Infections due to viral hepatitis are systemic diseases caused by viruses A-E that mostly involve the liver. [1] It is a DNA virus which belongs to the family Hepadnaviridae. The virus was first discovered as 'Australian antigen' and later named hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in the blood of patients. Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) was discovered later as a marker for patients at a high risk for transmission of the disease. [2] Infection caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a serious public health problem causing about two billion infections worldwide. [3] Transmission is commonly through blood transfusion, blood products, body fluids (urine, semen, sweat, saliva, and tears), use of contaminated needles, vertical transmission (mother to child through infected birth canal), and sexual contact. [1] Neonates born of chronically infected mothers have a 70-90% risk of the infection progressing to a chronic phase. [3] Most countries in Africa have a high HBV endemicity, with the exception of Morocco and Tunisia, which have intermediate endemicity. [4] A prevalence rate of 10% of HBV was found among pregnant women in Hong Kong, [3] 12% in Taiwan, [5] and17.3% in Burkina Faso. [6] A b s t r A c t Background: Pregnant women infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) can transmit the infection to their fetuses and newborns. Neonates who contract the HBV have about 90% risk of developing chronic HBsAg carriage (HBsAg: hepatitis B surface antigen) and chronic liver disease. Neonatal immunization interrupts this vertical and perinatal transmission. Objectives: To determine the seroprevalence of HBsAg among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) and to identify potential risk factors associated with HBV infection. Materials and Methods: A case control study was conducted involving a total of 303 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at AKTH and 303 nonpregnant women of childbearing age. Blood sample was collected from each woman and the serum tested for the presence of HBsAg using latex rapid agglutination slide test kit (Cal-Tech Diagnostic Inc., USA) in the laboratory of the hospital. Reactive samples were stored at-20ºC and further confirmed for HBsAg using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits (Bio-Rad, France). HBsAg-positive samples were tested for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) using ELISA kits (Orgenics, Israel). A pretested, structured questionnaire was used for the collection of sociodemographic data and possible risk factors. Results: The prevalence of HBsAg among pregnant women and nonpregnant women were 7.9 and 7.6%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of HBsAg in pregnant and nonpregnant women. The presence of HBeAg was statistically significant among both pregnant and nonpregnant women who tested positive for HBsAg. The risk factors associated with HBV infection were blood transfusion, ear piercing, history of an affected sibling with HBV infection, tattooing, and abortion among pregnant women. Conclusion: ...

Preeclampsia is a common complication of pregnancy associated with high maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality especially in developing countries. There is considerable progress in the understanding of the pathophysiology and the management of the diseases, although the aetiology and primary pathology remained elusive. Integration of current evidence in the clinical management of the condition has witnessed improved maternal and fetal outcomes in many societies. In developing countries variations in management often not based on current evidence accounts for comparatively higher morbidity and mortality. This article aims to provide an overview of our present understanding of preeclampsia help care providers and our managers focus practice and policy to reflect existing evidence.

Widespread use of ultrasound in early pregnancy has led to the detection of incidental adnexal masses more frequently. This article reviews the diagnosis and management options for adnexal masses in pregnancy. The availability of high-resolution ultrasound has made observation to be a viable option in some cases. However, for those masses suspicious of malignancy, at risk of torsion, rupture, or clinically symptomatic, surgical treatment is warranted. Laparoscopy has been successfully used in pregnancy and is safe in experienced and trained hands in properly equipped units.

Cervical cancer was the most frequent malignant tumor and the least was choriocarcinoma. Estimates of this important public health problem need to be addressed in various regions of Nigeria.

Female genital cutting is still practiced in our environment. Educational enlightenment is fundamental in changing public opinion as well as in offering reasonable alternative to FGM. Campaign against the practice of FGM should be encouraged to eradicate its practice.

Background: Gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTD) is a spectrum of pregnancy-related premalignant disorders of complete and partial hydatidiform mole, and the malignant disorders of invasive mole, choriocarcinoma, and the rare placental-site trophoblastic tumour. Objective: This study was carried out to determine the incidence of gestational trophoblastic disease, the clinical features and management outcome at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of the demographic and clinical data as well as management outcome of all patients with gestational trophoblastic disease managed between January, 2008 and December, 2012 at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. Kano,Nigeria Results: There were 103 cases of GTD and 22,680 deliveries; giving an incidence of GTD as 4.5 per 1000 deliveries. Among them, 69 (67.0%) cases were hydatidiform mole while Choriocarcinoma was diagnosed in 34 cases (33.0%). The antecedent pregnancy among the cases of choriocarcinoma were hydatidiform mole in 18 cases (52.9%), miscarriage in 10 cases (29.4%) and ectopic pregnancy in 1 case (3.0%) and full term pregnancy in 5(14.7%) patients. GTD was commoner at the extremes of reproductive age. Hydatidiform mole was high 37(53.6%) in those aged 24 years and below, while choriocarcinoma was high 13(38.2%) in 45 -49 years age group. The most common presenting symptom was vaginal bleeding occurring in all the cases, while anaemia was the most common complication. Suction evacuation and follow up (67.0%) was the mode of treatment in all cases of molar pregnancy. Only cases of choriocarcinoma 34 (33.0%) had chemotherapy, 11(32.4%) cases had single agent while 23 cases (67.6%) had multi-agent chemotherapy. There were seven maternal deaths in this study, given a case fatality of 6.8%. Conclusion: The incidence of GTD in this study was 4.5 per 1000 deliveries. Vaginal bleeding was the commonest presenting symptom. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of this disease has an excellent prognosis, while late presentation was associated with high maternal mortality as found in this study.

The incidence of eclampsia is 5% of total deliveries. Delay in presentation is associated with poor outcome.

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