Saudi Med J
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Indications and rate of first cesarean delivery in central region's maternity and children hospital.
To investigate the indications of first (non-repeated) cesarean deliveries, to categorize those indications into absolute and relative according to established guidelines of cesarean deliveries, and to compare the women with absolute and relative indications by demography and pregnancy-related attributes. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of delivery data between September and October 2018, at the Maternity and Children Hospital, Buraidah, Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Indications for cesarean deliveries of 200 primary cases were abstracted and were categorized into 'absolute' and 'relative' according to the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany guidelines. Results: The leading indications were fetal distress (27.5%), non-progression of labor (22.5%), breech presentation (18%), and failed initiation of labor (4.5%). Of the 200 cases, 26.5% had absolute indications, 50% had relative indications, and 23.5% had indications that were neither absolute nor relative. Women with absolute indications had lower mean gestational age and a higher proportion with greater than 3 gravida than women with relative indications (p less than 0.05). Conclusion: The most common indications for first time cesarean, in decreasing order of frequency, were fetal distress, non-progression of labor, and breech presentation.
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To evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among a group of Saudi children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in Armed Forces Hospital and Riyadh Care Hospital in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: The study was carried out in Riyadh Armed Forces Hospital and Riyadh Care Hospital in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from January to June 2017. This study included a total of 100 Saudi (50 males and 50 females) participants with T1DM, aged 2-12 years old. ⋯ Serum 25(OH) vitamin D was significantly inversely associated with body mass index as well as HbA1c. Conclusion: There is a concern that growing children with low vitamin D may be at higher risk for T1DM. It is necessary to further examine the mechanisms underlying vitamin D deficiency in T1DM children.
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To evaluate the effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on promoting neural repair after facial nerve compression in rats and the mechanism by which this occurs. Methods: Adult Wistar rats (n=100) were divided into 3 groups: healthy controls, surgery-only, and surgery+PRP groups. The rats underwent nerve crush injury to establish a facial palsy model. The blood from the rats was used to prepare the PRP for application to the injury site. ⋯ Hematoxylin and eosin staining, toluidine blue staining, and electron microscopy showed significant recovery of Schwann cells and axons in the PRP group. Polymerase chain reaction results showed that PRP releases growth factors, which include nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Immunohistochemistry also demonstrated higher levels of S-100 protein expression in the PRP group compared to the other groups. Conclusions: Platelet-rich plasma releases nutrient factors in the brainstem, and the use of PRP can promote injury recovery.
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Climate change is the most challenging natural calamity of chronic nature that presents intense episodes of heat waves, and events. Effects of heat waves and increasing average temperature on heat-related illnesses (HRIs) demand a review of existing preventive and treatment strategies to direct future research. ⋯ Prevention is the best strategy against HRI. There is a dearth of epidemiological studies that reviewed the effect of pharmacological interventions on mortality, and there remains a need to identify critical key components other than inflammatory modulators, which can be targeted to decrease HRI.
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To estimate the rate of scabies diagnostic recurrence and identify factors associated with the high likelihood of frequent scabies recurrences among adults in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This multi-center retrospective study was conducted in adult patients who were diagnosed with one or multiple recurrent infestations of scabies between January 2016 and September 2018 at the Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs hospitals and clinics, Saudi Arabia. The number of scabies recurrences during the study period was recorded and modeled using a Poisson model. Results: A total of 468 adult patients (39.8±17.8, range: 14.2-105.7 years) were included in the study, resulting in 645 scabies diagnoses in which 302 (46.8%) were recurrences. ⋯ The study suggests that male gender, first tertile, and high humidity were independently associated with the high rate of scabies recurrences among adults. An interventional program to lower the rate of scabies recurrences and prevent outbreak should be undertaken.