Factors associated with complications in gynecological surgeries

To evaluate the factors associated with complications in major gynecological surgeries. A retrospective study on major gynecological surgeries performed at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from the year 1997-2001. A total of 555 cases were included. Risk factors associated with complications were evaluated by a unique regression analysis. High blood loss was associated with salpingectomy/salpingotomy, myomectomy, and total abdominal hysterectomy [TAH]. Old age was associated with TAH, oophorectomy and vaginal hysterectomy. Prolonged hospitalization was associated with TAH and oophorectomy. Urinary tract infection, wound infection, nausea and vomiting were not significant postoperative complications in major gynecological surgeries. The recognition of the specific complications associated with each type of surgery are important for counseling the patients and preoperative preparation to reduce the risk of long term morbidity

Age at menarche and the reproductive performance of Saudi women

Background: Saudi Arabia has undergone substantial development in the recent past with concomitant changes in living conditions, and economic and general health status that have affected the age at menarche in Saudi women. We evaluated the current age at menarche and reproductive events among Saudi women

Subjects and Methods: Age, age at menarche, age at marriage, age of first pregnancy, number of children, and number of abortions were collected for Saudi women attending King Khalid University Hospital [KKUH] over a 3-month period in 2002

Results: For 989 Saudi women, the mean age at menarche was 13.05 years. There was a decrease in the age of menarche over the past 20 years, an increase in the age of marriage, age of first pregnancy, and a decrease in the number of children and abortions. Compared with data from two decades, the age at menarche decreased significantly from 13.22 to 13.05 years

Conclusion: The decrease in the age of menarche among Saudi women indicates better socioeconomic status and improvements in health

Leptin concentration during different trimesters of pregnancy and its relation to other pregnancy hormones

To determine the levels of leptin and other pregnancy hormones [progesterone, estradiol, folliculi stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and beta human chorionic gonadotropin] in pregnant females during different stages of pregnancy and to correlate these levels to maternal weight, body mass index [BMI], babies weight and babies BMI. Leptin level and other pregnancy hormones were measured in 36 pregnant females and 30 non-pregnant females followed at King Khaled University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the year 2001 in a prospective study. Blood samples were collected at the first, 2nd and 3rd trimester and after delivery. Correlation analysis between leptin level and pregnancy hormones, in addition to maternal weight, BMI, babies weight and BMI. The mean leptin levels during pregnancy and postnatally were significantly higher in pregnant females compared to the non-pregnant controls. Serum concentration of leptin increased significantly [p=0.01] in the pregnant females from 21.24 +/- 9 ng/ml during the first trimester to 26.3 +/- 8.69 ng/ml during the 2nd trimester, but insignificantly decreased to 23.29 +/- 8.62 ng/ml during the 3rd trimester [p=0.073]. After delivery leptin concentration significantly decreased to 17.36 +/- 7.95 ng/ml [p=0.0025]. The changes in levels of leptin during pregnancy were independent to other pregnancy hormones which showed a different pattern of variation. The changes in levels of leptin during pregnancy were independent to other pregnancy hormones which showed a different pattern of variation

Leptin level in pregnant mothers at term and cord blood and the effect of newborns gender

To evaluate the leptin level in healthy pregnant mothers at term and in their newborns and its relationship to their body mass index [BMI] and gender of the newborn. The leptin level was measured in serum of 187 pregnant women at term delivering at the King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in July 2001 and their newborns. Correlation studies were made between leptin level and their growth parameters, and gender of the newborns. Leptin level of the mothers was significantly higher compared to their newborns. There was a significant correlation between leptin level in the pregnant women and their weight, BMI, and the newborns leptin level and weight, but not their height or BMI. A statistically significant difference was found between male and female newborns plasma leptin level. A significant correlation was found between male newborns leptin level and all their growth parameters, while in the female newborns there was no correlation between their leptin level and BMI. Leptin plays an important role in providing a growth promoting signal during pregnancy, but the fat mass does not seem to be the most important predictor of cord leptin level

Herpes gestations

Herpes gestationis, also known as Pemphigoid gestationis, is a rare autoimmune disease of pregnancy. It is characterized by itching and skin lesions. The disease causes prominently maternal discomfort but fetal and neonatal complications have been reported. There are only scattered reports of cutaneous neonatal herpes gestationis in the literature; however, the frequency and severity of fetal illness are still debated. We describe 2 cases of herpes gestationis diagnosed and managed at the King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Multiple pregnancy management: the King Khalid University Hospital experience

This review analyzes the multiple pregnancies in King Khalid University Hospital [KKUH] from January 1985 to December 1989. Over this period, the incidence of multiple pregnancy was found to be 10.25/1000. The study confirms a higher incidence of complications among multiple pregnancy cases. For example, the cesarean section rate was 32.2% as compared with 3.6% for the single pregnancies, and the neonatal deaths occurred in a higher number [3.3%] as compared to 1.0% in the controls. However, even though the overall prematurity rate [