Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research最新文献

Background: Congenital disorders are structural, metabolic, behavioral and functional disorders that are present at birth. Their manifestations are protean ranging from mild anomalies to life-threatening conditions.

Aim: The objectives of this study were to describe the congenital anomalies in children seen at Federal Medical Center, Bida over a 12 month period, determine possible factors associated with these anomalies; and their short term outcome.

Subjects and methods: Children with clinically recognized congenital malformations were recruited consecutively over a 12 month period and socio-demographic, etiologic and other relevant clinical data were obtained. A detailed examination was also performed and abnormalities documented. The data was analyzed using Epi-info version 6 (Atlanta, USA). The Chi-square was used to identify significant differences for categorical variables. Mid-P and Fisher's exact tests were utilized as appropriate. A P < 0.05 was considered to be significant.

Results: A total of 46 children with congenital anomalies were seen during the study period, all which were recruited into the study. The hospital based prevalence amongst neonates was 111/1000 neonates. The most common system affected was the digestive system(50.0%) followed by the central nervous system and head and neck anomalies. There was no significant difference in distribution of anomalies amongst the various ethnic groups. About 22% of families were consanguineous, all being first cousins and 8.7% of mothers were greater than 35 years of age. The case fatality rate for congenital malformations was 2.2%, while 60.9% were referred to other hospitals for further care.

Conclusion: The study has demonstrated a wide variety of congenital anomalies in Bida, North-Central Nigeria with the digestive system anomalies being the most frequent. The findings of this study strengthen the need for empowerment of the institution in appropriate management of these disorders.

Abrasion is the physical wearing of a tooth surface which can involve the presence of a foreign object repeatedly being in contact with the tooth. A 40-year-old male patient reported to our dental clinic with a 2-3 mm uneven gap between his upper and lower front teeth on occlusion. A detailed history revealed that he was a physical education teacher, and the habitual placement of the whistle for the last 15 years caused an indentation on the whistle which coincided with the abraded teeth. Conditions such as abrasion may need active restorations. A general dental practitioner should accurately identify the cause and treat the esthetic and functional impairment as required.

Background: Low back pain is a commonest musculoskeletal disorder affecting majority of people. Activity limitations are difficulties an individual may have in executing activities resulting from person's functioning and disability. According to the fear-avoidance model of low back pain, individuals who perceive pain as a sign of potential damage are more likely to avoid behaviors that increase their anxiety and show sub-maximal performance during physical activity.

Aim: Purpose of this study was to find the association between activity limitation and fear avoidance belief in patients with chronic low back pain.

Subjects and methods: Thirty subjects with chronic low back pain were included in the study. Activity limitation was measured using Back Performance Scale (BPS). Patients' fear of pain and avoidance of physical activities was assessed with Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire (FABQ).

Results: It was observed that performance was affected in roll up, fingertip to floor and lift test. In the two subscales of FABQ, 47 percent had more fear in physical activity component and 27 percent had more fear in work component. The scores of BPS and FABQ were correlated using Pearson's correlation test showed strong positive correlation (r = 0.685, P value < 0.01). Higher scores on FABQ are indicative of greater fear and avoidance beliefs.

Conclusion: Higher scores on the FABQ 47% in physical activity and 27% in work component are indicative of greater fear and avoidance beliefs. A strong relationship exists between elevated fear avoidance beliefs (FABQ) and activity limitation (BPS) in patients with chronic low back pain.

Background: The accuracy of common ultrasound parameters for the estimation of gestational age (GA) decreases as pregnancy advances in age. Hence, there is need to explore other parameters that may complement the established fetal biometric parameters in predicting GA in late pregnancy.

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between the sonographic placental thickness (PT) and GA in the second and third trimesters.

Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study of 627 normal pregnant women with GA between 14 and 40 weeks was conducted at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu from May 2013 to February 2014 by sonography. Anteroposterior diameter of the placenta was measured at the level of the umbilical cord insertion. The last menstrual period of the women, femur length, biparietal diameter, head circumference, and abdominal circumference of the fetus were measured for GA estimation. Descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and independent sample t-test were used in statistical analysis.

Results: Mean PT was 23.2 (2.8) mm in the second trimester and 36.1 (3.6) mm in the third trimester. There was a significant difference between the values in the present study and values from similar studies in other populations (P < 0.04). There was a strong relationship between GA and PT and the following mathematical relationships for the second and third trimesters were obtained in the GA = 0.982 (PT) + 3.614 and GA = 0.977 (PT) + 3.354, respectively.

Conclusion: Population-specific charts for PT may be used to estimate GA in the second and third trimesters.

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a very common mental condition and a unique anxiety disorder.

Aim: The present study tried to examine the correlation between kind of delivery and PTSD.

Subjects and methods: This prospective study evaluated 240 Iranian female residents of Tehran, Iran, during the third trimester of their pregnancy and 6-8 weeks after labor. Data were collected using the customized screening form, the Symptom Checklist-90, PTSD Symptom Scale (PSS), and Social Support Questionnaire. The collected data were then analyzed with SPSS software.

Results: According to the participants' responses to the subscales of the PSS, reexperiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal symptoms were present in 100, 25, and 77 participants, respectively. Moreover, 15 individuals manifested all three groups of symptoms. Therefore, the prevalence of PTSD in the studied population was 6.2%. The logistic regression analysis revealed PTSD to be 0.06 times more prevalent in women with poor social support after delivery than in those enjoying a desirable level of support (P < 0.01; odds ratio = 0.06). Based onChisquare test results, there was no significant correlation between the kind of delivery and the incidence of PTSD after delivery (P = 0.48).

Conclusion: Since PTSD was more common after cesarean sections (than after vaginal deliveries), health policymakers need to develop efficient strategies to promote vaginal delivery.