Background: Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is
defined as isolation of a specified quantitative count
of bacteria in an appropriately collected urine
specimen from an individual without symptoms or
signs of urinary tract infection.
Aim of study: To evaluate the frequency of
bacteriuria according to age, pregnancy, and type II
diabetes mellitus in a sample of Iraqi women.
Patients and Methods: A total of 125 female
individuals were involved. The study participants
were classified into the following groups: nonpregnant
women with type II diabetes mellitus,
pregnant women with type II diabetes mellitus,
pregnant women without type II diabetes mellitus, and
apparently healthy non-pregnant women. Urine and
blood specimens were tested to record positive urine
culture, pyuria, and blood glucose according to
standard microbiological and biochemical methods.
Results: Frequency of positive urine culture and
pyuria in the total pregnant women was 7 (14%) and
15 (30%), respectively, whereas frequency of positive
urine culture and pyuria in the total diabetic women
was 8 (16%) and 23 (46%), respectively. The bacterial
isolation rate in the studied groups was 13 (10%). Ecoli
recorded the highest isolation rate, 6(5%). There
was no significant culture positive of urine specimens
in the groups of diabetic non-pregnant, diabetic
pregnant, and women with normal pregnancy (Pvalue<
0.05). Pregnant women with culture positive
urine and pyuria were more likely to have perinatal
mortality. Sterile pyuria was detected in pregnant
women aged 18-45, those in third trimester, and in
multiparous pregnant women. There was significant
positive urine culture and a highly significant pyuria
in diabetic women with BMI > 25.
Conclusions: Asymptomatic bacteriuria is an
independent risk factor for perinatal mortality. Sterile
pyuria is a significant observation in pregnant and
diabetic women; therefore it should bring more
attention.
Recommendations Treatment of asymptomatic
bacteriuria is appropriate for pregnant women but it is
not recommended for diabetics. The study advised to
perform urine culture as a part of the antenatal checkup
for pregnant women.
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
... Show MoreBackground: left ventricular hypertrophy is independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The presence of diabetic complications such as autonomic neuropathy and retinopathy may predict cardiac structural changes in diabetic patients. Objective: To explore the chance of occurrence of left ventricular hypertrophy in diabetic patients and whether it is related to the presence of other diabetic complications. Methods: ninty seven (97) normotensive diabetic patients (57) type II with mean duration of diabetes of (12±6 y) and forty (40) type I with mean duration of (8±6 y) were studied by echocardiography and compared with 41 patients as control. Results: The LVMI was significantly higher in type II diabetics compared
... Show MoreDespite efforts to contain and manage the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak which was declared a public health emergency of international concern in January 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO), the COVID-19 pandemic still remains a major global challenge. Patients who display the classical symptoms of the infection are easily identified, tested, isolated and monitored. However, many cases of infected asymptomatic patients have been documented. These patients are not easily identified even though many evidences suggest that they can spread the virus to others. How and why these COVID-19 asymptomatic presentations occur remain unclear. The many theories and views are conjectural, and supporting evidences are still needed. In this review, we
... Show MoreBackground: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most prevalent upper-limb entrapped neuropathy. A nerve conduction study (NCS) is the simplest method for identifying CTS when combined with a satisfactory clinical assessment and physical assessment. Ultrasound is a beneficial non-traumatic screening approach for CTS and there is a relationship between the NCS tests and the measures of CSA by ultrasound. Objective: to assess whether or not sonographic observations of the median nerve seems to be varied amongst DM and non-DM CTS individual. Patients and methods: The total of 50 non-DM Individuals with CTS and 50 DM individuals with CTS have been included in this study. All individuals were submitted to full medical assessment NCS testi
... Show MoreBackground The escalating global concern over increased body weight in adolescents, coupled with the rising rates of adolescent pregnancy worldwide, presents a significant challenge to healthcare systems. We plan to identify the maternal and neonatal consequences associated with pre-pregnancy overweight in adolescent women. Methods Throughout five years, all singleton adolescent pregnant women with pre-pregnancy self-reported body mass index (BMI) of 18.5– ≤ 29.9 were involved during the first-trimester visit. Two groups were generated: overweight and appropriate-weight (BMI 25–29.9 and 18.5–24.9, respectively). Obstetric and neonatal outcomes were observed prospectively and statistically adjusted for the confounding factors.
... Show MoreBackground The escalating global concern over increased body weight in adolescents, coupled with the rising rates of adolescent pregnancy worldwide, presents a significant challenge to healthcare systems. We plan to identify the maternal and neonatal consequences associated with pre-pregnancy overweight in adolescent women. Methods Throughout five years, all singleton adolescent pregnant women with pre-pregnancy self-reported body mass index (BMI) of 18.5– ≤ 29.9 were involved during the first-trimester visit. Two groups were generated: overweight and appropriate-weight (BMI 25–29.9 and 18.5–24.9, respectively). Obstetric and neonatal outcomes were observed prospectively and statistically adjusted for the confounding factors.
... Show MoreBACKGROUND: Diabetes Mellitus is a complex chronic illness that has increased significantly around the world and is expected to affect 628 million in 2045. Undiagnosed type 2 diabetes may affect 24% - 62% of the people with diabetes; while the prevalence of prediabetes is estimated to be 470 million cases by 2030. AIM OF STUDY: To find the percentage of undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes in a slice of people aged ≥ 45years, and relate it with age, gender, central obesity, hypertension, and family history of diabetes. METHODS: A cross sectional study that included 712 healthy individuals living in Baghdad who accepted to take part in this study and fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
... Show MoreIn 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
... Show MoreBackground: Folic acid (vitamin B9) is one of the important vitamins that are necessary for growth and development of the embryo and preventing the occurrence of congenital malformations which are one of the important health problems in the developing countries and the world as it has a direct effect on the affected babies, their families and the community. It affects an estimated 3% of newborns worldwide.Periconceptional supplementation with folic acid (before conception and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy) was found to decrease many important types of these anomalies. Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of periconceptional use of folic acid in pregnant women who are attending antenatal
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