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Biomedical subjects

M H al-Sibai

Publications and source records attributed to M H al-Sibai.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Correlation between Barr bodies and neutrophil drumsticks.

There is a marked difference between the frequencies of neutrophil nuclear drumsticks and mucosal cell Barr bodies in any given woman despite the fact that both represent an inactivated X chromosome. We present results of a prospective study carried out on 100 normal Saudi females to assess the statistical correlation between these two variables. We conclude that each is independent of the other. The lack of statistical correlation perhaps relates to maturational and nuclear configuration factors.

Adult↗

Congenital brachial palsy in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia.

The clinical features of 57 patients (31 males, 26 females) with congenital brachial palsy seen at the King Fahd Hospital of the University over a 5-year period are described. Delivery was difficult in 32 (56%), 20 (35%) were large babies (birth weight greater than 3,600 g), and 20 deliveries required either forceps or vacuum extraction. The presentation at delivery was vertex in 45, breech in five, and shoulder in four. Associated injuries or features, encountered in 14 cases, were fractures of the clavicle and humerus (six cases each), and skull fracture and Horner's syndrome in one patient each. The right and left sides were involved in 31 and 24 cases, respectively, and both sides in only two cases. All the muscle groups of the affected limb were most commonly involved (40%), and hand muscles alone were affected in only one patient. Although 60% of the cases presented late to the hospital, functional recovery was observed in 63%. The major predisposing factors identified in this study were technically difficult deliveries, large infants, and breech or shoulder presentation with assisted delivery. It is suggested that early identification of these factors and improvement in obstetric care of both the mothers and babies during delivery would reduce the incidence and severity of this disability.

Adolescent↗

Socio-biological correlates of bacteriuria in Saudi pregnant women.

Prevalence and socio-biological correlates of bacteriuria in Saudi pregnant women were investigated at King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. Midstream sample specimens of urine were used for identification of significant bacteriuria (greater than or equal to 10.5 organisms of single species per milliliter of urine). The prevalence of bacteriuria was found to be 14.2%. It was more common in women below 20 years of age and among the parous as against the nullipara women. Bacteriuria was significantly associated with socio-economic conditions. It was higher in those with a low family income, of large family size (10+) and living in over-crowded conditions. Only one-fourth (25.8%) of bacteriuric women were symptomatic. Almost half (45.8%) had a past history of urinary tract infection. To identify the problem of urinary tract infection in a vulnerable group of women, as well as to reduce the load on laboratory facilities, it is suggested that routine antenatal screening for bacteriuria should be advocated on a selective basis, i.e. for the young teenage parous women, those coming from disadvantaged socio-economic conditions and in patients with a past history of urinary tract infection.

Adult↗

Screening for gestational diabetes in a teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia.

This study was undertaken to determine the incidence and severity of gestational diabetes in our hospital population which is predominantly Arab; 455 consecutive patients were screened by a 3-hour glucose tolerance test in the third trimester of pregnancy. The overall incidence of gestational diabetes was found to be 11% and the incidence increased with increasing maternal age, parity and weight. A high prevalence of more severe degrees of gestational diabetes was noted among the Arabs. Glucose intolerance was observed in 2 patients in the absence of any risk factor. The most common high risk factor in patients found to have gestational diabetes was maternal age of 30 years or more.

Adult↗

Effects of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency upon sickle cell anaemia.

The levels of glycated haemoglobin, fetal haemoglobin and methaemoglobin in 618 Saudi subjects were determined. A statistically significant decrease in the percentage of glycated haemoglobin was observed in all haemoglobinopathic groups studied in comparison to normal controls. However, there was no significant difference in the percentage of glycated haemoglobin in patients with sickle cell anaemia when compared with those sickle cell subjects who were also glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient. This suggests that there is little survival advantage or disadvantage in the combination of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and sickle cell anaemia.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗

Percentage glycosylated haemoglobin in normal, G6PD deficient and HbSS Saudi Arabs.

Reference values have been established for erythrocyte glycosylated haemoglobin levels in a normal Saudi population and in subjects with various haematological disorders. The mean glycosylated haemoglobin levels (SE) were 7.28% (0.039) for normal, 6.04% (0.057) for G6PD deficient, 4.40% (0.081) for homozygous sickle cell, and 6.44% (0.109) for heterozygous sickle cell subjects. Values of 6.26% (0.103) and 4.75% (0.127) for glycosylated haemoglobin were determined for heterozygous and homozygous sickle cell subjects with G6PD deficiency, respectively. Statistical analysis of the data shows significant differences in the extent of glycosylation between G6PD deficient, HbSS and normal controls. Where possible the results are compared to values reported for other populations.

Adolescent↗

The King Faisal University fellowship training programme in family and community medicine.

A four year graduate programme for future primary care physicians is described. The programme is particularly oriented towards those who are likely to become leaders and teachers in the discipline but it is believed that the principles involved should be generally applicable in education for primary care practice. Arguments are advanced in favour of the strong basic science core which has been included in the programme, especially in the traditionally community oriented subjects of biostatistics, epidemiology and research methodology. Considerable emphasis is also given to a dissertation. Areas of required knowledge and experience are documented in the curriculum as 24 courses, each the subject of continuing assessment and end of course examination. There are also two comprehensive examinations, one just after the mid point of the programme and the other at the end. This combination of multiple course assessments and two comprehensive examinations is regarded as a means of maintaining high standards while, at the same time, ensuring that candidates with real potential are not lost to the discipline.

Community Medicine↗

The low birth-weight infants of Saudi adolescents: maternal implications.

Maternal factors and perinatal outcome of low birth-weight (less than or equal to 2,500 g) infants of 46 adolescent mothers was studied and compared with 160 adolescents who delivered infants weighing greater than 2,500 g. The significant factors found in the low birth-weight group were anaemia, small maternal physique and preterm delivery. Expectedly, the perinatal mortality rate was significantly increased in low birth-weight infants.

Adolescent↗

Evaluation of an intensive care unit in a teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Intensive Care Units (ICU) in general hospitals have become a standard requirement in tertiary care centres. However, the appropriateness of their use is not widely known. We have used the Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS) to evaluate a multidisciplinary ICU in a teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia. The average occupancy rate was 79%, the nurse: patient ratio was 1:1.4, duration of stay 4.1 +/- 3.5 days, and mortality was 1.4%. The distribution of severity of illness was as follows: Classes I & II, 82%, and Classes III & IV, 18%. The average TISS points were: daily per patient 15.1 +/- 2.7 (range 11.5-21.7), total per day 125.6 +/- 38.2 (range 35-211), and patient points per nurse was 21.1. We conclude that, although less than 20% of patients required unique ICU services, the use of our ICU was appropriate to the current medical and manpower training needs of the community it was designed to serve, but the basis of nurses' complaints of overwork remains to be determined.

Hospitals, Teaching↗