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

Objectives:To compare accuracy between Premaquick (combined test for native insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), total IGFBP-1, and interleukin-6) and fetal fibronectin (Ffn) in predicting preterm delivery. Methods:Prospective study among women at 28-36 +6 gestational weeks with threatened preterm labor attending Federal Medical Center, Owerri, Nigeria, from August 2017 to February 2019. Cervico-vaginal fluids were collected and tested by Premaquick and Ffn tests. The women were followed for 14 days. Sensitivity, specificity, and negative (NPV) and positive (PPV) predictive value for delivery were compared between the tests.Results: Among 213 women assessed for eligibility, 183 were enrolled and 175 completed the study. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of the Premaquick versus Ffn tests were, respectively, 96.3% versus 51.9%, 97.6% versus 98.4%, 89.7% versus 87.5%, 99.2% versus 90.3% and 97.3% versus 90.0% for preterm delivery within 14 days. Ffn had higher specificity (98.5% vs 97.8%; P>0.99), but Premaquick had higher PPV (92.7% vs 90.9%; P>0.99). Conclusion:Both tests seem to have high utility in predicting preterm delivery, but Premaquick showed higher accuracy in terms of sensitivity and PPV. Premaquick might be a feasible alternative to Ffn for predicting preterm delivery among symptomatic women in a low-income setting.

Background: In pregnancy, anemia is associated with increased risk of both maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality especially in HIV situation. To determine the prevalence and determinants of anemia in HIV positive compared to HIV negative women.Methods: This was a cross sectional study carried out from June 2016 to December 2017 amongst pregnant women who presented to the antenatal clinic. Information on socio-demographic variables and laboratory test to determine the hemoglobin levels and CD4 count (for the HIV positive women) were carried out. A total of 350 subjects with equal number of HIV positive and HIV negative pregnant women were recruited. Variables were compared between the two groups using software package for social sciences version 20. P values<0.05 at 95% confidence interval are considered statistically significant.Results: The mean age for HIV positive and negative were 31.54 ±4.1 and 29.03 respectively while, mean gestational age at booking for HIV positive and negative were 20.41±8.61 and 22.37±7.4 weeks respectively. The HIV positive group had a mean parity of 2.02±1.5, and 2.56±1.2 was that of the HIV negative group. The mean hemoglobin statuses at booking were 9.92±1.8 g/dl and 10.6±1.1 g/df HIV positive and HIV negative women respectively. The mean CD4+ at booking for HIV positive group was 478±251 per microliter. The overall prevalence of anemia irrespective of HIV status was 36.6%. The prevalence of anemia in HIV positive and negative women were 44.6% and 28.6% respectively. There was statistically significant relationship between anemia and HIV status (p=0.002).Conclusions: There was inverse relationship between CD4+ count and anemia. Low CD4+ count and non-use of HAART at booking were important determinants of anemia among the HIV.

Background: Pregnancy in sickle cell disease (SCD) is high risk. With improved comprehensive obstetric care, pregnant females with SCD can achieve successful pregnancy outcomes, especially in resource-poor settings. Objectives: To determine the predictors of Obstetricians’ pattern of care for SCD in pregnancy in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Self-administered, pre-tested, pre-validated questionnaires containing 18 questions on demographic details of obstetricians, and their pattern of practice towards antenatal care for pregnant SCD patients were distributed to attendees of the 2018 conference of the Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Nigeria (SOGON). Regression analysis was done to determine the possible predictors, and a significant level was <0.05. Result: Almost all the respondents (98.4%) considered pregnancy in SCD as high risk, and 96.2% proposed for preconception care in a tertiary hospital. The majority, (62%) agreed that antenatal visits in the first and second trimesters should be more frequent. The majority (96.2%) reported they would routinely order urine tests among other investigations. Majority of respondents,74.9% and 98.4% knew that foetal medicine specialists and haematologists should be part of preconception care team, respectively. Respondents’ practice centre and designation, significantly contributed to their “willingness to consult a haematologist” (P = 0.004),” and willingness to consult a foetal specialist” (P = 0.047), while practice centre and practice population significantly contributed to their response to “ideal centre for management of SCD pregnancy”: (P = 0.049), (P = 0.024) respectively. Conclusion: Obstetricians’ level of training, practice centre, and practice population of pregnant women with SCD are significant contributors to their pattern of care towards antenatal care for pregnancy in SCD.