To systematically review the potential causes and possible effects of preterm birth [<37 weeks gestational duration]. We searched PubMed, google scholar, clinicaltrials.gov and science direct for English language articles published from 2004 to march 2021. All kinds of study schemes were considered acceptable, comprising case –control, cohort studies, experimental and cross- sectional studies. Significant evidences indicate that social stress, elevated cadmium exposure, genomic variations, vitamin D deficiency, pre-conception hepatitis B infection, declined vaginal microbial community, intrauterine infection, reduction in cervical consistency index, strong exposure of creatinine corrected thallium, systemic autoimmune diseases, ozone, primary traffic air pollutants, road traffic noise, potential exposure of arsenic, HIV exposure, maternal thyroid dysfunction, maternal plasma protein level and COVID-19 exposure in pregnant females are the major risk factors for PTBs. Results of earlier investigations indicated prominent risk of insulin resistance, hypertension, neurological defects, heart failure, Chronic kidney disease, Lung function impairment, lower birth weight, thalamocortical system defects, cancer, altered cardiac phenotype and cardio metabolic diseases in survivors of preterm births. This review will help clinicians to isolate the fundamental etiology and to proactively identify, cope and improve outcomes of at-risk pregnancies.
Background: Pakistan is one of the largest host of refugees. People in Pakistan have bad access to healthcare not only due to bad facilities but also due to discrimination based on their personal characteristics and possessions. The behavior not only damages the dignity of the people being targeted but also creates hindrances in further seeking professional medical help and follow-ups thus deteriorating the health status of the community as a whole. Health providers possess a moral commitment to encourage dignity and treat their patients without any kind of discrimination in their behavior. Patient experiences of discrimination result in delay in seeking healthcare, they do not stick to advice of professionals and ultimately poor health. The objective of this study is to identify sources of discrimination and its effects on patients' health status and their level of satisfaction. Methods: This descriptive study took place in Outdoor Patient Department, Mayo Hospital, Lahore. 170 patients were selected from all the patients coming to OPD with equal male to female ratio. Each patient was given a questionnaire containing relevant questions to know whether they faced any sort of discriminatory behavior or not. Results: 66% females and 49% males of the study sample experienced discrimination at some stage of their hospital visit. Conclusion: Our study concluded that females experienced more discrimination than males. Therefore, gender is the most important factor when it comes to discriminatory experiences. Moreover, people with the higher income had fewer incidents of discrimination than their counterparts.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a source of kidney illness and liver pathogenesis such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Objective: To evaluate variations in hepatic and renal profile of hepatitis-C patients. Methods: For this purpose, blood samples of 94 participants were collected. Out of which 64 were hepatitis-C patients and 30 were healthy controls. All the participants were enlisted from Tehsil Headquarter (THQ) Hospital, Arifwala. Both males and females were included in the HCV Patients group. The serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) urea, creatinine, albumin, bilirubin, glucose and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were estimated by chemistry analyzer. Unpaired Student “t” test was applied to analyze the data of biochemical variations in hepatitis-C patients as compared to normal persons with significance level of p ≤ 0.05. For statistical interpretation, Graph pad prism version 6.0 software was utilized. Results: Significant elevation in the levels of glucose (p = 0.0002), ALP (p = 0.01), ALT (p = 0.0009), AST (p = 0.002) and GGT (p < 0.0001), whereas, non-significant increase in the levels of creatinine (p = 0.9) and bilirubin (p = 0.51) was evidenced in hepatitis-C patients as compared to healthy controls. While, significant decrease in the level of albumin (p = 0.0008) was observed in hepatitis-C patients as compared to healthy controls. Conclusions: The fluctuations in these parameters suggest that HCV has a significant impact on hepatic health markers.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.