Biomedical subjects

Malak M Al-Hakeem

Publications and source records attributed to Malak M Al-Hakeem.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Frequency of isolated positive sputum cultures among pulmonary tuberculosis patients.

OBJECTIVE: The occurrence of isolated positive sputum cultures among pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients during treatment is not widely reported. This study describes the frequency of isolated positive sputum cultures among PTB patients after initiation of chemotherapy. METHODS: Fifty sputum culture positive PTB patients, consisting of 38 (76%) males and 12 (24%) females with a mean age of 34.31 +/- 19.54 (13-75) years, were studied prospectively over a period of 10 months (September 1999 to June 2000) at Sahary Chest Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The majority of patients received standard 4-drug short-course antimicrobial chemotherapy. Weekly sputum smears and cultures were carried out for each patient during the treatment. RESULTS: Isolated positive sputum cultures were encountered in 4 (8%) of the studied patients. Two of them had 2 consecutive positive smears and cultures in their third and fourth week during treatment and were attributed to poor compliance to the treatment. Of the remaining 2 patients, one had single isolated culture in his fourth week, while the fourth patient showed a slight growth in the fifth week of the treatment. Due to the undetermined status of the smear and very few colonies in the culture, these 2 isolated cultures were attributed to the carry-over contamination during the laboratory procedures. The same treatment was continued with strict monitoring of compliance to the treatment and laboratory protocols. All of the 4 patients converted to negative before leaving the hospital. CONCLUSION: Isolated positive sputum cultures might appear (infrequently) during treatment either due to the treatment noncompliance or carry over contamination. However, under either circumstance, the same treatment should be continued along with strict monitoring of treatment compliance and specimen decontamination and related laboratory protocols.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Multiple pregnancy and preterm labor.

OBJECTIVE: Multiple gestations are high risk pregnancies, which may be complicated by pre-maturity, low birth weight infants, pre-eclampsia, anemia, postpartum hemorrhage, intrauterine growth restriction, neonatal morbidity and high perinatal, neonatal and infant mortality. This study was carried out to determine the incidence and effect of multiple pregnancies on pre-term labor in tertiary care hospitals. METHODS: Retrospective case record analysis of 375 cases of multiple pregnancies that were reported at Armed Forces Hospital and King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, between January 2000 and December 2001. The data was analyzed to determine the incidence of multiple pregnancies and its effect on pre-term delivery. RESULTS: The over whole incidence of twins was 14/1000 births. Premature labor in multiple pregnancies was 7 times greater than singletons (42% versus 6.4%). Almost half of multiple pregnancy cases were delivered by cesarean section (49% versus 14%). Pregnancy was induced in 34% of cases. Cervical cerclage was applied in only 8% of cases and betamemetics were administered to only 11% of cases. Fetal distress in labor, abnormal presentation and previous uterine scar were the main indications for cesarean section. Fifty percent had no antenatal complications, gestational diabetes complicated 16%, and anemia was reported in 22% of cases. CONCLUSION: Preterm delivery remains the most serious complication of multiple pregnancies. Multiple gestation children may suffer long term sequel of prenatal complications, including cerebral palsy and hearing disabilities. Every effort should be made to reduce the risk of multiple gestation and pre-term labor through proper control and close monitoring of fertility drugs, limiting number of embryo transfer to maximum of 3 or only 2, improving the socioeconomic status of expectant mothers, reduce cigarette smoking, relieve maternal stress, restriction of maternal activity, frequent contact with health care personnel and treatment of any obstetric or medical disorders.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Uterine didelphus with obstructed hemivagina.

Complex congenital anomalies of the mullerian ducts can occur in isolation or in association with other developmental disorders. They result from non-development or non-fusion of the mullerian ducts or the failure of reabsorption of the uterine septum. Early diagnosis is necessary to relieve symptoms, optimize preservation of the genital organs and prevent the development of endometriosis. We present a case report to highlight this phenomenon.

Female↗