Background:The iron requirements increase during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Maternal anemia is a leading cause of adverse perinatal outcome.Objectives:This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of the heme-bound iron in treatment of pregnancy-associated iron deficiency anemia (IDA).Materials and Methods:In all, 122 women with IDA during pregnancy and hemoglobin ≤10 g/dL were studied. The studied women were treated with heme-bound iron tablets for ≥3 months. Pretreatment hemoglobin, ferritin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were compared with the posttreatment values to detect the efficacy of heme-bound iron (Optifer®) in treatment of IDA during pregnancy.Results:The mean pretreatment hemoglobin significantly increased from 8.4 ± 2.7 to 11.2 ± 2.1 g/dL and the mean pretreatment ferritin level significantly increased from 22.6 ± 5.6 to 112.8 ± 4.8 μg/L (P < 0.003 and 0.04; respectively) 3 months after heme-bound iron treatment. In addition, the mean pretreatment red blood cells’ MCV and MCH significantly increased from 74.2 ± 4.8 fL and 24.2 ± 7.8 pg, respectively, to 92.0 ± 4.1 fL and 32.6 ± 6.2 pg) (P = 0.04 and 0.007, respectively) 3 months after heme-bound iron treatment.Conclusion:Heme-bound iron (Optifer®) is an effective oral iron preparation to treat IDA during pregnancy and to replace the depleted iron store.
Introduction: A genetic variation at the level of aromatase enzyme and/or androgen receptors was suggested in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Aim of the study: To determine the androgens elevated and diagnostic for PCOS. Material and methods: A total of 120 PCOS women were compared to non-PCOS controls in this study. The studied women were evaluated thoroughly, including: day 2-3 hormonal profile and any hormonal change confirmed by two laboratory results eight weeks apart. Collected data were analysed to determine the androgens elevated and diagnostic for PCOS.Results: The luteinising hormone (LH) and LH/follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio were significantly high in the studied PCOS group compared to controls (p = 0.02 and 0.01, respectively). In addition, total and free testosterone and androstenedione were significantly high in the studied PCOS group compared to controls (p = 0.001, 0.003, and 0.02, respectively).The studied PCOS group had higher relative risk (RR) and odds ratio (OR) of elevated total testosterone (2.4 and 5.7, respectively), elevated free testosterone (2.9 and 4.9, respectively), and elevated androstenedione (3.0 and 4.8, respectively), compared to controls.Conclusions: Testosterone (both total and free testosterone) and androstenedione were the main elevated androgens and were diagnostic for excess ovarian androgens in the studied PCOS women, whereas dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) was not elevated and/or diagnostic for excess ovarian androgens in the studied PCOS women.
IntroductionThe issue of conserving the ovaries at hysterectomy in premenopausal women with benign gynecologic disease has been the subject of considerable controversy. Some clinicians prefer prophylactic oophorectomy in premenopausal women during hysterectomy to prevent future development of malignant changes in conserved ovaries. Other clinicians prefer to conserve apparently normal ovaries, because bilateral oophorectomy in premenopausal women results in an abrupt imbalance, sudden onset of menopausal symptoms, decreased libido, increased cardiovascular risk and osteoporosis.Material and methodsTwo hundred and twenty multipara women (who had completed their families), with benign uterine pathology were included in this prospective study for abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral ovarian preservation. Pre-operative vaginal ultrasound, Doppler studies, diagnostic hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy were done followed by laboratory studies including Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol for all studied women. Doppler studies, AMH, FSH and estradiol were repeated 6 and 12 months post-operative for assessment of the ovarian function and ovarian blood supply after hysterectomy.ResultsPre-operative AMH, FSH and estradiol of the studied women were statistically insignificant compared to AMH, FSH and estradiol 6 and 12 months post-operative. Twelve months post-operative right and left ovarian volumes (6.92 ± 0.18 and 6.85 ± 0.19 cm3, respectively) were significantly larger than pre-operative right and left ovarian volumes (6.19 ± 0.22 and 5.86 ± 0.23 cm3, respectively), and, 12 months post-operative right and left ovarian pulsatility indices (2.92 ± 0.15 and 2.96 ± 0.16 cm/s, respectively) were significantly lower than pre-operative right and left ovarian pulsatility indices (3.45 ± 0.19 and 3.36 ± 0.2 cm/s, respectively). Eight (3.6%) cases of the studied women developed an ovarian cyst 6 months after hysterectomy, 3 were spontaneously resolved and the remaining 5 (2.27%) cases underwent exploratory laparotomy.ConclusionsThere is no evidence of ovarian dysfunction affecting conserved ovaries one year after hysterectomy in premenopausal women as evident by AMH, FSH and estradiol. Furthermore, an increased ovarian volume and reduced ovarian pulsatility indices indicate a possible increase in ovarian blood supply, and preserved non-compromised ovarian function.
The diagnosis of unexplained infertility established when all the standard infertility investigations are normal, including tubal patency (hysterosalpingogram and/or laparoscopy), normal ovulatory function (basal body temperature, cervical mucus changes, serum luteinizing hormone surge or mid-luteal progesterone), and normal semen analysis. The prognosis of unexplained infertility is good without therapy in women < 35 years and when the duration of infertility is < 2 years. Clomiphene citrate did not show any advantage over placebo in the treatment of unexplained infertility. The role of intrauterine insemination in treatment of unexplained infertility still raises many questions, particularly regarding its superiority in un-stimulated cycles over stimulated cycles or timed intercourse. In-vitro fertilization increases the pregnancy rate in women with unexplained infertility, and the present environment is in favor of single embryo transfer to reduce the multiple pregnancy rate. There is no definite answer for the question what is the best management approach for couples with unexplained infertility?
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