The Relationship of Gamma Immunoglobin (IgG) Density and Apgar Score in Normal Term Pregnancy

The transfer of maternal IgG provides the neonate with humoral immunity during early life. The population of transferred IgG or IgG density (IgGρ) was estimated to find out if it has any relevance to the condition of an infant 1-5 minutes after birth or APGAR score which gives an insight into the state of health of the infant and thus its chances of survival and its milestone of development. Ex-vivo, term placenta of forty euthyroid mothers, the maternal serum, and cord blood were used to estimate the IgGρ in both maternal and cord blood by taking blood samples from the antecubital vein of the mother and from the umbilical cord (mixed blood) immediately after birth; having determined the APGAR score within 1-5 minutes post-partum. The findings featured the following: the mean APGAR score (10); mean IgGρ of the neonates (11.94 ± 0.12mg/100ml of blood); mean IgGρ of the maternal blood (10.9 ± 0.29/100ml). The difference however, was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The findings provide evidence suggesting that IgGρ, not only relates to, but determines APGAR score of the neonates.Keywords: APGAR score, IgG density, Term placenta, Cord bloo

The Influence of Thyroid Hormones on Gamma Immunoglobulin Density (Ig-Gp) and Apgar Score

Observations over the years, particularly in the labour rooms of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), and TANDAM Medical Centre, Jos, Plateau, Nigeria, indicates that several neonates respond differently to these parameters. However, the experience of four mothers who had protracted labour and neonates with weak cry and low muscle tone, prompted this present investigation. Ex-vivo placenta, maternal and cord blood of twenty deliveries (10 primipara and ten multipara; five of which were by elective caesarean section) were assayed for thyroid hormone in maternal serum and IgGp in maternal and cord sera; while the APGAR scores of the neonates were as well, documented. Results showed that the mean immunoglobulin G population (IgGp) or density of neonates compared with that of their euthyriod mothers though higher in neonates was not statistically significant (P> 0.05). It was however significant (p < 0.01) between neonates and their hypothyroid mothers. APGAR score of the neonates of the euthyroid mothers were higher (p < 0.05) than those hypothyroid mothers who also bled for longer periods postpartum. It is our opinion that there could perhaps be an insight into the cause of such agonizing deliveries and to that effect, we recommended possible interventions.Keywords: Euthyroidism, hypothyroidism, APGAR score, Gamma Immunoglobulin (IgG

Thyroid Hormone: A "Prime Suspect" In Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV/AIDS) Patients?

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the final and most serious stage of the disease caused by human immunodeficiency virus. The Immune system is the target of AIDS. We investigate presently any possible involvement of thyroid hormone, the deficiency of which gives rise to oedema and susceptibility to nonspecific infections; with a view to finding the primary factor seeding the disease. It has been reported that circumcision reduced the incidence of HIV/AIDS infection. Beyond circumcision however there might be some constitutional factor that comprises HIV infection to clinical AIDS. It is against this background that our research team turned to possible dyshormonopoisis and to thyroid hormone as a prime suspect among other possible factors that cause clinical AIDS. Moreover the hormone has been reported to be crucial for optimum immune function. A population of 200 seropositive AIDS patients were investigated against a control of 50 subjects made up of 25 healthy circumcised males and 25 healthy females; all of who were seronegative for the disease. The parameters investigated include thyrotropin (TSH), Thyroxine (T4), Total protein (TP), Albumin (Alb), Globulin (Glob), Immune complex (IC3) and Bence Jones proteins (BJP) levels in serum or urine. All seropositive clinically HIV/AIDS patients were hypothyroid. Seronegatives had significantly higher T4, TP, and Alb levels at P<0.001 and P<0.05 for Glob than seropositives. Seropositive females exhibited significantly (P<0.001) higher levels of IC3 than seronegative males. The globulin levels of all HIV patients were significantly (P<0.05) higher than control. BJP was also isolated in the urine of patients. The findings suggest that thyroid hormone deficiency is a primary culprit for the other inert or dormant factors to be activated

Combining the IADPSG criteria with the WHO diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes mellitus optimizes predictability of adverse pregnancy outcome

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, yet there are no universally accepted diagnostic criteria for GDM. The International Association of Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group (IADPSG) and World Health Organization′s (WHO) diagnostic criteria are commonly used criteria, although clinical outcome data of diagnostic performance of these diagnostic criteria are limited. This study examines the IADPSG and WHO criteria for predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes. Materials and Methods: This longitudinal study involved 130 pregnant women who underwent Oral Glucose Tolerance Testing (OGTT) during 24-32 weeks of gestation. Fasting, 1-hour and 2-hour glucose were measured. Participants were classified as GDM and non-GDM women based on the IADPSG and WHO diagnostic criteria. Five pregnancy outcomes were observed, namely, pre-eclampsia, shoulder dystocia or birth injury, birth weight ≥4.0 kg, clinical neonatal hypoglycaemia and birth asphyxia. Results: Twenty-eight participants (21.5%) had GDM by the IADPSG criteria (GDM IADPSG ) and 21 (16.2%) women had GDM by the WHO criteria (GDM WHO ). Only 15 women (11.5%) met the criteria for GDM by both criteria. The association of GDM with macrosomia was stronger in GDM WHO women [Odds ratio (OR) =13.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.4-50.6] compared to the GDM IADPSG women (OR = 5.3, 95% CI 1.5-18.9). Macrosomia or at least one adverse outcome were more likely in GDM patients who met the diagnostic criteria by both the IADPSG and WHO criteria (P = 0.001). Conclusion: A diagnosis of GDM that meets both the WHO and IADPSG criteria provides stronger prediction for adverse pregnancy outcome than a diagnosis that meets only WHO or IADPSG criteria

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Controversy exists as to whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy improves survival in patients with invasive bladder cancer, despite randomised controlled trials of more than 3000 patients. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effect of such treatment on survival in patients with this disease