Lipid profile in children with coronary artery disease in Sindh, Pakistan.

AIM: To evaluate lipid profile in children with coronary artery disease (CAD) in Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan. METHODS: The study included 100 children (6-15 years), of which 43 were children of young parents (one or both) with recognized CAD, while the other 57 were children with no evidence of CAD (controls). All were evaluated for fasting blood lipid profile. Blood samples were collected from patients with CAD and healthy controls and analysis of the levels of lipid profile were carried out using a kit method on Microlab 300. RESULTS: Children with CAD had significantly higher levels of total serum cholesterol and triglycerides and decreased levels of high density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein compared to children in the control group. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly higher, without any significant difference. CONCLUSION: CAD risk factors are significant regarding abnormal lipid levels. Genetic tendency seems to be important in the development of CAD in children.

Prevalenceinstigating factors and help seeking behavior of physical domestic violence among married women of HyderabadSindh.

UNLABELLED: Background and Objectives : Domestic violence against women is highly prevalent but under reported issue having social, legal, health and economic implications. It needs to be identified and addressed in order to decrease the sufferings of women. Our objective was to find out prevalence, instigating factors and help seeking behavior of physical domestic violence against married women. METHODS: A total of 378 married women who were attending Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Liaquat University Hospital from January 1, 2013 to March 31, 2013 for different obstetrical & gynaecological problems were randomly selected and interviewed. After informed consent, required information was collected on predesigned performa including demographic details, prevalence, instigating factors, help seeking behavior for physical domestic violence. RESULTS: About 31% (120) of women reported lifetime physical domestic violence. Husbands and in-laws were perpetrators in 70% (84) and 30% (36) cases respectively. Wives being disobedient and making arguments were the most common instigating factors for violence followed by husband's drug addiction, extra marital relationship and infertility. It was severe enough to require medical care in 24% (29) cases. Only 2% (2) women sought social and legal aid. CONCLUSION: Domestic violence was quite common among married women, however help seeking was minimal. There is need to identify and address this menace effectively.

Hyperhomocysteinaemia, vascular related pregnancy complications and the response to vitamin supplementation in pregnant women of Pakistan.

OBJECTIVES: To elaborate the relationship between serum homocysteine (hcy) levels and vascular related pregnancy complications in pregnant women as well as to assess the homocysteine lowering effects of folate, vitamin 812 and 86. The secondary objectives were to establish a link between serum homocysteine levels and maternal age, parity, gestational age, foetal birth weight, mean arterial pressure and albuminuria. METHODS: A total of 332 pregnant women (gestational age: >24 weeks) attending Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad, Pakistan, were enrolled. Of these 112 were healthy normal pregnant women; 61 pregnant women had pre-eclampsia, 49 with eclampsia and 110 with placental abruption. A cohort of 30 patients with elevated hcy levels (>8.2 micromol/liter), were given folate, vitamin B12 and B6 as supplements for 6 weeks. Fasting blood samples were collected, centrifuged and stored at 2 to 8 degrees C. Hcy levels were determined by IMx immunoassay. RESULTS: Higher serum hcy levels, higher mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), pre-term deliveries and low foetal birth weights were noted in women with pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia and eclampsia as compared to control and those with placental abruption. Significant hcy lowering effects of folate, vitamin 812 and B6 supplementation were observed. Significant and positive correlation was found between hhcy and MAP (r = 0.001; p < 0.001), albuminuria (r = 0.004; p < 0.01) and low birth weights (r = 0.05; p < 0.06). CONCLUSION: Higher hcy levels in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia and eclampsia have been noted. Data support the hypothesis that folate, vitamin 812 and B6 lower hcy levels in hyperhomocysteinaemic women.

Risk factors and clinical outcome of placental abruption: a retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine frequency, obstetrical risk factors and the subsequent feto-maternal outcome in women suffering from placental abruption. METHODS: A retrospective case series study was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit One, Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad, Pakistan from 1st January 2006 to 31st December 2006. All women with the diagnosis of placental abruption having more than 24 weeks gestation were included in the study. RESULTS: Of the 2224 delivered women 106 (4.7%) had placental abruption. All of the 106 women were unbooked, with 67 (63%) in the age group 20-35 years, 68 (64%) belonged to rural areas. 98 (92%) patients were multiparous and 57 (54%) were preterm. The commonest medical disorders observed were anaemia in 84 (79%), Diabetes Mellitus in 8 (8%) and gestational hypertension in 8 (8%) patients. There were five maternal deaths, showing case fatality rate of 5%. The foetal prognosis was characterized by low birth weight seen in 74 (70%), low apgar score in 30 (28%) and high still birth rate in 54 (51%), constituting perinatal mortality rate of 25.62/1000 deliveries. CONCLUSION: Abruptio placentae is associated with adverse maternal and foetal outcome. Multiparity, un-booked status, rural residence and maternal anaemia are important risk factors.