 24 weeks. Sixty eight patients [62%], 52 males and 12 females showed [end of treatment response] [ETR]. Results of the study show effectiveness of the combination therapy of standard interferon and ribavirin for Chronic Hepatitis C. Results of this study are comparable to local and international studies

Growth of albizia lebbeck [L.] Benth, and leucaena leucocephala [LAM.] De-wit, in different soil compositions of karachi university campus soil

The growth of Albizia lebbeck [L.] Benth, and Leucaena leucocephala [Lam] de-Wit, were studied in soils collected from Karachi University area under natural ecological circumstances. Various growth variables of A. lebbeck and L. leucocephala were reduced from different soil composition [25, 50 and 75%] of Karachi University soil [sandy soil] as compared to Garden soil. Growth of L. leucocephala in comparison of A. lebbeck was significantly decreased in all of the proportions of University soil. 50% University soil caused diminution in a large number of growth parameters of A. lebbeck, particularly considerable inhibition was observed in plant height, plant cover, seedling length, root length, shoot length, leaf area, shoot dry weight and total plant dry weights than Garden soil. 75% soil markedly retarded leaves growth and leaflets numbers, whereas root and leaf dry weights were substantially lessened by 50 and 75% soils. Root/shoot ratio and leaf weight ratio were manifestly stunted in the treatment of 25% soil. In the case of L. leucocephala, almost cumulative growth properties except shoot dry weight were depleted using all ratios of University soil comparatively to Garden soil. 75% University soil especially showed more pronounced declination in plant height, plant cover, numbers of leaves and leaflets, leaf area, root, leaf and total plant dry weights, root/shoot, leaf weight and leaf area ratios of L. leucocephala as related to Garden soil. 25% soil exhibited appreciably regretting growth in root, shoot and seedling length while, specific leaf area was adversely affected from application of 50% soil

Colorectal carcinoma: a comparative study between barium enema and colonoscopy with histopathologic correlation

Tumors of the colon and rectum are among the commonest of all gastrointestinal malignancies. It is a potentially curable disease, highly dependant on early diagnosis. The two most widely used diagnostic tools are the double contrast barium enema and colonoscopy. This study compares their diagnostic value in correlation with histopathology. This prospective study was conducted at Radiology Department, CMH Bahawalpur from September 2008 to September 2010. Total of 49 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Patients of both sex and different age groups were included in the study. They underwent barium enema examination by the radiologist at Combined Military Hospital, Bahawalpur. In each of these patients colonoscopy was carried out after 02 weeks of barium enema by standard methods after proper preparation. Biopsies of all positive and suspicious lesions were obtained during colonoscopy. Histopathology was carried out at the laboratory. The findings were recorded and analyzed on SPSS 10.0. Of the 49 patients, 33 [67%] were males and 16 [32.65%] were females. The mean age of the study group was 53.5 Yrs [Range 25-82 yrs]. Histopathology revealed that out of 49 patients 46[93%] had colorectal carcinoma. Barium enema correctly diagnosed neoplastic lesions in 38 [77.55%] patients, whereas colonoscopy diagnosed correctly in 32 [65.30%] patients. Barium enema and Colonoscopy are complementary examinations with almost comparable sensitivity. Barium enema is safer, cost effective and more tolerated by the patients than colonoscopy therefore it should be preferred for initial evaluation of the colorectal carcinoma in our setup

Different clinical presentations of breast cancer: an overview of 100 patients

To describe different modes of presentation of carcinoma breast in patients presenting at Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur. It was a descriptive case series study, conducted in surgical units, Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur. The duration of study was from January 2009 to December 2009. 100 female patients of proven carcinoma breast with informed consent were included in this study. All the data was collected on pre designed proforma and results were analyzed using SPSS 10,0 version, The commonest age group developing carcinoma breast was 31-50 years [59%]. Seventy six patients came from rural areas of Bahawalpur and nearby districts. Eighteen patients completed 10 years of schooling while only 5 patients were post-graduate. Twelve patients [12%] were un-married, Total 81% patients presented with lump in the breast. Left breast was involved in 56% of cases and right in 43% cases, One patient had bilateral carcinoma of breast. The duration of illness was ranged from 1 month to 5 years. The commonly observed stage of presentation was Stage III with 46 cases and 16 patients presented in stage IV. Infiltrating ductal carcinoma was the most common histological type 87% cases proved on histology to be infiltrating ductal carcinoma, Breast cancer is very common in the females, when diagnosed at an earlier stage have a more favorable prognosis compared to those at late stage. The females try to hide this problem and present at more advance stage

Comparison of diagnostic yield of AFB with sputum induction to spontaneous sputum examination in suspected pulmonary tuberculosis

To compare the diagnostic yield of AFB positivity with sputum induction to spontaneous sputum examination in suspected cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. Comparative study. Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, from January to December 2006. Sputum specimens were collected by both techniques from 164 patients with clinical and radiological suspicion of pulmonary tuberculosis admitted in medical wards. All specimens were examined for AFB smear and culture positivity. Sputum induction was done for 15-20 minutes with 3% sterile hypertonic saline solution by nebulization in all cases. Proportions were compared using Chi-square test. Among 164 patients, 32 patients [19.5%] were not expectorating spontaneously. Sputum induction was successful in 22 [68.75%] cases and AFB smear was positive in 03 [9.37%] and AFB culture was positive in 7 [21.8%] of these cases. One hundred and thirty two [80.5%] patients were already expectorating and both Day-1 [spontaneous] and Day-2 [induced] sputum samples were available. Day-1 [spontaneous] sputum specimens revealed AFB smear positive results in 20 [15.15%] patients, and AFB culture positive results in 24 [18.18%] patients. Smear positivity on Day-2 [induced] sputum samples was 21.21% [28] with 27.27% [36] culture positivity. In expectorating patients, AFB smear and culture positivity results remain comparable with spontaneous and induced sputum sampling. Sputum induction improves the diagnostic yield for AFB in patients unable to expectorate adequate sputum sample

Frequency of dyslipidemia in Pakistani soldiers in multan garrison

To determine the frequency of dyslipidemia in army soldiers in Multan garrison. Descriptive study. Department of Medicine at Combined Military Hospital Multan from January 1998 to January 2000. One thousand, otherwise healthy male soldiers, from various units in Multan Garrison were included in this study. Their fasting venous blood samples were obtained in sterile disposable syringe for lipid profile test. Those who were smokers or had history of diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism or family history of early coronary heart disease [CHD] were excluded. Sixty eight [6.8%] soldiers were found to have dyslipidemia. Thirty [3%] had low HDL levels, 26 [2.6%] had increased serum triglyceride levels, 10 [1.0%] soldiers were found having isolated increase in LDL-cholesterol level with normal total serum cholesterol, and 2[0.2%] were having raised total and LDL cholesterol levels. Eighty four percent of studied population was not aware of the fact that dyslipidemia is a risk factor for heart disease. Frequency of dyslipidemia in Pakistani soldiers is moderate and it can be further reduced by increasing the awareness of disease

Role of early soft tissue coverage and bone grafting in management of grade-III-B musculoskeletel trauma-experience of 30 cases

The present study is a review of 30 cases of grade-III B Musculoskeletal trauma treated at Bolan Medical Complex Hospital, Quetta. The patient with grade-Ill B Musculoskeletal injury needs soft tissue coverage and bone grafting. The purpose of study was to find out rate of infection, as well as non-union, and functional compromise after early or late re-construction of soft tissue coverage and bone grafting in grade-III B open fractures of bone. Rotational fascio-cuteneous myofascio cutenious or relaxing incision was used for coverage of bear bone. Thirty cases were scheduled each case was properly follow up for a period of six months to two year. The potential benefit of soft tissue coverage and bone grafting is time related. Experience with thirty patients shows that there is significant decrease in rate of infection as well as non-union in patient who had soft tissue coverage and bone grafting within one to two weeks time after the injury, Importance of time factor has been emphasized

Risk factors; comparison in hepatitis B and C carrier pregnant women and healthy pregnant women

To determine the risk factors associated with hepatitis B and C carriers versus healthy pregnant women. It was a single center based, cross sectional comparative study, conducted at Gynae ward II, B-V hospital Bahawalpur. Duration of study was from March to August 2008. 100 patients were enrolled in the two groups, 50 HbsAg/Anti HCV positive women [cases] to compare with 50 healthy women [controls] match for parity. The data were recorded on a proforma. 100 pregnant women were enrolled. Sixty eight [68.0%] were aged 25 years or less with a mean age +/- S.D of 24.62 +/- 3.40. Ten [20%] women had HBV and 40[80%] were HCV positive. The risk factors were compared between the two groups by uni-variate and multivariate analysis which showed that history of dental treatment, blood transfusion, surgery, parenteral treatment and jaundice were significant risk factors for hepatitis B and C carrier status. There appears to be a strong co-relation of history of blood transfusion and dental treatment with HbsAg/ Anti HCV carrier state in pregnant women. The anti HCV seropositivity was appreciably high [80%] as compared to HbsAg [20%] in carrier pregnant women