A Prospective Cohort Study Investigating Adverse Perinatal Outcomes in Mosul, Iraq, among Women with Grand Multiparity

@#Introduction: This prospective case-control study aimed to compare the incidence of fetomaternal complications between grand multiparous women under the age of 35 and pregnant women with low parity in the same age group. Methods: The study was conducted at Al-khansaa and Al-Batool Teaching Hospitals from October 1, 2020, to June 1, 2021. One hundred pregnant women with singleton pregnancies in all three trimesters, aged between 18 and 34 years, were selected from the outpatient clinic and the ward. The participants were divided into two groups: Group A consisted of 50 grand multiparous women (with five or more deliveries), and Group B comprised 50 pregnant women with low parity (2-4 pregnancies) in the same age group. Results: The study found that gestational diabetes, anemia, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, cesarean section rate, postpartum hemorrhage, and neonatal intensive care unit admissions were significantly higher in the grand multiparity group compared to the low parity group. The mean Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes were significantly lower in Group A compared to Group B. Conclusion: The findings suggest that grand multiparity among younger mothers poses additional risks to pregnancy outcomes, including increased rates of gestational diabetes, anemia, postpartum hemorrhage, cesarean section, and neonatal intensive care unit admissions, especially in cases with inadequate antenatal care. The findings of this study underscore the need for further research in this area. Understanding the underlying mechanisms and risk factors associated with grand multiparity among younger mothers can lead to more targeted interventions and improved outcomes.

Momento de la cirugía en pacientes iraquíes con Contagio de COVID-19 / Timing of surgery in Iraqi patients with COVID-19 infection

Los pacientes con infección perioperatoria por COVID-19 tienen un alto riesgo de muerte y complicaciones posoperatorias. En la actualidad, la infección por COVID-19 en Irak representó 1.696.390 casos con 19.087 muertes. Un estudio nacional, único y observacional que incluyó pacientes con infección por COVID-19 que se sometieron a cualquier tipo de cirugía en el Hospital General de Abu-Graib, Bagdad, Irak, durante el período del 19 de marzo de 2020 al 30 de abril de 2021. Tiempo desde el diagnóstico de la infección por COVID-19 El día de la cirugía se recogió como factor categórico dividido en: (a) 0-3 semanas; (b) 4­6 semanas; (c) >6 semanas. Edad; sexo; estado físico de la Sociedad Americana de Anestesiólogos (ASA); comorbilidades cardíacas; comorbilidades respiratorias; indicación de cirugía; grado de cirugía; y se documentaron los tipos quirúrgicos. Se incluyeron un total de 378 pacientes con una edad media de 47,89±16,03 años. Las mujeres eran más que los hombres (65,87% > 34,13%). Aproximadamente, el 76,72% de los pacientes pertenecían a ASA I-II, mientras que el 23,28% eran ASA III-IV. Alrededor del 19,05% de los pacientes sufría de comorbilidades cardíacas. 266/378 de los pacientes se quejaron de comorbilidades respiratorias. Cirugía indicada en 35,45% condiciones benignas, 27,5% obstetricia, 7,65% cirugía oncológica y 29,4% operaciones traumáticas. Operaciones mayores documentadas en 205/378 pacientes. Las intervenciones quirúrgicas de urgencia realizadas en (176, 46,56%), mientras que los casos electivos fueron 202/378 (53,44%). En total, en el momento de la operación, 80 (21,16 %) pacientes tenían un diagnóstico preoperatorio de COVID-19. El tiempo desde el diagnóstico de COVID-19 hasta la cirugía fue de 0 a 3 semanas en 98 pacientes (25,93 %), de 4 a 6 semanas en 115 pacientes (30,42 %) y >6 semanas en 165 pacientes (43,65 %). La tasa de mortalidad postoperatoria global fue del 9,52% (36/378). Con respecto a la complicación cardiaca de la O.P., no hubo asociación significativa en relación al momento previo a la cirugía (p=0,08). Sin embargo, la complicación cardíaca global fue del 16,4%. En general, el 44,97 % (170/378) de los pacientes desarrollaron una complicación pulmonar por O.P. durante el período de seguimiento. Hasta donde sabemos, este es el primer estudio que proporciona datos sólidos sobre el momento óptimo para la cirugía después de la infección por COVID-19 en Irak. El momento óptimo de la cirugía después de la infección por COVID-19 fue de más de 6 semanas. Descubrimos que los riesgos de morbilidad y mortalidad por O.P. son mayores si los pacientes son operados dentro de las 6 semanas posteriores al diagnóstico de infección por COVID-19.

Patients with perioperative COVID-19 infection are at high risk of death and complications postoperatively. Nowadays, COVID-19 infection in Iraq accounted 1,696,390 cases with 19,087 deaths. A national, single, and observational study that included patients with COVID-19 infection undergoing any type of surgery in Abu-Graib General Hospital, Baghdad Iraq during period from 19 March 2020 to 30 April 2021. Time from the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection to day of surgery was collected as a categorical factor divided into: (a) 0­3 wks; (b) 4­6 wks; (c) >6 wks. Age; sex; American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status; cardiac comorbidities; respiratory comorbidities; indication for surgery; surgery grade; and surgical types were documented. A total of 378 patient were included with mean age was 47.89±16.03 years. Females were more than males (65.87% > 34.13%). Approximately, 76.72% of patients belonged within ASA I-II, whereas 23.28% were ASA III-IV. About 19.05% of patients suffered from cardiac comorbidities. 266/378 of patients complained from respiratory comorbidities. Surgery indicated in 35.45% benign conditions, 27.5% obstetrics, 7.65% oncological surgery, and 29.4% traumatic operations. Major operations documented in 205/378 patients. Emergencies surgical intervention done in (176, 46.56%), whereas elective cases were 202/378 (53.44%). In total at operation timing, 80(21.16%) patients had a preoperative COVID-19 diagnosis. The time from COVID-19 diagnosis to surgery was 0­3 weeks in 98 patients (25.93%), 4­6 weeks in 115 patients (30.42%), and >6 weeks in 165 patients (43.65%). The overall postoperative mortality rate was 9.52% (36/378). In regard to P. O. cardiac complication, there was no significant association in relation to timing before surgery (p=0.08). However, the overall cardiac complication was 16.4%. Overall, 44.97% (170/378) of patients developed a P. O. pulmonary complication within period of follow-up. To our knowledge this is the first study to provide strong data regarding the optimal timing for surgery following COVID-19 infection in Iraq. The optimal timing of surgery after COVID-19 infection was more than 6 wks. We found that risks of P. O. morbidity and mortality are greatest if patients are operated within 6 wks of diagnosis of COVID-19 infection

Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion in hospital inpatients: a descriptive study in a tertiary care centre in South India.

Background: Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte abnormality among the patients in medical wards as well as in the intensive care unit contributing to substantial morbidity and mortality. The most common cause of hyponatraemia in hospital inpatients is Syndrome of Inappropriate Anti Diuretic Hormone secretion (SIADH). This prospective observational study was designed to assess the clinical profile of SIADH. Aim: To assess the clinical profile of SIADH in medically ill patients. Methods: This was an observational study for 24 months conducted in a tertiary care hospital. Patients were assessed clinically to study the volume status, effects of hyponatremia on nervous system and find out various etiologies for SIADH. All patients underwent routine hemogram, blood biochemistry, serum electrolytes, thyroid function tests, morning serum cortisol estimation, plasma and urinary osmolality determination as well as urinary sodium estimation. Patients were diagnosed to have Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone secretion (SIADH) if they satisfied the Bartter and Schwartz criteria. Results: Among the eighty patients with euvolemic, hypoosmolal hyponatremia who were screened for SIADH, seven patients were excluded due to various reasons (hypothyroidism, Sheehan’s syndrome, Addison’s disease). The mean age of the patients was 64 ± 13 years. Among 73 patients included there were 33 (45.2%) male patients and 40 (54.8%) female patients. Severe hyponatremia (Na <110 meq/l) was detected in 33 patients (45%). Pulmonary causes were the most common cause of SIADH in this study seen in 25 (34.2%). The other causes were idiopathic in 20 (27.4%), neurological in 17 (23.3%), drug induced in 2 (2.7%), positive pressure ventilation in 5 (6.8%) and other infections in 4 (5.5%).The average rate of correction was 5 meq ± 1.5 in the first 24 hours. The overall mortality was found to be 7%. Conclusion: Hyponatremia due to SIADH is common among elderly patients with preponderance for female population. Majority of the patients in the present study were noticed to have an underlying respiratory cause as the etiology. Mortality in SIADH patients was related to the underlying cause rather than the severity of hyponatremia.

Effect of some plants' extracts used in Sudanese folkloric medicines on carrageenan-induced inflammation

Investigations for anti-inflammatory potential and categorization of Sudanese medicinal plants according to their potency. Anti-inflammatory effect of plants' extracts of 17 genera were studied using the carrageenan induced inflammation in rats' paws. The plant extracts were obtained using methanol and dichloromethane as solvent and administered intra peritoneally at the concentration of 2g/kg body weight. The results obtained in this experiment strongly support and validate the traditional uses of these Sudanese medicinal plants to treat various inflammatory diseases. 63.9% of plants extracts showed marked inhibition of inflammation induced by carrageenan [78.3% out of this percentage represented by methanolic extract], 27.8% showed no activity and 8.3% enhanced the carrageenan induced inflammation. The anti-inflammatory effect of many of these plants has not been reported previously, yet they have been extensively used in Sudanese folkloric medicine. The result of this study justify the traditional medicinal use of the evaluated plants species in treating inflammatory disorders and helped in categorizing the investigated plants into most useful, moderately useful and least useful category for inflammatory diseases. Out of the 17 investigated plant species 05 belongs to most useful and 06 belongs to moderately useful category. However, toxicity studies are required to prove the safety of these plant materials

Chromatographic finger print analysis of anti-inflammatory active extract fractions of aerial parts of Tribulus terrestris by HPTLC technique

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop HPTLC fingerprint profile of anti-inflammatory active extract fractions of Tribulus terrestris (family Zygophyllaceae).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The anti-inflammatory activity was tested for the methanol and its fractions (chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous) and chloroform extract of Tribulus terrestris (aerial parts) by injecting different groups of rats (6 each) with carrageenan in hind paw and measuring the edema volume before and 1, 2 and 3 h after carrageenan injection. Control group received saline i.p. The extracts treatment was injected i.p. in doses of 200 mg/kg 1 h before carrageenan administration. Indomethacin (30 mg/kg) was used as standard. HPTLC studies were carried out using CAMAG HPTLC system equipped with Linomat IV applicator, TLC scanner 3, Reprostar 3, CAMAG ADC 2 and WIN CATS-4 software for the active fractions of chloroform fraction of methanol extract.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The methanol extract showed good antiedematous effect with percentage of inhibition more than 72%, indicating its ability to inhibit the inflammatory mediators. The methanol extract was re-dissolved in 100 mL of distilled water and fractionated with chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. The four fractions (chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous) were subjected to anti-inflammatory activity. Chloroform fraction showed good anti-inflammatory activity at dose of 200 mg/kg. Chloroform fraction was then subjected to normal phase silica gel column chromatography and eluted with petroleum ether-chloroform, chloroform-ethyl acetate mixtures of increasing polarity which produced 15 fractions (F1-F15). Only fractions F1, F2, F4, F5, F7, F9, F11 and F14 were found to be active, hence these were analyzed with HPTLC to develop their finger print profile. These fractions showed different spots with different Rf values.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The different chloroform fractions F1, F2, F4, F5, F7, F9, F11 and F14 revealed 4, 7, 7, 8, 9, 7, 7 and 6 major spots, respectively. The results obtained in this experiment strongly support and validate the traditional uses of this Sudanese medicinal plant.</p>