American Journal of Clinical Medicine Research

A retrospective study comparing maternal and neonatal outcome of singleton fetuses delivered at 37–38 weeks of completed gestation with those delivered at 39 completed weeks of gestation or longer by elective caesarean section at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2008. There were 164(21.3%) elective caesarean deliveries during the study period. 117 (71.3%) were performed between 37–38 weeks of completed gestation and 47(28.7%) at 39 completed weeks of gestation. Elective caesarean births at 37-38 weeks were associated with significantly higher rates of admission to the neonatal care unit, neonatal jaundice, and a higher proportion of newborns with Apgar score <6 at 5minutes. As a result of increased morbidity and iatrogenic prematurity in the developing countries due to elective caesarean delivery at 37-38weeks associated with increased cost of admissions in the newborn special care units, elective caesarean delivery should be advised at or after 39 weeks of gestation unless there is evidence of fetal lung maturity. At 39 completed weeks of gestation, elective caesarean delivery is associated with better fetal outcomes than at 37-38 weeks of completed gestation.

American Journal of Clinical Medicine Research. 2013, 1(2), 32-34. DOI: 10.12691/ajcmr-1-2-3
Pub. Date: April 30, 2013

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An Audit of Medical Students’ Performance in 2^nd MBBS Physiology Examination in a Medical School in Nigeria: A 7-Year Review

by Tochukwu C. Okeke, Bond U.S. Anyaehie, Emmanuel O. Ugwu, Polycarp U. Agu, Ifeoma Orizu, Charles Adiri, Joe Ezugwuorie, Euzebus C. Ezugwu and Uchenna I. Nwagha

Original Research

There is need for periodic evaluation of medical students’ performance in professional medical examinations. This helps to identify possible gaps in teaching and may offer solutions that could redress such situations. This study is an audit of medical students’ performance in 2^nd MBBS professional examinations in physiology at the University of Nigeria Medical School over a 7 year period (2004 – 2010). Data were collected from the Department of Physiology of the university. A total of 2152 students sat for the professional examination over the study period, and 1485 students passed the examination at first attempt giving an overall pass rate of 69%. The pass rate from 2008 when medical doctors (clinicians) with fellowships were employed as lecturers (tutors) to teach physiology was significantly higher than the pass rate before this reform (2004 – 2007) when mainly non-clinicians taught physiology [(76.5%), (n =1646) vs 63.4% (n=1364); P<0.0001]. The ongoing reforms in physiology department that brought about the employment of clinicians as lecturers to teach medical physiology is good and should be reviewed with time. These reforms should further be expanded to include provision of adequate modern infrastructure and teaching aids in order to keep pace with increasing enrolment into medical school.

American Journal of Clinical Medicine Research. 2013, 1(2), 28-31. DOI: 10.12691/ajcmr-1-2-2
Pub. Date: April 14, 2013

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Ribosomal P Antibodies Preceding the Onset of Sle-A Case Report

by Prashanth N C, Satyanarayana. N, T. AnilKumar and Ravikumar. R

Case Report

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the Production of auto antibodies directed against a variety of nuclear and cytoplasmic antigens. Auto antibodies to ribosomal Proteins are found in 15–30% of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Ribosomal P antibody is shown to predict SLE 1.7 years before clinical onset of SLE. This is a case of 28 year old female patient with a malar rash and nonspecific neurologic symptoms .The antibody profile showed that ANA ,anti- Ds dna and anti- Sm antibodies were negative but anti ribosomal P0 antibody was strongly positive(+++) at presentation. A strong clinical suspicion and careful follow-up helped in making a diagnosis of SLE over a period of nine months.

American Journal of Clinical Medicine Research. 2013, 1(2), 26-27. DOI: 10.12691/ajcmr-1-2-1
Pub. Date: April 09, 2013

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