Neuregulin 4 (NRG4) - the hormone with clinical significance in gestational diabetes mellitus.

This study aimed at determining the association between serum neuregulin 4 (NRG4) and insulin in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and their correlation with other metabolic parameters. A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2018 to February 2019 at Ziauddin University, Karachi. Pregnant women (n = 80), at 24-28 weeks of gestation, were recruited. Demographic data, anthropometric measurements and antenatal history were recorded. The fasting blood was drawn for testing fasting blood sugar (FBS), NRG4, insulin and lipid profile. The subjects were evaluated for glucose challenge test after 50 g glucose ingestion. NRG4 levels (1.00 ± 0.15) were found significantly high (p < .04) in healthy group compared to GDM (0.95 ± 0.11). In GDM females, high levels for FBS (p < .02) and cholesterol (p < .03) were observed. Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) had direct weak association with NRG4, inverse relationship with cholesterol and LDL but significant association (p < .05) with insulin. Significantly high NRG4 in healthy females suggests its potential role in regulating insulin sensitivity. Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? Neuregulin 4 (NGR4) is a batokine which plays a potential role in regulating insulin sensitivity, maintaining energy and metabolic homeostasis. Due to its role in lipid and glucose homeostasis, some studies report its role in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) but the results were controversial.What do the results of this study add? The study showed that NGR4 levels were significantly low in GDM subjects. Other metabolic factors especially insulin and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were found associated significantly (p < .05) with NGR4.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? NGR4 can be a potential biomarker for gestational diabetes. Nevertheless, in order to confirm these findings, further studies, with bigger sample size are required to further ascertain the prospects of NRG4 as a potential biomarker for gestational diabetes.

Clinical Spectrum of Near-miss Cases in Obstetrics.

Introduction Near-miss obstetric cases are the ones which have survived childbirth after a life-threatening and complicated pregnancy. The aim of this study is to evaluate important characteristics and causes of near-miss cases, compare them with maternal deaths, and assess urgent interventions managing these patients. Materials and methods This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in the intensive care unit of the Obstetrics and Gynecology department. Clinical spectrum of near-miss patients was compared with that of maternal deaths. Data was entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics for Windows, version 21.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results The incidence of near-miss events was 31.4/1,000 live births. The incidence of maternal mortality was 8.2/1,000 live births. The ratio of near-miss to maternal mortality was 3.8:1. Hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, and puerperal sepsis were the leading causes of near-miss cases. Conclusion Evaluation of characteristics of near-miss cases helps in establishing severe maternal morbidity. These high-risk patients must be provided urgent interventions to prevent maternal mortality.