OUTCOME OF TOXOPLASMOSIS IGM POSITIVE PREGNANCY IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Objective: The objectives of this study were to identify the demographic characteristics of IgM positive toxoplasma patients, to determine the percentages of different outcomes of these pregnancies and their relation to the demographic characteristics.

Study Design: A descriptive cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Military Hospital Rawalpindi Pakistan from Jun 2007 to Jun 2008.

Material and Methods: The patients were selected on the basis of previous bad obstetric history. Cases underwent investigations and on the bases of positive serum marker for the disease that is toxoplasma IgM antibody and demographic data were collected regarding age, maternal residence and socioeconomic status. Patients’ exposure to any identified risk factors were documented and given treatment of toxoplasmosis and were followed to find out whether those ended in abortion, intrauterine deaths, fetal anomalies, an alive baby or congenital toxoplasmosis in newborn.

Results: Data were analyzed using SPSS version 10. Different outcomes were computed and it was found out that the disease was more common among patients of lower/poor socioeconomic status 64% positive for toxoplasmosis where as 36% belonged to average economical strata. This also had an effect on the outcome of pregnancy in the form of positive Toxoplasma gondii IgM. Chi square test showed p-value which was 0.000. Mean ages of the patients with toxoplasma IgM was 26.46, 66% of patients had previous 02 pregnancy losses and 18% had previous 03 losses. 10% patients had an abortion because of this and another 10% had an intra-uterine death. With this disease 60% of patients gave birth to IgM positive fetuses out of which 16% had central nervous system
(CNS) changes and 2% had eye changes.

Conclusion: Toxoplasmosis is prevalent in many parts of our country but the risk factors and it’s outcomes have not been studied in our population. This disease can give good outcome with proper treatment and compliance. Prevention of this disease is possible by avoidance of the risk factors and improvement in available health and housing facilities.