Background: The decision to breastfeed is shaped by a mix of motivations and challenges. While the health, emotional, and economic benefits are strong motivators, women often face significant barriers-physical discomfort, societal stigma, workplace limitations, and lack of support. Strengthening healthcare guidance, creating supportive environments at work and in public spaces, and promoting awareness can help mothers sustain breastfeeding practices and maximize benefits for both mother and child. The aim of this study was to explore the breastfeeding practice among mothers and to identify the motivators and barriers influencing the initiation and duration of breastfeeding. Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February the 1(st) 2025 till April the 30(th) 2025 , study setting was in the gynecology and obstetrics hospital and pediatric hospital, during a period of 6 months by interviewing among mothers attending in pediatric hospital and obstetric hospital for variable reasons using a constructed questionnaire of demography, practice barriers, motivators and duration of breastfeeding. Results: Among 188 women of age 20-40 years half of them were college graduates, mostly housewives of middle income, two thirds of them were of nuclear families, two thirds of them were exclusively breastfeeding their infants, initiating within the 1(st) hour postdelivery in nearly half of them till one year, the main motivation was the nutritional benefits to their infant, the main physical challenge was painful nipple followed by decreased milk production, although nearly one third of working women complain from insufficient maternity leave, this was not significantly associated with duration of breast feeding. Conclusion: Most of the participant mothers were exclusively breast feeding their infants , initiating the feeding within the 1(st) hour of delivery, mainly motivated by breast milk nutritional benefit, regardless the employment status they continued breastfeeding till one year.
Background: Maternal morbidity and mortality are significantly increased in cases with placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), a severe obstetric disease. Accurate antenatal diagnosis is essential for optimal peripartum planning and management. Using intraoperative and histological findings as the gold standard, this study aimed to evaluate and compare the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound in detecting PAS. Materials & Methods: From the 1st of March, 2023 to the 1st of August, 2025, Radiology, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, a validational cross-sectional study was conducted at Rehman Medical Institute and Hayatabad Medical Complex. We conducted a study on 146 pregnant women with 28 weeks soaring pregnancy age and history of abnormal placentation using non-probability consecutive sampling technique. MRI and USG values were standardised in all the subjects. The calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were used for the assessment. The SPSS ver 26.0 analyzed the information statistically, and p0.05 is significant. Results: On average, participants were 32.47 +/- 6.66 years old and 32.79 +/- 3.28 weeks pregnant. A clinical diagnosis of PAS was confirmed in 99 (67.8%) cases. The diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound for probable infective pyelonephritis and UTI was found to be 82.19%. The results of the MRI analysis improved. Conclusion: When it came to recognizing the placenta accreta spectrum, MRI proved to be more accurate than ultrasound. In high-risk pregnancies, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a useful adjunct to ultrasound for enhancing diagnostic certainty and facilitating right surgical planning, while ultrasound is still the gold standard.
Background: Pituitary gland is one of the most important gland of the body. The posterior part of pituitary gland depicts a bright spot, seen on T1W sequence. Studies show that the presence of vasopressin and T1 shortening effect, bright spot is depicted in posterior pituitary. Less commonly but absent or ectopic pituitary can also be observed. The aim of this study was to assess normal craniocaudal and anteroposterior dimensions of the posterior pituitary bright spot on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials & Methods: It was retrospective study conducted in Radiology Department of Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi. Duration is from January, 2022 to September, 2022. Total 499 patients with normal pituitary MRI studies were selected for the study. The dimensions of posterior pituitary bright spot were assessed on non-contrast sagittal T1WI. Anteroposterior and craniocaudal dimensions were noted. Results: Posterior pituitary bright spot (PBBS) was identified in 98.4 % of the patients with normal pituitary glands. In 1.6 % of patients (n=8) there was absence of posterior pituitary bright spot. Mean (+/- SD) dimensions of PBS size in craniocaudal dimension were 5.17 +/- 1.20 mm (range 1.7-8.4 mm). Mean (+/- SD) dimensions in anteroposterior dimension were 2.21 +/- 0.59 mm (range 0.5-4.4 mm). There is a direct relation in craniocaudal dimension and anterior posterior dimension of posterior pituitary bright spot. Concluson: Pituitary bright spot is a normal finding in brain MRI. By identifying the normal range, it is hoped that pathology of the pituitary gland can be more easily recognized. In case of its absence, ectopic or pathological pituitary gland must be identified.
Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder. This study aimed to assess the clinical, menstrual, obstetric, and endocrine profiles of women with PCOS in comparison to healthy controls ascertained from Southern Punjab, Pakistan. Materials & Methods: In a cross-sectional case-control study design, 204 PCOS patients and 150 controls were recruited from tertiary care hospitals. PCOS was diagnosed per Rotterdam criteria. Descriptive statistics was employed. Results: Dermatological manifestations were significantly more prevalent among PCOS cases: hirsutism (Odd ratios, OR: 60.4), acne (OR: 11.2), alopecia (OR: 23.4), seborrhea (OR: 11.7), and acanthosis nigricans (OR: 58.8). Menstrual irregularities like oligomenorrhea and amenorrhea cases were significantly more common among PCOS cases. Abortions and miscarriages were slightly more common among cases, though not statistically significant. Endocrine profiling showed significantly lower FSH levels and higher LH, testosterone, and estradiol levels in PCOS cases. Serum leptin and insulin levels were also significantly elevated, indicating metabolic disturbances. Hirsutism correlated positively with serum testosterone levels in both groups, emphasizing the role of androgen excess in PCOS. Age-stratified analyses of PCOS individuals revealed significant association between waist-and-hip circumference and FSH and LH levels in older age patients. Conclusions: This study highlights the multifaceted clinical and hormonal disturbances in PCOS and underscores the diagnostic value of dermatological features and endocrine markers. These findings also suggest that PCOS manifestations and hormonal imbalances vary with age, emphasizing the need for age-specific diagnostic and management approaches.
Background: Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) is a significant pediatric orthopedic condition with long-term implications for hip function and mobility. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes and effectiveness of surgical management, focusing on the Dega osteotomy technique. Materials & Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 35 patients (49 operated hips) who underwent Dega osteotomy for DDH between January 2020 and December 2024. Demographic, clinical, and surgical data were collected, and functional outcomes were assessed using standardized measures. Results: The mean age at diagnosis was 1.84 years (+/- 1.2). Dega osteotomy was the most frequently performed procedure (62.9%), often combined with other interventions. Postoperative outcomes were favorable, with 82.9% of patients reporting no or minor pain. Functional outcomes showed that 97.1% of patients did not require mobility support, 77.1% exhibited no limp, and 85.7% could walk unlimited distances. Statistically significant associations were observed between the number of surgeries and hip involvement (p = 0.000), type of harness used (p = 0.032), type of operation (p = 0.016), pain levels (p = 0.042), and walking distance (p = 0.041). Conclusions: The Dega osteotomy, often combined with other procedures, demonstrated effective surgical management of DDH in this single-center experience. Favorable functional outcomes, including improved mobility and reduced pain, were achieved in the majority of patients. These findings underscore the importance of early diagnosis and tailored interventions to optimize long-term outcomes for DDH patients.
