Macroscopic morphological variation of human placenta in normotensive and pre-eclamptic pregnant mothers, Northwest Ethiopia

The normal growth and development of the fetus depends on the proper growth and functioning of the placenta. The macroscopic morphology of the placenta is highly affected by pre-eclampsia. This study was carried out to assess macroscopic morphological variation of the human placenta among normotensive and pre-eclamptic pregnant mothers in Northwest Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 term placentas. One hundred fifty placentas from normotensive mothers and 50 placentas from pre-eclamptic mothers were included in the study. Placental parameters such as shape, weight, diameter, thickness and number of cotyledons were examined. Fetal weight was also detected. The data were analyzed by using independent two-sample t-test and chi-square test. According to this study, the majority (68%) of placentas in normotensive participants were discoid-shaped and 18% oval. While 54% of placenta in pre-eclamptic mothers were oval-shaped and 24% were irregular. Mean placental weight, diameter and number of cotyledon in pregnant mothers with pre-eclampsia were significantly reduced as compared to normotensive mothers. The mean birth weight in pre-eclamptic pregnancies was significantly (p = 0.0001) lower than the mean birth weight in normotensive pregnancies. As a conclusion, mean fetal weight, placental weight, diameter, thickness and numbers of cotyledon in pre-eclamptic mothers were significantly lower than in normotensive mothers (p-value < 0.05). Placenta shape difference between normotensive and pre-eclamptic mothers was detected (p-value < 0.001)

No disponible

Anterior fontanelle size among term neonates on the first day of life born at University of Gondar Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Anterior fontanelle is the largest, prominent and most important fontanelle, which is used for clinical evaluation. It is mainly characterized by its size and shape variation and is possibly influenced by gender, race and genetics. Understanding the variation of anterior fontanelle is used for recognition of different medical disorders and abnormal skeletal morphogenesis. OBJECTIVE: To determine the mean size of anterior fontanelle among term neonates on the first day of life born at University of Gondar Hospital, Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2018. METHODS: Descriptive cross sectional study design was undertaken in 384 term and apparently healthy neonates, using standard methods. Descriptive analysis, student t-test, one way ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient were implemented. RESULTS: In this study, the mean size of anterior fontanelle in term neonates was 3.00 ± 0.62 cm (range 1.70-5.50 cm). The mean size of anterior fontanelle was 3.10 ± 0.66 cm for males, and 2.88 ± 0.57 cm for females. There was statistically significant difference in anterior fontanelle size in neonates of different genders (p<0.001), mode of delivery (p<0.001) and duration of labour (p = 0.006). However, the size of anterior fontanelle was not significantly affected by the birth order, onset of labour and socio-demographic variables of the mother except occupation of the mother (p = 0.01). There was a significant positive correlation between the mean size of anterior fontanelle with birth weight (r = 0.11; p = 0.04) and head circumference (r = 0.17; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: At term, male neonates had significantly larger anterior fontanelle than female neonates and anterior fontanelle size has a direct relationship with birth weight and head circumference.

Anatomical study of prefixed versus postfixed brachial plexuses in adult human cadaver.

BACKGROUND: The brachial plexus is usually formed by the fusion of anterior primary rami of the fifth to eighth cervical and the first thoracic spinal nerves. Variations in the formation of the brachial plexus may occur. Variations in brachial plexus anatomy are important to radiologists, surgeons and anaesthesiologists performing surgical procedures in the neck, axilla and upper limb regions. These variations may lead to deviation from the expected dermatome distribution as well as differences in the motor innervation of muscles of the upper limb. This study is aimed to describe the anatomical variations of brachial plexus in its formation among 20 Ethiopian cadavers. METHODS: Observational based study was conducted by using 20 cadavers obtained from the Department of Human Anatomy at University of Gondar, Bahir Dar, Addis Ababa, Hawasa, Hayat Medical College and St Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College. Data analysis was conducted using thematic approaches. RESULTS: A total of 20 cadavers examined bilaterally for the formation of brachial plexus. Of the 40 sides, 30 sides (75%) were found normal, seven sides (17.5%) prefixed, three sides (7.5%) postfixed and one side of the cadaver lacks cord formation. CONCLUSION: The brachial plexus formation in most subjects is found to be normal. Among the variants, the numbers of the prefixed brachial plexuses are greater than the postfixed brachial plexuses.