Prenatal anaemia and risk of postpartum haemorrhage: a cohort analysis of data from the Predict-PPH study.

BACKGROUND: Most previous clinical studies investigating the connection between prenatal anaemia and postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) have reported conflicting results. OBJECTIVES: We examined the association between maternal prenatal anaemia and the risk of PPH in a large cohort of healthy pregnant women in five health institutions in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort analysis of data from the Predict-PPH study that was conducted between January and June 2023. The study enrolled n = 1222 healthy pregnant women giving birth in five hospitals in Lagos, Nigeria. The study outcome, WHO-defined PPH, is postpartum blood loss of at least 500 milliliters. We used a multivariable logistic regression model with a backward stepwise conditional approach to examine the association between prenatal anaemia of increasing severity and PPH while adjusting for confounding factors. RESULTS: Of the 1222 women recruited to the Predict-PPH study between January and June 2023, 1189 (97·3%) had complete outcome data. Up to 570 (46.6%) of the enrolled women had prenatal anaemia while 442 (37.2%) of those with complete follow-up data had WHO-defined PPH. After controlling for potential confounding factors, maternal prenatal anaemia was independently associated with PPH (adjusted odds ratio = 1.37, 95% confidence interval: 1.05-1.79). However, on the elimination of interaction effects of coexisting uterine fibroids and mode of delivery on this association, a sensitivity analysis yielded a lack of significant association between prenatal anaemia and PPH (adjusted odds ratio = 1.27, 95% confidence interval: 0.99-1.64). We also recorded no statistically significant difference in the median postpartum blood loss in women across the different categories of anaemia (P = 0.131). CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that prenatal anaemia was not significantly associated with PPH. These findings challenge the previously held belief of a suspected link between maternal anaemia and PPH. This unique evidence contrary to most previous studies suggests that other factors beyond prenatal anaemia may contribute more significantly to the occurrence of PPH. This highlights the importance of comprehensive assessment and consideration of various maternal health factors in predicting and preventing this life-threatening obstetric complication.

Serum Calcium and Magnesium Levels in Women with Uterine Fibroids in Southwest Nigeria: a Cross-sectional Study.

Studies have suggested the potential roles of serum macronutrients such as calcium and magnesium in the development of uterine fibroids. The primary objective was to assess the association between serum magnesium and calcium levels and the prevalence of uterine fibroids in women of reproductive age. A cross-sectional study of 194 parity-matched women with or without a sonographic diagnosis of uterine fibroids enrolled at a university teaching hospital in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. Participants' sociodemographic, ultrasound, and anthropometric information as well as the estimated serum levels of calcium and magnesium were collected for statistical analyses. This study found significant negative associations between low serum calcium levels and uterine fibroids (adjusted odds ratio = 0.06), uterine size, and the number of fibroid nodules. However, no significant association was observed between serum magnesium levels and uterine fibroids. This study found significant inverse associations between low serum calcium levels and uterine fibroids, uterine size, and the number of fibroid nodules.

Trends and causes of maternal death at the Lagos University teaching hospital, Lagos, Nigeria (2007-2019).

BACKGROUND: Nigeria has one of the worst global maternal mortality ratios (MMR). Institutional audit is invaluable in providing useful information for formulating preventive interventions. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the trends, causes and socio-demographic characteristics of maternal mortality at a tertiary institution in South-western Nigeria over a period of 13 years (2007-2019). METHODOLOGY: Cross sectional and temporal trend analysis of maternal deaths were conducted using chart reviews from 2007 to 2019. Socio-biological characteristics, booking status and ranking of clinical causes of maternal deaths were derived from patients' chart review (2007-2019). Bivariate analysis and Annual percent change (APC) of the observed trends was respectively conducted using Stata version 17 and Joinpoint version 4.5.0.1 software respectively. RESULTS: In the period 2007-2019, the mean age at maternal death was 30.8 ± 5.9 years and 88.8% of mortalities occurred among the "unbooked" women. The leading causes of direct maternal mortality were Hypertension (27.0%), Sepsis (20.6%) and haemorrhage (18.7%), while anaemia in pregnancy (3.2%), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (3.2%) and Sickle Cell Disease (2.4%) were the leading indirect causes of maternal mortality Joinpoint estimates showed a statistically significant increase in MMR of about 3.4% per annum from 2211 per 100,000 live births in 2007 to 3555.6 per 100,000 live births in 2019 (APC: +3.4%, P-value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Contrary to some other reports, there was an increase in the institutional MMR between 2007 and 2019 even though the leading causes of death remained similar. Targeted interventions based on accurate data are urgently required in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.1.

Trends and predictors of in-hospital mortality among babies with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy at a tertiary hospital in Nigeria: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Globally, approximately 9 million neonates develop perinatal asphyxia annually of which about 1.2 million die. Majority of the morbidity and mortality occur in Low and middle-income countries. However, little is known about the current trend in incidence, and the factors affecting mortality from hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), in Nigeria. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the trends in incidence and fatality rates and evaluated the predictors of mortality among babies admitted with HIE over five years at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. METHODS: A temporal trend analysis and retrospective cohort study of HIE affected babies admitted to the neonatal unit of a Nigerian Teaching Hospital was conducted. The socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the babies and their mothers were extracted from the neonatal unit records. Kaplan-Meir plots and Multivariable Cox proportional hazard ratio was used to evaluate the survival experienced using Stata version 16 (StataCorp USA) statistical software. RESULTS: The median age of the newborns at admission was 26.5 (10-53.5) hours and the male to female ratio was 2.1:1. About one-fifth (20.8%) and nearly half (47.8%) were admitted within 6 hours and 24 hours of life respectively, while majority (84%) of the infants were out-born. The prevalence and fatality rate of HIE in our study was 7.1% and 25.3% respectively. The annual incidence of HIE among the hospital admissions declined by 1.4% per annum while the annual fatality rate increased by 10.3% per annum from 2015 to 2019. About 15.7% died within 24 hours of admission. The hazard of death was related to the severity of HIE (p = 0.001), antenatal booking status of the mother (p = 0.01) and place of delivery (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: The case fatality rate of HIE is high and increasing at our centre and mainly driven by the pattern of admission of HIE cases among outborn babies. Thus, community level interventions including skilled birth attendants at delivery, newborn resuscitation trainings for healthcare personnel and capacity building for specialized care should be intensified to reduce the burden of HIE.

Good clinical practice advice for the management of pregnant women with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in Nigeria.

The impact on healthcare services in settings with under-resourced health systems, such as Nigeria, is likely to be substantial in the coming months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and maternity services still need to be prioritized as an essential core health service. The healthcare system should ensure the provision of safe and quality care to women during pregnancy, labor, and childbirth, and at the same time, maternity care providers including obstetricians and midwives must be protected and prioritized to continue providing care to childbearing women and their babies during the pandemic. This practical guideline was developed for the management of pregnant women with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in Nigeria and other low-resource countries.

Predictors of Discontinuation of Subdermal Levonorgestrel Implants (Jadelle) at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria: An Analytic Cohort Study.

Uptake and continuation of long acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) such as subdermal levonorgestrel implants are pivotal to the achievement of some sustainable development goals (SDG). We evaluated Jadelle uptake and factors affecting its discontinuation in the first three years of initiation at the Family Planning Clinic of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), Nigeria. A retrospective cohort study was conducted among 517 consecutive new Jadelle acceptors, at the family planning clinic of CMUL, between 1 October 2007 and 30 September 2010, who were followed up till 30 September 2011. Survival life table analysis, Kaplan-Meier plots and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression were conducted to evaluate factors affecting time to Jadelle discontinuation. Stata version 13 statistical software (StataCorp USA) was used for analysis. The mean age of Jadelle acceptors was 32.9 (S.D: ±5.4) years and uptake rate of Jadelle was 61.8%. The overall discontinuation rate was 19 per 100 women-years while the 1-year, 2-year and 3-year Jadelle discontinuation rates were 7.1%; 27.0% and 58.1% respectively. Increased age, (P=0.047) and previous contraceptive use (P <0.001) were independent predictors of Jadelle discontinuation. Menstrual irregularity (51.4%) and intention to get pregnant (40.3%) were the commonest reasons for discontinuation. The failure rate was low at 0.27 per 100 women-years. This study showed that Jadelle had a high uptake rate complimented by a low failure rate; and is quite suitable for postpartum childbirth spacing as well as ongoing long term contraception.

The value of chlamydial antibody level for predicting tubal blockage among women undergoing hysterosalpingography in Lagos, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection among Nigerian women undergoing hysterosalpingography (HSG) and to identify any correlation between chlamydial antibody levels and a diagnosis of tubal disease. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1 to June 30, 2013, among women scheduled to undergo HSG in the radiology department of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Endocervical swabs and serum samples were collected to assess the levels of chlamydial antigen and antibody, respectively. RESULTS: Among 150 participants, 83 (55.3%) had bilateral tubal patency and 67 (44.7%) had tubal disease. Overall, 53 (35.3%) women had positive test results for chlamydial antibodies; however, none of the participants tested positive for chlamydial antigen. Women with tubal disease were more likely to test positive for chlamydial antibodies (n=44 [65.7%]) than were those whose test results were negative (n=9 [10.8%]; P<0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of chlamydial antibody testing to predict tubal disease diagnosed by HSG were 66% and 89%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The presence of chlamydial antibodies was quantitatively related to the likelihood of HSG-diagnosed tubal disease.

Another reason for impeccable oral hygiene: oral hygiene-sperm count link.

OBJECTIVES: 1. To investigate the relationship between periodontitis and infertility. 2. To evaluate the importance of oral hygiene to general health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-six men requiring seminal fluid analysis as part of an on-going investigation for infertility in their spouses were serially recruited into the study. Basic dental and periodontal examination were performed. Each participant was also screened for periodontitis using a lateral flow immunoassay kit which detected levels of active membrane metalloproteinase-8. RESULTS were read-off as a color change. Due to some incomplete entries, only 76 participants were involved in the final data analysis. RESULTS: There were 55 subjects with subnormal counts (of which ten were found to be azoospermic, 41 oligospermic) and 25 normospermic controls. A positive association was found between periodontitis and subnormal sperm count in only one age group but statistically significant association was found between poor oral hygiene and subnormal sperm count across all age groups. CONCLUSION: For the first time, there appears to be a significant association between poor oral and subnormal sperm count. There also appears to an association between chronic periodontitis and subnormal sperm count. These relationships warrant further investigation. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: There appears to be a link between poor oral hygiene and low sperm count.