In their cross-sectional study, Al-Rubaye et al studied the extent of vitamin D (VD) deficiency/ insufficiency, factors affecting its degree, and the adverse outcomes of the altered VD status among a group of mothers and their neonates from Baghdad, Iraq. They found that 96.6% of the mothers had VD deficiency/ insufficiency compared to 86.4% in their neonates. Maternal VD levels and neonatal weights were significantly correlated with neonatal VD levels. We believe that the study results need to be revised. This is based  two points listed in this letter to editor

Background: Vitamin D deficiency/ insufficiency is common in different age groups in both genders especially among pregnant women and neonates where it is associated with several adverse outcomes including preeclampsia and preterm delivery.   Objectives: To assess the extent of vitamin D deficiency/ insufficiency among mothers and their neonates and some factors related to it and identify some adverse outcomes of the deficiency/ insufficiency on neonates (preterm birth and low birth weight). Subject and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 88 Iraqi pregnant women and neonates admitted to “Al-Elwiya teaching hospital for maternity” in Baghdad- Al-Rusafah from 1st of June 2019 to 31st of August 2019. Dat

BACKGROUND: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a proangiogenic factor that exerts different effects over stem cell survival growth, apoptosis, and adhesion. Its impact on leukemogenesis has been established by many studies. AIM: This study aimed to determine the effect of plasma HGF activity on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients at presentation and after remission. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional prospective study of 30 newly-diagnosed, adult, and AML patients. All patients received the 7+3 treatment protocol. Patients’ clinical data were taken at presentation, and patients were followed up for 6 months to evaluate the clinical status. Plasma HGF levels were estimated by ELISA based methods in the pa

Background: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection during pregnancy causing serious problems through induction of viral genes that enhance the expression of different cellular factors ending in failure of pregnancy.
Patients and Methods: Paraffin embedded sections of curate samples were obtained from 34 women had spontaneous abortion, and 5 women had elective termination of pregnancy (as control), and then subjected for immunohistochemistry analysis to detect human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) early protein, and in situ hybridization technique to detect nuclear factor-κB (NF- κB) mRNA.
Results: Only nine out of 34 women with spontaneous abortion were positive for HCMV early protein, with a significantly higher expression of NF-κB in H

Background: Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection which is caused by the hepatitis B virus. Universal testing of hepatitis B virus of pregnant women already occurs in many parts of the world, but still suboptimal in resource-limited settings.
Objectives: To find the seroprevalence of hepatitis B s antigen in pregnant women visiting primary health care centers in Baghdad Al-Jadeda health sector that belongs to Baghdad Al-Rusafa health directorate and to determine the effect of some social and obstetrical factors in the infected women.
Patients and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study carried on 6975 records of pregnant women visited primary health care centers from 1st of January 2016 to 30th of Jun

Background: Estimation of the in situ expression of Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) in aborted women compared with normal human pregnancy .
Patients and Methods: A technique utilizing in situ hybridization(ISH) was performed to detect and determine the in situ expression of Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) mRNA using paraffin embedded sections of curettage samples obtained from 42 women, who were divided into two groups: 30 women with first trimester abortion and 12 women with induced abortion as control.
Results: The levels of the in situ expression of both Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) mRNA were found to be highly significant increased in group 1 as compared with group 2
(p<0.01), with a significant positive correla

Objective: To determine the quality assurance for maternal and child health care services in Baghdad City.
Methodology: A descriptive study is conducted throughout the period of November 28th 2008 to October 10th
2009. A simple random sample of (349) is selected through the use of probability sampling approach. The study
sample was divided into four groups which include (220) consumers, (35) medical staff, (72) nursing staff and (22)
organization structure (primary health care centers). Data were collected through the use of assessment tools. It was
comprised of four questionnaires and overall items included in these questionnaires are (116) items. The study
included assessment of organization structure. Data were colle

Osteoporosis is a common complication of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and it is related to the high levels of biochemical markers such as tartrate-resistant acid phosphates (TRACP)-5b and other proinflammatory cytokines. In early AS, osteoporosis may appear due to the action proinflammatory cytokines, however spinal osteoporosis commonly observed in those patients with severe AS of long duration but it can occur as a result of ankylosis and lack of movement. Apelin is a new adipokine that has a negative impact on bone formation and can act as an anti-anabolic agent. The aim of this study is to evaluate serum (apelin and TRACP-5b) levels in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) male patients with and without osteoporosis and look for the relation b