Age at menarche and its association with overweight/obesity among adolescents in Kano

Background: There was a dramatic decline of adolescents' menarcheal age worldwide; Africa is witnessing a secular trend of this reducing menarcheal age among its black adolescents. A transition of overweight/obesity among adolescent is believed to be associated with reduced menarcheal age. Materials and Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study that was conducted among female adolescent girls from January to December, 2016. Ethical approval was obtained from the management concerned. All consenting adolescents were recruited for the survey. Information was recorded on a structured, pretested questionnaire. Their respective weight and height were also measured. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using the formula: BMI = weight (kg)/height (m2). The data obtained were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 18.0 (SPSS Inc., SPSS Statistics for Windows, Chicago, IL, USA). Fishers' exact test was used, and the P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Two hundred and nineteen female adolescents participated in the survey. The mean age ± SD at menarche was 12.83 ± 1.312 years. The median and modal ages were both 13 years. There was no statistically significant association between the mean age at menarche and the ethnic groups (P(Fishers') = 0.150). However, mean age at menarche was statistically associated with their BMI (P(Fishers') = 0.00). Obesity was associated with reduced menarcheal age. Conclusion: The median and mean ages at menarche were 13.0 and 12.8 years respectively, which were in accordance with secular trend of reduced menarcheal age among black adolescents. Our study also showed an inverse association between the age at menarche and overweight or obesity among adolescents

Cancer of the cervix in unscreened West African women

Background: Cancer of the cervix remains an important health problem amongst women worldwide. Widespread comprehensive cervical cancer control programs have resulted in a marked reduction in the incidence and mortality in most developed countries. Developing countries bear over 80 of the global burden; with only 5 of the global resources for the control of cancer. Majority of the cases in these countries present late and are incurable at the time of diagnosis. Aim: To review the presentation and histopathological types of cervical cancer cases seen in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Kano; over a sixteen-year period (1995-2010). Materials and Methods: Case records of histopathologically diagnosed cases of cancer of the cervix were retrieved. Demographic data; stage of the tumor at presentation; and histopathologic type were extracted. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Six hundred and sixty gynecological cancers were seen during the study period; with cancer of the cervix accounting for 58.5 (386/660) cases. Among these cases with cancer of the cervix 71.1 (275/386) were grand multiparous and majority 89.7 346/386 presented with advanced disease. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) accounted for 86.3 (333/386) of the cancers; adenocarcinoma contributed 12.4;(48/386) and others contributed 1.3(5/386). Conclusion: Cancer of the cervix is the commonest gynecological cancer at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital; Kano; Nigeria. SCC is the commonest histological type

Total serum vitamin C concentration in pregnant women: implications for a healthy pregnancy

OBJECTIVES: total serum vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) concentration was measured in 90 pregnant women, 30 in each trimester (age range 18-35 years) and a control group of age-matched non-pregnant women. METHODS: total serum vitamin C concentration was measured using the 2.4-dinitrophenylhydrazine method which involves the conversion of vitamin C to dehydroascorbic acid in the presence of copper (II) ions and subsequent measurement of the resulting bis-hydrazone at 540nm. RESULTS: the total vitamin C concentration in the first trimester was 2.55 ± 0.82 mg/dl and 2.32 ± 0.40 mg/dl and 0.77 ± 0.10 mg/dl in the second and third trimesters respectively. Relative to serum total vitamin C concentration in the controls (3.15 ± 0.13 mg/dl) these values are significantly lower (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: low serum vitamin C in pregnancy may indicate utilization of this vitamin to mop up the excess reactive oxygen species and maintain its normal homeostasis. Therefore, Vitamin C supplementation during pregnancy is recommended in order to boost the body's low vitamin C level and prevent the predisposition to low birth weight babies, premature delivery and pre-eclamsia all of which are known to be associated with sub-optimal vitamin C levels during pregnancy.

OBJETIVOS: a concentração sérica total de vitamina C (ácido 1-ascórbico) foi medida em 90 mulheres grávidas sendo 30 em cada trimestre (idade de 18-35 anos) e um grupo controle, pareado por idade, de mulheres não grávidas. MÉTODOS: a concentração sérica total de vitamina C foi medida usando o método 2.4-dinitrofenilhidrazina que envolve a conversão de vitama C a ácido dehidroascorbico na presença de íons cobre II e, em seguida, medindo a resultante bi-hidrazona em 540 nm. RESULTADOS: a concentração total de vitamina C no primeiro semestre foi de 2.55 ± 0,13 mg/dL) e de 2,32 ± 0,40 mg/dL e 0,77 ± 0,10 mg/dL no segundo e terceiro trimestres, respectivamente. Estes valores são significativamente mais baixos do que nos controles (3,15 ± 0,13 mg/dL)(p<0,05). CONCLUSÕES: reduzida concentração de vitamina C sérica na gestação pode indicar a sua utilização para retirar o excesso de espécies oxigênio-reativas e manter a homeostase normal. Assim, recomenda-se a suplementação de vitamina C na gestação para aumentar o seu baixo nível no organismo e previnir a predisposição para o baixo peso ao nascer, parto prematuro e pré-eclâmpsia, condições associadas a níveis sub-ótimos da mesma na gestação.

Serum ascorbic acid concentration in patients with acute Falciparum malaria infection: possible significance

Falciparum malaria infection is associated with significant destruction of erythrocytes. This leads to the release of toxic metabolic products, including oxidant compounds.We measured the serum concentration of the antioxidant, ascorbic acid, in 129 patients presenting with acute falciparum malaria infection and in 65 healthy individuals. None of the study subjects administered any form of ascorbic acid supplementation within one week prior to participation in this study. The mean serum ascorbate concentration in infected adult males (n = 49, age range 18-50 years) was found to be 2.02 ± 0.20 mg/dL, and it was 2.03 ± 0.24 mg/dL in infected adult females (n = 56, age range 18-50 years). These values were significantly greater than the serum ascorbate levels (1.54 ± 0.10 mg/dL) in healthy adult males (n = 28) and females (n = 28) (p < 0.05). In children (age range 3 to 5 years), the serum ascorbate concentration was significantly lower (1.95 ± 0.20 mg/dL) during infection (n = 25) than in their healthy counterparts (2.9 ± 0.24 mg/dL, n = 9) (p < 0.05). It is evident therefore that ascorbic acid plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of acute falciparum malaria in adults. Infected children also need to be given supplemental doses of ascorbate in view of the weakness of their immune system.