Risk factors and placental histopathological findings of term born low birth weight neonates.

INTRODUCTION: Low birth weight (LBW) is associated with increased neonatal morbidity and mortality. Hence, this condition should be well studied. The aims of this study were to identify the risk factors for term born LBW, as well as the placental histopathological lesions observed. METHODS: This case control study was carried out in the University Teaching Hospital and the Central Maternity, both of Yaoundé, Cameroon, from November 1st, 2013 to April 30th, 2014. Maternal medical records and placentas of term born (≥37 completed weeks) LBW (<2500 g at birth) or normal weight (3000-3500 g) were compared. The main variables recorded included maternal age and parity, maternal height, complications that occurred during pregnancy, maternal pre-gestational body mass index, the number of antenatal visits, the sex and birth weight of the newborn, the umbilical cord length, the placental weight and placental histology. Data were analyzed using Epi info 3.5.4. Fisher exact test, t-test and logistic regression were used for comparison. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: and DISCUSSION: A total of 30 cases of LBW and the same number of controls were examined. Significant risk factors for LBW were primiparity (aOR 14.0, 95%CI 2.1-92.7), hypertensive diseases of pregnancy (aOR 18.1, 95%CI 1.02-322.5) and <4 antenatal visits (aOR 9.5, 95%CI 1.3-67.5). Significant placental lesions were placental infarction (aOR 19.5, 95%CI 2.9-130.1) and chronic villitis (aOR 35.9, 95%CI 1.2-1034.3). Our study showed that primiparous women, those with pregnancy-induced hypertensive diseases and those with <4 antenatal visits were more at risk for LBW. Significant placental lesions observed among LBW were placental infarcts and chronic villitis. Since LBW has the tendency to recur, and given that some causes such as placental infarcts are preventable, we recommend that a histological examination of the placenta should always be carried out in cases of LBW.

[Treatment of uterine synechiae without hysteroscopy in a semiurban setting in Cameroon]. / Traitement des synéchies utérines en l'absence d'hystéroscopie en milieu semi-urbain au Cameroun.

We evaluated the outcome of treatment of uterine synechiae (or adhesions, also known as Asherman syndrome) by cervical dilatation and sequential estrogen and progestogen administration for three months. This retrospective cohort study examined records of 86 women with infertility or menstrual disorders or both and treated from October 2004 to November 2011 for synechiae diagnosed by hysterosalpingography. The data analyzed included age, presenting complaint, and treatment outcome. During the study period, 86 women were seen for uterine synechiae but only 81 files could be included. The patients' mean age was 25.52 (range: 19-40 years), with 37% in the age group of 25-29 years. Of these 82 women, 71 reported menstrual disorders and 60 infertility. After treatment, 11/60 (18%) became pregnant and 35/71 (49%) recovered normal menstrual profiles. The reference treatment for uterine synechiae is hysteroscopy, which yields good results. In poor settings, however, hysteroscopy remains inaccessible, and the old method of cervical dilation and sequential estrogen and progestogen therapy is an acceptable alternative.

Indications and maternofetal outcome of instrumental deliveries at the University Teaching Hospital of Yaounde, Cameroon.

Instrumental deliveries are believed to be associated with increased maternal and, especially, fetal morbidity and mortality. Hence, it is less practiced in many developing countries. The aim of this retrospective study, conducted between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2008, was to assess the prevalence, indications, neonatal wellbeing and maternal complications of instrumental deliveries. Of 3623 vaginal deliveries, 84 (2.3%) instrumental deliveries were conducted. The most common indication was a prolonged second stage of labour. Fetal wellbeing, measured by the Apgar score, was good and was similar in the group who had forceps delivery and that of the vacuum extraction delivery group. Maternal complications, usually minor, were vaginal and perineal tears. Instrumental delivery should be encouraged and taught in order to reverse the rising caesarean section rate.

[Delay in the management of obstetric complications: study in 7 maternity units in Cameroon]. / Délai de prise en charge des complications obstétricales: étude dans 7 maternités au Cameroun.

The purpose of this retrospective, descriptive study conducted in 7 third-level maternity units in Cameroon was to determine maternal mortality rates associated with obstetrical complications and correlate these data with competency of health-care staff and time-to-care. Consolidated data for the year 2004 were used to calculate various indicators of maternal health. During the study period 16,005 deliveries were performed with 15,322 live births. Obstetrical complications occurred in 2847 cases leading to a total of 112 maternal deaths. Overall maternal mortality was 699 deaths for 100,000 live births. The complication fatality rate was 3.3 % and was correlated with both competency of health-care-staff and time-to-care (p < 0.05). In addition delayed for treatment was a determinant factor in maternal mortality since the risk of death increased with longer time-to-care.

How long could we wait for the delivery of the second twin?

There is no consensus about the safe time interval between the deliveries of twins. This retrospective study, conducted from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2004 at the University Teaching Hospital of Yaoundé, Cameroon, was designed to evaluate the safe time interval between deliveries of twins. We analysed 268 twin deliveries. The mean time interval between twin deliveries was 10.0 +/- 7.9 minutes. The mean fetal weight of the first twin was 2416 +/- 565 g and that of the second was 2395 +/- 558 g. However, in 47.7% cases, the second twin was bigger than the first. When the second twin was delivered more than 30 minutes after the first, the mean 5 minute Apgar score was low. Therefore, efforts should be made to deliver the second twin within 30 minutes after the delivery of the first baby.

[Pregnancy outcome in a group of Cameroonian women with uterine fibroids]. / Evolution de la grossesse sur un utérus fibromyomateux chez un groupe de femmes camerounaises.

INTRODUCTION: Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumor seen in women at reproductive age. The association of pregnancy and uterine fibroids is about 0.5 to 4%. METHODOLOGY: In order to evaluate the complications of this association in our milieu, we carried out this prospective study. The main objective was to compare the incidence of complications of pregnancy and delivery in two groups of women: group 1 (women with uterine fibroids) and group 2 (women without fibroids). They were matched (ratio 1/1) on women age (plus or minus one), gestational age, gravidity (plus or minus one) and parity. RESULTS: Eighty patients in each group 1 were recruited. The mean age was 31.2 years in group 1 and 30.8 years in group 2. Degeneration of fibroids occurred in 15% of cases. The incidence of threatened abortion (51.3% versus 18.8%; RR: 2.7 [1.7-4.5]; p=0.00002), threaten premature delivery (26.3% versus 10%; RR: 2.6 [1.2-5.6]; p=0.008), premature delivery (22.5% versus 7.9%; RR: 2.9 [1.2-6.9]), tocolytic treatment (48.8% versus 20.0%; RR: 2.4 [1.5-4.0]; p=0.0001) and Caesarean section (40% versus 13.8%; RR: 3.1 [1.6-5.9]; p=0.0001) were significantly increased in group 1 than in group 2. We also noticed a moderate increased of the incidence of abortions (11.3% versus 5%; RR: 2.3 [0.7-7.0]), breech presentation (11.3% versus 5%; p=0.3); however, the difference was not statistically significant in two groups. CONCLUSION: We concluded that pregnancy in women with uterine fibroids is a high-risk pregnancy and needs a particular follow-up.

Delai de prise en charge des complications obstetricales : etude dans 7 maternites au Cameroun

L'objectif de cette recherche etait de determiner l'ampleur de la mortalite maternelle dans des maternites au Cameroun; d'analyser les donnees sur les deces maternels en rapport avec la qualification du personnel et le delai de prise en charge des complications obstetricales. Il s'agit d'une etude retrospective et descriptive realisee dans 7 maternites du troisieme niveau. Les donnees agregees de l'annee 2004 ont permis de calculer certains indicateurs de la sante maternelle.Au cours de la periode de l'etude; 15322 naissances vivantes ont ete enregistrees sur un total de 16005 accouchements pratiques. 112 deces maternels ont ete observes sur 2 847 cas de complications obstetricales. Le taux de mortalite maternelle observe dans l'ensemble des maternites etait de 699 deces pour 100 000 naissances vivantes. La letalite des complications (3;3) est en rapport avec le manque de personnel qualifie et le delai de prise en charge (p0;05). En outre; le retard dans la prise en charge est un facteur determinant de la mortalite; puisque le risque de deces augmente en fonction du delai de prise en charge

Neural tube defects are rare among black Americans but not in sub-Saharan black Africans: the case of Yaounde - Cameroon.

BACKGROUND: Neural tube defects (NTD) are complex malformations rare in black Americans and Japanese. The incidence related to births or community-based studies have not been published in Cameroon or in black sub-Saharan countries, except one study in the Nigerian middle belt [Airede KI. Neural tube defects in the middle belt of Nigeria. J Trop Pediatr 1992;38 27-30.][corrected]. METHODS: To evaluate the incidence of neural tube defects in Yaounde, the birth record of the maternities was retrospectively exploited during the last ten years period (1997-2006). RESULTS: A total of 52,710 births were recorded in the 03 main hospitals of Yaounde. Ninety eight (98) cases of NTD with an incidence of 1.99 cases per 1000 births were registered. Spina bifida cystica (myelomeningocele, meningocele) represented 71%, followed by encephalocele (21.1%) and anencephaly (5.4%). Periconceptional folic acid was not taken by any of the mothers in our study. Abortion of affected pregnancies is illegal in Cameroon. CONCLUSION: Neural Tube Defects may not be so rare in sub-Saharan black Africans particularly in Yaounde (Cameroon). Spina bifida is the most frequent malformation. The results of this study make a case for periconceptional folic acid supplementation in our communities. The respective contributions of racial (genetic) versus environmental (or nutritional) factors will however have to be studied in order to develop a comprehensive prevention strategy.

[Factors associated with thrombocytopenia among pregnant women in Cameroon]. / Facteurs associés aux thrombocytopénies chez les femmes enceintes au Cameroun.

To determine the factors associated with thrombocytopenia among pregnant women in Cameroon, this cross-sectional survey studied 1124 pregnant women aged 15-40 years (mean: 25.35+/-5.48) attending antenatal clinics at two hospitals in Yaoundé. Each woman underwent a thorough medical interview and clinical examination and complete blood count to diagnose anaemia and thrombocytopenia (platelets<150x10(9)/L). When thrombocytopenia was identified, a battery of other tests followed: standard coagulation screening tests, HIV screening, and thick and thin blood films to identify blood parasites. The prevalence of thrombocytopenia was 8.9% (N=100). While a prolonged bleeding time was noted in 20% of women with thrombocytopenia, the Quick test (prothrombin time) and kaolin-cephalin clotting time were normal in all of them. The major factors associated with thrombocytopenia were anaemia (29.8%), history of intermenstrual bleeding (25.7%), history of preeclampsia (23.3%), current hypertensive disorders (23.2%), malaria (22.3%), HIV infection (21.0%) and the absence of antimalaria prophylaxis (16.2%). Thrombocytopenia was not significantly associated with third-trimester bleeding (P=0.57) or with a history of postpartum haemorrhage (P=0.06).

Interactions between human immunodeficiency virus and herpes viruses within the oral mucosa.

There is evidence from clinical case reports and epidemiological studies that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be transmitted through oral sex. Herpes viruses that appear in the oral mucosa might influence the oral replication of HIV. A review of data suggesting that interactions occur between HIV and herpes viruses indicates that such interactions might operate in the oral mucosa. Defining the mechanisms by which herpes viruses interact with HIV in the oral mucosa should permit intervention measures to be targeted more precisely.

Detection of the Plasmodium falciparum antigen histidine-rich protein 2 in blood of pregnant women: implications for diagnosing placental malaria.

Pregnant women have an increased susceptibility to infection by Plasmodium falciparum. Parasites may be present in the placenta yet not detectable in peripheral blood smears by routine light microscopy. In order to determine how frequently misdiagnosis occurs, peripheral blood and placental samples were collected from 1,077 Cameroonian women at the time of giving birth and examined for the presence of malarial parasites by using light microscopy. Results showed that 20.1% of the women who had placental malaria were peripheral blood smear negative. Thus, malarial infection was not detected by microscopic examination of peripheral blood smears from approximately one out of five malaria-infected women. Since P. falciparum parasites secrete histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP-2), we sought to determine if detecting HRP-2 in either peripheral plasma or whole blood might be used to diagnose the presence of parasites "hidden" in the placenta. Samples of peripheral plasma from 127 women with different levels of placental malarial infection were assayed by HRP-2-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HRP-2 was detected in 88% of the women with placental malaria who tested negative by blood smear. Additionally, whole blood was obtained from 181 women and tested for HRP-2 with a rapid, chromatographic strip test (ICT). The ICT test accurately detected malarial infection in 89.1% of P. falciparum-infected women. Furthermore, 94% of women with malaria were accurately diagnosed by using a combination of microscopy and the ICT test. Thus, detection of HRP-2 in conjunction with microscopy should improve diagnosis of malaria in pregnant women.

Antenatal HIV prevalence in Yaounde, Cameroon.

From June 1994 to July 1996, 4100 pregnant women living in Yaounde, Cameroon, were tested for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and syphilis. The HIV seroprevalence was 4.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): 3.6%-4.8%), and that of antibodies to Treponema pallidum was 17.4% (95% CI: 16.3%-18.6%) (HIV infection was twice as common in women with positive syphilis serology) (7.2% vs 3.6%). Over the study period, the antenatal seroprevalence of syphilis remained stable, while there was an increase in the HIV seroprevalence rate. There was an increase in HIV seropositivity in women uninfected with syphilis between 1994/1995 and 1995/1996 from 2.9% to 4.3%. By the end of the study, HIV infection was no commoner in women with negative compared with positive syphilis serology. It is therefore postulated that HIV infection in Yaounde has entered the general, sexually active female population. We suggest that management of pregnant women in Cameroon should include routine screening for both HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

[Premature rupture of membranes: maternal and fetal outcome in the absence of antibiotic prophylaxis]. / Rupture prématurée des membranes: devenir maternel et foetal en l'absence de la prophylaxie antibiotique.

Antibiotic prophylaxis in the management of Premature Rupture of foetal Membranes (PROM) before term still remains controversial. 110 pregnant women with PROM were assigned to either group A (no treatment) or group B (treatment group). The rates of premature deliveries were similar in the two groups, 71% versus 77% (p = 0.56). Additionally, low birth weight, Apgar score, foetal distress, neonatal icterus and foetal sepsis were all observed in similar proportions in both groups. 6.5% of the subjects in group A developed endometritis as against 5.7% in group B (p = 0.69). Perinatal mortality rates were high (33.3% and 50%, in group A and B, respectively), but not statistically different in the two groups (p = 0.13). Prophylactic antibiotics do not seem to influence maternal and foetal outcome in patients who present with PROM in this environment.

Rupture prématurée des membranes: devenir maternel et foetal en l'absence de la prophylaxie antibiotique

La prophylaxie antibiotique dans la prise en charge des Ruptures prématurées des Membranes (RPM) avant le terme est jusqu'à nos jours controversés. Cent dix femmes enceintes avec Rupture Prématurée des Membranes avant terme ont été distribuées dans l'un des deux groupes suivants: groupe A (groupe sans traitement) ou groupe B (groupe sous traitement). Les taux d'accouchements prématurés étaient similaires 71 pour cent contre 77 pour cent (p=0;56). Le faible poids à la naissance; le score d'Apgar; la détresse fœtale; l'ictère néonatal et l'infection néonatale ont été observées dans les proportions similaires entre les deux groupes 6.5 pour cent des sujets du groupe A ont développé une endométrite contre 5.7 pour cent dans les groupes A et B (p=0;13). La prophylaxie antibiotique n'a pas semblé influencer le pronostic materno-foetal chez les patients présentant une Rupture Prématurée des Membranes dans notre environnement