Zahra Ali, Iffat Shabbir, Saira Bashir, Tayyaba Rahat, Syeda Saadia Fatim Ali.
Pregnancy related medical problems at a tertiary care hospital.
Pak J Med Res Jan ;52(3):71-4.

Objectives: To estimate pregnancy related medical problems in cases visiting tertiary care hospital for antenatal care. Study type, settings and duration: Retrospective OPD based study done at medical research laboratory of Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore from January 2011 to December 2011. Materials and Methods: A total of 1806 pregnant cases visited the biochemistry laboratory out of which 1000 cases fulfilled the criteria and had complete record available and were selected for analysis. Variable including hemoglobin, blood group and Rh factor, fasting and post prandial plasma glucose, viral markers like HBsAg, Anti-HCV and Anti-HIV I/II and complete urine examination. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS-15). Results: The mean age of women was 25.4±4.29 years and 78.1% were between 21-30 years. The mean fasting and post parandial glucose levels were 84.03±15 mg/dl and 134.30±23 mg/dl respectively. Gestational diabetes mellitus was found in 96 cases (6.9%). HBsAg was present in 1.2%, HCV in 8.5% and both B and C were present in 1 case. None had HIV I/II infection. Blood group ‘B’ was commonest (34.2%), followed by group ‘O’ (30.6%), group ‘A’ (24.5%) and ‘AB’ (10.7%). Rhesus factor (Rh) showed 94% Rh-positive cases and 6.0% Rh negative. Overall anemia was present in 61.1% cases with mild anemia in 87.5%, moderate in 12.2% and severe in 0.1%. Urinary tract infection was seen in 10.1 % cases. Conclusion: Anemia was common in pregnancy. Urinary tract infection (10%), hepatitis C virus exposure (8.5%) and gestational diabetes mellitus (7%) were common. Policy message: Although the screening of HCV is not recommended internationally but the rate of HCV infection is on increase in Pakistan so there is a need of proper screening of HCV along with routine antenatal screening. It will help to identify asymptomatic women, who may benefit from antiviral therapy at a time when they are more receptive to medical intervention.

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