Hepatitis B virus sero-prevalence amongst pregnant women in the Gambia.

BACKGROUND: Infection with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a serious public health problem worldwide, with over 360 million carriers. Sixty million of these are resident in Sub-saharan Africa. Hepatitis B infection is the cause of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is the second commonest cause of death from cancers among women in The Gambia. Vertical transmission is the commonest route of spread of Hepatitis B Virus in many endemic areas. The main aim of the study was to determine the sero-prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, Banjul, The Gambia. METHODS: Four hundred and twenty six pregnant women were recruited from our antenatal clinics and tested for HBsAg. Serum Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was tested using commercial rapid diagnostic Elisa kits at the point of care. RESULTS: A prevalence rate of 9.20% among all pregnant women studied was found. Women who were likely to have been vaccinated had a prevalence rate of 2.30% whiles those unlikely to have been vaccinated had a prevalence of 13.71%. There was a statistically significant difference between those likely to have been vaccinated and those unlikely to have been vaccinated. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hepatitis B infection is very high among pregnant women at EFSTH as in the high endemic zone that is more than 8%. However the prevalence rate is lower than the national average of 15%. The prevalence is of moderate endemicity among the women who likely received vaccination during childhood. More interventions during pregnancy need to be undertaken if more successes are to be registered.

Perinatal outcomes of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy at a tertiary hospital in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy remain a major global health issue not only because of the associated high adverse maternal outcomes but there is a close accompaniment of significant perinatal morbidity and mortality especially in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, the perinatal burden of HDP in Ghana has not been explored. We conducted this study to determine the perinatal outcomes of HDP at a tertiary hospital in Ghana. METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted between January to February 2013 at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Accra, Ghana. Data collection involved baseline review of all the obstetric population who had just delivered to identify those with HDP. An informed consent was obtained after which a structured questionnaire was adminstered to the hypertensive mothers. The medical records of the mothers and their babies were also reviewed to determine the perinatal outcome indicators of relevance to the study. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 20. RESULTS: We included 368 women with HDP and singleton births with a mean gestational age at delivery of 37.4 ± 3.3 weeks. Adverse perinatal outcomes determined include the following: 91 (24.7%) neonates were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, 56 (15.2%) had neonatal respiratory distress/asphyxia with 14 (3.8%) requiring ventilatory support and 80 (21.7%) were delivered preterm. Also, stillbirth, early neonatal death, intrauterine growth restriction and low birth weight occurred in 25 (6.8%), 14 (3.8%), 23 (6.1%) and 91 (24.7%) respectively with a perinatal mortality rate of 106 per 1000 births. One and 5 minute APGAR scores <7 occurred in 125 (34.0%) and 55 (14.7%) neonates respectively. Most of the adverse perinatal outcomes were significantly more common in those with preeclampsia compared to the other hypertensive disorders. CONCLUSION: There is a significant burden of perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with HDP in the Ghanaian obstetric population and these adverse outcomes were more prevalent in preeclampsia compared to the other hypertensive disorders. Regular goal-oriented clinical audit into perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with HDP and an active multidisciplinary approach to the management of these disorders in the hospital might improve the clinical outcomes of women with maternal hypertension.

Cervical Ectopic Pregnancy in Resource Deprived Areas: A Rare and Difficult Diagnosis.

Ectopic pregnancy is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in women of reproductive age especially in resource deprived areas worldwide. Cervical ectopic pregnancy is a rare, life threatening form of ectopic pregnancy which needs a high index of suspicion for diagnosis, thus adding a complex twist to the dilemma faced by the obstetrician in resource deprived areas. A case of a cervical ectopic pregnancy which presented in a resource deprived area in a region in Ghana is discussed, and the difficulties encountered in diagnosis and management of this life threatening condition are outlined.

Serum magnesium and calcium in preeclampsia: a comparative study at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana.

BACKGROUND: A large percentage (16% of maternal mortality in developed countries, compared to 9% in developing countries), is due to hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. The etiology of preeclampsia remains unknown, with poorly understood pathophysiology. Magnesium and calcium play an important role in vascular smooth muscle function and therefore a possible role in the development of preeclampsia. AIM: We aimed to compare serum magnesium and total calcium levels of preeclamptic and normal pregnant women at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study involving 30 normal pregnant and 30 preeclamptic women with >30 weeks gestation and aged 18-35 years, was conducted at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Magnesium and calcium were determined using a flame atomic absorption spectrometer. RESULTS: Mean serum magnesium and total calcium levels in preeclamptic women were 0.70±0.15 and 2.13±0.30 mmol/L, respectively. Mean serum magnesium and total calcium levels in normal pregnant women were 0.76±0.14 and 2.13±0.35 mmol/L, respectively. There was a statistically nonsignificant difference in serum magnesium and total calcium in preeclamptic women compared to normal pregnant women, with p-values of 0.092 and 0.972, respectively. CONCLUSION: Serum magnesium and total calcium, therefore, seem not to differ in preeclamptic women compared to normal pregnant women in Ghana.

Evaluating Facility-Based Decision-Making in Women with a Prior Cesarean Delivery and Association with Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes.

Objective To describe facility-based decision-making for women with one prior cesarean delivery (CD) in a resource-limited setting and to characterize maternal and perinatal outcomes in these groups. Methods One year retrospective study of women with one prior CD delivering at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Ghana. Women were categorized into three groups based on initial plan of management on admission [trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC), emergency repeat CD (EMCD) or non-emergent repeat CD (RCD)]. Characteristics and outcomes across these groups were then compared. Results During the study period, 1247 women with one prior CD delivered at KBTH, of which 377 (30.2%) were triaged to RCD, 439 (35.2%) to EMCD and 431 (34.6%) to TOLAC. Twelve uterine ruptures and no maternal deaths occurred. Perinatal mortality was 4.2% (n = 52). Compared to the RCD group, the TOLAC group had a lower risk for maternal adverse events (aOR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-1.0; p = 0.04) and non-significant higher risk of perinatal adverse events (aOR 1.6, 95% CI 0.7-3.3; p = 0.25). Compared to women triaged to RCD, the EMCD group had a non-significant increase in risk of maternal adverse events (aOR 1.6, 95% CI 0.8-3.5; p = 0.2) and a significantly higher rate of perinatal adverse events (aOR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2-4.9; p = 0.01). Conclusions for Practice Women triaged to EMCD at admission are different when compared to women allowed a TOLAC or offered a non-emergent RCD. These women bear increased rates of adverse outcomes and should be considered as a separate group for analysis in future studies conducted in similar settings.

Endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia in Ghanaian women.

BACKGROUND: Pre-eclampsia (PE) remains a disease of theories despite extensive research into its etiology. Alteration in the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a biomarker of endothelial dysfunction, is associated with pre-eclampsia although conflicting reports have been reported. The aim of the study was to determine and compare maternal serum levels of VEGF among pre-eclamptics, normotensive non pregnant and pregnant women. This was a cross-sectional study involving 100 women with pre-eclampsia, 102 women with normotensive pregnancy and 75 normotensives who were not pregnant. The study was carried out at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) from April to June in 2011. Basic socio-demographic and obstetric data were obtained by means of structured questionnaire. Following venesection, about 5mls of blood was sampled from the participants for the various tests. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay was used to determine the maternal serum levels of free VEGF. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 20. RESULTS: Significant reduction in median serum levels of free VEGF was seen in both, normal pregnant [84.06 pg/ml (IQR: 78.90-99.67)] and pre-eclamptic women [4.71 pg/ml, (IQR: 3.41-7.93)] compared to the non-pregnant (395.85 pg/ml, IQR 234.93-625) with p < 0.001; the reduction was far greater in the pre-eclamptic group compared to that of normotensive pregnant group (p < 0.001). Early-onset pre-eclampsia had significantly more severe reduction in free VEGF levels (3.89, IQR: 2.60-5.67 pg/ml) compared to that of late onset PE (5.23, IQR: 3.78-16.97 pg/ml) with p<0.001 indicating a severer endothelial damage in former. CONCLUSIONS: Endothelial dysfunction contributes significantly to the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia as demonstrated by profound decrease in maternal serum VEGF levels in PE compared to normotensive pregnancy and non-pregnancy state. The pathophysiology of early-onset pre-eclampsia may be partly explained by marked reduction in free serum VEGF levels with resultant severe endothelial dysfunction.

Awareness of Sickle Cell Trait Status: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Antenatal Women in Ghana.

This study was conducted to evaluate pregnant women's awareness of sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait and the factors that contribute to it. Two hundred and six pregnant women with at least 20 weeks gestation answered a questionnaire regarding awareness of their trait status and questions to test their knowledge of sickle cell disease. Although the majority of patients were aware of their trait status (87.4%), only 29% of knowledge questions were answered correctly; patients who self-identified as having sickle cell trait did not do better. Patients who responded that they knew a good deal about sickle cell disease scored an average of 3.5 points (number of correct responses to nine questions) more than individuals who responded that they knew nothing (P < 0.001). Individuals who knew they had been tested for the sickle cell trait scored approximately 2 points higher than those who did not know whether they had been tested (P = 0.004). Respondents with at least secondary education scored on average 1 point higher on the knowledge test than those with less education (P = 0.004). Knowing someone with sickle cell disease was associated with a mean score of 1.25 points higher than individuals who did not know any affected individual (P = 0.000).There is a deficit in the knowledge of sickle cell disease among Ghanaian pregnant women. Therefore, there is the need for public education on sickle cell disease.

Indication of Risk of Mother-to-Child Toxoplasma gondii Transmission in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.

Objectives Congenital infection with Toxoplasma gondii is known to result in neurological and brain disorders including ophthalmic disorders later in life. Research in Ghana revealed high sero-prevalence among pregnant women and eye patients. This study determines the risk of congenital transmission of T. gondii infection in Accra, Ghana. Methods One hundred consented pregnant women aged 18-45 years (mean 29.85 ± 5.76) participated. Venous blood and tissue samples were taken from the maternal side of each placenta after delivery. Cord blood samples were also taken after they were separated from the infants. Finger-prick blood was taken from infants of participating women at 2 or 6 weeks post-natal. ELISA was used to detect T. gondii antibodies in all blood samples while Nested-PCR was used to detect T. gondii DNA from placental tissues. Data was analysed using SPSS v. 16. Results Overall, 37.6 % of maternal blood, 39.5 % of umbilical cord blood, and 57.5 % of post-natal infant blood were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG. No anti-T. gondii IgM was detected in any of those samples. Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in 39.8 % of placental tissue samples. Strong association was observed in the occurrence of placental T. gondii DNA and anti-T. gondii IgG positive women (ø = 0.810, p < 0.00001) as well as high Relative risk shown in the likelihood of foetal exposure to infection in latently-infected women (RR 10.39; CI 4.47-24.17; p < 0.00001). Conclusions for Practice The presence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies only, and T. gondii DNA in placental tissues indicate the women might have been infected early during the pregnancy, placing about 39.8 % of the babies at risk. These results can strongly influence policy to screen and treat pregnant women for T. gondii infection.

Health knowledge, attitudes and practices of family planning service providers and clients in Akwapim North District of Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Family planning services help save lives by reducing women's exposure to risks of child birth and abortion. While family planning services provide measures to prevent unintended pregnancies and time the formation of families, the acceptability and coverage is still very low worldwide. Some of the reasons for this include poor quality of service, unavailability of range of methods, fear of opposition from partners, side effects and health concerns among others.About 40 % of the world's 215,000 annual deaths in childbirth occur in the Sub-Saharan region. In Ghana, urban-rural fertility differences range from two to three children. The acceptability and coverage of family planning are still low and in the study area in particular. METHODS: We sought to examine factors that contribute to low acceptability and coverage of family planning services in a sub-urban community with a design of quantitative cross-sectional. Ethical approval was given by the Ghana Health Service. Midwives and community health nurses who provide family planning services were interviewed. Exit-interview was also conducted with women receiving a variety of outpatient services. RESULTS: Most of the women in this study (48.7 %) were in the 25-34 age range and were either married (42.8 %) or cohabiting (40.5 %). Majority of these women (67.7 %) have middle/Junior high level of formal education with a modal parity of two. Sixty eight (68) clients were identified as current family planning users. About 6.0 % and 4.5 % were dissatisfied about auditory and visual privacy during counselling respectively. This was confirmed by providers who attributed it to inappropriate facility layout. Most of the clients (79.1 %) were not given educational materials although 88.8 % were talked to about family planning and this could be due to unavailability of these hand-outs.Though clients show satisfaction of services received, providers did not follow standard protocols with as much as 73.7 % faced with challenges in provision of services which were attributed to improper facility layout and lack of furniture. About 77.2 % were willing to provide short term methods, while 91.2 % wanted to provide long term methods. As much as 93.3 % of the women said they would have liked providers give more detailed information on family planning. While most of the women (88.3 %) used injectables, only 6.1 % and 0.9 % used Implants and IUD respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Finding ways to improve client privacy through good facility layout will ensure visual and auditory privacy to enhance family planning service provision and uptake. Continuous competency training will assist providers design innovative action plans and meet client satisfaction needs.

Metformin versus Insulin in the Management of Pre-Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Pregnancy and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if metformin monotherapy or metformin in combination with insulin is equally effective as insulin monotherapy at glycemic control in diabetes mellitus in pregnancy among Ghanaians. METHODS: This was a study involving 104 pregnant women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) at 20-30 weeks gestation. Participants were randomized into metformin and insulin treatment groups. Starting dose of metformin was 500 mg once a day and increased gradually over two (2) weeks, to meet glycemic targets. Insulin was added if targets could not be reached on metformin alone at maximum doses. Total daily dose of premixed insulin at initiation was calculated as 0.3 IU/kg body weight and titrated upwards to achieve glycemic control. Glycemic profile monitoring was done every two weeks. RESULTS: The two hour post prandial blood glucose (2HPG) levels were significantly lower in the metformin group than the insulin group (p= 0.004). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that metformin monotherapy is effective in achieving glycemic targets in the management of diabetes in pregnancy. It is more effective than insulin in lowering the 2HPG level. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12614000942651.

Nitric oxide dysregulation in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia among Ghanaian women.

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia (PE) is still a disease of theories as the exact cause remains uncertain. Widespread vascular endothelial cell dysfunction is thought to mediate the generalized vasospasm and hypertension characteristic of PE. Altered nitric oxide (NO) production has been associated with the endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of PE but conflicting results have emerged from previous studies. OBJECTIVES: To determine maternal serum levels of NO, a biomarker of endothelial function, in nonpregnant, normal pregnant, and preeclamptic women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional case-control study of 277 women comprising 75 nonpregnant, 102 normal pregnant, and 100 preeclamptic women conducted at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital between April and June 2011. About 5 mL of venous blood was obtained from the participants for the various investigations after meeting the inclusion criteria and signing to a written consent. Serum levels of NO were determined by Griess reaction. The data obtained were analyzed with SPSS version 20. RESULTS: The study showed significantly elevated serum levels of NO in preeclamptic women (82.45±50.31 µM) compared with normal pregnant (33.12±17.81 µM) and nonpregnant (16.92±11.41 µM) women with P<0.001. The alteration in maternal serum NO levels was significantly more profound in early-onset (severe) PE (119.63±45.860 µM) compared to that of late-onset (mild) disease (62.44±40.44 µM) with P<0.001, indicating a more severe vascular endothelial cell dysfunction in the early-onset disease. CONCLUSION: This study has determined a profound NO upregulation in PE evidenced by significant elevation of NO metabolite levels compared to normal pregnancy. This might be due to deranged endothelial function with dysregulated production of NO to restore the persistent hypertension characteristic of PE.

Maternal outcomes of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana.

OBJECTIVE: To determine maternal outcomes of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Accra, Ghana. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January 1 and February 28, 2013. All women delivering at KBTH whose pregnancies were complicated by hypertensive disorders were identified. A structured questionnaire was administered, and the women were followed up on a daily basis until discharge from hospital. Medical records were also reviewed to identify any complications of hypertensive disorders. RESULTS: A total of 368 women were analyzed. Of 10 maternal deaths, 3 (30.0%) were due to hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, and specifically pre-eclampsia. Overall, 168 (45.7%) women with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy delivered by cesarean, 16 (4.3%) had placental abruption, 11 (3.0%) had pulmonary edema, 3 (0.8%) had HELLP syndrome, 2 (0.5%) had acute renal failure, 3 (0.8%) had an intracerebral hemorrhage or cerebrovascular accident, 21 (5.7%) were admitted to the intensive care unit, 7 (1.9%) had disseminated intravascular coagulation, and 58 (15.8%) had eclampsia. Cesarean delivery, admission to intensive care unit, and eclampsia were significantly more common in women with pre-eclampsia than in those with other hypertensive disorders. CONCLUSION: Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are associated with high incidences of adverse maternal outcomes in Ghana, with significantly increased frequencies in women with pre-eclampsia.

The public health impact of training physicians to become obstetricians and gynecologists in Ghana.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the public health effect of creating and sustaining obstetrics and gynecology postgraduate training in Ghana, established in 1989 to reverse low repatriation of physicians trained abroad. METHODS: All 85 certified graduates of 2 Ghanaian university-based postgraduate training programs from program initiation in 1989 through June 2010 were identified and eligible for this study. Of these, 7 were unable to be contacted, inaccessible, declined participation, or deceased. RESULTS: Of the graduates, 83 provide clinical services in Ghana and work in 33 sites in 8 of 10 regions; 15% were the first obstetrician and gynecologist at their facility, 25% hold clinical leadership positions, 50% practice in teaching hospitals, and 14% serve as academic faculty. CONCLUSIONS: Creating capacity for university-based postgraduate training in obstetrics and gynecology is effective and sustainable for a comprehensive global approach to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Policies to support training and research capacity in obstetrics and gynecology are an integral part of a long-term national plan for maternal health.

Birth and emergency planning: a cross sectional survey of postnatal women at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.

Birth and emergency planning encourages early decision making, helps overcome barriers to skilled maternity care and reduces preventable maternal and newborn deaths. A facility based postnatal survey of 483 childbearing women in Accra, Ghana determined birth and emergency planning steps, awareness of obstetric danger signs, reported maternal and newborn complications and birth outcome based on length of hospital stay. Supervised antenatal care and delivery were nearly universal. Overall, 62% had a birth plan, 74% had adequate knowledge of danger signs, while 64% and 37% reported maternal and newborn complications respectively. Accompaniment by a birth companion and saving money were considered the most useful planning steps. Knowledge of danger signs was associated with birth and emergency planning, and birth and emergency planning was associated with reported birth outcome. Birth and emergency planning as a critical component of antenatal care can influence birth outcomes and should be extended to all pregnant women.

Maternal deaths attributable to hypertensive disorders in a tertiary hospital in Ghana.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the contribution of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy to maternal deaths at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Accra, Ghana. METHODS: The retrospective descriptive study conducted at KBTH during 2010-2011 involved a comprehensive review of all maternal deaths attributable to hypertensive disorders. RESULTS: There were 21 385 deliveries, 21742 live births, and 199 maternal deaths, resulting in a maternal mortality ratio of 915.3 per 100000 live births. In total, 63 (31.7%) maternal deaths were attributable to hypertensive disorders with a case fatality rate of 3.9%. The incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy was 7.6%. Hypertensive disorders were the most common direct cause of maternal death followed by obstetric hemorrhage (26.6%), unsafe abortion (11.1%), and puerperal sepsis (3.5%). Most (38.1%) hypertension-related maternal deaths occurred within 24hours of admission and the majority (79.4%) had been referred. Eclampsia was the leading immediate cause of hypertension-related death (23.8%), followed by acute renal failure (20.6%), intracerebral hemorrhage (15.9%), and pulmonary edema (12.7%). CONCLUSION: Hypertensive diseases are the leading cause of maternal death at KBTH, having overtaken obstetric hemorrhage, with eclampsia, acute renal failure, intracerebral hemorrhage, and pulmonary edema representing the major immediate causes of hypertension-related maternal death.

Impaired renal function and increased urinary isoprostane excretion in Ghanaian women with pre-eclampsia.

BACKGROUND: The cause of pre-eclampsia remains largely unknown, but oxidative stress (an imbalance favoring oxidant over antioxidant forces) has been implicated in contributing to the clinical symptoms of hypertension and proteinuria. Assessment of oxidative stress in pre-eclampsia using urinary isoprostane has produced conflicting results, and it is likely that renal function may affect isoprostane excretion. The aim of this study was to determine the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia and to assess the effect of renal function on isoprostane excretion in pre-eclampsia in the Ghanaian population. METHODS: This was a case-controlled study, comprising 103 pre-eclamptic women and 107 normal pregnant controls and conducted at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital between December 2006 and May 2007. The study participants were enrolled in the study after meeting the inclusion criteria and signing their written informed consent. Oxidative stress was determined by measuring urinary excretion of isoprostane and total antioxidant capacity using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Renal function was assessed by calculating the estimated glomerular filtration rate using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula. RESULTS: The pre-eclampsia group had significantly (P = 0.0006) higher urinary isoprostane excretion (2.81 ± 0.14 ng/mg creatinine) than the control group (2.01 ± 0.18 ng/mg creatinine) and a significantly (P = 0.0008) lower total antioxidant power (1.68 ± 0.05 mM) than the control group (1.89 ± 0.04 mM). Urinary isoprostane excretion showed a positive correlation with both mean arterial pressure (r = 0.261) and microalbuminuria (r = 0.510) in the pre-eclampsia cases. The pre-eclampsia group had a significantly lower estimated glomerular filtration rate than the control group (P < 0.001), indicating more renal impairment. CONCLUSION: The increased urinary excretion of isoprostanes and decreased total antioxidant power in the in pre-eclampsia group suggest increased production of oxidants and depletion and/or reduction of maternal antioxidants. Increased oxidative stress may be important in the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia by contributing to endothelial dysfunction, proteinuria, and hypertension.

Fatal hepatitis E viral infection in pregnant women in Ghana: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Viral infections during pregnancy can pose serious threats to mother and fetus from the time of conception to the time of delivery. These lead to congenital defects, spontaneous abortion and even death. The definitive diagnosis and management of pregnancy-related viral infections may be challenging especially in less resourced countries. CASE PRESENTATION: We present clinical and laboratory responses to the diagnosis and management of three cases of fulminant hepatitis secondary to Hepatitis E viral infection in pregnancy.Case 1 was a 31-year-old Ghanaian woman who presented with a week's history of passing dark urine as well as yellowish discoloration of the eyes. She subsequently developed fulminant hepatitis secondary to Hepatitis E viral infection, spontaneously aborted at 24 weeks of gestation and later died.Case 2 was also a 31-year-old Ghanaian woman who was admitted with a four-day history of jaundice. She had low grade fever, but no history of abdominal pain, haematuria, pale stool or pruritus. She next developed fulminant hepatitis secondary to Hepatitis E viral infection. However, she did not miscarry but died at 28 weeks of gestation.Case 3 was a 17-year-old Ghanaian woman who was referred to the tertiary health facility on account of jaundice and anaemia. She had delivered a live male infant at maturity of 32 weeks but noticed she was jaundiced and had a presentation of active disease 3 days prior to delivery. The baby was icteric at birth and on evaluation, had elevated bilirubin (mixed type) with normal liver enzymes. Hepatitis E virus infection was confirmed in both mother and baby. However, the jaundice and the hepatomegaly resolved in mother and baby after 5 and 12 days respectively. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, these are the first documented cases of fatal fulminant hepatic failures resulting from HEV infection in Ghana.

Pregnancy outcomes among patients with sickle cell disease at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana: retrospective cohort study.

Pregnancy in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients is associated with increased risk of maternal and fetal mortality. This study determines pregnancy outcomes among women with SCD delivering at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana. Nine hundred sixty (960) medical records of pregnant women (131 HbSS, 112 HbSC, and 717 comparison group) from 2007 to 2008 were reviewed. The HbSS women were at increased risk of eclampsia (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 10.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.60-30.96, P < 0.001), intrauterine growth restriction (AOR = 4.00, 95% CI = 1.38-11.64, P = 0.011), and placenta previa (AOR = 22.03, 95% CI = 9.87-49.14, P < 0.001) compared with the comparison group. The HbSC women had increased risk for intrauterine fetal death (AOR = 3.38, 95% CI = 1.15-9.96, P = 0.027) and decreased risk of delivering low birth weight babies (AOR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.06-0.73, P = 0.014). Women with SCD in Ghana are at a greater risk of morbidity and mortality in pregnancy compared with women without hemoglobinopathies. Improved maternal and fetal outcomes in Ghanaian women with SCD can be achieved through effective intervention by health care providers with thorough knowledge about predisposing factors toward adverse outcomes.

Intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine against malaria and anemia in pregnant women.

The effectiveness of intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) against malaria and anemia is unclear because of the spread of SP-resistant Plasmodium falciparum. This study evaluates the effectiveness of IPTp-SP among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana. A cross-sectional study comparing malaria and anemia prevalence among pregnant women using IPTp-SP with non-IPTp-SP users was conducted during June-August 2009. A total of 363 pregnant women (202 of IPTp users and 161 non-IPTp users) were recruited. A total of 15.3% of IPTp users had malaria compared with 44.7% of non-IPTp users (P < 0.001). A total of 58.4% of non-IPTp users were anemic compared with 22.8% of IPTp users (P < 0.001). When we controlled for other variables, the difference in the prevalence of malaria (odds ratio = 0.18, 95% confidence interval = 0.08-0.37) and anemia (odds ratio = 0.20, 95% confidence interval = 0.12-0.34) remained significant. The recommended IPTp-SP regimen is useful in preventing malaria and anemia among pregnant women in Ghana.