Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C, and human immunodeficiency viruses in Saudi pregnant women and rates of vertical transmission

Objectives: Information regarding the prevalence of hepatitis B [HBV], hepatitis C [HCV], and human immunodeficiency [HIV] viruses in Saudi pregnant women is either lacking or outdated. The aims of this study were to determine the current prevalence of these viruses among Saudi pregnant women and to estimate the rates of vertical transmission. Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Setting: Antenatal clinic at a university hospital in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA]

Subjects: Three thousand two hundred and forty-six Saudi pregnant women seen in antenatal clinics between July, 2010 and June, 2011. Main Outcome Measures: Laboratory results of HBsAg, anti-HCV, and HIV antibodies in all subjects and vertical transmission rates to newborns of seropositive mothers

Results: The mean age was 31 years [ +/- 6.5 years]. HBsAg was detected in 1.08% out of the 3,242 tested women. Two babies [6.25%] out of the 32 live tested neonates were positive. Only two [0.07%] women out of 3,051 were positive for anti- HCV antibodies with no vertical transmission. 3119 [96.1%] women were tested for HIV antibodies and none were found to be positive

Conclusion: The prevalence of HBsAg among Saudi pregnant women [1.08%] is lower than previously reported. However, antenatal testing for HBV is still warranted. Universal antenatal screening of HCV or HIV in Saudi Arabia may not be justifiable due to the very low prevalence of these viruses among pregnant women

Primary pulmonary hypertension during pregnancy: a case report

We describe a case of a 25-year-old pregnant woman who presented with severe primary pulmonary hypertension [PPH]. Her echocardiogram showed severe right ventricular hypertrophy with dilatation and Moderate right ventricular systolic dysfunction. Right ventricle systolic pressure [RVSP] was estimated to be 125 mmHg. She had an elective caesarean section under general anaesthesia at 32 weeks of gestation. Pulmonary artery pressures measured by a pulmonary artery catheter before anaesthesia were 102 mmHg and pulmonary vascular resistance was 429. Intraoperative nitric oxide was used to reduce pulmonary artery systolic pressure [PASP]. After the delivery of a healthy infant, PASP was controlled with nebulized iloprost and silandifil. Five days later she was transferred from intensive care unit after she was started on silandifil 50 mg three times daily and a small dose of warfarin

Severe vaginal bleeding secondary to cesarean scar dehiscence following incomplete abortion management

Severe uterine bleeding is not a common presentation of cesarean section scar dehiscence in the first trimester. We present a 41-year-old lady with uterine scar dehiscence that was probably secondary to uterotonic medication used for the management of first trimester incomplete abortion. The use of uterotonic medications [Methergine] may be a contributing factor in this case. It should be used with caution in patients with previous uterine scar