Lana Al-Jabery

Background and Objectives: In Bahrain, congenital anomalies (CAs) account for 8.1% of the total deaths in children under 5, indicating a need to understand the patterns, predictors, and prevalence to improve antenatal standards of care and reduce the burden of disease. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of CAs in Bahrain and investigate their association with measured neonatal and maternal risk factors. Method: In this five-year retrospective study, data from 31,615 neonates were analyzed, of which 354 had confirmed CAs. Stillbirths, abortions, and CAs discovered later in life were excluded from the study. Results: The prevalence of CAs was determined to be 1.1% (incidence of 11.2 per 1000 births), with 40.1% of the CAs affecting multiple systems. A statistically significant association was found between CAs and nationality, method of conception, gender, method of delivery, diabetes mellitus status, hypertension, and gestational age at birth. However, the association between CAs and multiple gestations was deemed statistically insignificant. Conclusions: As the first study exploring the associations between CAs and potential risk factors and outcomes in Bahrain, it provided a foundation for further exploration of the topic and insight into factors healthcare providers would target during preconception and antenatal care.

In the context of cell cycle inhibition, anti-proliferation, and the dysregulation observed in certain cancer pathologies, the protein p21 assumes a pivotal role. p21 links DNA damage responses to cellular processes such as apoptosis, senescence, and cell cycle arrest, primarily functioning as a regulator of the cell cycle. However, accumulating empirical evidence suggests that p21 is both directly and indirectly linked to a number of different metabolic processes. Intriguingly, recent investigations indicate that p21 significantly contributes to the pathogenesis of diabetes. In this review, we present a comprehensive evaluation of the scientific literature regarding the involvement of p21 in metabolic processes, diabetes etiology, pancreatic function, glucose homeostasis, and insulin resistance. Furthermore, we provide an encapsulated overview of therapies that target p21 to alleviate metabolic disorders. A deeper understanding of the complex interrelationship between p21 and diabetes holds promise for informing current and future therapeutic strategies to address this rapidly escalating health crisis.