Evaluation of some anthropometric indices for the diagnosis of obesity in pregnancy in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Background

Obesity in pregnancy is a global health problem which is associated with poor pregnancy outcomes. The use of weight and height, measured at about ten weeks of gestation, to produce pre-gestational body mass index is recommended for the diagnoses of the condition but limitations abound in under resourced settings.

Objectives

To measure anthropometric indices such as mid upper arm circumference, calf circumference, waist circumference and waist to hip ratio, for identification of obesity in pregnancy.

Methods

Anthropometric measurements were carried out on cohorts of pregnant women from 4 hospitals in Enugu, South-eastern Nigeria.

Results

There were no significant difference in the mean mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) and calf circumference (CC) across the trimester groups. The mean values of waist circumferences, hip circumference and waist to hip ratios changed significantly across the trimesters. The 75^th percentile of MUAC (33 cm) and CC (39 cm) in all trimesters, had sensitivity and specificity of more than 70% for identifying obesity in pregnancy.

Conclusion

MUAC and CC values of 33cm and 39cm respectively might be reliable cut off points for diagnoses of obesity throughout pregnancy in Enugu, Nigeria     

Changes in platelet aggregation during cardiopulmonary bypass: comparison of poly-2-methoxyethylacrylate and heparin as a circuit coating material

At present, there are various biomaterials that have high biocompatibility. In particular, there are many types of coated circuits in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) systems. However, only a few clinical studies have investigated platelet aggregation caused by these coated circuits. In this study, a CPB system coated with poly-2-methoxyethylacrylate (X coating) was used to ascertain whether platelet aggregation could be suppressed during CPB, and a comparison was made between X coating and ordinary (covalently bonded) heparin coating. The subjects were 19 adult patients who were scheduled to undergo valve replacement or valvuloplasty. They were divided into two groups: group X (X coating) and group H (heparin coating). The platelet aggregation threshold index (PATI, grading curve) and β-thromboglobulin and plalelet factor IV levels were assessed preoperatively (control), 5 min after heparin administration, 10 and 60 min after the start of CPB, and 0 and 2 h after the end of CPB. The results indicated that platelet aggregation was reduced during CPB and that platelets were activated. The changes in platelet aggregation associated with the X coating were shown to be similar to those associated with heparin coating.