5th Obs-Gyne Conference opens in Dubai

The 5th Annual Obstetrics and Gynaecology Exhibition & Congress (Obs-Gyne), the Middle East and North Africa’s largest show for women’s health was officially opened today by Dr Abdulla Al Khayat, CEO of Latifa Hospital, Dubai Health Authority (DHA), at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event continues on 1-2 April, and will attract healthcare professionals working in the obstetrics and gynaecological fields in the Middle East region. Regional and international experts will discuss the latest trends and treatments covering topics like gyne-oncology, fetal therapy, menopause and fetal medicine. With a comprehensive three day programme that covers general gynaecology in the morning and splits into specialized parallel sessions, the delegates will be able to pick and choose what is of interest to them. Commenting on the importance of women’s heath in the region Dr Al Khayat said: “There is absolutely no doubt that women’s health is an important issue that needs further awareness which is why, hosting and supporting medical congresses is an important part of the DHA’s strategy. In today’s globalised world, congresses help exchange-state-of-the-art information and facilitate knowledge transfer, this is particularly important in the medical field which is ever changing. This conference will provide gynaecologists, obstetricians and midwives an opportunity to discuss the most recent developments in their field.” One of the highly debated topics at today’s Women’s Health Conference, which took place as part of the Obs-Gyne Exhibition & Congress, is Hypothyroidism in women. This is when the thyroid produces less of the thyroid hormone than normal levels which can have adverse effects on the functioning of organs such as the Liver, kidney, brain, reproductive organs, and the heart. Discussing the clinical consequences of Hypothyroidism in Middle Eastern women, Dr Jalal Nafach, who is a consultant and endocrinologist at both the Dubai Diabetes Centre (DHA) and the Dr. Humeira Badsha Medical Center in Dubai, said that the risks associated with Hypothyroidism in women should be highlighted both in a clinical setting as well as with the general public. Dr Nafach says, “The clinical consequences of mild hypothyroidism can include an increase in cholesterol levels, an increase in Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and MI risk, an increase in the risk of having a miscarriage, impaired fetal development, and inadequate TSH suppression in thyroid cancer patients.” The symptoms of hypothyroidism in women are varying and vast but the most common include hypothermia, slow speech, depression, Cold intolerance, fatigue, weight gain, memory defects, weakness, muscle cramps, decreased libido, Heavy menses, infertility, skin, hair, and nail changes. According to MayoClinic recommendations, standard treatment for hypothyroidism involves daily use of the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine (Levothroid, Synthroid, or others). This oral medication restores adequate hormone levels, reversing the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism. Treatment with levothyroxine is usually life long, but because the dosage needed may change, the doctor is likely to check the TSH level every year. “In a study of 20 pregnancies in hypothyroid women, about 85 per cent of women with thyroid dysfunction required a substantial increase in their usual dose. Dose requirements may need to increase by 30-50%, Median time of dosage increase – 8 weeks gestation, increased requirement plateaued 16 weeks,” says Dr. Jalal Nafach. The Obs-Gyne Exhibition & Congress 2013, organised by Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions, will continue with parallel conference including the Midwifery, Women’s Health, Obstetrics & Gynaecology Conferences, and the new addition to this year’s conferences, Neonatology. More than 100 international and regional experts are sharing their expertise with 1,500 industry professionals. This year the exhibition features more than 50 exhibiting companies from 20 countries showcasing healthcare technology and innovation from across the obs-gyne medical sector. Top exhibiting companies include industry giants such GlaxoSmithKline, Bayer Healthcare, Philips, GE Healthcare, Cryo-Save, Karl STORZ, and the American Hospital Dubai.