Role of iron supplements on pregnancy outcomes

Background: Anemia is one of the most widely recognized nutritional deficiencies for the duration of pregnancy in underdeveloped countries. It is a risk factor for preterm delivery and consequent low birth weight new born, and subsequent ill effects on neonate and infant health. Further research and sufficient data in different setting is required for determining the extent to which maternal anemia might contribute to maternal morbidity, mortality and impact on pregnancy outcomes

Objective: To assess the effects of iron supplements on pregnancy outcomes

Study Design: Cross-sectional study in which women delivered in hospital were questioned for history of intake of iron supplements during ante-natal period and new born was examined for any adverse effects of iron deficiency anemia

Setting: Hilal-E-Ahmar Maternity Hospital Faisalabad

Results and Discussion: 400 respondents were included in study that was regular in attending ante-natal clinic in the hospital during different gestational period. No significant adverse effects/outcomes were seen in women and newborn irrespective of frequency of iron supplementation already taken during these gestational periods

Conclusion: Majority of the newborn delivered full term and without any complication of pregnancy in this study as well as most of them had normal birth weight. This finding is linked with intake of iron supplements taken by majority of pregnant women during antenatal care. Incidence of low birth weight new born, abortion [spontaneous and therapeutic] and fetal deaths were almost negligible

unusual presentation, pilomatrixoma in the buttock area - a case report

Pilomatrixoma is benign tumor of skin appendages it is rare tumor mainly involving head, neck face and upper extremities. 1 A 16-year-old male developed a lesion, over a period of 2 year, at the middle of right buttock. The presumed diagnosis was a sebaceous cyst / pyogenic granuloma. An excision biopsy was performed and the histopathologic diagnosis was a pilomatrixoma

Radiological perspective of metastatic breast cancer in CENAR, Quetta

Background / Purpose: The study was conducted to evaluate the Breast cancer patients with metastasis to different body regions

Aims and Objectives: The primary aim was to highlight the most common site of metastasis and different Sonographic patterns in breast cancer patients at CENAR, Quetta. The secondary aim was to determine the average age of breast carcinoma [Ca] presentation

Material and Methods: A two year retrospective study of breast carcinoma diagnosed and treated at our centre was conducted. 278 patients pathologically proven invasive carcinoma breast were registered at CENAR from 1st January 2010 to December 2011 were analyzed

Results: During the study period, 278 patients were registered as Ca breast patients out of which 109 [39%] patients developed metastasis during or after treatment or initially at registration, majority of the patients were with liver metastasis 46 [42%]patients and most common Sonographic pattern was hypo echoic with 26[57%] patients. Most common age group was 25-40 years with 125[45%] patients, followed by 41-55 years with 97[35%] patients

Diffuse lung uptake on [99m]Tc-MDP bone scintigraphy-case report

A [99m]Tc-methylene diphosphate [MDP] bone scan of a 35 years old female patient performed for possible skeletal metastasis from carcinoma breast. Diffuse [99m]Tc-MDP uptake was seen in both the lung fields on [99m]Tc-MDP bone scintigraphy. Biochemical and radiological evaluation excluded all the known causes of the diffuse [99m]Tc-MDP lung uptake. Raised serum ferritin levels of 1226ng/ml [normal range for adult female = 13 - 15 ng/ml] was the only abnormal biochemical finding and attributed as the possible cause of lung uptake

Cervical cancer: outcome of treatment and causes of failure

To summarize the data and look into the various treatments offered to cervical cancer patients at Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology [INMOL] to highlight the most likely causes of treatment failure. In this retrospective study, case files of all patients presenting with invasive carcinoma of uterine cervix during 1993-2002 were studied in respect to personal profile, disease related risk factors, pathological characteristics, treatment administered and outcome in the form of tumour response and survival. Early age at marriage, multiple marriages of self or spouse, multiparty, prolonged use of contraceptives and smoking were some of the risk factors for cervical cancer in this group of patients. Out of 618 patients presenting with invasive cervical cancer,65% presented in advanced stages II and III. Apart from advanced stage at presentation, anaemia, poor nutrition, and ignorance about self-hygiene and lack of follow-up were main causes of treatment failure. Outcome of treatment was improved when chemotherapy was added to radiation. Advanced stage at diagnosis and lack of follow-up were main causes of treatment failure. Implementation of screening programs on national level for early detection is therefore recommended