Background: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are said to be inherited in a multifactorial fashion, i.e. genetic-environmental interaction. Maternal nutritional deficiencies had long been reported to cause NTDs, especially folate deficiency during early pregnancy. More attention had been paid to the exact mechanism by which this deficiency state causes these defects in the developing embryo. The most significant of all researches was that connecting reduced folate and increased homocysteine level in maternal serum on one hand and the risk of developing a NTD baby on the other hand. Objectives : to determine the significance of homocysteine level in Iraqi mothers who gave birth to babies with NTDs as compared to normal controls. Patients, Materials and Methods: Fifty Iraqi women having babies born with NTDS, referred to the genetic clinic in Baghdad Teaching Hospital, were included in this study (the study group) as well as 37 healthy women having normal children (the control group). This study was conducted from November, 2002 till October, 2003. Analysis of total serum homocysteine level for all women was done using a computerized HPLC system. Results : the age of women in both groups was comparable (mean+SD in the study group was 26.2+5.14 years vs. 26.3+4.57 years in the controls). Among the study group, 4 (8%) had normal tHcy level; 44 (88%) had mildly elevated level, and only 2 (4%) had moderately elevated tHcy level, while all (100%) women in the control group had their tHcy level within normal level. This difference was statistically highly significant (p<0.001). Conclusions : Women become at an increased risk of delivering a baby with NTD when having an elevated tHcy level in their sera, and that tHcy level is an important marker in maternal serum that is associated significantly with pregnancy outcome.
Background: Cystinosis is a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease with high morbidity and mortality. It is caused by mutations in the CTNS gene that encodes the cystine transporter, cystinosin, which leads to lysosomal cystine accumulation. It is the major cause of inherited Fanconi syndrome, and should be suspected in young children with failure to thrive and signs of renal proximal tubular damage. The diagnosis can be missed in infants, because not all signs of renal Fanconi syndrome are present during the first months of life. Elevated white blood cell cystine content is the cornerstone of the diagnosis. Since chitotriosidase (CHIT1 or chitinase-1) is mainly produced by activated macrophages both in normal and inflammator
... Show MoreDiabetes mellitus, with adverse neonatal events are challenging issues to all obstetricians and pediatricians, where uric acid could play a vital role. We aimed to assess the relationship and prognostic benefits of serum uric acid measured at about 20 weeks’ gestation in normotensive pregnancy, with subsequent maternal diabetes, and neonatal complications. All singleton normotensive pregnant women with normal blood glucose, serum creatinine, and weight before pregnancy, whom attended Medical City Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Baghdad, were involved and regarded as the case group, on the condition that their serum uric acid measured at 20 weeks’ gestation > 3 mg/dl, but if ≤ 3 mg/dl, they would be regi
... Show MoreBackground: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a common disease, and a major determinant of morbidity and mortality in all races. The pleiotropic effects of the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) such as modulation of cell survival, mineralization and inflammation, make it an interesting candidate mediator in the progression and destabilization of atherosclerotic lesions.Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the role of RANKL in the pathogenesis of ACS.Methods: The levels of RANKL were measured by ELISA method in sera of 60 ACS patients, 31 patients with unstable angina (UA) and 29 patients with myocardial infarction (MI) in comparison with 20 apparently healthy controls.Results: Current data indicate
... Show MoreOmentin (or intelectin) is a main visceral fat secretory adipokine. There is a growing interest to link omentin, obesity and co-morbidity factors. The aim of the present study is to evaluate serum omentin and its association to insulin resistance biomarkers, lipid profile and atherogenic indies. This cross – sectional study was conducted in Obesity Research and Therapy Unit-Alkindy College of Medicine by recruiting (115) individuals; 49 males /66 females. Subjects between (20 to 60) years of age were selected and classified into two groups according to their Body mass index (BMI). Group1 involved healthy lean volunteers (25 male/ 36 female; BMI 18.5 - 24.9). Group2 involved obese subjects; (24 male / 36 female with BMI ≥ 30). The s
... Show MoreBackground: Anaemia is a major public health concern and is one of the most prevalent health issue in women within reproductive age group.
Objective: to assess maternal knowledge related to anaemia during pregnancy.
Type of the study: A cross –sectional study.
Method: The study including 200 mothers who attended selected primary health care centres, Baghdad during November and December 2015, they completed a previously prepared questionnaire coveringsocio-demographic characteristics and knowledge regarding anaemia in 4 main domains. The responses were analysed by using frequency, percentage and percent score for each statement a
... Show MoreThe aim of this study was investigating the correlation between elevation of Prolactin levels and the increase of the concentrations of total sialic acids. The study was performed on 149 women consisted of 93 infertile hyperprolactinimic women (patients), age ranged16-38 years old, and 56 normoprolactinemic women as a control group, 18-37 years old. Serum prolactin (PRL) and gonadotroph hormones (Follicle stimulating hormone FSH and Luteinizing hormone LH) were measured using enzymatic immunoassay (EIA) method, resorcinol method for serum total sialic acids (SIA). Patients were divided into four groups, each group represented the level of prolactin of infertile women as follow: G1= (21-30), G2= (31-40), G3= (41-50), and G4= (51-60) ng/mL. S
... Show MoreRheumatoid arthritis is a worldwide inflammatory chronic autoimmune disease with varying severity. Due to no definitive cure for this disease, current therapies aim to decrease the pain and slow further damage. The interleukin (IL)‐36 cytokine was little known for its role in rheumatoid arthritis; this research aimed to evaluate the serum IL36 levels in RA patients compared to healthy controls. This study included 80 patients with rheumatoid arthritis registered at the Rheumatology Clinic in Baghdad teaching hospital. The patients were divided into three groups based on the treatments received. Group 1 included patients treated with biological therapy (etanercept, adalimumab), Group2 patients with non-biological treatment (methotr
... Show MoreDuring recent decades, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis lost their lives as a result of wars, economic blockade, or acts of violence and terrorism. The loss of a family member, especially husband makes women suddenly bears full responsibility for the family. Lost could impose new changes in psychological, social, and economical roles. These changes usually combine with the negative effects aftermath the lost trauma. Some of the reports in Iraq showed there were increased and huge numbers of widows and orphans. This study aimed to identify the aspects of Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) in Iraq women who lost their close relatives (especially husbands). 52 of Iraqi women who lost their husband and 49 women who experienced other traumatic events
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