Morphological changes in placenta of diabetic women with intrauterine death

A gross morphological study of 20 placentae were from women who delivered within 24 hours of fetal dealth. Whereas the distribution of umbilical vessels on the chorionic plate [fetal surface], of normal placentas was regular and dichotomous, the diabetic still-birth placentas had short and narrow vessels with few and irregular divisions. It was also observed that the maternal surface of the diabetic placentae showed changes in the size and the number of cotyledons. Normal placentae have about 15 to 20 spherically shaped bulging lobes [cotyledons] whereas large flat masses of placental tissue were seen in the diabetic ones. The shape, number and size of the cotyledons have a very important role in the normal, efficient functioning of the placenta. They ensure that a large surface area is available for maternal fetal exchange. Also the umbilical cords of the diabetic still-birth cases were swollen and edematous compared to normal and they had lost their typical spiral nature. It is proposed that these gross morphological changes in the placenta may be a index of its functional impairment

Obstetric outcome of Rh-negative women

Rh-negative women, delivered at Al-Jamahiriya Hospital Benghazi during the period from July 1980 to December 1981, were studied to find out the incidence and obstetric outcome. There were 2,339 Rh-negative women among 25,606 deliveries [3.13%]. 156 patients were between gravidity 10th and 13th, and 34 were either gravida 14 or over. There were more mothers with blood group '0'[39. 14%] than in the other groups. 281 women [12.01%] were positive for DU antigen. Rh-negative babies delivered constituted 36.6%, and of these 42.62% were for DU antigen. Antenatal complications were observed in 10.81% of cases. Labour was normal in 92.17% and the operative delivery rate [6.07%] was considered normal. In 26 patients, there was a history of obstetric mishap, and in only 7 iso-immunization with a rising antibody titre was observed. 67 Rh-positive babies were at risk with a positive DCT reaction, and clinical disease due to Rh-incompatibility occurred in 49 [3.37%]. In 31 babies jundice was mild and was treated with phototherapy. 18 babies were affected with severe jaundice and 14 cases, exchange transfusion was required. Two babies died as result of Hydrops foetalis. Jaundice, due to ABO incompatibility was noted in 28 cases and in 7 cases exchange transfusion was required. In all, 22 babies died a perinatal mortality of 1.058, and of these 8 [0.34] babies were lost due to Rh-incompatibility. The significance of the observations made was discussed

Therapeutic abortion and the law in Libya

The Libyan law relating to therapeutic abortion is reviewed in this paper. Abortion is permitted only on medical grounds, subject to certain conditions and safeguards. The Libyan Penal Code which is the statute law of the country is silent on therapeutic abortion and makes abortion of any kind punishable. However, the Islamic law justifies termination of pregnancy for saving the life of the mother. The apparent discrepancy between the two laws on the subject is brought out. A minor amendment in the Libyan Penal Code consistent with the standard practice and Islamic law is recommended so that doctor who undertakes therapeutic abortion gets legal protection for his act

Reproductive experience of Libyan women in Benghazi

The Al-Jamahiriya Hospital, Benghazi is the only Maternity Hospital for the city with 430,000 inhabitants, and 90% of annual deliveries take place there. During 1980, 16,210 women delivered at the hospital of which 90.58% were normal. The largest proportion of women [29.93%] were between 25 to 29 years of age or of para 1 to 3. The number of livebirths, infant mortality child losses and pregnancy wastage in the past per women respectively was 4.14, 0.23 and 0.31. The rate of childloss or pregnancy wastage increased with age and parity. During 1980 more than 90% of the babies born at the hospital were healty and of these with a morbid condition more than 80% had birth asphyxia, birth trauma, prematurity, congenital anomaly, or Rhesus incompatibility. Among women experiencing illness or risk factors during pregnancy, the proportion of unhealthy babies was highest if born to those with ante-partum haemorrhage [33.33%] and lowest if born to mothers with Rhesus negative blood group [11.68%]. The role of health care organizations for further reduction of pregnancy wastage, perinatal deaths and infant losses is emphasized

Vitamin D nutritional status of neonates and pregnant women in Benghazi

The Vitamin D nutritional status of 19 multiparous women and 14 of their newborn infants in Benghazi was assessed by determining 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in maternal and in maternal and umbilical cord blood, and compared with the normal range established for Norwegian adults and children. Women who had received Vitamin D supplements during pregnancy had significantly higher values of 25-OHD in maternal and cord blood than an unsupplemented group; however, the mean maternal concentration of 25-OHD was in the low normal values, and mean cord-blood level at the lower limits of the normal Norwegian range. Causative factors for the high incidence of neonatal hypocalcemia and infantile rickets observed locally, are discussed