Introduction Trace element selenium, an antioxidant, and peroxynitrite scavenger when incorporated into selenoproteins and enzymes reduce oxidative stress which is implicated in the aetiopathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. A paucity of information exists on the serum selenium levels among pre-eclamptic pregnant women in Nigeria, hence the need for this study. Objective To compare mean serum selenium levels and prevalence of selenium deficiency in preeclamptic pregnant women and their normotensive pregnant controls. Materials and methods A comparative case-control study was carried out at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo state. Fifty-eight preeclamptic and equal normotensive pregnant controls were matched for age groups, gestational age groups, parity groups, and socioeconomic status had their serum samples analyzed for selenium level using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (ASS). Data analysis was done using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. P-value of < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Result Mean serum selenium levels of the preeclamptic women(0.67±0.27μmol/l) was significantly (p<0.001) lower than that of the normotensive controls(1.20±0.46μmol/l). Selenium

Background Pre-eclampsia is a common obstetric complication of pregnancy in Nigeria, and oxidative stress has been implicated in its aetiopathogenesis. Despite this fact, there is a paucity of information regarding the serum antioxidant micronutrient status of pre-eclamptic Nigerian women. The objective of the was to determine the mean serum levels of some antioxidant trace elements (copper, zinc, selenium, magnesium, manganese) in pre-eclamptic pregnant women and compare with that of healthy pregnant women in Enugu, South-Eastern, Nigeria. Methods A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department of the University of Nigeria, Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu. Using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, the sera of 81 pregnant pre-eclamptic and 81 matched healthy pregnant controls were analyzed for the antioxidant micronutrients. Both descriptive and inferential analysis was performed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 and a P value of < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results The mean serum levels of copper, selenium, and magnesium were found to be significantly lower in the pre-eclamptic pregnant group when compared to the healthy pregnant controls (p < 0.05). The mean serum levels of zinc and manganese did not differ between the two groups (p > 0.05). All the mean serum levels of micro-nutrients studied did not vary by category of pre-eclampsia (with or without severity findings) except manganese which was significantly lower in pre-eclamptic women without severity findings when compared to those with severity findings (p = 0.043). Conclusions The serum levels of copper, selenium, and magnesium were significantly lower among pre-eclamptics when compared to their normal healthy controls. Low levels of selenium, copper, and magnesium may have contributed to the incidence of pre-eclampsia in our environment.

Background and Aims:Although pregnancy and labor are considered physiological processes, the potential for catastrophic complications is constant and may develop rapidly. There is growing evidence that admission of high-risk patients into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is associated with a reduction in maternal mortality. This study was aimed at reviewing all obstetric patients admitted into the ICU.Materials and Methods:This was a retrospective study of all obstetric patients who were admitted into the ICU between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2013.Results:There were 89 obstetric patients admitted and managed at the ICU out of 5176 deliveries, thereby accounting for 1 admission in 58 deliveries. Majority of the patients were between 26 and 30 years, primiparous, and unbooked. The indications for ICU admission in this study were ruptured uterus (36.0%), eclampsia (22.5%), obstetric hemorrhage (19.1%), septicemia (10.1%), severe preeclampsia (6.7%), and obstructed labor (6.7%). The maternal and perinatal mortality was 13.5% and 47.2%, respectively. Maternal unbooked status was significantly associated with maternal mortality (P < 0.05).Conclusion:Ruptured uterus was the most common indication for ICU admission in the center. Maternal mortality was significantly associated with unbooked status. This underscores the importance of booking for antenatal care, prompt presentation at the hospital during emergencies, skilled birth attendance, and provision of adequate facilities for the management of critical obstetric cases in this environment.

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Objective To determine the accuracy of a semi‐quantitative interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) vaginal secretion rapid test (Chorioquick) for detecting chorioamnionitis in women with premature rupture of membranes (PROM). Methods A prospective cohort study in five tertiary hospitals in Nigeria involved women with confirmed PROM at term and preterm PROM with or without suspected chorioamnionitis from August 1, 2017, to October 31, 2018. Cervicovaginal fluid samples were tested for chorioamnionitis using the Chorioquick test. Samples were repeated at decision to deliver. The test was considered positive if at least the indicator ‘IL‐6 low’ of the three Chorioquick biomarkers (low, medium, high) was positive, or negative if none of the biomarkers were positive. Chorioamnionitis was histologically confirmed post‐delivery using three tissue samples. Primary outcome measures were sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. Results Of 73 women, on histological confirmation, 39 were true positive and 29 were true negative (for chorioamnionitis) to the Chorioquick test at repeat assessment. Overall, the Chorioquick test had a sensitivity of 97.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 85.3–99.9), specificity 87.9% (70.9–96.0), and accuracy 93.2% (79.5–99.1). Sub‐group analysis of women <37 weeks of pregnancy showed a sensitivity of 100.0% (95% CI 83.4–100.0), specificity of 91.3% (70.5–98.5), and accuracy of 95.8% (82.5–99.5). Triple positive samples were 100.0% specific in all gestations. Conclusion Chorioquick showed favorable utility for detecting chorioamnionitis in PROM and could be a reliable, non‐invasive rapid tool in a real‐world clinical setting.