Association between intrauterine fetal growth restriction and ABO blood groups at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Saudi Arabia: Retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the potential association between ABO blood groups and intrauterine fetal growth restriction (IUGR) among pregnant women who delivered at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study analyzed the medical records of pregnant women who delivered at KAUH and had postnatal follow-up visits. Missing data were completed by conducting phone interviews with patients. RESULTS: A total of 436 patients with a mean age of 31.2±5.5 years were included in the study. 50.7% of the women had blood type O, 28.4% had blood type A, 16.5% had blood type B, and 4.4% had blood type AB. The majority (94.7%) tested positive for the Rhesus antigen. Although statistically significant, women with blood groups AB and B exhibited higher rates of IUGR (31.6%, and 27.8%, respectively) compared to those with blood groups A and O, who had lower rates of IUGR (26.6%, and 24%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our study results showed that women with blood groups AB and B had slightly higher rates of IUGR than those with A and O, who had lower rates of IUGR. A larger study comparing blood group O to other groups may provide more insight into the relationship between ABO blood groups and IUGR.

The Effect of Delivery Mode, ABO Blood Type, and Passive Smoking on Postpartum Depression: A Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia.

Background Postpartum depression (PPD) is a form of depression that can occur after childbirth and is characterized by feelings of sadness. It is a common psychological problem that affects women and children. This study aimed to assess the association between PPD and risk factors, such as delivery mode, ABO blood group, and passive smoking in Saudi Arabia. Methods PPD was assessed in this cross-sectional using an Arabic version of the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale through an online questionnaire distributed to women in Saudi Arabia between January and March 2022. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results A total of 354 postpartum women completed the questionnaire within six weeks of giving birth. Their mean age and BMI were 30.1±6.78 years and 25.98±5.84 kg/m2, respectively. PPD occurred in 56.2% of the participants. Elective cesarean section and operative vaginal delivery were associated with the presence of PPD symptoms in 17.6% and 7% of the women, respectively. The majority of those with third and fourth degrees and those who had instrumental assisted delivery had postpartum depression and this was statistically significant (p=0.017). About 26.6% of the participants were exposed to passive smoking, and 21.9% of them developed PPD. However, it was not statistically significant. Moreover, women with PPD were more likely to have blood type O+, followed by A+. Demographic factors did not show a significant correlation with developing PPD except for age (p=0.01), those who developed PPD were much younger on average than those who did not develop PPD (29.28±6.61 years vs. 31.15±6.86 years). Conclusion A significant association was found between PPD and the type of delivery. The association between PPD and passive smoking, ABO blood groups was insignificant. However, women who developed PPD were younger on average than those who did not develop PPD.

Effect of Premarital Education on the Quality of Life of Female Partners: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background A happy and satisfied marriage is the result of two happy spouses. Getting premarital education is one of the most significant reasons for marital and sexual satisfaction. This study aimed to assess the effect of premarital education on the quality of life of Saudi women. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted on 596 Saudi women married for ≤15 years selected from the general population. Data on participants' demographics were collected, and the quality of life was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF). Results Only 37.2% of the participants had premarital counseling and education, even though 86.4% thought it was crucial before marriage. When this study was conducted, most participants with shorter mean marriage durations had received premarital education or counseling. The mean WHOQOL-BREF score, which measures the quality of life, was considerably higher for participants who indicated that premarital education significantly impacted the quality of their marriage and those who received premarital counseling or attended any form of premarital education. Conclusions Even though premarital education was viewed favorably, only 37.2% of couples obtained it. There is a need to increase public awareness of premarital education's significance and incorporate it into the education curriculum due to the positive associations between receiving it and a higher quality of life.

Correction: Effect of Premarital Education on the Quality of Life of Female Partners: A Cross-Sectional Study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.32186.].

Placenta previa. A 13 years experience at a tertiary care center in Western Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To review cases of placenta previa in the last 13 years in a tertiary teaching hospital to identify risk factors for maternal morbidity.  METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all cases of placenta previa managed at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from January 2001 to December 2013.    RESULTS: The total number of deliveries was 55,862 deliveries, and 11,412 (20.3%) delivered by cesarean section (C/S). The charts of 230 cases diagnosed with placenta previa was reviewed, and different variables were collected and analyzed. Diagnoses were achieved in 94% of them using ultrasound. The prevalence rate of placenta previa was 4.1 per 1000 births. Cesarean section was carried out as an emergency procedure in 130 (56.5%) women and as elective in 100 (43.5%) women. Of them, 26 patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) (11.3%), all of which received blood transfusion >6 units and 22 patients had a hysterectomy for uncontrollable bleeding.   CONCLUSION: Placenta previa is one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. Every hospital must have a protocol, or algorithm for the management of placenta previa. Risk factors for maternal morbidity included complete previa, history of previous C/S, emergency C/S at a gestational age of less than 36 weeks, and estimated blood loss more than 2000 ml.