Evaluation of Applicability of Standard Growth Curves to Healthy Native Omani Women by Fetal Biometry at Selected Gestational Ages

Objective – To verify the applicability of standard fetal growth curves proposed for Western populations to an Omani population. Method – Ultrasound scans were performed at selected stages of gestation on 165 healthy Omani pregnant women to measure fetal growth parameters of biparietal diameter, head circumference, cephalic index, abdominal circumference and femur length. The data were compared with the commonly recommended standards of Hadlock, Campbell, Sabbagha, Wexler, Jeanty and others. Results – None of the standard charts agreed with the data in the present study except those of Sabbagha and Wexler for biparietal diameter and of Jeanty for femur length. Conclusion – Since most parameters of the standard growth curves developed in the West are not applicable for assessing the intra-uterine growth of Omani babies, it is necessary to develop growth curves for the Omani population to prevent over-diagnosis of intrauterine growth retardation

Outcome of Pregnancy in Patients Possessing Anticardiolipin Antibodies

Objective – To analyse the outcome of pregnancy in a sample of patients with a history of fetal loss, and possessing anticardiolipin antibodies (ACAs), and to assess the effectiveness of therapy with aspirin and prednisolone. Method – Data on a cohort of 21 Arab and 4 other Asian patients who had one or more episodes of fetal loss associated with raised levels of ACAs were analysed retrospectively. Statistical analysis was performed using χ2 test for assessment of isotype data and the Fischer test for assessment of the effects of therapeutic intervention. Results –Where immunoglobulin G (IgG) ACAs were found alone, abortion rates occurred at the same rate in the first and second trimesters, which was significantly higher than in the third trimester. In the few cases where IgG and immunoglobulin M (IgM) ACAs coexisted, the rate of pregnancy loss was significantly higher in the first trimester than the second and the third. In the group who had received both aspirin and prednisolone, 75% pregnancies were successful compared to 54% in the group receiving aspirin alone and 17% in those who received no therapy. Conclusion – The presence of IgG antibodies appears to increase the risk of abortions. Low dose aspirin, either alone or with prednisolone, appears to significantly improve the chances for successful pregnancies in patients with ACAs. Further clinical trials are needed to ascertain optimal therapeutic protocols

Unilateral Uterine Artery Embolization and Systemic Methotrexate Therapy in Cervical Pregnancy

The authors report a case of cervical pregnancy successfully treated with combined methods of uterine artery embolization and systemic methotrexate therapy. Unilateral selective embolization may play a role in preserving reproductive functions.