International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 12 (1), pp. 001-011, January, 2024. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Maternal HIV status and infant feeding decisions: A comparative study in two Ghanaian districts

A. K. Laar¹*, W. Ampofo², J. M. Tuakli¹ and I. A. Quakyi¹

¹School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.

²Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.

Accepted 2 October, 2023

Abstract

Documentation of the feeding choices and experiences of HIV-positive mothers is needed to improve infant feeding counselling. The feeding behaviour and experiences of mothers receiving infant feeding counselling at two Ghanaian districts were explored. A postpartum survey involving 128 HIV-positive mothers, and in-depth interviews involving a purposively selected sample of 10 HIV-positive mothers were conducted. Exclusive breastfeeding rate was 62%. About six percent of the infants were given breast milk and infant formula, while 33% received breast milk and other feeds. Perceived stigma of formula feeding (odds ratio [OR] 7.50; p < 0.05), and perceived cost of infant formula (OR 0.37; p < 0.05) were significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding for three months. In our multiple regression analysis, perceived stigma of formula feeding (OR 15.62; p < 0.05), and perceived cost of infant formula (OR 4.60; p < 0.05) were significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding. Social pressure to mix-feed, local norms and “the baby friendly hospital initiative” also influenced infant feeding implementation efforts of mothers. Mothers face various barriers in implementing their feeding intentions. Policy makers and service providers in these districts need to address these issues in order to improve feeding practice.

Key words: Infant feed choices, infant feeding experiences, HIV-positive mothers, Ghana.

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 11 (7), pp. 001-009, July, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Obstetric trauma admissions in a level 1 trauma centre in South Africa: a 5-year retrospective review

Brian Madikizela¹, Douglas Motshekga² and John Mgoqi³

¹School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

²Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa.

³Department of Anaesthesia and Peri-operative Medicine, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Queensland, Australia.

Accepted 05 December, 2022

Abstract

Purpose: The accurate incidence of trauma in pregnancy is not well known, but trauma complicates 6 to 8% of pregnancies and it is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in pregnancy and remains the most common cause of fetal mortality worldwide. Methods: A retrospective review of data of all pregnant patients admitted to Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital from 01 January 2015 to 31 December 2019 with trauma. Data collected included demographic data, mechanisms of injury, clinical interventions, as well as maternal and fetal outcomes. Results: Data of 800 patients was included in the study during the five-year period. The mean age was 31.00 years and the mean gestational age was 26.00 weeks. The majority of patients were black Africans (89.1%). Five hundred and sixty-two patients were of single marital status (70.3%) and 484 identified as unemployed (60.5%). Assaults were the most frequent cause of trauma (41.3%), followed by falls (33.1%) and motor vehicle accidents (25.5%). Conclusion: Trauma in pregnancy is associated with significant morbidity and negative pregnancy outcomes. The implementation of strategies aimed at detecting and preventing intimate partner violence as well as road safety may contribute significantly to a reduction of maternal and fetal mortality.

Keywords: Trauma, pregnancy, gender-based violence, blunt abdominal trauma, penetrating abdominal trauma, pregnancy outcomes, Critical care.

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 11 (6), pp. 001-029, June, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Perinatal Genetic Carrier Screening: Could a sequential perinatal carrier screening approach be a better way?  (Scoping Review)

R Douglas Wilson MD MSc FRCSC                                                                                        

Professor Emeritus University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Email [email protected]. Mobile: +1- 403-470-7229

Accepted 16 May, 2023

Abstract

The gestational time separated genetic carrier screening process with preconception, post conception, and neonatal testing options is complex, poorly provided; poorly implemented; and poorly understood. Methods: scoping review process is used to discuss the opportunity for the development of a sequential perinatal carrier screening process. Results / Discussion: an integrated perinatal genetic carrier screening proposal compared to the separated gestationally timed genetic carrier screening process is introduced using a predelivery informed consent and counselling process to consider the patient or couple personal reproductive carrier plan using 5 possible options: maternal-fetal well-being screening only; fetal aneuploidy / congenital anomalies screening only; expanded fetal genetic screening with next generation sequencing technology; parental-fetal genetic carrier screening prevention (preconception or post conception) using pan-ethnic or focused carrier screening; fetal-neonatal carrier screening treatment (post conception or neonatal screening) based on evidenced-based neonatal treatment score. Conclusion: This sequential perinatal genetic carrier screening proposal has evidence-supported outcomes to determine the access, equity, and validity of a sequential perinatal genetic carrier screening pathway but this proposal may require a clinical trial evaluation for further consideration.

Key Words: genetic carrier screening, preconception carrier screening, post conception carrier screening, neonatal metabolic /lysosomal carrier screening, neonatal therapy, informed consent, ethical carrier evaluation process.

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 11 (6), pp. 001-006, June, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Multiple preovulatory LH and FSH surges observed in mithun (Bos frontalis)

Dhali A¹*, Mishra DP², Mech A¹, Prakash B¹ and Rajkhowa C¹

¹N. R. C. Mithun, Medziphema, Nagaland – 797 106, India.

²Department of Pharmacology, 360D, Med Surge II, UC, Irvine, CA-92697, USA.

Accepted 17 April, 2023

Abstract

The experiment was conducted on 14 postpartum mithun (Bos frontalis) cows to establish the preovu-latory LH and FSH surge patterns during estrus in peripheral circulation. Blood samples from jugular vein were collected every 2 h until 72 h and on alternate days till day 22 (day 0 = day of estrus) following the day of estrus onset. Plasma progesterone (P4), LH and FSH levels were estimated. Plasma P4 profile of the estrous cycle indicated that all the animals were ovulated following the onset of estrus. Also plasma LH and FSH concentrations were found to be significantly (p<0.01) higher around estrus. Two different preovulatory LH and FSH surge patterns were observed during the study. Pattern-1 indicated multiple and concomitant LH and FSH rises during estrus (43% animals, 6 out of 14), while pattern-2 showed multiple LH rises without concomitant FSH rises during estrus (57% animals, 8 out of 14). The basal concentrations of LH and FSH, the area under LH and FSH curves and the number of LH peak did not vary significantly during estrus between the patterns. However, the amplitude of LH and FSH peaks (p<0.05) and the number of FSH peak (p<0.01) were found to be significantly higher during estrus in pattern-1. The result indicated that the multiple preovulatory LH surges along with increased FSH activities were responsible for ovulation in mithun.

Key words: LH surge, FSH surge, estrus, mithun.

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 11 (6), pp. 001-006, June, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Darfurian cows' postpartum interval: Effects of breed, BCS, parity, and season

Mohamed Yousif Abdalla and Adil Salim Elsheikh

Department of Reproduction and Obstetrics Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Khartoum, Shambat P. O. Box 32.

Accepted 13 March, 2023

Abstract

The present study was designed to determine the length of postpartum interval (PPI) of some local Sudanese cows in South Darfur State namely Fellata, Kenana and cross bred cows (Kenana × Friesian). Furthermore the influence of body condition score (BCS) and parity on PPI was also investigated. In experiment 1 a total of 59 dairy cows that gave birth were employed to determine the length of PPI. The parity range of these cows was 1 to 5. Their BCS range was 2.5 to 4.The cows were grouped according to their breed into three groups. Group I was Kenana (n = 21), group II was Fellata (n = 17) and group III was cross-bred (n = 21).The PPI was recorded as the time elapse from parturition to the appearance of the first oestrous postpartum. The pure local cows of Fellata and Kenana had a significantly (p<0.001) longer PPI compared to cross- bred cows. The mean length of PPI of Kenana, Fellata and cross-bred cows were 286.9 ± 35.3, 246.3 ± 26.6 and 122.0 ±14.9 days respectively. No difference (p>0.05) in the PPI were found between Kenana and Fellata cows. Slight negative relation (R = 0.2) between BCS and the PPI was observed and parity did not influence PPI (R = 0.005), Experiment II was designed to study the influences of season on the PPI of the above mentioned cows. The PPI was compared among three groups of cows that gave birth in three different seasons. Group I was 18 cows that gave birth in summer (Kenana = 7, Fellata = 4 and cross-bred =7). Group II was 19 cows that gave birth in autumn (Kenana = 9, Fellata = 6 and cross-bred = 4) and group III was 31 cows gave birth in winter (Kenana = 13, Fellata = 11 and cross-bred = 7). The BCS and parity of these cows were similar to those of the above experiments. The results of this experiment showed that PPI of cross-bred cows was significantly ((p<0.001) shorter in summer. No difference (p>0.05) in the PPI of cross-bred cows that gave birth in autumn and winter was found. Neither the PPI of Kenana nor that of Fellata cows were influenced by the season (P>0.05). It is concluded that the Kenana and Fellata cows have a similarly long PPI that would not be influenced by season whereas the cross-bred cows have a short PPI which is influenced by summer only. Additionally BCS has slight influence on the PPI while parity has no effect on it.

Keywords: Cow, postpartum, breed, BCS, parity, season.

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 11 (5), pp. 001-008, May, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Chlorpyrifos exposure during pregnancy and its effects on implantation and neonatal mice

S. F. Ambali¹*, S. O. Abbas¹, M. Shittu¹, T. Dzenda¹, M. U. Kawu¹, S. O. Salami² and J. O. Ayo¹

¹Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

²Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

Accepted 23 March, 2023

Abstract

Exposure to some organophosphate (OP) compounds during pregnancy has been associated with adverse health consequence on both the mother and the offspring. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of exposure to chlorpyrifos (CPF) during gestation on implantation and on some neonatal parameters in mice. Twenty one virgin Swiss albino mice divided into 3 groups of 7 mice each served as subjects for this study. Mice in group 1 were dosed with corn oil (control), while those in groups 2 and 3 were exposed to CPF at a dose of 15.9 mg/kg (~15% LD ₅₀) and 21.2 mg/kg (~20% LD₅₀), respectively. All the dams were dosed between gestation days (GD) 6 - 15 and monitored for signs of toxicity and gestation length. At birth, the litter size and weight, and the anogenital distance of the pups were measured. The pups were evaluated for physical characteristics and death. The dams were sacrificed at postnatal day 22, and the uterine horns evaluated for number of implantation sites. The results showed a significant decrease in the litter size and weight, and anogenital distance in pups exposed to CPF in utero compared to the control. In addition, all the pups prenatally exposed to CPF were born weak and died few days postpartum. A dose-dependent increase in percentage post-implantation loss was observed in mice dosed with CPF. In conclusion, exposure of pregnant mice to CPF caused increased gestation length, and postimplantation loss, decreased litter size and weight, survivability and anogenital distance.

Key words: Chlorpyrifos, implantation, gestation length, anogenital distance, litter size, weight, mice.