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Biomedical subjects

C T John

Publications and source records attributed to C T John.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1989

Antenatal care and fetal outcome, especially low birthweight, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

A total of 820 singleton babies and 73 babies from multiple births were studied, all born in a 7-month period in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. At birth, 8.9% of the singleton babies and 70% of those of multiple birth weighed less than 2500 g. Maternal factors significantly associated with increased incidence of low birthweight were antepartum haemorrhage, short stature, age and parity. However, the effects of these were nullified by antenatal care. Amongst the babies, the major contributory factor was intrauterine growth retardation, the cause of which in most cases was not apparent and was not affected by antenatal care. We suggest that a lot more attention be focussed on this category of low-birthweight babies.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sero-prevalence of HIV antibodies in pregnant women in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to determine the Sero-Prevalence of HIV antibodies in pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt. METHOD: Serial recruitment of 600 women who attended the antenatal clinic. HIV screening was done by rapid ELISA technique. Positive samples were re-tested with a second rapid ELISA kit, with only samples sero-positive with both kits being taken as trulysero-positive. RESULTS: The sero-positivity rate was 7.3%, sixty-nine point seven percent (69.7%) of all sero-positive cases were primiparae, with 84% in advanced stages of pregnancy (2nd and 31rd trimesters). History of blood transfusion, dental manipulations, tattooing and circumcision did not contribute significantly to increased HIV sero-positivity. CONCLUSION: There is high HIV sero-positivity rate among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Port Harcourt. The implications of this finding in relation to vertical transmission, transmission of nosocomial infection and increased occupational exposure of laboratory and hospital staff to HIV infection is discussed. Compulsory routine screening of all pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Sub-Saharan Africa is advocated.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Seasonality and other variation trends in birth weights of 4000g and above: A preliminary report from the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Anecdotal evidence appears to suggest a progressive increase in the proportion of large babies born at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Nigeria. The objective of this study is to examine retrospectively the profile of birth weights at the UPTHover a defined time frame. METHODS: The birth weights of all babies born in the hospital from January 1, 1990 to December 31, 1999 were analyzed with the focus on weights = 4000g. The ten-year period was elongated into 20 six-monthly observation points and the periodic fluctuations in the proportion of birth weights = 4000g smoothed by using exponentially weighted moving averages with a weighting factor of 0.18. Seasonal variations in rates of birthweight = 4000g were calculated using Ratchet Circular Scan Test for a short seasonal peak. Proportions were compared using chi-square statistic. RESULTS: Fourteen thousand three hundred and seven birth weights were recorded; 7111 males and 7196 females. Nine hundred and four (12.7%) and 434 (6.0%) of males and females respectively were 4000g and above. There was a sustained increase in the proportion of the = 4000g category during the observation period although the slope was steeper among the males (slope with [95% Confidence Interval] for males = 0.4131 [0.3213 to 0.5050] and for females 0.1801 [0.05565 to 0.3045]. There was a significant 3-month peak August to October of males only of birth weight = 4000g, (3-month peak; August to October, 30.3% of events. Test Statistic 3.46, p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: There has been a steady increase in the proportion of babies of birth weight =4000g at the UPTH in the ten-year period studied. This trend could be potentially dangerous for both mother and baby; therefore the authors believe it would be a good idea to carry out a prospective investigation along similar lines but using a much broader study base.

Anthropometry↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Maternal mortality in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt in the last year before the new millennium.

BACKGROUND: Maternal death in developing countries is still high and the causes are multifactorial. The unbooked primigravidae with severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia constitute a high risk group. METHODS: The data from case notes of all maternal deaths which occurred at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt between 1st of January and 31st of December 1999 formed the basis of this study. Case notes of all deaths were stored in the office of the head of department of obstetrics and gynaecology as soon as they occurred. Information was extracted from the case files at the end of the year. The total number of deliveries was obtained from the registers kept in labour and isolation wards respectively. RESULTS: There were 45 maternal deaths; 40 (88.9%) among the unbooked and 5 (11%) among the booked mothers constituting a maternal mortality ratio of 23, 121.4 and 339.7 per 100,000 deliveries respectively. The combined mortality ratio was 2735.6 per 100,000 deliveries. Fifteen (37.5%) unbooked primigravidae died of severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia. A total of 1645 mothers delivered, 1472 (89.5%) were booked while 173 (10.5%) were unbooked with the hospital. CONCLUSION: Severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, haemorrhage and sepsis were the major causes of death. The high maternal mortality was common among the unbooked primigravidae who usually present late with pre-eclampsia/eclampsia. More research into the causes and management of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia are needed to reduce the high maternal mortality associated with it. Lack of antenatal care is also a high risk factor for maternal mortality.

Eclampsia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Perinatal outcome among elderly nulliparae at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Maternal and perinatal health is influenced by sociodemographic factors including maternal age, parity, social class and ethnicity. Elderly nulliparity is considered traditionally, to be high risk and has not been evaluated in our centre. The objective of our study was to determine the perinatal outcome in the elderly nullipara at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. METHODS: This was a two-year retrospective case controlled study. The study population consisted of all nulliparae aged 35 years and above who delivered in the hospital during the period and the control group consisted of all nulliparae less than 35 years of age. The chi2-test was used for comparison of both groups and statistical significance set at p values of P < or = 0.05. RESULTS: Fifty-nine (2%) of 2967 women who delivered during the period were elderly nulliparae. They accounted for 4.8% of all nulliparae. Compared to other nulliparae, there was no significant difference in the rate of preterm delivery (21.8% vs. 25.8%; p = 0.6), postterm delivery (9.1% vs. 17.3%; p = 0.2), caesarean section rate (41% vs. 32.8%; p = 0.3), low birth weight (5.2% vs. 11.6%; p = 0.2), macrosomia (10.3% vs. 5.7%; p = 0.2), still birth rate (0% vs. 3.2%), birth asphyxia (31% vs. 25.4%; p = 0.4), and sex ratios of babies. There were no congenital malformations in both groups. CONCLUSION: Elderly nulliparae are not at increased risk of adverse perinatal outcome compared to younger nulliparae in our hospital.

Adult↗