Relationship between neonatal respiratory distress syndrome pulmonary ultrasonography and respiratory distress score,oxygenation index,and chest radiography grading

BACKGROUND Accurate condition assessment is critical for improving the prognosis of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome(RDS),but current assessment methods for RDS pose a cumulative risk of harm to neonates.Thus,a less harmful method for assessing the health of neonates with RDS is needed.AIM To analyze the relationships between pulmonary ultrasonography and respiratory distress scores,oxygenation index,and chest X-ray grade of neonatal RDS to identify predictors of neonatal RDS severity.METHODS This retrospective study analyzed the medical information of 73 neonates with RDS admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Liupanshui Maternal and Child Care Service Center between April and December 2022.The pulmonary ultrasonography score,respiratory distress score,oxygenation index,and chest Xray grade of each newborn before and after treatment were collected.Spearman correlation analysis was performed to determine the relationships among these values and neonatal RDS severity.RESULTS The pulmonary ultrasonography score,respiratory distress score,oxygenation index,and chest X-ray RDS grade of the neonates were significantly lower after treatment than before treatment(P<0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that before and after treatment,the pulmonary ultrasonography score of neonates with RDS was positively correlated with the respiratory distress score,oxygenation index,and chest X-ray grade(ρ=0.429–0.859,P<0.05).Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that pulmonary ultrasonography screening effectively predicted the severity of neonatal RDS(area under the curve=0.805–1.000,P<0.05).CONCLUSION The pulmonary ultrasonography score was significantly associated with the neonatal RDS score,oxygenation index,and chest X-ray grade.The pulmonary ultrasonography score was an effective predictor of neonatal RDS severity.

Endoscopic ultrasonography-related diagnostic accuracy and clinical significance on small rectal neuroendocrine neoplasms

This research aimed to examine the diagnostic accuracy and clinical significance of endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)in the context of small rectal neuroendocrine neoplasms(NENs).A total of 108 patients with rectal subepithelial lesions(SELs)with a diameter of<20 mm were included in the analysis.The diagnosis and depth assessment of EUS was compared to the histology findings.The prevalence of NENs in rectal SELs was 78.7%(85/108).The sensitivity of EUS in detecting rectal NENs was 98.9%(84/85),while the specificity was 52.2%(12/23).Overall,the diagnostic accuracy of EUS in identifying rectal NENs was 88.9%(96/108).The overall accuracy rate for EUS in assessing the depth of invasion in rectal NENs was 92.9%(78/84).Therefore,EUS demonstrates reasonable diagnostic accuracy in detecting small rectal NENs,with good sensitivity but inferior specificity.EUS may also assist physicians in assessing the depth of invasion in small rectal NENs before endoscopic excision.

Double contrast-enhanced ultrasonography improves diagnostic accuracy of T staging compared with multi-detector computed tomography in gastric cancer patients

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is the most common malignant tumor and ranks third for cancer-related deaths among the worldwide.The disease poses a serious public health problem in China,ranking fifth for incidence and third for mortality.Knowledge of the invasive depth of the tumor is vital to treatment decisions.AIM To evaluate the diagnostic performance of double contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(DCEUS)for preoperative T staging in patients with GC by comparing with multi-detector computed tomography(MDCT).METHODS This single prospective study enrolled patients with GC confirmed by preoperative gastroscopy from July 2021 to March 2023.Patients underwent DCEUS,including ultrasonography(US)and intravenous contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(CEUS),and MDCT examinations for the assessment of preoperative T staging.Features of GC were identified on DCEUS and criteria developed to evaluate T staging according to the 8th edition of AJCC cancer staging manual.The diagnostic performance of DCEUS was evaluated by comparing it with that of MDCT and surgical-pathological findings were considered as the gold standard.RESULTS A total of 229 patients with GC(80 T1,33 T2,59 T3 and 57 T4)were included.Overall accuracies were 86.9%for DCEUS and 61.1%for MDCT(P<0.001).DCEUS was superior to MDCT for T1(92.5%vs 70.0%,P<0.001),T2(72.7%vs 51.5%,P=0.041),T3(86.4%vs 45.8%,P<0.001)and T4(87.7%vs 70.2%,P=0.022)staging of GC.CONCLUSION DCEUS improved the diagnostic accuracy of preoperative T staging in patients with GC compared with MDCT,and constitutes a promising imaging modality for preoperative evaluation of GC to aid individualized treatment decision-making.

Intraoperative cholangio-ultrasonography(IOCUS)during hepatectomy with resection of the biliary confluence:An effective alternative to intraoperative cholangiography

Intraoperative ultrasonography(IOUS)in hepatobiliary surgery is well known as an essential tool for radical and safe hepatectomies,allowing to perform parenchymal sparing surgery and,as consequence,to expand the surgical indications for patients otherwise considered unresectable.Nevertheless,since many years,despite its effectiveness in the study of vascular anatomy of the liver,the gold standard for the assessment of biliary anatomy during surgery is intraoperative cholangiography(IOC),which is used for the validation of preoperative imaging as well as for guiding reconstruction in case of bile duct injury or resection.

Individualized vaginal applicator for stage IIb primary vaginal adenocarcinoma:A case report

BACKGROUND Primary vaginal cancer is rare and most vaginal tumors are metastatic,often arising from adjacent gynecologic structures.Primary vaginal cancers are also more common among postmenopausal women and most of these are squamous cell carcinomas,with adenocarcinomas being relatively rare.Vaginal bleeding is the most common clinical manifestation of vaginal adenocarcinoma.About 70%of vaginal adenocarcinomas are stage I lesions at the time of diagnosis,for which radical surgery is recommended.However,more advanced vaginal cancers are not amenable to radical surgical treatment and have poor clinical outcomes.Optimal treatments modes are still being explored.Here,we report a rare case of stage IIb primary vaginal adenocarcinoma for which an individually designed vaginal applicator for after-loading radiotherapy was used to achieve good tumor control.CASE SUMMARY A 62-year-old woman presented to our clinic after 3 months of abnormal postmenopausal vaginal bleeding.Gynecological examination,computed tomography(CT),and positron emission tomography-CT showed a large mass(about 5 cm)on the anterior vaginal wall.Colposcopy biopsy confirmed adenocarcinoma of vaginal origin.After three cycles of carboplatin plus paclitaxel chemotherapy,the lesion partially shrunk.The patient then received external irradiation of 45 gray(gy)in 25 fractions,which further reduced the vaginal lesion,followed by after-loading radiotherapy of 30 gy in 5 fractions with an individually designed vaginal applicator.Three months later,magnetic resonance imaging showed a slight thickening CONCLUSION Primary vaginal adenocarcinoma is rare,and prognosis is poor in most vaginal cancers of locally advanced stages,which cannot be treated with radical surgery.Better tumor control can be achieved with an individualized vaginal applicator that allows administration of a higher radical dose to the tumor area while protecting normal tissues.

Beta-HCG Levels and Ovarian Ultrasonography Results among Non-Pregnant Women of Reproductive Age in Port Harcourt, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Certain ovarian cancers that were previously common in postmenopausal women are now increasingly observed in women of reproductive age. The research on using β-HCG as a diagnostic biomarker for ovarian cancer in women of reproductive age is ongoing. Aim: This study assessed the level of serum β-HCG in non-pregnant women of reproductive age and determined its potential association with suspicious ovarian ultrasonography results. Methods: The study was conducted in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. This study adopted a cross-sectional design on a quota sample of 224 case notes of women aged 18 - 40 years obtained from eight diagnostic centres. A data extraction form was used for data collection. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics, Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, and Odds Ratio at 95% confidence and 5% significance levels. Results: About 5.8% of the participants exhibited detectable levels of serum β-HCG above 5 IU/L (World Health Organization reference) at a mean concentration of 5.87 (±1.75) IU/L. About 4.0% of the participants had suspicious ovarian lesions identified through ultrasonography. Participants with elevated serum β-HCG levels above the WHO reference were 59 times more likely to have suspicious ovarian lesions (Odds ratio: 59.4, 95%CI: 12.3 - 287.8, p β-HCG level and age (p = 0.041) as well as parity (p Conclusion: Serum β-HCG levels above the WHO reference in non-pregnant women were associated with suspicious ovarian lesions. More rigorous primary research, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses are needed to confirm the findings of this study.

Perioperative and long-term results of ultrasonography-guided single-and multiple-tract percutaneous nephrolithotomy for staghorn calculi

BACKGROUND It is possible that this condition will lead to urosepsis and progressive deterioration of renal function in the absence of surgical intervention.Several recent clinical studies have shown that multi-tract percutaneous nephrolithotomy(MPCNL)has a similar stone free rate(SFR)as standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy(S-PCNL).As a result,M-PCNL was also recommended as a treatment option for staghorn calculi.AIM To examine the perioperative and long-term results of ultrasonography-guided single-and M-PCNL.METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study.Between March 2021 and January 2022,the urology department of our hospital selected patients for the treatment of staghorn calculi using percutaneous nephrolithotomy.The primary outcomes were com plication rate and SFR,and the characteristics of patients,operative parameters,laboratory measurements were also collected.RESULTS In total,345 patients were enrolled in the study(186 in the S-PCNL group and 159 in the M-PCNL group).The SFR in the M-PCNL group was significantly higher than that in the S-PCNL group(P=0.033).Moreover,the incidence rates of hydrothorax(P=0.03)and postoperative infection(P=0.012)were higher in the M-PCNL group than in the S-PCNL group.Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that post-operative white blood cell count(OR=2.57,95%CI:1.90-3.47,P<0.001)and stone size(OR=1.59,95%CI:1.27-2.00,P<0.001)were associated with a higher overall complication rate in the S-PCNL group.Body mass index(OR=1.22,95%CI:1.06-1.40,P=0.004)and stone size(OR=1.70,95%CI:1.35-2.15,P<0.001)were associated with increased overall complications in the M-PCNL group.CONCLUSION Multiple access tracts can facilitate higher SFR while slightly increasing the incidence of acceptable complications.

A Clinical Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Oral Combination Kit Therapy in Syndromic Management of Abnormal Vaginal Discharge (FEMINE Study) in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Background: Vaginal discharge is one of most common and nagging problems that women face. About 20% - 25% of women who visit gynecology department complain of vaginal discharge and leucorrhoea. An orally administered combination kit, containing 2 g secnidazole, 1 g azithromycin and 150 mg fluconazole (Azimyn FS Kit), has been successfully evaluated in clinical trials and used in several countries for management syndromic vaginal discharge due to infections. Methods: This is a longitudinal study which aimed to verify the clinical efficacy of the combined oral kit containing secnidazole, azithromycin and fluconazole (Azimyn FS Kit®) in the syndromic treatment of abnormal vaginal discharge in patients received in outpatient consultations in Kinshasa/DR Congo from March to September 2023. Results: Majority of patients had whitish vaginal discharge (51.6%) of average abundance (56.2%), accompanied by pruritus in 72.1% of cases, and dyspareunia in 23.5% of cases and hypogastralgia in 40.2% of cases. One week after treatment with the Azimyn FS® combined kit, at the greatest majority of patients (97.3%), abnormal vaginal discharge had decreased by more than 50% (84.1%). Two weeks after treatment with the Azimyn FS® combined kit, almost all patients (97.3%) no longer had abnormal vaginal discharge which had completely disappeared. Conclusion: A single dose of secnidazole, azithromycin and fluconazole in the form of an oral combi-kit (Azimyn FS Kit) has shown excellent therapeutic effectiveness in the syndromic treatment of abnormal vaginal discharge wherein patients were treated without diagnostic confirmation.

Correlation of dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and the Ki-67 labelling index in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC)is a highly malignant and aggressive tumor,and high Ki-67 expression indicates poor histological differentiation and prognosis.Therefore,one of the challenges in diagnosing preoperatively patients with PDAC is predicting the degree of malignancy.Dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(DCE-US)plays a crucial role in abdominal tumor diagnosis,and can adequately show the microvascular composition within the tumors.However,the relationship between DCE-US and the Ki-67 labelling index remains unclear at the present time.AIM To predict the correlation between Ki-67 expression and the parameters of DCEUS.METHODS Patients with PDAC who underwent DCE-US were retrospectively analyzed.Patients who had received any treatment(radiotherapy or chemotherapy)prior to DCE-US;had incomplete clinical,imaging,or pathologic information;and had poor-quality image analysis were excluded.Correlations between Ki-67 expression and the parameters of DCE-US in patients with PDAC were assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation analysis.The diagnostic performances of these parameters in high Ki-67 expression group were evaluated according to receiver operating characteristic curve.RESULTS Based on the Ki-67 labelling index,30 patients were divided into two groups,i.e.,the high expression group and the low expression group.Among the relative quantitative parameters between the two groups,relative half-decrease time(rHDT),relative peak enhancement,relative wash-in perfusion index and relative wash-in rate were significantly different between two groups(P=0.018,P=0.025,P=0.028,P=0.035,respectively).The DCE-US parameter rHDT was moderately correlated with Ki-67 expression,and rHDT≥1.07 was more helpful in accurately diagnosing high Ki-67 expression,exhibiting a sensitivity and specificity of 53.8%and 94.1%,respectively.CONCLUSION One parameter of DCE-US,rHDT,correlates with high Ki-67 expression.It demonstrates that parameters obtained noninvasively by DCE-US could better predict Ki-67 expression in PDAC preoperatively.

Clinical value of oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in diagnosis of gastric tumors

BACKGROUND The incidence of gastric cancer remains high,and it is the sixth most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide.Oral contrastenhanced ultrasonography is a simple,non-invasive,and painless method for the diagnosis of gastric tumors.AIM To explore the diagnostic value of oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for the detection of gastric tumors.METHODS The screening results based on oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and electronic gastroscopy were compared with those of the postoperative pathological examination.RESULTS Among 42 patients with gastric tumors enrolled in the study,the diagnostic accordance rate was 95.2%for oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(n=40)and 90.5%for electronic gastroscopy(n=38)compared with postoperative pathological examination.The Kappa value of consistency test with pathological findings was 0.812 for oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and 0.718 for electronic gastroscopy,and there was no significant difference between them(P=0.397).For the TNM staging of gastric tumors,the accuracy rate of oral contrast enhanced ultrasonography was 81.9%for the overall T staging and 50%,77.8%,100%,and 100%for T1,T2,T3,and T4 staging,respectively.The sensitivity and specificity were both 100%for stages T3 and T4.The diagnostic accuracy rate of oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was 93.8%,80%,100%,and 100%for stages N0,N1-N3,M0,and M1,respectively.CONCLUSION The accordance rate of qualitative diagnosis by oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography is comparable to that of gastroscopy,and it could be used as the preferred method for the early screening of gastric tumors.

Dynamic ultrasonography for optimizing treatment position in superior mesenteric artery syndrome:Two case reports and review of literature

BACKGROUND Superior mesenteric artery(SMA)syndrome is a rare cause of duodenal obstruction by extrinsic compression between the SMA and the aorta(SMA-Ao).Although the left lateral recumbent position is considered effective in the treatment of SMA syndrome,individual variations in the optimal patient position have been noted.In this report,we present two elderly cases of SMA syndrome that exhibited rapid recovery due to ultrasonographic dynamic evaluation of the optimal position for each patient.CASE SUMMARY Case 1:A 90-year-old man with nausea and vomiting.Following diagnosis of SMA syndrome by computed tomography(CT),ultrasonography(US)revealed the SMA-Ao distance in the supine position(4 mm),which slightly improved in the lateral position(5.7–7.0 mm)without the passage of duodenal contents.However,in the sitting position,the SMA-Ao distance was increased to 15 mm accompanied by improved content passage.Additionally,US indicated enhanced passage upon abdominal massage on the right side.By day 2,the patient could eat comfortably with the optimal position and massage.Case 2:An 87-year-old woman with vomiting.After the diagnosis of SMA syndrome and aspiration pneumonia by CT,dynamic US confirmed the optimal position(SMA-Ao distance was improved to 7 mm in forward-bent position,whereas it remained at 5 mm in the supine position).By day 7 when her pneumonia recovered,she could eat with the optimal position.CONCLUSION The optimal position for SMA syndrome varies among individuals.Dynamic US appears to be a valuable tool in improving patient outcomes.

Point of care ultrasonography as the new“Laennec Sthetoscope”

Point of care ultrasonography(POCUS)has evolved to become the fifth pillar of the conventional physical examination,and use of POCUS protocols have significantly decreased procedure complications and time to diagnose.However,lack of experience in POCUS by preceptors in medical schools and nephrology residency programs are significant barriers to implement a broader use.In rural and low-income areas POCUS may have a transformative effect on health care management.

Point-of-care ultrasonography spotlight:Could venous excess ultrasound serve as a shared language for internists and intensivists?

Point-of-care ultrasonography(POCUS),particularly venous excess ultrasound(VExUS)is emerging as a valuable bedside tool to gain real-time hemodynamic insights.This modality,derived from hepatic vein,portal vein,and intrarenal vessel Doppler patterns,offers a scoring system for dynamic venous congestion assessment.Such an assessment can be crucial in effective management of patients with heart failure exacerbation.It facilitates diagnosis,quantification of congestion,prognostication,and monitoring the efficacy of decongestive therapy.As such,it can effectively help to manage cardiorenal syndromes in various clinical settings.Extended or eVExUS explores additional veins,potentially broadening its applications.While VExUS demonstrates promising outcomes,challenges persist,particularly in cases involving renal and liver parenchymal disease,arrhythmias,and situations of pressure and volume overload overlap.Proficiency in utilizing spectral Doppler is pivotal for clinicians to effectively employ this tool.Hence,the integration of POCUS,especially advanced applications like VExUS,into routine clinical practice necessitates enhanced training across medical specialties.

Sound waves and solutions:Point-of-care ultrasonography for acute kidney injury in cirrhosis

This article delves into the intricate challenges of acute kidney injury(AKI)in cirrhosis,a condition fraught with high morbidity and mortality.The complexities arise from distinguishing between various causes of AKI,particularly hemodynamic AKI,in cirrhotic patients,who experience hemodynamic changes due to portal hypertension.The term"hepatocardiorenal syndrome"is introduced to encapsulate the intricate interplay among the liver,heart,and kidneys.The narrative emphasizes the often-overlooked aspect of cardiac function in AKI assessments in cirrhosis,unveiling the prevalence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy marked by impaired diastolic function.The conventional empiric approach involving volume expansion and vasopressors for hepatorenal syndrome is critically analyzed,highlighting potential risks and variable patient responses.We advocate for a nuanced algorithm for AKI evaluation in cirrhosis,prominently featuring point-of-care ultrasonography(POCUS).POCUS applications encompass assessing fluid tolerance,detecting venous congestion,and evaluating cardiac function.

Comprehensive review on the diagnostic strategies for esophageal tuberculosis:the role of endoscopic ultrasonography

Esophageal tuberculosis(ET)is a relatively rare clinical condition,characterized by often atypical clinical features.The lack of specificity in diagnostic methods,such as esophagogastroduodenoscopy and various imaging techniques,frequently leads to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatments.Compared to esophagogastroduodenoscopy,endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)offers a more comprehensive examination of esophageal tuberculosis lesions,including the extent of wall layer involvement and the internal structure characteristics of the lesions.Furthermore,when necessary,endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration can be employed to acquire deeper pathological tissue,significantly aiding diagnosis.When combined with the patient’s clinical presentation,endoscopic findings,and pathological features,EUS plays a crucial role in the definitive diagnosis of ET and in the differential diagnosis process.This article meticulously reviews both national and international literature to summarize the relevant features of ET,with a focus on its appearance under EUS,and to highlight the clinical value of EUS in enhancing the diagnosis of ET and in distinguishing it from other conditions.The aim is to offer guidance for the accurate diagnosis of ET.

Predictors of Abnormal Vaginal Discharge among Women of Reproductive Age in Southeast Nigeria

Background: An abnormal vaginal discharge is a common complaint among women of reproductive age, and it can indicate serious conditions like pelvic inflammatory disease and cervical cancer. This study aimed to assess the predictors of abnormal vaginal discharge in women of reproductive age group in Imo State, Southeast Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 368 women of reproductive age group attending the clinic at Federal University Teaching Hospital Owerri, in Imo State, Nigeria. Respondents were recruited using a systematic sampling technique. Data were collected using a pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire. Multivariable analysis was performed to determine predictors of abnormal vaginal discharge. Statistical significance was set at p Results: The mean age of the respondents was 30 ± 4.5 years. Predictors of abnormal vaginal discharge were: age 36 - 45 years (OR: 4.5;95% C.I: 1.023 - 8.967, p = 0.041), being a student (OR: 2.4: 95% C.I: 1.496 - 7.336, p = 0.003), use of oral contraceptives (OR: 3.4;95% C.I: 1.068 - 6.932, p = 0.010), use of water cistern (OR: 4.7;C.I: 1.654 - 5.210, p = 0.028) anal hygiene practices (OR: 2.7;95% C.I: 1.142 - 4.809, p Conclusion: These findings suggest that targeted sexual and reproductive health interventions should be provided to reduce the risk of abnormal vaginal discharge in women of reproductive age group.

Study of Harmful Vaginal Practices of Women in the Municipality of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Introduction: Vaginal practices include washing, altering, cutting, cleaning, enhancing, drying, tightening, lubricating, or loosening of the vagina, labia, clitoris, or hymen. This study aimed to investigate the different vaginal practices of women using non-pharmaceutical products. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study with descriptive and analytical purposes that took place from January 15 to April 23, 2023, in the four largest markets in the municipality of Ouagadougou. This was performed using the data collection sheet in the KoboCollect application. Epi info 7.2.5.0. software was used for data analysis. For the analysis of associated factors, a p-value Results: In total, 977 women were surveyed. Among them, 43.19% underwent vaginal procedures using non-pharmaceutical products. The female practitioners were 34.34 ± 7.44 years old. The products used included plants, mineral substances, ointments, tablets, and solutions. Among the practicing women, 40.99% were looking for vaginal tightening. The main purpose was to maintain their partners (45.97%). Three-point thirty-two percent (3.32%) of the women who underwent vaginal procedures had reported adverse events. Conclusion: Raising awareness of the consequences of vaginal practices and encouraging women to go to a health center for any gynecological problem could significantly reduce the prevalence of vaginal practices.

Comparative Study of Early Neonatal Complications between the First and Second Twin during Twin Vaginal Deliveries at the Yaounde Gynaeco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital, and the Yaounde Central Hospital

Introduction: Twin birth is the expulsion of two fetuses and their appendages out of the woman’s reproductive tract. It’s a high-risk delivery because of the high frequency of maternal, fetal and neonatal complications. Few studies exist on the comparative prognoses of twins. Our objective was to compare early neonatal complications in first and second twins. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional prospective study from January 2 to April 30, 2020 (4 months) at the Yaounde Gynaeco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital, and the Yaounde Central Hospital. Data collected were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistics were done in frequencies and percentages, means and standard deviations. Paired-sample student's t-test were used to compare means. McNemar’s Chi-square and Ficher’s exact tests were used to compare proportions. Statistical significance was set at p-values less than 0.05. Results: Of a total of 2183 deliveries during the study period, 43 (1.96%) were twin vaginal deliveries. Among the 43 women, 41 consented to have their newborns participate in the study. Overall, APGAR scores were better for the first twins at the first (p = 0.004) and fifth (p = 0.031) minutes than for the second twins. Although both twins had complications and that there were 4 neonatal deads of the second twin, there was no relationship between studied complications and the rank of the twin (p = 0.310). Conclusion: As the APGAR score seemed to be better for first twins, clinicians should pay more attention during twin births, in order to improve the prognosis of the second twin.

Postpartum Quality of Life in Primiparous Women after Normal Vaginal Delivery versus Caesarean Section

Background: Studies on either postnatal quality of life in general or studies that compare quality of life in new mothers after different mode of delivery are limited. An investigation on health related quality of life measures in women after different type of delivery showed that women who had vaginal delivery had better health related quality of life compared to those who had caesarean section. However, the best method of delivery, vaginal or caesarean for postpartum quality of life is a difficult question as it is a matter of controversy both from professional’s perspectives and from women’s experience during childbirth. Objective: To compare postpartum quality of life in primiparous women after vaginal delivery versus caesarean section. Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Salmaniya medical complex in Kingdom of Bahrain. 500 primiparous women who gave birth either vaginally or by cesarean section answered a questionnaire designed to include general information, questions from short form health survey questionnaire (SF-36) and specific questions regarding postnatal related symptoms. Results: Body pain, fatigue, wound pain, headache and backache were significantly higher in cesarean section group as compared to vaginal delivery group (p-value Conclusion: Cesarean delivery has negatively affected the quality of life (QOL) of primiparous women. More studies with larger sample sizes should be conducted to examine the effects of cesarean delivery on QOL in both primiparous and multiparas within a shorter period after delivery. .

Risk Factors Associated with Unsuccessful Vaginal Birth after One Cesarean (VBAC-1) in Puerto Rico

Background: Cesarean section (CS) has increased steadily over the last decade, with an estimated one-third of women delivering by cesarean section worldwide. Objective: Our study aimed to investigate the demographic and associated factors influencing vaginal birth after one cesarean (VBAC-1) success focusing on variables like pre-pregnancy BMI, diabetes, hypertension, education, and smoking. Study Design and Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed 285 cases (81 unsuccessful VBAC-1, 204 successful VBAC-1) from San Juan City Hospital (Puerto Rico) between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2020. We used odds ratios and model selection comparison to assess the impact of variables on successful VBAC-1, using a significance threshold of 95% CI. Model selection assessed binomial model combinations using a generalized linear approach to identify key risk factors. Results: Unsuccessful VBAC-1 (a repeat cesarean), was associated with diabetes (OR: 0.376, p = 0.086), hypertension (OR: 0.23, p = 0.006), and university-educated women (OR: 1.372, p = 0.711). High school-educated women had an OR of 3.966 (p = 0.105), while overweight women were 0.481 times more likely to have unsuccessful VBAC-1 (p = 0.041). Significant associations were not found with obesity (OR: 0.574, p = 0.122), underweight/normal (OR: 1.01, p = 0.810), or smoking (OR: 1.227, p = 0.990). Conclusion: Results revealed women with higher education levels, hypertension, or diabetes are less likely to have a successful VBAC-1. Understanding the complex interactions affecting these outcomes is aimed at establishing guidelines for healthcare professionals to conduct systematic risk/benefit assessments. This study lays a foundation for evidence-based practices and policies, offering initial insights into VBAC-1 success factors in Puerto Rico.