W Indian Med J
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In September 2000, the Heads of States of the 191 countries of the United Nations approved the Millennium Declaration in which reduction of pregnancy-related deaths to a quarter by 2015 was one of its goals. However, before the middle of the first decade of this millennium, there were no reports on the status of maternal mortality in Maroua, Cameroon. ⋯ The findings suggest that Maternal Mortality Ratio in Maroua, City Cameroon, is very high. Since most of the causes of death were preventable, we propose that the current maternal and Family Planning strategies be reviewed with the view to reducing the current trend. Such a strategy would enable the Maroua city to meet the Millennium goals by 2015.
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Outcome of extremely low birthweight infants at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Jamaica.
To describe the early outcome of extremely low birthweight infants delivered at the University Hospital of the West Indies. ⋯ Obstetric measures for the prevention of preterm delivery need to be optimized in order to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with extremely low birthweight infants.
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Day surgery is cheaper and allows for less time delay. In developing countries with limited health budgets, these factors lead to higher patient turnover and shortened waiting lists. The decreased psychological trauma for both parents and children is significant. ⋯ This review showed that the number of PDS has increased from 60% in 1984 to 75%. These procedures were performed safely with a low complication rate. Further expansion of the service is recommended.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of general anaesthesia and spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section in Antigua and Barbuda.
Regional anaesthesia has become the anaesthetic of choice for Caesarean section (CS) in developed countries, with use extended to smaller, less developed countries in the past decade. This study is a comparison of maternal and neonatal outcomes comparing general anaesthesia (GA) and the early experience with spinal anaesthesia (SA) for CS in Antigua and Barbuda. Data obtained included maternal age, gravidity, parity, indication for operation, emergent versus routine operation and type of anaesthesia used. ⋯ There were no maternal deaths. Babies demonstrated no difference in birthweight (mean 3238 vs 3258 g) but those born to mothers who underwent GA had significantly lower one minute (mean 6.84 vs 8.17, p < 0.0001) and five minute (mean 8.13 vs 8.91, p < 0.001) Apgar scores, with a trend toward more frequent neonatal special care unit admission (26.2% vs 17.7%, p < 0.20) and perinatal death (3.9 vs 0%, p < 0.30). GA and SA appear equally safe, but SA was associated with significantly better outcome for both mothers and babies.