Some aspects of the craniofacial indices and macro neurometrics of the Nigerian local pig (Sus scrofa)

This study is about the craniofacial indices and neuromorphometrics of the Nigerian local pig and has been performed on twelve males and fourteen females of ages one and a half to two years. The average values obtained for the tongue length, tongue weight, rasp length, left pinna length, right pinna length, left pinna width, right pinna width, height of left external nares, height of right external nares and the rima oris length were 17±1.3 cm, 90±16 g, 4.6±0.58 cm, 13±1.3 cm, 13±1.3 cm, 8.7±1.5 cm, 8.7±1.4 cm, 0.98±0.12 cm, 0.96±0.13 cm and 19.51±2.89 cm respectively, while the mean brain weight, mean brain length, cerebrum and cerebellum lengths, brain and cerebellar heights were 84±12 g, 6.9±1.5 cm, 4.9±1.7 cm, 2.2±1.0 cm, 5.2±0.88 cm and 3.0±1.1 cm respectively. There was a negative correlation between the weight of the animal and the height of the cerebellum, the length of cerebrum and length of the cerebellum and between the weight of the head and height of the cerebellum. A positive correlation was however observed between the length of brain and the weight of brain, and between the length of the cerebrum and weight of brain. The cerebral length was statistically longer (P < 0.01) in the males than the females. The data obtained from this study will provide added information in the field of comparative anatomy and porcine neuroanatomy research

Patterns of gestational weight gain and its association with birthweight in Nigeria

Background: Despite the increasing global importance of gestational weight gain (GWG) and its impact on birthweight, little is known about the patterns of GWG in African populations.Objectives: To determine the pattern of GWG and its association with birthweight in Nigeria.Methods: It was a longitudinal study of 200 pregnant women receiving antenatal care at two tertiary hospitals in Enugu, south eastern Nigeria. The women were consecutively recruited at <14 weeks gestation and their body mass indexes recorded upon recruitment. Thereafter, weight measurements were taken at each visit until 38–39 weeks.Results: Mean total GWG was 10.7 ± 3.4 kg, while mean birthweight was 3.3 ± 0.6 kg. GWG in second trimester had positive correlation with birthweight (r = 0.164, P = 0.02). Obese women gained above the recommended limits by the "institute of medicine" while underweight women gained below the limits. Excessive total GWG was associated with higher risk of macrosomia [8/21 (38.1%) vs. 7/179; RR: 9.74; 95% CI: 3.9–24.2; P < 0.001] while inadequate total GWG was associated with higher risk of low birth weight [7/72 (9.7%) vs. 3/128 (2.3%; RR: 4.15; 95% CI: 1.1–15.4; P = 0.03]. Maternal age of <35 years, high social class, nulliparity, and regular antenatal care were associated with normal GWG while maternal age <35 years and regular antenatal care were associated with normal birthweight (P < 0.05).Conclusions: Women should be counseled on the factors that influence GWG and birthweight. Interventions to assist women achieve appropriate GWG may need to include components related to improved dietary intake for the underweight and increased physical activity for the obese.Keywords: birthweight, body mass index, pregnancy, Nigeria, weight gai

Effects of Short Inter‑Pregnancy Interval on Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes: A Cohort Study of Pregnant Women in a Low‑Income Country

Background: Short inter‑pregnancy interval (IPI) is a potential risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Previous reports from sub‑Sahara Africa documented increasing incidence of short IPI but evidence is lacking in its effect on pregnancy outcome. Aim: The study aimed to determine the effect of short IPI on pregnancy outcome in Nigeria. Subjects and Methods: It was a prospective cohort study of 271 pregnant women receiving antenatal care in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. For every eligible woman with short IPI (<18 months) recruited; a suitable control with IPI ≥18 months was selected. Statistical analysis was both inferential and descriptive using the statistical package for social sciences version 24 (SPSS Inc. Chicago, Illinois, USA) for windows. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Incidence of maternal anemia was higher in women with short IPI than control (RR: 2.091; 95% CI: 1.4433.031; P < 0.001). Other maternal and perinatal outcome measures including premature rupture of membranes, preterm labor/delivery, pregnancy induced hypertension, third  trimester bleeding, postpartum hemorrhage, and inadequate gestational weight gain did not show any significant association with short IPI (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Short IPI is associated with anemia in pregnancy in Nigeria. Public health campaigns for improvement in uptake of family planning  services and breastfeeding may help reduce the incidence of short IPI and anemia in low income countries. Keywords: Nigeria, pregnancy outcome, short inter‑pregnancy interva

Morbidities, concordance, and predictors of preterm premature rupture of membranes among pregnant women at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, Nigeria

Background: Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is a challenging complication of pregnancies and an important cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Management of morbidities associated with PPROM is fraught with controversy. However, women should be informed of these complications.Objective: This article aimed to review the morbidities, concordance, and predictors of PPROM over a 10‑year period.Methods: This was a retrospective review of morbidities, concordance, and predictors of PPROM among pregnant women at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2008. The morbidities, concordance, and predictors of PPROM were expressed by regression analysis output for PPROM.Results: Primigravidae had the highest occurrence of PPROM. Increasing parity does not significantly influence the incidence of PPROM. The concordance and predictors of PPROM are maternal age (P < 0.000), gestational age at PROM (P < 0.000), latency period (P < 0.000), and birth weight (P < 0.001).Conclusion: PPROM is a major complication of pregnancies and an important cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Management of these morbidities associated with PPROM poses a great challenge. However, women should be informed of these complications.Keywords: Concordance, Enugu, morbidities, Nigeria, predictors, preterm premature rupture of membran