Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice最新文献

{"title":"Analysis of Injuries Caused by Electric Scooters Admitted to the Emergency Department: A Prospective Observational Study.","authors":"T C Ozturk, M Ekşioğlu, Y E Sağmal","doi":"10.4103/njcp.njcp_388_24","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/njcp.njcp_388_24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aims to investigate and analyze the patterns, types, and epidemiology of E-scooter-related injuries presenting to the emergency department as well as to determine possible factors that may affect the severity of injury.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is a prospective observational study conducted in an inner-city tertiary education and research hospital with 290,000 annual emergency admissions in tax in Istanbul, Turkiye. The study period was defined as 01.02.2022-01.02.2023. Patients presenting to the emergency department with an electrical scooter injury were included in the study.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 137 electrical scooter cases were included in the study. Our results revealed a male predominance (73.7%), with the highest incidence observed in the 17-25 age group. Most accidents involved the electrical scooter rider (92.7%), occurring predominantly as falls (75.2%) and commonly on main roads (70.8%). Accidents were more prevalent during weekdays and between 07:00 and 18:00, aligning with commuting hours. In terms of severity, 83.9% were classified as minor (ISS < 9), 9.5% as moderate (ISS = 9-15), 2.9% as severe (ISS = 16-25), and 3.6% as critical (ISS > 25). Traumatic brain injuries were observed in 12 patients. 4.4% had concussion, and 4.4% intracranial hemorrhage. One of the patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage died in an intensive care unit.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although minor injuries are more common, the fact that we have a deceased case and patients with potentially fatal traumatic brain injuries suggests accidents involving electrical scooters should be carefully examined and preventive measures and regulations should be implemented by the governments.</p>","PeriodicalId":19431,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice","volume":"28 3","pages":"385-392"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144030389","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Effects of Resected Gastric Volume on Postoperative Weight Loss and Waist-to-Hip Ratio after Sleeve Gastrectomy; A Prospective Study.","authors":"I Ertuğrul, Y E Altuntaş, C Kayaalp, A Başkent, S Ertuğrul, H F Küçük","doi":"10.4103/njcp.njcp_49_24","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/njcp.njcp_49_24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This prospective study was carried out to evaluate the effects of resected gastric volume (RGV) on postoperative weight loss and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in patients with morbid obesity after laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG).</p><p><strong>Material and method: </strong>LSG procedure was performed for a total of 107 patients. Gastric specimen measurements were taken for all patients. Patients' body mass index (BMI), WHR, and percentage of excessive weight loss were recorded and evaluated postoperatively at the 1st, 6th, and 12th months. Patients were divided into three groups based on RGV: Group 1 with RGV lower than 800 ml, Group 2 with RGV between 800 and 1100 cc, and Group 3 with RGV higher than 1100 cc. These three groups were comparatively evaluated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>No statistically significant difference was found between RGV and weight loss or reduction in WHR. There were statistically significant differences in the distribution of ASA scores between patient groups (P<0.05). The maximum inflated volume of the great curvature of the stomach and calibration tube mean values were significantly higher in Group 3 (P<0.05). The operation time was significantly lower in Group 3 (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups in any of the other demographic and clinical values (P>0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>No statistically significant difference was found between groups in the present study in terms of weight loss, WHR, and RGV. It is thought that the remaining stomach volume might be more important than the resected stomach volume since weight loss is likely attributed to the reduction in gastric volume.</p>","PeriodicalId":19431,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice","volume":"28 3","pages":"265-272"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143974906","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical Utility of Large Next-Generation Sequencing Panel Across Diverse Tumour Types: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis.","authors":"H P Chen, Z Y Guo, L M Zhang, S Sun, J X Huang, M Sha, H H Sheng, H Yu","doi":"10.4103/njcp.njcp_733_23","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/njcp.njcp_733_23","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In complex real-world clinical practice, the application of advanced technologies, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), is crucial for achieving the most reasonable and relatively effective therapy for cancer patients at each stage of treatment.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the clinical utility of a large NGS panel in the management of solid tumors within a clinical practice setting.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A comprehensive NGS panel was used to detect diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic biomarkers in solid tumors on a commercially available platform. NGS assay was performed on 431 specimens from 416 patients.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>At least 1 actionable variant was in 89.1% of all specimens. The most frequently altered gene was TP53, followed by EGFR, KRAS, PIKC3A, and RB1. In 55.7% of cases, at least 1 therapeutically targetable variant was identified, including 25.3% of cases harboring variants for which a targeted therapy was available for the disease and 26.0% of cases harboring variants for which a targeted therapy was available for other diseases. The median tumor mutational burden (TMB) was 10.3 mutations/Mb. Microsatellite instability (MSI) was available for 352 patients, and only 6 cases were MSI-high. The patients receiving targeted therapy and/or immune checkpoint inhibitors survived significantly longer than those receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy (P = 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our results demonstrate the significant clinical utility of comprehensive genomic profiling in the routine clinical testing of patients with solid tumors.</p>","PeriodicalId":19431,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice","volume":"28 3","pages":"352-359"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143972141","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Synopsis and Pregnancy Outcome of Decompensated Heart Failure in Pregnancy at a Tertiary Health Care Centre in South-Eastern Nigeria: A Retrospective Study.","authors":"N C Mbadiwe, J U Onyebueze, A V Ikemeh, E O Izuka, O M Mbadiwe, B A Ezeala-Adikaibe, C I Ikaraoha, S O Ike, B J Onwubere","doi":"10.4103/njcp.njcp_415_24","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/njcp.njcp_415_24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Heart failure during pregnancy is rare, potentially serious, and complicates approximately 1% of all pregnancies. However, there is a global dearth of data on heart failure in pregnancy, and no data from southeastern Nigeria.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To determine the prevalence, clinical profile, and outcomes of pregnancy in women presenting with heart failure during pregnancy at the University of Nigeria, Enugu.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A hospital-based, retrospective study covering 9 years between 2013 and 2021, using data from the medical records of patients seen at the cardiology and obstetrics/gynecology units. Information on the clinical profile, echocardiographic reports, and pregnancy outcomes were obtained and analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 9749 new pregnant women, 26 (0.3%) had heart failure during pregnancy, with a prevalence rate of 0.3% and a mean age of 33.27 years. Among 26 women, peripartum cardiomyopathy (46%) was the most common cause of heart failure. The most common presenting symptoms were breathlessness (84.62%), bilateral leg swelling (69.24%), and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea (65.39%). The majority presented with New York Heart Association classes III (57.7%) and IV (26.9%). The most affected age group and mode of delivery were 31-40 years (82%) and cesarean section (50%), respectively. Pregnancy outcomes showed high maternal (11.5%) and fetal/neonatal (15.4%) mortality rates. There was a significant association between the etiology and severity of heart failure (P = 0.009), and the trimester of pregnancy at presentation (P = 0.009).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>heart failure in pregnancy is associated with high maternal and fetal mortality. The most common cause of heart failure in South Eastern Nigeria was peripartum cardiomyopathy.</p>","PeriodicalId":19431,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice","volume":"28 3","pages":"344-351"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144035066","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gastrografin® Use and Its Benefits in Small Bowel Obstruction - A Single-Center Retrospective Study.","authors":"N Arslani","doi":"10.4103/njcp.njcp_561_23","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/njcp.njcp_561_23","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Gastrografin® (GG) is a water-soluble contrast agent. Besides its role in diagnosing small bowel obstruction (SBO), its effectiveness in treating adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) has been suggested.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>A retrospective study was performed at our institution to observe whether patients receiving GG benefited from the intervention compared to patients receiving standard treatment of SBO.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Administration of GG was the surgeon's decision, as was the decision for operative treatment. No treatment protocols were used at the department regarding GG use. The observed variables were length of hospital stay (LoHS), operative rate, and mortality rate.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results of our study confirmed a substantial diagnostic value of GG challenge; passage of GG to the large bowel indicates successful conservative treatment of SBO. We observed that patients receiving GG (GG+) at our department did not have a significantly lower LoHS or mortality rate than those not receiving GG (GG-). However, GG+ did have a lower mean LoHS and a lower mean mortality rate than GG- group. The GG+ group displayed a significantly lower operative rate. Based on the design of our study, this cannot be attributed to the therapeutic effect of GG but rather to the selective treatment of patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The GG challenge is a solid diagnostic tool, indicating a successful resolution of SBO if the passage of the contrast to the large bowel can be demonstrated. Although our study results point towards its positive effect, we cannot confirm the therapeutic function of GG due to probable treatment bias in severely affected patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":19431,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice","volume":"28 3","pages":"339-343"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144003146","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Importance of Monocyte-to-High Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol Ratio in Predicting Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in Acute Coronary Syndrome.","authors":"C Kaynak, E Ozmen, M Aslan","doi":"10.4103/njcp.njcp_252_24","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/njcp.njcp_252_24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Evaluating the association between coronary artery disease (CAD) severity and new inflammatory markers in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is critical for managing the therapy procedure as well.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>The primary goal of this study was to investigate the association between the monocyte-to-high density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio (MHR), a novel inflammation marker, and the severity of CAD in patients with ACS.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study was performed on ACS patients who were hospitalized for coronary angiography (CAG) in the coronary intensive care unit and was conducted with a retrospective design. The study comprised 344 patients (mean age 60.49 ± 12.23 years) with ACS who had CAG and laboratory testing. There were 212 patients with mild CAD according to the Synergy between percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) score (SYNTAX score ≤22) and 132 patients with severe CAD (SYNTAX score >22). The association between SYNTAX score, MHR, uric acid, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and other markers were assessed. All analyses were performed using SPSS 26.0.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A modestly linear association was observed between MHR and SYNTAX score (r = 0.522, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis found male gender, high uric acid, high MHR, and NLR as possible individual predictors of SYNTAX score >22 in ACS. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that MHR 15.64 (AUC = 0.794; P < 0.001) could predict SYNTAX score >22 with higher sensitivity (81.8%) and specificity (78.3%).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The higher MHR independently predicts the severity of CAD in ACS. It may be a better parameter than the higher NLR and uric acid levels to predict CAD severity in ACS patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":19431,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice","volume":"28 3","pages":"287-293"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143975180","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Role of the BUN/Albumin Ratio in Predicting Poor Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Acute Pancreatitis.","authors":"Z Biyik, M Biyik, Y C Yavuz, L Altintepe, M K Korez, A Cizmecioglu","doi":"10.4103/njcp.njcp_528_24","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/njcp.njcp_528_24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) to albumin ratio (BAR) has emerged as a potential prognostic marker in various pathological states.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study aims to elucidate the utility of BAR in predicting the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) in patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis (AP).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective analysis included 210 patients diagnosed with AP and monitored at a tertiary university hospital. Patients were classified into three categories based on the severity of pancreatitis: mild AP, moderately severe AP, and severe AP.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>BAR levels increased significantly with the progression of disease severity (P < 0.001). Median BAR values were 3.3 for mild AP, 3.9 for moderately severe AP, and 11.6 for severe AP. In multivariate regression analysis, BAR was identified as an independent prognostic factor for both severe AP (odds ratio [OR] =1.341, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.016-1.612, P = 0.002) and AKI (OR = 1.382, 95% CI: 1.138-1.679, P = 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis indicated that a BAR threshold exceeding 5.192 predicted severe AP with a sensitivity (Sn) of 71.4% and specificity (Sp) of 82.5% (area under the curve [AUC] =0.849, P < 0.001). Additionally, a BAR threshold greater than 4.505 was found to predict AKI with a Sn of 63.2% and Sp of 86.6% (AUC = 0.782, P < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>BAR, assessed at hospital admission, demonstrates considerable promise as a readily accessible biomarker for predicting the severity of AP and the development of AKI.</p>","PeriodicalId":19431,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice","volume":"28 3","pages":"360-366"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143975187","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of Obese and Nonobese Children and Adolescents Regarding Trabeculation and Cortex of the Mandibular Jaw Bone.","authors":"K T Temur, G Magat, A S Onsüren, S Ozcan","doi":"10.4103/njcp.njcp_881_23","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/njcp.njcp_881_23","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Considering the frequency of dental visits among obese individuals, understanding the effects of obesity on bone is crucial for orthodontic and surgical planning.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate potential alterations in mandibular jaw bone trabeculation and cortical bone in obese children and adolescents through fractal analysis (FA) and radiomorphometric indices.</p><p><strong>Settings and design: </strong>This retrospective case-control study reviewed data from pediatric dental patients treated at a university faculty.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Dental panoramic radiographs of obese (34) and nonobese (39) children and adolescents were evaluated through FA, mandibular cortical width (MCW), panoramic mandibular index (PMI), and mandibular cortical index.</p><p><strong>Statistical analysis: </strong>Mann-Whitney U and Chi-square test were used for comparisons. P < 0.05 was accepted for the significance value.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>When the measurements of both the case and control groups were evaluated, it was determined that the PMI measurements on both the right and left sides were lower in the obese group compared to the healthy group (P < .0001). When the relationship of age with measurements of the entire sample was evaluated, MCW values on both the right and left sides were lower in children under 12 years of age compared to those over 12 years of age (P < 000.1).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Obesity in children and adolescents may lead to a decline in mandibular cortical thickness. Clinicians should consider the potential effects of obesity on the mandibular bone in the treatment planning of obese children and adolescents presenting to dental clinics for orthodontic treatment and surgical procedures.</p>","PeriodicalId":19431,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice","volume":"28 3","pages":"331-338"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144033186","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of Salivary Opiorphin Levels in Acute Pericoronitis Related Pain.","authors":"S Y Ertem, M S Ozdogan","doi":"10.4103/njcp.njcp_445_24","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/njcp.njcp_445_24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Opiorphin is a peptide that can exhibit varying concentrations in saliva in relation to pain and may serve as a potential pain biomarker.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate pain-related changes in salivary opiorphin levels in patients with acute pericoronitis.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A total of 40 saliva samples were analyzed by taking two different samples from 20 patients. Non-stimulated saliva samples were collected using uncovered cotton rolls from the same patients during tooth extraction, when acute pain was present due to acute pericoronitis, and again 1 week post-extraction, after the pain had subsided. Patients' pain levels were assessed before treatment and at a 7-day follow-up visit using a visual analog scale just before saliva sampling. Opiorphin levels in the presence and absence of pain were measured using a human opiorphin ELISA kit (Hangzhou Eastbiopharm Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China). Statistical analyses were conducted using International Business Machines (IBM) Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics Version 25 (IBM SPSS, Chicago, IL). The opiorphin levels in samples taken from saliva before and after tooth extraction were evaluated using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mean salivary opiorphin levels were found to differ significantly between the presence of pain due to acute pericoronitis and the pain-free period following treatment. Salivary opiorphin concentration was significantly higher before treatment (17.38 ng/ml ± 5.83 ng/ml) compared to after treatment (13.54 ng/ml ± 5.37 ng/ml). The findings of this study suggest that pain due to acute pericoronitis causes a statistically significant increase in salivary opiorphin levels (P = 0.026). Saliva samples from healthy patients with acute pericoronitis were collected at the same time of day to minimize environmental variables. The age and gender of the participants did not affect opiorphin levels before or after treatment.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings of this study suggest that salivary opiorphin levels increase in the presence of pain associated with acute pericoronitis. Future studies with larger sample sizes conducted across different populations may further contribute to understanding opiorphin as a potential pain mediator.</p>","PeriodicalId":19431,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice","volume":"28 3","pages":"378-384"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144047713","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Value of Nuchal Translucency (NT) Ultrasonography for Fetal Malformation Screening.","authors":"L Zhang, Y Zhang, Y Yan","doi":"10.4103/njcp.njcp_728_24","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/njcp.njcp_728_24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Early detection of fetal malformations is crucial for timely intervention and management in obstetric care. Existing screening methods may have limitations, prompting the exploration of novel approaches to improve detection accuracy.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This retrospective study explores an efficient fetal malformation screening method, aiming to provide a reference for obstetric examination.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 511 puerperae who underwent standardized ultrasound examinations in our hospital's first trimester from December 2020 to August 2022 were enrolled. Ultrasound was used to detect the thickness of the nuchal translucency (NT) in all puerperae during prenatal examination. The clinical values of detection indices in maternal prenatal physical examination were analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 511 puerperae were investigated, and 12 malformed fetuses were detected, presenting a fetal malformation rate of 2.35%, including 3 cases of head and neck hydrocele, 2 cases of megacystis, 3 cases of anencephaly, and 4 cases of omphalocele. Among 499 normal fetuses, NT thickness > 3.0 mm accounted for 3.41%, while among the 12 malformed fetuses screened, NT thickness > 3.0 mm accounted for 75.00%, and there was a statistical difference between the two groups (Chi-square = 124.374, P < 0.05). Using ultrasound for fetal malformation screening revealed that the fetus with NT thickness value above 3.0 mm performed better in ultrasound screening (>3.0: AUC of 0.904; >3.5: AUC of 0.928; >4.0: AUC of 0.944 vs. >2.0: AUC of 0.863; >2.5: AUC of 0.878).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings underscore the critical clinical significance of NT thickening as a promising ultrasound soft index for screening fetal malformations. Beyond aiding in clinical diagnosis and postpartum treatment, the potential applications of these findings hold immense practical value. They pave the way for enhanced prenatal and postnatal care practices, emphasizing the translation of research outcomes into tangible benefits for healthcare providers and expectant parents alike.</p>","PeriodicalId":19431,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice","volume":"28 2","pages":"157-161"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143983429","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}