The prevalence of IGM antibodies to Zika virus in pregnant women in Northern Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy can result in severe outcomes for both the pregnant woman and the developing fetus. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Zika virus infection among pregnant women who sought healthcare services at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum samples were collected and analyzed using Enzyme Linked Immunoassay and RT-qPCR methods, while a structured questionnaire was used to gather relevant information about the participants. RESULTS: The results showed that 53 out of the 180 pregnant women tested positive for Anti-Zika IgM antibodies, which represents a 29.4% prevalence rate. Subsequent RT-qPCR analysis found that only 6 out of the 53 positive samples contained Zika virus RNA. Fever and headache were the most commonly reported symptoms related to the infection. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate a potential outbreak of Zika fever in Northern Nigeria emphasizing the importance for pregnant women to take precautions to avoid getting infected.

A Retrospective Review of the Outcome of Abdominal Myomectomies at a Fertility Centre in South-South Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal myomectomy is a treatment modality for uterine fibroids. Its outcome depends on related variables which include the size, number and location of the fibroids, age of the patient, surgery and method used to secure haemostasis. OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcomes of abdominal myomectomies and related variables in a fertility centre in South-south Nigeria. METHODS: A retrospective study of the records of all cases of abdominal myomectomies performed between August 1, 2010 and July 31, 2017. Medical records of the 146 patients who had abdominal myomectomy during the period under review were retrieved and relevant data extracted. Information collected included the presence or absence of intra-abdominal adhesions, duration of tourniquet use, number and weight of enucleated fibroid seedlings, intraoperative blood loss, complications and the number of patients who achieved pregnancy after myomectomy. Data were analyzed using ANALYSE IT® statistical package. RESULTS: 146 patients underwent myomectomy during the period under review. The age range of the patients was 28-56 years (median 41 years). Almost all the patients (94.5%) had tourniquets applied to the uterus for hemostasis. The number of fibroids enucleated ranged from 1 to 154 and weighed between 0.02 and 2.8kg. Blood loss ranged from 100 to1500mls, 17.4% had post-operative fever, and one patient had bowel injury. Thirty-one patients (32.3%) who subsequently had in vitro fertilisation treatment achieved conception. CONCLUSION: Fibroids, weighing >0.5kg, are associated with increased blood loss during abdominal myomectomy, and a previous myomectomy significantly increases the risk of adhesions. Careful patient selection and meticulous surgical techniques are necessary to avoid morbidity in this setting with a high rate of large uterine fibroids.

RÉSUMÉ: La myomectomie abdominale est une modalité de traitement des fibromes utérins. Son résultat dépend de variables connexes qui incluent la taille, le nombre et l'emplacement des fibromes, l'âge du patient, la chirurgie et la méthode utilisée pour assurer l'hémostase. OBJECTIF: Déterminer les résultats des myomectomies abdominales et des variables associées dans un centre de fertilité du sud-sud du Nigéria. MÉTHODES: Une étude rétrospective des dossiers de tous les cas de myomectomies abdominales réalisées entre le 1er août 2010 et le 31 juillet 2017. Les dossiers médicaux des 146 patients ayant subi une myomectomie abdominale au cours de la période considérée ont été récupérés et les données pertinentes extraites. Les informations recueillies comprenaient la présence ou l'absence d'adhérences intra-abdominales, la durée d'utilisation du garrot, le nombre et le poids des plantules de fibromes énucléés, la perte de sang peropératoire, les complications et le nombre de patientes ayant obtenu une grossesse après myomectomie. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide du progiciel statistique ANALYZE IT®. RÉSULTATS: 146 patients ont subi une myomectomie au cours de la période sous revue. La tranche d'âge des patients était de 28 à 56 ans (médiane de 41 ans). Presque toutes les patientes (94,5%) avaient des garrots appliqués sur l'utérus pour l'hémostase. Le nombre de fibromes énucléés variait de 1 à 154 et pesait entre 0,02 et 2,8 kg. La perte de sang variait de 100 à 1500 ml, 17,4 % avaient de la fièvre postopératoire et un patient avait une lésion intestinale. Trente et une patientes (32,3%) qui ont eu par la suite un traitement de fécondation in vitro ont réussi à concevoir. CONCLUSION: Les fibromes, pesant > 0,5 kg, sont associés à une augmentation des pertes sanguines lors de la myomectomie abdominale, et une myomectomie antérieure augmente significativement le risque d'adhérences. Une sélection minutieuse des patientes et des techniques chirurgicales méticuleuses sont nécessaires pour éviter la morbidité dans ce contexte avec un taux élevé de fibromes utérins volumineux. MOTS CLÉS: fibrome, myomectomie abdominale, mesures des résultats.

Premenstrual symptoms and dysmenorrhoea among Muslim women in Zaria, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: To document the premenstrual and menstrual symptoms of Muslim women, with a view to providing adequate and sensitive care. METHODS: Two hundred Muslim women were interviewed at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital and Muslim Specialist Hospital, both in Zaria between August and October 2003. RESULTS: Premenstrual symptoms were present in 23.8% of the women and breast pain was the commonest symptom (50%). Self-medication was practiced by those who needed medication for the premenstrual symptoms (29.8%). Premenstrual symptoms were significantly associated with lower parity (p = 0.02), previous (p = 0.03) and current (p = 0.01) contraceptive use and dysmenorrhoea (p = < 0.001). Dysmenorrhoea was present in 36.4% and was significantly associated with lower age (p = 0.03), and lower parity (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Health care workers and the general public need to be aware of premenstrual symptoms and dysmenorrhoea in order to provide adequate care and support that is sensitive to Muslim women's needs. Health care providers should also be aware that premenstrual symptoms are more likely to coexist with dysmenorrhoea and provide therapies that can cater for both problems whenever possible.

Tubal ectopic pregnancy after bilateral tubal ligation: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Tubal ligation is a common method of contraception, and pregnancy after this method of sterilization is uncommon. We here present a report of Tubal pregnancy after a Bilateral Tubal Ligation (BTL). METHOD: The case notes of a 35 year Nigerian female who presented with a tubal pregnancy after BTL and a review of literature on the subject was used. RESULT: A 35-year-old para 4=0 had bilateral tubal ligation during caesarean section for her last childbirth. She presented 3 years later with a six weeks history of irregular vaginal bleeding and lower abdominal pain and had a laparotomy for a right tubal ectopic pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Ectopic pregnancy after bilateral tubal ligation is uncommon. Females who undergo BTL should be adequately counseled on the possibility of failure of this procedure for contraception.