Importance of parenteral iron sucrose therapy in correction of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy

Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is described as decrease in the hemoglobin and/or the amount of red blood cells in the blood due to iron insufficiency in the body. The aim of the study was to measure the efficacy and tolerability of iron sucrose   in iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women.Methods: This was the prospective study of 50 pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia (Hb- 5 g/dl to 8 g/dl) between 20-34 weeks of gestation, who were given intravenous iron sucrose as per their requirements and follow up measurement of Hb was done.Results: Mean rise in Hb was seen by 2.2 g/dl. Minor side effects were seen in 6 out of 50 participants.        Conclusions: Parenteral iron sucrose therapy can be used effectively and safely in pregnant women with iron deficiency anemi

Feto-maternal outcome in pregnancy beyond 40 weeks

Background: Fetal, Neonatal and Maternal complications associated with pregnancy beyond 40 weeks have always been underestimated. However emerging evidence demonstrates that the incidence of complications increases after 40 weeks of gestation. The present study conducted to find out the fetomaternal outcome of such prolonged pregnancy.Methods: A prospective cross sectional study of 84 patients with uncomplicated prolonged pregnancy fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria and admitted in department of obstetrics and gynecology at a tertiary care hospital. The aim of the study was to know fetomaternal outcome in pregnancy beyond 40 weeks in consideration of spontaneous and induced labour.Results: Out of 84 patients, 58 (69.05%) were in the age group of 20-30 years, 44 (52.38%) were between 41-42 weeks of gestation according to their LMP and 38(45.24%) were between 40-41 weeks of gestation. In 27 (32.14%) patients mode of delivery was caesarean section, in whom most common indication being fetal distress in 48.15% followed by failure to progress in 22.22%. In present study perinatal morbidity like IUFD, neonatal asphyxia, MAS, RDS were 4.76%, 9.52%, 7.14% and 3.57% respectively. Maternal morbidity like prolonged labor, PPH, fever, wound infection were 10.71%, 5.95%, 3.57% and 3.57% respectively.Conclusions: With Regular antenatal check-up, incidence of postdate pregnancy can be decreased and it is important because of definite risk to fetus as pregnancy continuing beyond 40 weeks of gestation is associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality especially those who do not come for regular antenatal check-up. Confirmation of diagnosis of exact term of pregnancy is very important as many patients don’t have regular menstrual history and LMP. Diagnosis can be confirmed by first trimester ultrasound which is most important non-invasive method and readily available

Role of fetal monitoring in high risk pregnancy by fetal electrocardiogram

Background: Non-stress test is an external monitoring of fetal heart rate by electrocardiograph. Although intermittent auscultation of fetal heart rate is equivalent to continuous electronic fetal monitoring in detecting fetal compromise1 but continuous electronic fetal monitoring is indicated in high risk patients women whose foetuses are at high risk for neonatal encephalopathy or cerebral palsy.2 Objective         of current study was to study the efficacy and diagnostic value of non-stress Test for surveillance and its usefulness to detect fetal distress at early stage which help to decide further management in mode of delivery.Methods: Design: prospective study. NST was done in 50 high risk patients for minimum of 20 minutes and in patients with non-reactive non stress test it was continued for 40 minutes. Maternal age, parity, complications during labour, and delivery, mode of delivery, indications of caesarean section and perinatal outcome were noted. Results: Out of total 50 cases studied patient delivered vaginally were 24 and Caesarean was done in 26 cases. Most LSCS were performed due to PIH (35%) and related complications like IUGR, eclampsia (10%), fetal distress, previous caesarean pregnancy, IUGR, oligohydraminos and meconium stained liquor. 52% patients were delivered by caesarean and 48% by normal delivery.Conclusions: Routine use of electronic fetal heart monitoring helped in reduction of neonatal morbidity and mortality with increased rate of caesarean section

Caesarean section in a tertiary care centre

Background: Caesarean section constitutes a major surgical procedure characterized with morbidity even if it is performed a planned procedure. Postoperative infection in obstetrics continues to affect the practice of every surgeon. Infection can cause an increase in patient’s stay in the hospital, create discomfort, cause disfigurement and lead to morbidities to the patient. Thus, preventive measures need to be constantly evaluated and updated and hence authors have to study and analyse prevalence of postoperative infectious morbidities.Methods: The study was conducted in an Urban Based Medical College Hospital in Ahmedabad. It was a retrospective cross-sectional study of 50 cases of patients who suffered infectious complications post caesarean from 1st March 2019 to 31st March 2020.Results: The prevalence rate of surgical site infection in my study is 5.9% whereas of post-operative puerperal sepsis is 0.6%, of post-operative urinary tract infection is 1.09%, of post-operative breast abnormalities is 0.16%. The most common infectious morbidity amongst all was surgical site infection (surgical site) infection and its prevalence was 5.9%.Conclusions: The development of post-operative infection is an important event that can be prevented by taking proper precautions and following prescribed guidelines. There should be specific use of antibiotics in the post-operative period. In the event of early signs of sepsis antibiotics should be administered properly as per culture sensitivity report. The decrease in infection rate also indirectly reduce the health costs involved in treating them post operatively

Study of hundred cases of infertility in polycystic ovarian syndrome and its management outcome

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is relatively common endocrine disorder in reproductive aged women, which leads to reproductive, metabolic and endocrine abnormality. About 70 to 80% patients with PCOS have complained of infertility due to anovulation. Due to advanced diagnostic facility by endoscopic evaluation in infertility, incidence of PCOS has increased now a days.Methods: This is study of 100 cases of infertility with polycystic ovarian syndrome and its pregnancy outcome. In this study, from May 2019 to April 2020, 100 cases of infertility with PCOS were studied at tertiary care hospital. Hormonal assay, ultrasound and laparoscopy were used as diagnostic technique. Clomiphene citrate, letrozole, metformin, and laparoscopic ovarian drilling were used as treatment modalities.Results: The maximum number of patients in the study group are seen in the age group of 21-25 years. Menstrual irregularities are the most common presenting symptom affecting 70% females. Primary infertility is most commonly associated with PCOS. In PCOS, there is increased LH:FSH ratio. On USG examination, there are enlarged ovaries in 82% cases.Conclusions: PCOS is an emerging disease of new generation with high prevalence in infertile women. After proper diagnosis, management with lifestyle modification, pharmacotherapy with clomiphene citrate, letrozole and metformin are used as per necessities. Operative laparoscopy with ovarian drilling is the main treatment which results in good conception rate

Study of fetomaternal outcome in cases of placenta previa at tertiary care hospital

Background: Placenta previa is defined as placenta implanted partially or completely in the lower uterine segment. It contributes upto 30% of the cases the antepartum hemorrhage. This catastrophic complication not only poses a risk to the fetus but also endangers the mother’s life. The objective of the study was to determine the incidence and risk factors, obstetric management, maternal mortality and morbidity and perinatal outcome in women presenting with placenta previa.Methods: It is the prospective study of 50 cases carried out to study the maternal and perinatal outcome in cases of placenta previa in tertiary care hospital. This study included antenatal patient diagnosed as placenta previa by ultrasound >28 weeks to full term pregnancy. This data was compiled and analyzed for maternal and neonatal outcome.Results: In the present study, the incidence of placenta previa is 0.8% among which 42% of cases having age group of 25-29 years and 72% cases are multigravida. In this study 60% cases have major degree of placenta previa and 66% cases have previous history of caesarean section. Out of total cases 96% cases delivered by caesarean section and 4% had Normal delivery. NICU admission in the study is 28 babies i.e. 56%. There is no maternal mortality seen in the present study.Conclusions: Risk factors that increase the cases of placenta previa are multiparity, previous caesarean section, previous abortion. Placenta previa is major risk factor for adverse maternal and perinatal outcome. Good antenatal care, availability of emergency obstetrics services with senior obstetricians, blood bank facility, ICU care and NICU services can improve maternal and neonatal outcome in high risk cases

Fetomaternal outcome in COVID-19 infected pregnant women: a preliminary clinical study

Background: WHO has declared COVID-19 infection a health emergency of international concern on 11th March, 2020. It is not clear whether clinical characteristics of pregnant women with COVID-19 differ from those of nonpregnant women and whether it aggravates COVID-19 symptoms and whether antiviral therapy is necessary for COVID-19 infected pregnant women.Methods: This is prospective study of 125 cases based on the compiled clinical data for pregnant women with COVID-19 between 15th April 2020 and 10th June 2020. A laboratory confirmed positive case of COVID-19 infection in pregnant women were included.Results: The most common symptoms at presentation were cough in 61.6% (77/125) and fever in 46.4% (58/125). Other reported symptoms were sore throat in 13.6% (17/125), myalgia in 10.4% (13/125) while 38.4% (48/125) were asymptomatic. There were total 97 deliveries (including 2 twins’ deliveries) among which 3 cases had IUD. Present study reported 96 live births. The incidence of missed abortion was 2.4% (3/125). The incidence of preterm birth before 37 weeks was 8.2% (8/97). Ninety-six (96.9%) of neonates were tested for SARS-CoV-2 viral nucleic acid on nasopharyngeal and pharyngeal samples and 16.67% (16/96) were resulted positive.Conclusions: At present, there is no evidence regarding the greater risk of pregnant women to succumb to COVID-19 infection and experience severe pneumonia. The risks of spontaneous abortion and preterm birth are not increased as reported in this study but shows possibility of vertical transmission when it manifests during the third trimester of pregnancy

Fetomaternal outcome in pregnancy with oligohydramnios

Background: Oligohydramnios has been correlated with increased risk of FGR, meconium aspiration, birth asphyxia, low APGAR scores and congenital anomalies. Early detection of oligohydramnios and its management may help in reduction of perinatal morbidity and mortality. The aim and objectives of the study was to study the effect of oligohydramnios on fetal outcome in form of FGR, fetal distress, altered APGAR scores, NICU admission and early neonatal morbidity and mortality and to study maternal morbidity in the form of operative delivery and induced labour.Methods: 100 patients in third trimester of pregnancy with oligohydramnios confirmed by ultrasound measurement of AFI were selected randomly after satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria.Results: Incidence of oligohydramnios and operative intervention for the same was seen more in primipara (52%). Most common causes of oligohydramnios were idiopathic (52%) followed by PIH (25%). Operative morbidity was highest in PIH (60%). Most common indication of caesarean section was fetal distress due to cord compression or FGR. 7% patients had fetoplacental insufficiency on Doppler study.Conclusions: Oligohydramnios demands intensive fetal surveillance and proper antepartum and intrapartum care. Due to high rates of intrapartum complications, perinatal morbidity and mortality, rates of caesarean section are rising, but decision between vaginal delivery and caesarean section should be well balanced so that unnecessary operative morbidity is prevented without jeopardizing the fetal well-being

A study of role of doppler in gestational hypertension and perinatal outcome

Background: Hypertensive disorder of pregnancy is one of the most common complications that affect the human pregnancy. Hence it is important to identify women at risk of developing gestational hypertension or preeclampsia, its early diagnosis and subsequent consequences due to uteroplacental insufficiency with help of Doppler ultrasound, to improve perinatal outcome. The objective of this study was to study the application of Doppler ultrasound with analysis of blood flow velocity waveform in gestational hypertension and to examine and study the perinatal outcome in pregnancy with altered Doppler indices.Methods: A prospective study was carried out in 50 antenatal patients diagnosed to have gestational hypertension during a period of 12 months to evaluate the role of color Doppler imaging in gestational hypertension in patients more than 28 weeks of gestation, the initial scan was performed immediately after the diagnosis. This study analyzed the blood flow in umbilical artery, maternal uterine artery and fetal middle cerebral artery using Doppler ultrasound.Results: In this study approximately 76% of cases were found in 20-30 years group. 58% showed abnormal umbilical artery Doppler while 42% women had normal umbilical artery Doppler. In this study 23 cases had cerebro-placental index 1. Cases with cerebro-placental index <1 had various complications like preterm delivery, low birth weight, increased chances of still birth, intra uterine death (IUD), increased NICU admission. In this study 31 cases had abnormal uterine artery Doppler which accounts for 62% of total cases, while 38% had normal uterine artery Doppler.Conclusions: Doppler ultrasound can reliably predict any adverse fetal outcome in hypertensive pregnancies and can be a useful tool for decision making in appropriate timing of intervention for delivery

Neonatal outcome in deliveries complicated by meconium-stained amniotic fluid

Background: Meconium staining amniotic fluid is associated with lots of adverse outcome and has long been considered to be a bad predictor of fetal outcome. This prospective observational study was undertaken to find out immediate fetal outcome in meconium-stained liquor.Methods: The design of the study was prospective. This study was conducted from July 2021 to December 2021.The study included women with meconium-stained amniotic fluid in labor with gestational age >37 completed weeks.Results: Total 100 cases were enrolled. Majority of the patients (74%) were in the age group of 21-30 years with the mean age being 24.6±2.4 years. Fetal distress occurred in 30% of babies, more in association with thick meconium (15%). Caesarean deliveries were 70%. Apgar scores between 0-3 was seen in 17% babies and 1% at fifth minute, between 4-6 in 21% babies and between 7-10 in 62% babies at first minute of birth. Admission in neonatal ward was 32% with perinatal mortality of 6%.Conclusions: Meconium-stained amniotic fluid was associated with higher rate of caesarean delivery, increased need for neonatal resuscitation, increased rate of birth asphyxia with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, meconium aspiration syndrome, hospital admission and mortality. It is more commonly associated with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), post-datism, oligohydramnios and gestational diabetes mellitus.