Introduction Severe pre-eclampsia/imminent eclampsia is an obstetric emergency and must be treated urgently. Treatment is the same as that of eclampsia (see below). These cases are best managed in hospital under the supervision of an obstetrician. While blood pressure reduction is essential, lowering the blood pressure below 140/90mmHg may cause foetal distress and should be … Read more
Introduction Pre-eclampsia is a disease specifically associated with pregnancy. It usually occurs in the second half of pregnancy and it is characterized by hypertension and proteinuria. The presence of pedal oedema or excessive weight gain may also be a feature of pre-eclampsia. Blood pressure monitoring every 4 hours together with daily weighing of the patient … Read more
Introduction Hypertension in pregnancy denotes a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or higher and/or diastolic pressure of 90 mmHg or higher on 2 occasions at least 5 minutes apart using an appropriate-sized cuff especially in obese patients. It is severe when systolic blood pressure is 160 mmHg or higher and diastolic blood pressure is … Read more
Introduction Dysmenorrhea refers to cyclical lower abdominal pain associated with menstruation. The pain is thought to result from uterine contractions. It may be primary when there is no identifiable cause or secondary when associated with an underlying cause. Causes of painful menstruation Often no underlying cause (primary) Uterine fibroids Chronic pelvic infections e.g. Chlamydial infections … Read more
EPI Schedule for infants less than 1 year BCG dose for children ≥ 12 months is 0.1ml OPV0 must be given within first weeks after birth HepB0 should be preferably given within 24 hours of birth. If this is not possible, it may be given up to 2 weeks after birth Schedule for children with … Read more
Introduction Rape is performance of the act of sexual intercourse by force, duress, intimidation or without legal consent (as with a minor). It is a growing social disorder afflicting the poor and rich, alike, with devastating and longstanding emotional consequences for the afflicted, family and society at large. It is an enormous societal problem that … Read more
Introduction Pelvic inflammatory disease is an ascending pelvic infection involving the upper genital tract. It usually involves sexually transmitted organisms e.g. Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. It may also be caused by organisms endogenous to the lower genital tract. In severe cases, organisms may migrate via the peritoneum to the upper abdomen causing perihepatic adhesions: … Read more
Introduction Jaundice in pregnancy usually indicates a liver/biliary disorder and becomes clinically apparent when the serum bilirubin exceeds 2 – 2.5 mg/dL. Many indicators of liver disease in the non pregnant State are normal findings in pregnancy. These include: Spider naevi Decreased plasma albumin Increased serum lipids Prothrombin time, transaminases and bilirubin are unaltered in … Read more
Introduction Hyperemesis gravidarum is a clinical situation in which vomiting in early pregnancy considered to be physiological becomes persistent or severe enough to disturb the patient’s health and/or require hospitalization. This occurs in approximately a third to 50% of women. It is often the first sign of pregnancy, beginning at about the 6 week and … Read more
Introduction Ectopic Pregnancy is one in which the conceptus implants either outside the uterus (fallopian tube, ovary or abdominal cavity) or in an abnormal position within the uterus (cornua, cervix, angular and rudimentary horn). It is the most common surgical emergency in women in many developing countries. A substantial cause of maternal mortality: Rapidity with … Read more