Pattern of coroners' autopsies at Ring Road State Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria: a retrospective study (1994-2000).

This study reviews 1,993 coroners' autopsies performed at the Adeoyo and Ring Road State Hospitals, Ibadan, over a seven-year period (January 1994 to December 2000). The most common indication for a coroner's autopsy was accidental death (59.6%), followed by homicidal death (20.7%), sudden natural death (11.6%), maternal death (1.4%) and suicidal death (0.4%). The overall male to female ratio was 2.8:1 and the majority of victims were in the fourth decade of life. Road traffic accidents were the leading cause of accidental death. Homicidal deaths were 9.3 times more common in male than female victims and the most common mode of death was firearm injuries. In contrast to an earlier study from University College Hospital, Ibadan, the present study has revealed a predominance of accidental and homicidal deaths, with a relatively lower rate of maternal deaths.

Clinical trial of riboflavin in sickle cell disease.

The effect of riboflavin supplementation (5mg twice daily for 8 weeks) on reduced blood glutathione (GSH) and iron status was assessed in 18 patients with sickle cell disease (SCD-HbSS). Twelve SCD patients and 13 normal (Hb-AA) subjects served as the control. The total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and serum ferritin (SF) were significantly higher (p < 0.01), but GSH level, haemoglobin and transferrin saturation (TS) were significantly lower (p < 0.001) in SCD patients than in normal subjects. The administration of riboflavin elicited a significant increase (p < 0.01) in serum iron and TS but a non significant increase in SF and circulating Hb. The GSH level varied little in riboflavin supplemented but decreased significantly in unsupplemented SCD. The disparity in GSH concentration might reflect availability of FAD for regeneration of GSH from glutathione. Likewise, the haematological improvement in the supplemented group supports the assertion that riboflavin enhances erythropoiesis. For an effective management of SCD in Africa, a closer attention should be directed to the riboflavin status in haemolytic disorders.

The relationship between the percentage saturation of maternal and cord plasma transferrin and the maternal and cord blood free erythrocyte protoporphyrin:haem ratio.

The relationship between the percentage saturation of maternal and cord plasma transferrin and the maternal and cord blood free erythrocyte protoporphyrin:haem ratio were investigated in 49 healthy mothers following an uncomplicated pregnancy, and in their full term newborn infants. The variables studied were plasma iron, plasma total iron-binding capacity, percentage saturation of plasma transferrin, free erythrocyte protoporphyrin:haem ratio and haematocrit value. The same variables were also investigated in a group of 60 healthy university students. Though the measurement of free erythrocyte protoporphyrin:haem ratio has broad application in public health studies, little information is available regarding the possible application and clinical use of this variable in the Nigerian population. The results obtained suggest that the free erythrocyte protoporphyrin:haem ratio of blood has a significant negative correlation with that of the percentage saturation of plasma transferrin of the sample. The maternal percentage saturation of plasma transferrin has a significant positive correlation with that of the corresponding fetal (cord) sample. There was no significant correlation between maternal and cord free erythrocyte protoporphyrin [FEP]:haem ratio.