Frequency of Low Birth Weight and its Relationship With Maternal Nutritional and Dietary Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND:  Low birth weight (LBW) is linked with fetal and neonatal mortality and morbidity; also it can slow down growth and cognitive development. Several factors contribute to pregnancy outcomes, including LBW deliveries, maternal nutrition, and additional dietary intake. Our study was aimed to identify the frequency and factors associated with LBW mothers in Karachi, Pakistan.  Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out at the Obstetrics and Gynaecological Department of Hamdard Hospital, Karachi. A total of 195 healthy pregnant females were enrolled. All the relevant data were collected from March 1st, 2019 to August 31st, 2019 with the help of a structured questionnaire designed specifically for the study where mothers were also asked about consumption of iron, vitamin, and extra meals since they became pregnant. Written, informed consent was taken from all of the participants before data collection. Data analysis was performed using a statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. A Chi-square test was used for checking associations between the studied maternal factors and the weight of the children.  Results: There was a total of 195 pregnant females selected for the study. The frequency of LBW infants was found to be 57 (29.2%) in these women. The mean age of the females was 29.29 ± 5.22 years, 142 (72.8%) of them had a body mass index (BMI) of 25.0 kg/m2 or more, 102 (52.3%) of them had hemoglobin (Hb) between 10 and 11 mg/dL. The study results further showed that maternal Hb (p=0.02), vitamin C intake (p=0.037), iron intake (p=0.01), and consumption of extra meals during pregnancy (p=0.021) were significantly associated with a LBW of the children. Mothers whose Hb <10 mg/dL, no intake of vitamin C, or iron, and extra meals during pregnancy were more likely to have a child with LBW than others. CONCLUSION:  It can be concluded that maternal nutritional and dietary factors are very important during fetal development, and they have a significant relationship with the birth weight.

Prevalence Of Diabetic Complications In Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Patients In Pakistan: Findings From National Registry.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of micro- and macrovascular complications in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in Pakistan. METHODS: In this multicentre, observational, cross-sectional disease registry, patients (aged ≥18 years) who were diagnosed at enrolment with T2DM, defined by fasting blood glucose (FBG) ≥126 mg/dL and/or glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥6.5%, were enrolled. Microvascular complications were ascertained by objective examination while macrovascular complications were identified from patients' medical history. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Data from 891 patients were analysed in the study. Mean [±standard deviation (SD)] HbA1c, FBG, and random blood glucose were 9.9% (±2.2%), 193.4 (±74.0) mg/dL, and 294.3 (±72.7) mg/dL, respectively. Obesity (n=689, 77.3%) and familial history of diabetes (n=575, 64.3%) were the most common risk factors for T2DM. Overall prevalence of micro- and macrovascular complications was 68.6% [n=611, 95% confidence interval (CI): 65.4-71.5] and 9.0% (n=80, 95% CI: 7.3-11.0), respectively. Neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy were reported in 59.6% (95% CI: 56.3-62.8), 24.4% (95% CI: 21.6-27.2), and 15.9% (95% CI: 13.7-18.5) of the patients, respectively. Oral antidiabetic agents and insulin were prescribed to 839 (94.2%) and 140 (15.7%) patients, respectively. All study patients received education on T2DM management, mostly from the investigators, and also from diabetes educators and nurses. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of micro- and macrovascular complications of T2DM is high, indicating a delay in diagnosis of disease. In order to counter the burden of diabetic complications, optimum strategies for screening of the general population are required.

Knowledge and practices regarding cigarette smoking among adult women in a rural district of Sindh, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of cigarette smoking and to obtain information on socio-demographic factors and attitude regarding cigarette smoking among adult women in a rural district of Sindh Province, Pakistan. METHODS: A cross sectional community based survey was done in a rural district of Sindh province of Pakistan using a two stage cluster sampling design. A pre tested questionnaire was used to interview 502 adult women (aged 18- 60 years) from the study site. The study was approved by the ethical research committee and informed consent was taken from participants. RESULTS: A total of 502 women were interviewed for this study. Approximately 71% of women were illiterate and 44% of women were in the age group of 18-24 years. A high number (10%) of adult women were smokers. Age at initiation among women (18-24 years) was 42%. A significant difference for questions regarding smoking effects on health (p = 0.02) and knowledge regarding smoking causes respiratory disease (p = 0.02) was observed in this survey. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the prevalence of smoking among women is on the rise in this rural district of Pakistan. Young age at initiation is an important finding that needs to be addressed.