Background: Epistaxis is defined as a hemorrhage from the nostril, nasal cavity, or nasopharynx. Sufferers and clinicians may develop significant anxiety despite the fact that majority of patients are treated successfully by the first attending physician. Objective: To review aetiology and management outcomes of epistaxis in a resource constrained setting. Methodology: A retrospective review of 101 patients seen with epistaxis at the National Ear Care Centre, Kaduna over 7years (January 2002-December 2008. Results: The age of patients ranged between 2 and 75years. The incidence of epistaxis of 0.5% was recorded out of total patient visit and slight male preponderance with a male:female ratio of 1.4:1. Dry-hot and cold harmattan weather had the highest prevalence. Trauma and infections were the main aetiological factors identified but over 40% of cases are idiopathic in origin. About 25% presented with active bleeding and 11% required admission. All were managed conservatively. Less than 2% received blood transfusion. Conclusion: Epistaxis is a common emergency that requires prompt intervention to reduce further morbidity and prevent mortality. Non operative intervention was a satisfactory approach in this study.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide. It occurs in women with first or multiple pregnancies and is characterized by new onset hypertension and proteinuria. Improper placentation is mainly responsible for the disease. If PE remains untreated, it moves towards more serious condition known as eclampsia. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, proteinuria, obesity, family history, nulliparity, multiple pregnancies and thrombotic vascular disease contribute as the risk factors for PE. PE triggered metabolic stress causes vascular injury, thus contributing to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and/or chronic kidney disease (CKD) in future. This risk appears to be increased especially in women with a history of recurrent PE and eclampsia. Clinically increased serum levels of sFlt-1 and decreased placental growth factor (PIGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) represent the severe condition of PE. The clinical findings of sever PE are assorted by the presence of systemic endothelial dysfunction, microangiopathy, the liver (hemolysis, elevated liver function tests and low platelet count, namely HELLP syndrome) and the kidney (proteinuria). The early detection of PE is one of the most important goals in obstetrics.