The Malta College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists held a seminar at the Malta Hilton St Julian’s as a run-up to the Maltese contribution at the 12th World Congress of Gynaecological Endocrinology held in Florence.

A number of college members gave presentations on their respective research projects. Yves Muscat Baron gave a summary of his longstanding research into the effect of menopause and hormone replacement therapy on skin thickness, bone density, arterial wall thickness and intervertebral disc height.

Ray Galea followed with information on his work on the marine alga Padina pavonica and its application in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Dr Romina Custo and Dr Heidi Grech presented their work on the effect of sildenafil on premenstrual syndrome and on MTHFR mutations in recurrent miscarriers, respectively.

A presentation of a study into genetic polymorphisms affecting bone mineral density in Maltese postmenopausal women was also included. This study was carried out by Prof Mark Brincat and Ray Galea in conjunction with researchers Dr Chris Vidal and Prof Angela Xuereb Anastasi from the Pathology Department at the University of Malta.

During the seminar, Donald Felice, president of the college, presented the Prof GVP Chamberlain prize to Dr Thomas Lofaro who scored top marks in his Obstetrics & Gynaecology Final MD Examination in June 2005.

The event was sponsored by Pro Health, which also introduced some of the products available in the Theramex range.