Journal of the Faculty of Medicine Baghdad

Background: Between 0.3% and 2% of pregnant women experience hyperemesis gravidarum. It is recognized by persistent and unexplained vomiting and dehydration, and the diagnosis is confirmed by significant loss of weight, usually more than 5% of the pre-pregnancy weight. Tumor necrosis factor-α is a multipotent cytokine that affects a vast array of cells. It is now well accepted that the tumor necrosis factor-α is crucial in the very early stages of pregnancy.
Objectives: To assess the relationship between the tumor necrosis factor-α and hyperemesis gravidarum.
Methods: This case-control study was carried out at the Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, from 1 January to 1 November 2022. The study involved 50 pregnant women, who suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum (mild or severe) as the case group, and another 50 healthy pregnant women as the control group, in the first trimester. The (Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis and Nausea) Index was used to evaluate the severity of the symptoms . Five milliliters of venous blood were taken to measure the tumor necrosis factor-α.
Results: In contrast to the women in the control group, pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum had a mean hemoglobin that was significantly lower (10.8) g/dL compared to the control group (11.5) g/dL and their liver enzymes were significantly higher except for alkaline phosphatase, (294.4) IU/L compared to the control group (49.5) IU/L. Their mean tumor necrosis factor-α level was also significantly higher, (200.6) pg/ml versus (96.34) pg/ml in the control group.
Conclusion: The mean tumor necrosis factor-α level was higher in patients with hyperemesis gravidarum than in women with normal pregnancy.

Background: Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 is induced by a combination of the virus protein and an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, which is expressed in the heart and lungs, causing myocardial injury with increasing serum Troponin. The finding of a significant cardiac involvement requires follow-up during hospitalization or after COVID-19 recovery.
Objectives: evaluating serum troponin as a mortality predictor in COVID-19: a two-center prospective study.
Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out in Al Yarmouk Teaching Hospital and Dar Al-Salam Hospital, Al-Karkh, Baghdad, Iraq from the 1st of January 2021 to the 30th of June 2021 and involved (85) patients confirmed to have COVID-19 by RT-PCR, then screened for cardiac-specific biomarkers as reflected by elevated serum troponin. Microsoft Excel 2010 and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23 were used for data entry. Chi-square and the t-test were used to compare proportions, analyzing data, and show any significant difference in the mean age.
Results: In this study, 24 (28.2%) patients were with high serum troponin levels, and the majority, 61 (71.8%) had normal serum troponin levels. The highest proportion of high serum troponin was among smokers and ex-smokers [55.6% (5) and 66.7% (2), respectively]. 12 (46.2%) of patients with diabetes had high serum troponin levels (P=0.015). 62.5% (15) of hypertensive patients were significantly with high troponin levels. There was a strong association between COVID-19 severity and serum troponin level, whereas in patients with critical COVID-19, 60.9% (14) were within a high serum troponin level. There was a significant difference between the outcome of COVID-19 patients and serum troponin level, where the higher serum troponin level was in 14 (60.9%) of patients who ended up with death.
Conclusion: The study showed a significant relationship between high serum troponin levels and mortality in critical COVID-19 patients. High serum troponin levels were also significantly associated with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and smoking. There was no significant association between high serum troponin levels and age, sex, asthma, or malignancy.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major cause of end-stage kidney impairment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Galectin-3 has been linked to the development of numerous pathological conditions. There is currently little information about the interaction between DN and galectin-3.
Objectives: The use of serum and urine galectin-3 as a unique forecasting diagnostic in DN patients.
Methods: The present study was conducted in Baquba Teaching Hospital, Specialized Consultation clinic, Internal Medicine Department and Iraq Specialized Laboratory in Baquba, Diyala governorate between October 2021 and February 2022 on 150 individuals with type 2 diabetes. Individuals were divided into three groups: Fifty individuals with an albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) of 30 mg/g (normoalbuminuria), 50 patients with an ACR of 30-300 mg/g (microalbuminuria), and 50 healthy individuals with an ACR of 30 mg/g (healthy control). All subjects were subjected to extensive clinical assessment and examination and laboratory investigations (HbA1c, serum creatinine, serum galectin-3 as well as ACR, which was calculated based on urine test).
Results: The mean concentrations of serum and urine galectin-3 levels were noticeably greater in those with microalbuminuria than normoalbuminuria, (11.2±3.61), (7.0±2.17) as compared to (9.0± 1.32) (7.6± 1.72) respectively. Serum Galectin-3 showed a high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (86%). Urine Galectin-3 sensitivity was (98%) and specificity (78%).
Conclusion: This study has shown that serum and urine galectin-3 are important predictors of DN development in people with type 2 diabetes.

Background: Taste masking is one of the many processes that are used in the pharmaceutical industry. This is done with the intention masking or decreasing of a disagreeable taste or odor from the organic compounds which are usually used in the oral cavity and can be formulated by several types of techniques.
Objective: To highlight the definition and importance of taste masking, the factors that affect taste masking, the many types of taste masking techniques that can be used, and the evaluation of taste masking in vitro and in vivo evaluations.
Results: The masking of unpleasant taste or odor is important in the marketed product to improve patients’ compliance, especially for pediatric and geriatric patients, because it is necessary for the improvement of the therapeutic efficacy, and that’s can be obtained by several methods of taste-masking techniques; furthermore, these techniques may be simple, namely, like adding a sweetener or flavored agents, or by using other complicated methods like polymer coating, complexation, resin ionic exchange, external or internal ionic gelation, physical or chemical adsorption, granulation, microencapsulation, solid dispersion, effervescence, viscosity modification, nanosuspension, pro-drug and so on; it sometimes needs the combination of more than two methods to overcome very bad taste, and depends on the severity of the undesirable taste.
Conclusion: The undesirable taste or odor can be masked by using different types of techniques depending on the intensity of the bad taste or odor, in addition to other factors that are related to the drug itself, and the method of the dosage form that was chosen, and other factors. Taste masking was needed to improve patients’ compliance with the marketed products, and that is an important factor to ensure total completion of the drug course by patients.

Modern international connectivity makes international cooperation essential for medical progress specifically in specialised medicine areas like haematology and oncology. Healthcare problems become more manageable when countries unite their expert knowledge with resources and creative solutions to achieve better patient results worldwide. The University of Baghdad should establish partnerships with UK healthcare organisations to address national healthcare deficiencies as they create mutual educational programs.
The systematic collaboration between UK and Iraqi healthcare institutions shows potential to transform blood-related care services. This research illustrates that multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) as well as direct partnerships enable collaborative expert acquisition to boost patient care alongside innovation development. The UK healthcare sector can benefit from understanding how the Middle East integrates technology in healthcare services and delivers personalised care to patients.

Background: The alveolar process, also called the alveolar bone, is a thickened ridge that contains the tooth sockets (dental alveoli) on the jaw bones that hold the teeth. After tooth extraction, several changes can occur in the alveolar process that may prevent or delay prosthodontic or other dental treatments. Recently, the Bovine-bone graft has been proposed to be applied in fresh extraction sockets to minimize the reduction in ridge volume. In recent experimental studies, Royal jelly has been shown to have antibacterial, antioxidant, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory properties, resulting in vascular dilatation and increased cell proliferation and differentiation.
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of Bovine-bone graft and Royal Jelly separately and in combination on socket bone healing.
Methods: Forty-eight rabbits were divided into four groups (Control, Royal Jelly (RJ), Bovine-Bone Graft (BG), and Combination). The results were studied histologically after two and four weeks, postoperatively. A histological examination was performed under a light microscope for the section stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). The study was conducted between November 2023 and ended in September 2024 in the laboratory of Histology in the College of Dentistry / University of Baghdad.
Results: In the RJ group, the socket area showed the formation of new bone trabeculae, lined by osteoblasts and osteocytes, with higher mean values than in other groups. Histomorphometric analysis revealed that RJ-treated sockets exhibited significantly higher trabecular bone area (p<0.001) and osteoblast/ osteocyte counts compared to the BG and Control groups.
Conclusion: The use of Royal Jelly separately or in combination with Bovine-bone graft is more beneficial than the Bovine-bone graft alone, for socket bone healing.

Background: Infertility is the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse, with male factors accounting for about 50% of cases. Anti-Müllerian hormone, a glycoprotein belonging to Transforming growth factor beta, is secreted from Sertoli cells and plays a key role in male sexual differentiation.
Objectives: To examine the potential role of Anti-Müllerian Hormone in differentiating the subtypes of male infertility.
Methods: This case-control study was done at the Infertility Center of Al-Batool Teaching Hospital in Diyala Governorate, Iraq, between the period from April 2024 to January 2025. It included 111 males, aged (20-55 years). These subjects were subdivided into four groups based on seminal fluid analysis: The Normozoospermic group (30 males) who served as the control group; the Asthenozoospermia group (29 males); the oligozoospermia group (25 males); and the idiopathic (unexplained) infertility group (27 males). Investigations included serum and seminal fluid measurements of anti-müllerian hormone using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.
Results: The mean±SD values of anti-müllerian hormone concentrations were significantly increased in the serum compared with the results of seminal plasma in all groups except the oligozoospermia group where the anti-müllerian hormone was higher than in the serum. The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis revealed that Serum AMH exhibited fair to good diagnostic performance with cutoff value between (2.5-3.2 ng/ml), while seminal fluid AMH displayed lower diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing subtypes of male infertility, the cutoff value ranging from (1.75-3.83 ng/ml).
Conclusion: Serum AMH levels exhibit fair to good diagnostic performance in differentiating subtypes of male infertility. Seminal fluid AMH displayed lower diagnostic accuracy across all groups, with elevated levels in oligozoospermic subjects. These findings suggest that serum AMH may serve as a valuable biomarker in the evaluation of male infertility subtypes.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory illness. A complication of Rheumatoid arthritis is mainly linked to the risk of cardiovascular disease. High body weight has been implicated as a perilous risk factor for the development of Rheumatoid arthritis. Neopterin is secreted by monocytes and macrophages and is highly secreted from the coronary plaque. Moreover, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein is a biochemical analysis applied to quantify C-reactive protein with high sensitivity.
Objectives: To evaluate serum Neopterin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in patients with rheumatoid arthritis to predict the risk of coronary artery disease. In addition, a correlation between neopterin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and anthropometric measures.
Methods: The 120 women were included in the study; 60 of them had rheumatoid arthritis, and 60 of them were controls. Serum analysis included measurement of neopterin, sensitivity of C-reactive protein, and estimation of anthropometric measurements. Pearson's correlation between two quantitative variables was computed, and a t-test was applied. The correlation coefficient value demonstrates a positive or negative relation.
Results: The patients had significantly higher mean values of serum Neopterin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio compared to controls. were detected in the patient group, significant positive correlations were found between serum Neopterin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein as well as body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio.
Conclusion: The inflammatory markers neopterin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels are higher in rheumatoid arthritis patients. The higher serum levels of these markers reflected the elevated level of systemic inflammation, and the patient was at risk of coronary artery disease. Also, there is a higher prevalence of obesity and overweight in rheumatoid arthritis patients and a positive correlation between neopterin levels and high anthropometric measures, which reflects an association between Neoperin and risk factors of coronary artery disease.

Background: Nurses have a critical role in maintaining patients’ safety during coronary angiography procedures. In the coronary care unit, patients’ safety is critical in reducing complications. Everyone is entitled to high-quality healthcare that is both safe and efficient.
Objectives: to evaluate the effect of a patient’s safety intervention program on the nursing staff after coronary angiography.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study was carried out in the cardiac medical ward and cardiac care unit (CCU) at Al-Nasiriyah Heart Centre, Thi-Qar Governorate, Iraq from the 4th of June to the 27th of November 2023. The program and tools for the study were made by the researcher. A purposive (non-probability) sample of fifty nurses who were divided into two groups in order to achieve the objectives of the research: the study group, which consisted of twenty-five nurses who had taken part in the nursing training program, and the control group, which also consisted of twenty-five nurses. The data collection instrument consisted of two primary sections; in the first section, a designated sheet with six items was used to determine the demographic characteristics of these nurses. In the second section, an observational tool (checklist) with eighteen items was used to determine the nurses\' practices regarding patient safety after coronary. The interventional program has been designed to provide the nurse with standard practice concerning the safety of patients post coronary angiography in three sessions and application of nursing care with a sample group of patients in cardiac care.
Results: The study\'s findings demonstrated the beneficial effects of the nursing interventional program on nurses\' post-coronary angiography patient safety practices. They were discovered during posttest procedures.
Conclusion: This outcome demonstrates that nurses\' post-coronary angiography patient safety procedures were positively impacted by the interventional program.

Background: Coronary artery disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. Troponin is released into blood from patients with reversible myocardial ischemia. Stromelysin-2 is also involved in the development and progression of atherosclerosis by tissue remodeling and degradation of extracellular matrix proteins.
Objectives: To investigate the role of serum high-sensitive cardiac troponin I (hs-cTn I) and Stromelysin-2 (Str-2) in the diagnosis and determination of the severity of coronary artery obstruction.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 125 subjects undergoing coronary angiography for suspicion of coronary artery disease in Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Medical City complex/ Baghdad/ Iraq by the Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad between March and December 2024. The participants were divided into three groups: Group I included 48 subjects with no coronary artery lesion or with < 50% stenosis, Group II included 47 subjects with > 50% stenosis in a single or double coronary arteries, and Group III included 30 subjects with > 50% stenosis in ≥ three coronary arteries or ≥ 50% stenosis in the left main stem. Serum levels of hs-cTn I and Str-2 were measured by the ELISA technique.
Results: The median and 1st – 3rd quartile values of hs-cTn I and Str-2 levels of group III and group II were significantly higher than those of groups I (p= 0.001). The median value of hs-cTn I was significantly higher in group III than in group II (p<0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve and area under curve tests revealed that hs-cTn I and Str-2 have a high diagnostic ability of coronary artery obstruction along with a high discriminative ability of hs-cTn I in assessment of severity of coronary artery obstruction.
Conclusion: Measurements of serum Str-2 level can be used in the diagnosis of coronary artery obstruction, while serum hs-cTn I level can be used in the diagnosis and differentiation of severity of coronary artery obstruction. Combining both markers add no significant benefit.

Background: preventive analgesia using opioids has been the cornerstone in relieving postoperative pain. However, it carries undesirable side effects. The recent approach is to use other modalities instead.
A lot of studies and research have been done to evaluate ketorolac and Nefopam efficacy, duration of pain relief and their side effects.
Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and duration of action of ketorolac and Nefopam in relieving postoperative pain in comparison to Pethidine in obstetric patients after caesarean section under general anaesthesia.
Methods: The study was carried at the emergency theatres/ Obstetrics department both in Al-Kadhymiiah and Medical City Teaching centres in Baghdad, Iraq, from the 14th of April 2019 to 1st September 2019 and included 120 patients. They were randomly divided in 3 groups. Group P received Pethidine, group K received Ketorolac, and group N received Nefopam. All received one of the 3 drugs involved in the study. Postoperative pain was assessed using Verbal rating scale-4, up to six hours after arrival to Post-Anaesthesia Care Unit. Patients received rescue drugs when they had moderate pain. Ordinal logistic regression model was formulated to predict the odd’s ratio for developing severe pain.
Results: Ketorolac has shown results parallel to those of Pethidine with lesser adverse effects.
Nefopam, on the other hand, was significantly less efficient in relieving postoperative pain in comparison with Pethidine.
Conclusion: single dose ketorolac can be used alone in the management of postoperative pain with similar efficacy to Pethidine and less nausea and vomiting. Nefopam was not as effective as Pethidine, and it was not prudent to use it as a sole analgesic drug.

Background: Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. To treat cancer effectively, radiation must maximize cytotoxicity against tumor cells while limiting injury to healthy cells. Nanotechnology and biomedical technologies can help improve cancer detection and treatment, but they also create challenges.
Objective: To evaluate the effect of different concentrations of gold nanoparticles (25%, 50%, or 100%) exposed to varying doses of gamma radiation (200Gy, 400Gy, 600Gy) on breast cancer cells in women in comparison with normal cells.
Method: For 24 and 48 hours, breast cancer cells and normal breast cells were treated with 25%, 50%, or 100% gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Another comparable method was done after exposing concertation AuNPs to 200Gy, 400Gy, and 600Gy gamma radiation. After 24 and 48 hours, the results were compared to Retinoblatoma-Endothelial Factor (REF) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) values. The study was conducted in the Biotechnology Research Center, Al-Nahrain University, and the Laboratory of Biophysical Techniques, Sciences College of Sciences for Women, University of Baghdad, from October 2023 to February 2024.
Results: Significant changes in cell growth suppression between MDA and REF after 24 and 48 hours were seen with AuNPs alone (25%, 50%, 100% concentration) and with gamma-ray dosages 200Gy, 400Gy, 600Gy. The mean growth inhibition of cells treated with AuNPs irradiated by gamma-rays (200Gy, 400Gy, 600Gy) compared to AuNPs alone was highly significant (P <0.001) in instances REF (24 and 48 hours) and MDA (24 and 48 hours).
Conclusion: A high dose of gamma rays combined with AuNps can keep its destructive effect on cancerous cells for 24 - 48 hours. Gamma radiation has the potential to perform a valuable function in enhancing the effectiveness of AuNPs. Gold nanoparticles carrying this dose of radiation will cause minimal damage to normal tissue.

Backckground: Diabetic retinopathy is the primary ocular outcome of diabetes mellitus, a serious disease known to have a significant impact on global health. Micro-vascular complications arise from damage to small blood vessels as retinopathy, nephropathy, cardiomyopathy, and neuropathy. Inconsistent findings exist in epidemiological research that specifically examines lipid levels and diabetic retinopathy. The small dense Low-Density Lipoprotein particles are a specific subset of Low-Density Lipoprotein that possessed several pro-atherogenic characteristics.
Objectives: to evaluate the usefulness of serum small dense low-density lipoprotein level as a biomarker for prediction of patients with type II diabetes mellitus who suffer from proliferative and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
Methods: The study involved (160) individuals divided into four groups: (40) patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, (40) patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, (40) controlled diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy, and (40) healthy controls.
Description of the statistical methods, such as t-tests or ANOVA, employed to compare the means or proportions between groups, depending on the nature of the data.
Results: The study revealed that small dense low-density lipoprotein levels in the proliferative diabetic retinopathy group were significantly higher than those in the non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, diabetic without retinopathy, and healthy control groups. The mean and standard deviation in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy was 4.70± 1.96 µmol/L, in non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy was 3.00± 0.90 µmol/L, in diabetic patients without retinopathy was 2.51± 0.53 µmol/L, and in healthy controls was 2.45± 0.48 µmol/L.
Conclusion: Small dense, low-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride play roles in the progression of diabetic retinopathy in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. The small dense low-density lipoprotein levels and triglycerides levels were highest in the proliferative diabetic retinopathy and lowest in the healthy control.

Background: Sepsis is recognized as the leading cause of neonatal mortality globally, yet its detection remains challenging due to inconclusive signs and symptoms.
Objective: This study aimed to examine the variations in complete blood count (CBC), D-dimer, ferritin, interleukin-10, urea, and electrolyte levels among neonates with sepsis compared to healthy newborns and to identify and characterize the associated symptoms and risk factors.
Methods: An observational study was conducted at the Children's Welfare Teaching Hospital in Baghdad during the period from first of September 2023 to first of March 2024, the research involved a total of 187 neonates, including 137 neonates exhibiting clinical signs of sepsis and positive cultures, proven and suspected (case group) and 50 healthy neonates without medical condition, screened by a pediatric specialist (control group). Data collection encompassed demographic details, risk factors, and symptoms through questionnaires, followed by CBC, electrolyte, urea, D-dimer, IL-10, and ferritin assessments for all participants.
Results: The total number of patients was 137, including both proven and suspected sepsis cases. The study revealed that 67 (48.91%) were male and 70 (51.14%) were female, including both early and late onset sepsis cases. The mode of delivery showed that 102 (76.12%) of 134 patients were via cesarean section (CS) and 32 (23.88%) via normal vaginal delivery (NVD). Significant differences were identified between the case and control groups in red cell distribution width (RDW), white blood cell count (WBC), and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). The lymphocyte percentage was notably lower in the case group. Hyperkalemia emerged as the most prevalent electrolyte imbalance. Additionally, urea levels were significantly elevated in the case group. Ferritin and D-dimer concentrations were markedly higher in the sepsis group, and the median IL-10 levels were significantly raised.
Conclusions: The findings highlighted possible associations between NS, clinical symptoms, and maternal and neonatal risk factors. Noteworthy observations included elevated WBC, MCV, RDW, hyperkalemia, and urea levels, along with reduced lymphocyte percentages, in sepsis cases. Elevated D-dimer and ferritin levels, as well as increased IL-10 concentrations, were also significant markers. These parameters may assist in the prediction and monitoring of neonatal sepsis.

Background: Hair follicle degradation characterizes androgenic alopecia (AGA). Deterioration shortens anagen and lengthens telogen, turning terminal hairs into vellus hairs. Males and females have this prevalent sickness. Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant Syzygium aromaticum may treat it.
Objectives: To investigate Syzygium aromaticum as a hair growth booster in testosterone-induced alopecia as an alternative to allopathic treatments with fewer side effects.
Methods: A controlled experimental animal study at College of Pharmacy/ University of Baghdad was conducted from November 2022 to December 2024. Male BALB/c mice weighing 25–30 grams and aged 8–12 weeks were used. Alopecia treatment often uses 5% minoxidil (0.1 mL). Alopecia was treated with 10% Syzygium aromaticum oil (0.8 mL). A 5% testosterone solution (100 µL) caused baldness in mice. Four groups of eight animals were randomly assigned: No treatment was given to Group I (Negative Control) after dorsal hair shaving. Group II (Alopecia Control) received only 5% testosterone. Group III (Minoxidil Group) received 5% testosterone and 5% minoxidil. Group IV (Clove Oil Group) received 5% testosterone and 10% Syzygium aromaticum oil.
Results: In Group II, testosterone-induced alopecia caused significant decreases in Anagen/Telogen A/T ratio (1.12 ± 0.09) and follicular density (4.8 ± 0.5 follicles/field) compared to the control group (Group I: 3.91 ± 0.24; 10.2 ± 0.7 Compared to the induced group, 5% minoxidil treatment (Group III) significantly increased A/T ratio (3.56 ± 0.20) and follicular density (9.5 ± 0.6). Group IV clove oil treatment showed significant A/T ratio improvement (3.32 ± 0.18), but comparable follicular density (8.8 ± 0.9) to minoxidil was insignificant.Histology corroborated these findings, showing that minoxidil and clove oil groups had higher follicle counts and better follicular architecture, with the former having more clustered and the latter more horizontal.
Conclusion: Androgenic alopecia treatments may be replaced by Syzygium aromaticum. It needs human trials to prove its efficacy and safety.

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a condition that is specific to pregnancy and has a substantial impact on the morbidity and mortality of the mother and the fetus worldwide. Currently, various markers may serve as possible predictors or markers for illness severity.
Objectives: The present study aimed to identify and evaluate the key clinical indicators that differentiate between preeclampsia with and without severe features.
Methods: The research included 90 pregnant Iraqi women who manifested preeclampsia subsequent to 24 weeks of gestation and were selected from Al-Elwiya Teaching Hospital for Maternity between April and June 2024. The patients were categorized into two groups: 45 with preeclampsia without severe features and 45 with preeclampsia with severe features. Key indicators assessed included blood pressure and laboratory parameters. Outcomes such as birth weight and FHR and complications, such as Caesarean section, intrauterine death, and eclampsia were also determined.
Results: The levels of AST, ALT, blood urea, and serum creatinine were significantly elevated in PE with severe features, while platelet counts were substantially reduced. Additionally, there was a noticeable rise in proteinuria; in PE without severe features, proteinuria reaches +2. While in PE with severe features, proteinuria exceeds +4. Pregnant women with preeclampsia with severe features had a lower birth weight of 2.32 kg, compared to those without severe features, who birth weight of 3.14 kg. The baseline fetal heart rate (FHR) decreased from 139 bpm in PE without severe features to 119 bpm in PE with severe features. PE with severe features is linked to greater maternal and fetal complications and shows increased rates of intensive care unit (ICU) (71.11%), Caesarean section (CS) (75.56%), intrauterine death (IUD) (15.55%), and eclampsia (11.11%).
Conclusion: The previously mentioned indicators AST, ALT, blood urea, serum creatinine, and proteinuria, in addition to fetal heart rate and birth weight, are valuable for assessing preeclampsia severity, highlighting the importance of monitoring.