Risk factors and placental histopathological findings of term born low birth weight neonates.

INTRODUCTION: Low birth weight (LBW) is associated with increased neonatal morbidity and mortality. Hence, this condition should be well studied. The aims of this study were to identify the risk factors for term born LBW, as well as the placental histopathological lesions observed. METHODS: This case control study was carried out in the University Teaching Hospital and the Central Maternity, both of Yaoundé, Cameroon, from November 1st, 2013 to April 30th, 2014. Maternal medical records and placentas of term born (≥37 completed weeks) LBW (<2500 g at birth) or normal weight (3000-3500 g) were compared. The main variables recorded included maternal age and parity, maternal height, complications that occurred during pregnancy, maternal pre-gestational body mass index, the number of antenatal visits, the sex and birth weight of the newborn, the umbilical cord length, the placental weight and placental histology. Data were analyzed using Epi info 3.5.4. Fisher exact test, t-test and logistic regression were used for comparison. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: and DISCUSSION: A total of 30 cases of LBW and the same number of controls were examined. Significant risk factors for LBW were primiparity (aOR 14.0, 95%CI 2.1-92.7), hypertensive diseases of pregnancy (aOR 18.1, 95%CI 1.02-322.5) and <4 antenatal visits (aOR 9.5, 95%CI 1.3-67.5). Significant placental lesions were placental infarction (aOR 19.5, 95%CI 2.9-130.1) and chronic villitis (aOR 35.9, 95%CI 1.2-1034.3). Our study showed that primiparous women, those with pregnancy-induced hypertensive diseases and those with <4 antenatal visits were more at risk for LBW. Significant placental lesions observed among LBW were placental infarcts and chronic villitis. Since LBW has the tendency to recur, and given that some causes such as placental infarcts are preventable, we recommend that a histological examination of the placenta should always be carried out in cases of LBW.

Interactions between human immunodeficiency virus and herpes viruses within the oral mucosa.

There is evidence from clinical case reports and epidemiological studies that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be transmitted through oral sex. Herpes viruses that appear in the oral mucosa might influence the oral replication of HIV. A review of data suggesting that interactions occur between HIV and herpes viruses indicates that such interactions might operate in the oral mucosa. Defining the mechanisms by which herpes viruses interact with HIV in the oral mucosa should permit intervention measures to be targeted more precisely.

[Premature rupture of membranes: maternal and fetal outcome in the absence of antibiotic prophylaxis]. / Rupture prématurée des membranes: devenir maternel et foetal en l'absence de la prophylaxie antibiotique.

Antibiotic prophylaxis in the management of Premature Rupture of foetal Membranes (PROM) before term still remains controversial. 110 pregnant women with PROM were assigned to either group A (no treatment) or group B (treatment group). The rates of premature deliveries were similar in the two groups, 71% versus 77% (p = 0.56). Additionally, low birth weight, Apgar score, foetal distress, neonatal icterus and foetal sepsis were all observed in similar proportions in both groups. 6.5% of the subjects in group A developed endometritis as against 5.7% in group B (p = 0.69). Perinatal mortality rates were high (33.3% and 50%, in group A and B, respectively), but not statistically different in the two groups (p = 0.13). Prophylactic antibiotics do not seem to influence maternal and foetal outcome in patients who present with PROM in this environment.

Rupture prématurée des membranes: devenir maternel et foetal en l'absence de la prophylaxie antibiotique

La prophylaxie antibiotique dans la prise en charge des Ruptures prématurées des Membranes (RPM) avant le terme est jusqu'à nos jours controversés. Cent dix femmes enceintes avec Rupture Prématurée des Membranes avant terme ont été distribuées dans l'un des deux groupes suivants: groupe A (groupe sans traitement) ou groupe B (groupe sous traitement). Les taux d'accouchements prématurés étaient similaires 71 pour cent contre 77 pour cent (p=0;56). Le faible poids à la naissance; le score d'Apgar; la détresse fœtale; l'ictère néonatal et l'infection néonatale ont été observées dans les proportions similaires entre les deux groupes 6.5 pour cent des sujets du groupe A ont développé une endométrite contre 5.7 pour cent dans les groupes A et B (p=0;13). La prophylaxie antibiotique n'a pas semblé influencer le pronostic materno-foetal chez les patients présentant une Rupture Prématurée des Membranes dans notre environnement