Assessment of aspartate aminotransferase to Platelet Ratio Index and Fibrosis-4 Index score on women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is a pregnancy-related liver condition that is characterized by elevated liver function tests and/or bile acids in the presence of pruritis. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to assess the aspartate aminotransferase to Platelet Ratio Index and Fibrosis-4 Index scores in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: The prospective study was carried out by assessing 142 women: 71 whose pregnancies were complicated by intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and 71 without intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. The Fibrosis-4 Index score and aspartate aminotransferase to Platelet Ratio Index were assessed. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that both aspartate aminotransferase to Platelet Ratio Index and Fibrosis-4 Index scores were reliable indicators of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, correlating with important complications of the condition. CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable information to help clinicians better diagnose and perform the management of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

Congenital thrombophilia associated with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. A case report.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is pregnancy-specific liver disorder, characterized by pruritus as the main clinical symptom, and fasting liver function tests. The term thrombophilia is used to describe a group of conditions characterized by blood coagulation disorder with increased risk of blood clot formation, which may be congenital or acquired. In general, population the incidence of thrombophilia and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy varies widely, depending on the type of disorder (in case of congenital thrombophilia) and geographical distribution (in case of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy). A high incidence of pregnancy complications makes both congenital thrombophilia and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy very important in clinical practice. At the same time, association between these two disorders is extremely complicated in management, due to perinatal risks. The key-point for the management is cooperation among obstetricians, hematologists, and hepatologists, being crucial for better outcomes.

Assessment of vitamin K levels in women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is a disorder characterized by pruritus and elevated liver function tests and bile acids. Poor vitamin absorption and, as a result, hypovitaminosis K can occur as a result of the pathology. Given the known effects of vitamin K, the authors considered that hypovitaminosis K could increase the risk of coagulopathic hemorrhage in pregnant women. The study revealed that 59.2% of women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy were diagnosed with hypovitaminosis K; however, 98.6% of women had normal coagulogram indices. Thus, coagulogram markers are more likely to indicate vitamin K activity than its actual level.

Antenatal anticoagulant therapy and neonatal hemorrhagic syndrome. Case report.

Neonatal hemorrhagic syndrome, which affects several principal organs during the early neonatal period, denotes a deficiency of vitamin K and coagulation factors.

The feasibility and acceptability of collaborative learning in improving health worker performance on adolescent health: findings from implementation research in Moldova.

BACKGROUND: Collaborative learning has been shown to be effective in improving health worker performance, but relatively little is known about the feasibility or acceptability of collaborative learning in youth-friendly health services (YFHS). This paper describes the characteristics, feasibility and acceptability of a collaborative learning approach implemented in YFHS in Moldova as part of a national scaling up process. METHODS: We gathered and analysed data on the number, location, themes, and participants of sessions, as well as benefits and challenges of collaborative learning, using two information sources: 1) formal reports on collaborative learning sessions, and 2) two questionnaires conducted with participants and moderators. RESULTS: Collaborative learning sessions have been implemented in 30 out of 35 YFHS in Moldova. In 2016, 464 collaborative learning sessions were conducted. Sessions were conducted one to three times per month, had a mean of 15 participants and an average duration of two - three hours. 74.3% of participants (n = 6942) were from rural areas and 55.1% were health professionals. The most common topics in 2016 were adolescent health and YFHS (159 of 464 sessions), sexual and reproductive health (103 sessions), and violence (76 sessions). Reported benefits for participants of collaborative learning fell into three categories: 1) improved knowledge on adolescent health / development and use of evidence-based resources; 2) strengthened teamwork and cooperation; and 3) empowerment to provide high quality, youth-friendly care. Moderators identified benefits for the quality, youth-friendliness, and positioning of YFHS as centres of excellence on adolescent health. Challenges included the time and resources required to start and maintain the program, developing a constructive multi-disciplinary learning culture, and ensuring the involvement of stakeholders from outside YFHS. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that collaborative learning within YFHS is feasible and acceptable, and offers benefits to both participants and YFHS. Collaborative learning may be a valuable strategy to improve the quality and youth-friendliness of services. It may also be relevant to key challenges in scaling up YFHS such as increasing utilisation and achieving long-term sustainability. Further research is required to confirm our results in other settings and to examine the effects of collaborative learning at the outcome and impact level.