Alteration of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Levels among Pregnant Women with Morning Sickness Attending Antenatal Care Services at Ishaka Adventist Hospital, Uganda

Abstract

Globally, 50% -90% of pregnant women are affected by morning sickness of pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. Therefore this study was carried out to establish if there is association between urinary hCG levels and severity of nausea, retching and vomiting among pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) services at Ishaka Adventist Hospital (IAH). It was a quantitative cross-sectional study in which a pre-tested and standardized questionnaire with a mixture of both open and closed ended questions was used to collect data from respondents to determine the clinical history, socio-demographic characteristics, and clinical features of morning sickness and/or hyperemesis gravidarum. Urine samples were also collected from each participant and analyzed using the Beckman Coulter Access 2 immunoassay system and Access Total hCG reagent pack at Mbarara University of Science and Technology. The findings showed that 63% of the respondents experienced morning sickness with the majority having a mild form. There was also no significant relationship between hCG levels and severity of morning sickness and no correlation between physiological characteristics (gravidity, age and weight) (correlation coefficient −0.05186, −0.0469 and 0.157 respectively). In addition, there was no correlation between cravings, aversions and morning sickness (correlation coefficient −0.0262 and 0.227 respectively). In conclusion, the study revealed that there was a high prevalence of morning sickness of pregnancy although, it was mild; no association between severity of morning sickness and levels of hCG as well as correlation between cravings and aversions with hCG levels in the study population. Considering the limi- tations of this study, it is recommended that studies should be undertaken for the quantitative determination of total hCG levels in urine for all pregnant women with morning sickness to be able to draw a definitive conclusion.

Effect of high levels of human chorionic gonadotropin and estradiol on degree of hyperemesis gravidarum

“…Our results are supported by another study in which no significantlinkage between physiological characteristics (age and weight) of respondents and HCG level 16 .…”

Incidence of Neonatal Septicemia in Babies Admitted in Pediatric Ward of KIU-Teaching Hospital, Ishaka Uganda.

“…Also in the study that sought to investigate the relationship between interval of membrane rupture and risk of neonatal septicemia, findings showed that the probability of neonatal septicemia increases independently and linearly with duration of membrane rupture up to 36 hours with 1.29 times more chance per 6 hours increase in membrane rupture duration before onset of labor [16][24-8] On the neonatal factors the researcher found out that birth weight had a significant influence on the occurrence of neonatal septicemia among babies admitted in pediatric ward of Kampala international university teaching hospital. This was in agreement with [17]in study that sought to examine risk factors for neonatal septicemia and perinatal death among infants enrolled on the prevention of prenatal sepsis trial in Soweto, South Africa and found out that low birth weight, first birth, emergency caesarean section and male sex were significantly associated with late or early onset of septicemia [29][30][31][32]. Also, [11] added that low birth weight is associated with an increased risk of neonatal septicemia among neonates.…”

Assessment of Factors that affect male partner involvement in emergency obstetric care in Fortportal Regional referral hospital

“…Male partners being present can reduce these delays. The role of the promptness with which these things are done in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality cannot be overemphasized [19][20][21][22] [5] The proportion of participants having discussions on their partner's maternal health issues with their health providers was also found to be low in this study. This was to be expected given the low proportion who accompanied their partners to the health facilities.…”