Compassionate use of remdesivir in pregnancy: a case series

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in an unprecedented global healthcare crisis. One special population that poses a challenge is pregnant women with COVID-19. However, there is limited data on treatment options for severe coronavirus disease in pregnancy. Remdesivir, an antiviral drug, is currently being studied as a potential treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia. Nevertheless, pregnant women are also being excluded from various clinical trials for the disease. There are some studies mentioned in the literature which have shown no adverse effects of remdesivir during pregnancy. In this study, we present four serial cases of COVID-19 in pregnant women with moderate to severe symptoms who were treated with remdesivir. All of the them showed positive fetal outcome without any birth defects or malformations. However, further studies are necessary to evaluate the biosafety and effects of remdesivir in pregnant women

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

Study of metformin in polycystic ovary syndrome

Background: Objective of the study was to measure the efficacy and safety of insulin sensitizing drug metformin in reversing the metabolic and endocrine disturbances in fifty women with polycystic ovarian disease.Methods: The study was performed on 57 women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in the outpatient department of obstetrics and gynaecology, V. S. General Hospital, Ahmedabad. Metformin 500 mg thrice daily was given until the cysts disappeared which was taken as the end point of the study. Follicular studies were done to check the effect of metformin on ovulation. Significance was tested by paired t test and p value calculated.Results: Metformin was found effective in regressing polycystic changes in ovary, regularization of menstrual cycles and improving ovulation.Conclusions: The present study shows that metformin has a beneficial role in effective management of PCOS.

Evaluation of clinical efficacy and safety of natural micronized progesterone in prevention of preterm labor: a prospective study at tertiary care teaching hospital in India

Background: Uterine relaxants (UR) are used in management of in Preterm labour (PTL), which is responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality in mother as well as preterm infant. Author are yet to discover an ideal UR which is highly effective yet safe. Literature supports the use of natural micronized progesterone (NP) during threatened PTL. However, little data exists for Indian population. Therefore, present study becomes imperative.Methods: A comparative clinical study was carried out on 78 patients (aged 19 to 35 years with singleton pregnancy and gestational age between 28 and 37 weeks with cervix ≤4 cm dilated) who were diagnosed with threatened PTL were included. Those who refused treatment were allocated to control group (n= 29) and received only bed rest. NP was given orally 200 mg twice a day to 21 patients and 200 mg intra vaginal twice a day to 28 patients and was continued until delivery or 37 weeks of gestation whichever occurred first. The efficacy was proven if PTL was prevented and patient did not require an alternative UR for ≥48 hours.Results: The mean age of patients was 23±3.2 years, majority being multipara. Author observed that both oral and vaginal formulation of NP was found to be highly effective (p <0.05) as primary UR and maintenance therapy in preventing PTL as compared to the control group. However, difference between them was not statistically significant. None of the patients were lost to follow-up and no adverse events linked to the treatment were reported.Conclusions: Although, the data obtained from this study was limited and the sample size was small, findings of this study support the use of NP in prolonging threatened PTL

Maternal outcome in pregnancy with thrombocytopenia

Background: Thrombocytopenia is second most common haematological abnormality in pregnancy after anemia. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence, causative factor of thrombocytopenia and to observe the obstetrics outcome of pregnancies complicated with thrombocytopenia.Methods: This is prospective study of maternal outcome in pregnancy with thrombocytopenia carried out at tertiary care center from February 2019 to January 2020. Out of 350 antenatal screened women, 25 women who were diagnosed with thrombocytopenia, were included in the study.Results: The incidence of maternal thrombocytopenia in this study was 7.1%. 60% of the women had mild thrombocytopenia while 24% and 16% of women were moderate and severe thrombocytopenic respectively. Amongst 25 thrombocytopenic women 68% had gestational thrombocytopenia, 24% had gestational hypertensive disorder,4% had HELLP syndrome, 4% had immune thrombocytopenic purpura. 60% were delivered vaginally and 40% were delivered by LSCS. The most common indication of LSCS was acute fetal distress (40%) followed by failed induction (30%), breech (10%), and the rest (20%) for other obstetrical indications. The most common indication for induction was pre-eclampsia followed by IUGR, and post-date.Conclusions: In pregnancy with thrombocytopenia, gestational thrombocytopenia is the commonest and benign condition which does not alter the obstetrical management. Still a vigil 4 should be kept on maternal platelet count in antenatal period to prevent unfavorable outcome in serious conditions that may require specific and urgent management (HELLP syndrome, severe pre-eclampsia, ITP)

A comparative study of single versus repeat instillation of intravaginal prostaglandin E2 gel for induction of labour

Background: The aim of induction was to achieve successful vaginal delivery where continuation of pregnancy is not desirable. Unfavourable cervix is one of the main causes of failed induction. Introduction of intravaginal prostaglandins E2 has revolutionised the method of cervical ripening. More than one dose of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) gel may be necessary to facilitate cervical ripening and increase the chances of vaginal delivery.Methods: This retrospective study was done to find the efficacy of repeat instillation of intravaginal PGE2 gel and to compare the maternal and fetal outcome between the single instillation group and repeat instillation group. The women who went into labour or achieved cervical ripening with a single instillation of PGE2 gel forms Group A. Those who required repeat instillation of PGE2 gel forms Group B. Both groups were compared for specific parameters.Results: Primigravidas required repeat instillation. Postdated pregnancy was the most common indication for induction of labour. 45.2% of primis required only single dose and 54.8% required repeat dose. About two third (77.8%) of multipara required only one dose and a third of multipara needed repeat dose. In Group A 90.7% had vaginal delivery, 9.3% had Caesarean section. Group B 95.7% had vaginal delivery and 4.3% had Caesarean section.Conclusions: Prostaglandins PGE2 (0.5 mg) gel is recommended to be used intravaginally. We applied 2 doses of intravaginal PGE2, 24 hours apart and no complications like uterine hyperstimulation was seen. There is no increased fetal risk with repeat instillation of intravaginal PGE2 gel

Analysis of ectopic pregnancy at a tertiary care hospital: one year study

Background: Ectopic gestation is the leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity in first trimester and is a major cause of reduced child bearing potential. The aims of our study were to understand the clinical profile, risk factors, sites and management modalities of ectopic pregnancy at tertiary care hospital.Methods: This is a retrospective study carried out for one year at the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of our institute. Data of the women admitted for management of ectopic pregnancy during January to December, 2010 was collected and analysed.Results: The proportion of ectopic pregnancy was 0.7 % at our institute. Majority of women 45(83.2%) were between the age group of 21-30 years. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) contributed to ectopic pregnancy in 16(29.6%) women. The most common symptom was lower abdominal pain, in 50(92.6%) women. Marked pallor was present in 25(46.3%) women and 38(70.4%) women had cervical motion tenderness. Out of all women, 10(18.5%), 18(33.3%) and 26(48.1%) women were managed successfully with methotrexate, laparoscopy and laparotomy respectively. The success rate was 83.3%, 90% and 100% with methotrexate, laparoscopy and laparotomy respectively. Blood and blood products were given to 25(46.3%) women. Conclusion: Ectopic pregnancy is a growing problem of reproductive age group. Women should be encouraged regarding early reporting of missed periods and made aware of complications of ectopic pregnancy and necessity of seeking urgent medical help as early as possible so that early diagnosis and prompt conservative surgical or medical management of ectopic pregnancy can be done

Changing trends in cesarean section: from 1950 to 2020

Caesarean section (C.S) is a part of the standard care in modern obstetrics. The indications for a caesarean section as an alternative to vaginal delivery have evolved over the centuries. Its practicality, disponibility, and apparent safety have placed caesarean section, a first-line procedure in many clinical scenarios. The awareness of perinatal mortality and morbidity associated with safety of caesarean, expert anaesthesia, potent antibiotics, blood transfusion facilities and better neonatal care have increased incidence of caesarean section very fast. Thus, there is fast, steady and definite rise in incidence of caesarean section everywhere. But the question is ‘Is a rising caesarean section rate is inevitable?’. Studies carried out to understand CS deliveries has adopted different framework. The issue treats elements of ethics in the medical profession, gender issues, choices of women, the quality of institutional services, etc. The findings of retrospective studies have suggested that the caesarean section rate could be reduced in certain categories. In this study, we discuss the various ways in which it can be achieved

A study of feto-maternal outcome in case of premature rupture of membrane at a tertiary care center

Background: Premature rupture of membranes is the rupture of the fetal membranes in the absence of uterine contraction or before the onset of labor. When this occurs before 37 weeks of gestation, it is termed as preterm premature rupture of membranes. Management depends upon gestational age and the presence of complicating factors. An accurate assessment of gestational age and knowledge of the maternal, fetal and neonatal risks are essential to appropriate evaluation, counselling, and care of patients with PROM. The purpose of the study is timely diagnosis and appropriate management of the cases of PROM and PPROM to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. Methods: A Prospective study was performed at the department of obstetrics and gynecology, at a tertiary care center from August 2020 to December 2021. A clinical data sheet was made for recording all information about the pregnant women after taking their consent. And their maternal and neonatal outcomes were recorded. Results: a total of 150 cases of PROM and PPROM were taken during our study out of which 53.33% belong to the younger age group, 43.33% were primi gravida, 66.66% belonged to the lower socioeconomic class, 25.33% had a previous history of abortion followed by dilatation and evacuation, rate of cesarean delivery was 34.66% and rate of NICU admission of neonates was 15.78% and 57.87% babies had low birth weight and rate of stillbirth was 1.97%. whereas 34.66% of cases had various complications related to PROM. Conclusions: Individualized management of PROM cases depending on the gestational age and risk of complications and antibiotic coverage is the best way to achieve a good fetomaternal outcome