comparative study of the risk factors in the newborn babies with and without neonatal sepsis

The identification of the associated risk factors to the neonatal sepsis. The associated risk factors to the neonatal sepsis were studied in 200 neonates [case and control], their age range was between [birth to 7 days] and their gestational age range was between [28-42 weeks], for the period between 1st of September 1999 to the 1st of March 2000, and they were all born at Al-Yarmook Teaching Hospital and admitted to the special baby care unit for various reasons. The cases included 100 neonates with one or more of the clinical manifestations that suggest the presence of neonatal sepsis plus the positive culture of one or more of blood, urine or cerebrospinal fluid. The control included 100 neonates of the same age and had none of the clinical manifestation that suggests the presence of neonatal sepsis. Amnionitis, leaking liquor more than 24 hours and low birth weight neonate were the most significant associated factors to the neonatal sepsis. Have shown the significant association of low birth weight and prematurity in 77% and 86% respectively of the cases. 8% and 64% respectively of control, The amnionitis in 20% of cases versus 1% of the control. Leaking liquor more than 24 hours in 48% versus 7% of cases and control respectively, Multigravida 20% of cases versus 7% of control, Lack of antenatal care in 57% versus 39% of the cases and control. History of urinary tract infection in 57% versus 39% of cases and control

Seroepidemiology of toxoplasmosis in Iraqi mothers and their neonates

The prevalence of toxoplasmosis varies greatly between different countries. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies [TGA] among Iraqi mothers and their neonates as well as various risk factors. Immunofluorescent antibody titer [IFAT] for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies was performed on 166 mothers. This number included 31 women who had stillbirths and 135 women with their neonates. Of the 135 women giving birth to living infants, 35 had premature babies, 50 had babies with abnormal clinical signs [hydrocephaly, microcephaly, epilepsy, and jaundice] and 50 had clinically healthy newborns. Each mother was questioned about previous obstetric outcome, contact with domestic animals, fever and/or rash during pregnancy, and occupation. The control group consisted of the 50 mothers and their healthy newborns. The study group consisted of the remaining 116 mothers and 85 abnormal infants. TGA appeared in 73/166[44%] of the mothers: 22/31 [70%] of mothers with stillbirths, 17/35 [48.5%] of mothers with premature babies, 19/50 [38%] of mothers with abnormal babies, and 15/50 [30%] of those with normal babies. In the 135 babies tested, 40 were seropositive [29.6%]:14/35 [40%] of the premature babies, 15/50 [30%] of the abnormal babies, and 11/50 [22%] of the normal babies. Prevalence of TGA increased with age of the mothers, in those who have had a history of obstetric complications or a history of rash/fever during pregnancy, and in mothers who worked outside the home. Due to the high prevalence rate of TGA in Iraqi mothers and their neonates, we suggest screening all pregnant women as part of their antenatal care in order to initiate appropriate treatment and follow up

Short stature, body disproportion, and endocrine disorders in thalassemia major

short stature and endocrine disorders are common compications of beta thalassemia major [TM]. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and causes of short stature, body disproportion, delayed puberty, and skeletal changes among thalassemia patients in our area. Patients and a prospective study was done on 314 patients with TM, randomly chosen at the Thalassemic Treatment Center of Al Yarmook Teaching Hospital during the period from January 2, 2001 to April 30, 2001. Patients ranged from 2-20 years of age and were divided into 5 groups. The male to female ratio was 1.2:1. The study included measurements of standing height, ratio of upper body to lower segment, puberty staging according to Tanner staging. Estimation of the hormones for which assays were available including growth hormone, T4, TSH, LH, and FSH were performed. The liver enzymes AST and ALI, and serum calcium were measured. Radiographs of the head, long bones, vertebrae, and wrist joints were done. The abnormalities noted were correlated with the duration of the DFX chelation and serum ferritin levels. the study revealed that 28% of the patients exhibited short stature, predominantly in the age group 15-20 years, and 25% of the patients had short trunk but normal stature predominantly in the age group of 10-14. There was a significant relation to the duration of DFX chelation, p=0.0004. Delayed puberty was present in 33/63 patients [52.4%; 19 were females [57.5%] and 14 were males [42.5%]. Endocrine disorders were present in 25.9%. Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and hypocalcemia were present in 8.4% and 12% of the patients respectively. There was a significant relation to the duration of the disease, p=0.00003 and 0.0004 respectively. Skeletal changes including platyspondylosis, maxillary overgrowth, hair-on-end appearance, rectangular metacarpals and metatarsals, and osteoporosis were found in 38.6% of the patients in the age group of 10-14 years and were significantly related to the duration of DFX chelation, p=0.0001. short stature, short trunk, skeletal changes and delayed puberty are significant problems in our thalassemic patients. The role of siderosis and DFX toxicity need further elucidation