Mental health issues in antenatal women with prior adverse pregnancy outcomes: Unmasking the mental anguish of rainbow pregnancy.

Background & objectives: Mental health issues in pregnancy have adverse implications on the quality of life, however still they go unevaluated and underreported. Women with previous history of abortions or stillbirth may have a higher risk of experiencing mental health problems. The present investigation was aimed to study the prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress and domestic violence in antenatal women with prior pregnancy losses and the need for interventions to treat the same. Methods: One hundred pregnant women with a history of prior pregnancy losses (group 1) and 100 women without obstetrical losses (group 2) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study carried out in a tertiary care hospital in India. Women were screened for depression, anxiety, stress and domestic violence using various questionnaires: EPDS (Edinburgh postnatal depression scale), PRAQ-2 (pregnancy-related anxiety questionnaire-revised 2), GAD 7 (generalized anxiety disorder-7) and PSS (perceived stress scale). Results: The prevalence of depression (EPDS scale) and pregnancy specific anxiety (PRAQ-2 scale) was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (27 vs. 10%, P=0.008; and 15 vs. 6%, P=0.03). The prevalence of general anxiety (GAD 7 scale) and stress (PSS), however, was high and comparable in both the groups (33 vs. 29%, P=0.44; and 33 vs. 27%; P=0.35 respectively). Recurrent abortions was found to be an independent risk factor for depression [adjusted odds ratio=26.45; OR=28]. In group 1, 31 per cent required counselling in the psychiatry department and nine per cent required medication. Interpretation & conclusion: Mental health issues, especially depression, are prevalent in antenatal women with previous losses. Unrecognised and untreated, there is a need for counselling and developing screening protocols at India's societal and institutional levels.

Usage of postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device (postpartum-IUD) after an increase in the institutional delivery rate in India: time to re-visit the effect of timing of counselling on its acceptance.

PURPOSE: While increase in institutional deliveries brings an opportunity to counsel women for postpartum family planning (PPFP), its uptake remains low. Reasons for poor acceptance of postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device (postpartum-IUD), and its relation with the timing of counselling need to be investigated. METHODS: Women attending the antenatal clinic, reporting in labour, and within 48 h of delivery respectively were invited to participate. Eligible women were asked about awareness and choice for PPFP. After counselling, acceptance for PPFP was compared with the baseline. Acceptance and continuation of postpartum-IUD were compared between women counselled in the antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum periods. RESULTS: Only 23% of 360 women were aware of postpartum-IUD. After counselling, acceptance for PPFP increased from 14% to 97% and for postpartum-IUD, from 0.5% to 33.9%. Acceptance of postpartum-IUD among women counselled in the antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum period was 45%, 35% and 21.7% respectively. Acceptance was higher among the antenatal-counselling group than the postpartum-counselling group (OR 0.45; CI 0.22-0.94; p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Counselling, irrespective of its timing, improves acceptance for PPFP. Acceptance and continuation of postpartum-IUD are higher following counselling in antenatal period. All eligible women should be counselled irrespective of 'when' they approach the facility.

Acceptance for postpartum-IUD is maximum when women are counselled in the antenatal period. With a surge in institutional deliveries, the opportunity to counsel women in the intrapartum and postpartum period should not be missed as this also increases acceptance for PPFP and postpartum-IUD.

Clinical profile and outcomes of Scrub typhus in pregnant women presenting to a tertiary care hospital of North India.

Scrub typhus, caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, is a re-emerging endemic zoonosis in the Asia Pacific region. It is a febrile condition ranging in severity from mild to severe, with fatality rates as high as 30%. The present study aims towards analysing the clinical profile and pregnancy outcomes in 27 cases of scrub typhus admitted to a tertiary care centre in North India. The medical records of 27 pregnant women who had scrub typhus were analysed. The IgM ELISA was used to look for IgM antibodies to Orientia tsutsugamushi in the patient's serum sample. An optical density of more than or equal to 0.468 was considered as positive. Majority of the pregnant females delivered healthy and live babies. However, poor foetal outcomes were observed in four (14.8%) cases with intrauterine deaths occurring in two (7.4%) cases and still birth in one (3.7%) case, while one (3.7%) patient had spontaneous abortion. Maternal mortality was reported in one patient (3.7%) due to a delay in diagnosis. In endemic settings, a strong index of suspicion for scrub typhus is necessary in pregnant females presenting with fever. The key to reducing morbidity in both the mother and foetus is early diagnosis and treatment.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? Scrub typhus is a febrile condition ranging in severity from mild to severe, with 30% mortality in untreated patients.What do the results of this study add? Majority of the pregnant females delivered healthy and live babies. However, poor foetal outcomes were observed in four (14.8%) cases with intrauterine deaths occurring in two (7.4%) cases and still birth in one (3.7%) case, while one (3.7%) patient had spontaneous abortion. Maternal mortality was reported in one patient (3.7%) due to a delay in diagnosis.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? In endemic settings, a strong index of suspicion for scrub typhus is necessary for pregnant females presenting with fever. The key to reducing morbidity in both the mother and foetus is early diagnosis and treatment.

Concurrence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in pregnancy.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is an inherited X-linked disorder affecting red cell function and presenting as haemolytic anaemia or crisis in apparently normal population. Pregnancy is a special metabolic condition which may be equally affected with G6PD deficiency. Chronic anaemia of pregnancy may be complicated by haemolysis due to G6PD deficiency by triggering factors often observed in non-pregnant. Two cases of G6PD deficiency complicating pregnancy are being described. One of the women presented with severe anaemia triggered by a sulfa drug while other presented with jaundice precipitated by acute urinary tract infection. A prompt management led to successful outcome in both the woman. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of acute haemolytic crisis due to G6PD deficiency triggered by sulphamethoxazole in pregnancy, from this part of the world.

Advanced abdominal pregnancy: a search for consensus. Review of literature along with case report.

BACKGROUND: Advanced abdominal pregnancy is a highly morbid form of extrauterine gestation that demands skilled management. Despite advancement in antenatal care and imaging modalities, undiagnosed cases of advanced abdominal pregnancies are still reported. We report a case of asymptomatic abdominal pregnancy with healthy fetus advanced till 40 + 4 weeks period of gestation. Her diagnosis was not established even after obstetrical evaluation and cesarean section at primary care hospital. To the best of our knowledge, less than 10 postdated cases of abdominal pregnancy have been reported so far in the literature. This case emphasizes the need to re-awaken awareness and high index of suspicion to diagnose such cases. Details of all the cases pertaining to advanced abdominal pregnancies reported after 2013 were reviewed and summarized. METHODOLOGY: We searched electronic medical database in English using keywords related to abdominal pregnancy. Bibliographies of the relevant articles of advanced abdominal pregnancy published from 2013 onwards were reviewed and then cross searched to identify further relevant studies. RESULTS: A total of 26 cases of advanced abdominal pregnancy including index one were reviewed. All preoperatively diagnosed cases of abdominal pregnancy at earlier gestation were given conservative management and resulted in live births. The incidence of malformations in live births was 24%. CONCLUSION: We are of considered opinion that conservative strategy is a feasible option in selected cases of advanced abdominal pregnancy yet there is a need of standardization of treatment principles for such cases to optimize fetomaternal outcome.

Evisceration as fetal destructive operation: an art revisited.

Fetal destructive operation is a vanishing art today. In an era of increasing cesarean deliveries it has become a historic event. Incidence of destructive operation has varied from various Indian hospitals 0.09-0.28%. Evisceration is one of the rarest of all destructive operations, performed in cases of cephalopelvic disproportion with large fetal abdominal or thoracic tumors and fetal malformations, which are incompatible with life. Less than 50 cases of fetal evisceration have been reported in the literature so far. We are presenting a case of gross fetal abdominal malformation in a multigravida woman, which necessitated internal podalic version followed by evisceration and breech extraction.

Identification and treatment of intra-abdominal fetal skeletal remains: A consequence of illicit and unsafe abortion.

OBJECTIVE: The safety of abortions has always been a matter of concern for women's health. Unsafe abortion is one of the most neglected health-care problems in developing countries due to lack of awareness of the legal issues and limited access to authorised services often leading the women to poor quality of abortion in unsafe settings through untrained health personnel. CASE REPORT: Two rare cases of second trimester unsafe abortions are reported here in which women presented after several weeks with well-preserved remains of fetal skeleton in their abdomen along with complicated multiple visceral injuries. Both these second trimester abortions were performed by untrained village abortionists for sex selection and unwanted pregnancy in an unmarried adolescent girl. The management in the unmarried girl was further complicated due to undisclosed history of abortion. CONCLUSION: These reports of unsafe abortion highlight the need for clinicians to have a high index of suspicion for an undisclosed abortion when treating any morbid woman of reproductive age with a bizarre abdominal clinical picture.

Uterine necrosis and lumbosacral-plexopathy following pelvic vessel embolization for postpartum haemorrhage: report of two cases and review of literature.

We are reporting two cases of uterine necrosis and lumbosacral-plexopathy in patients, who underwent pelvic vessel embolization (PVE) following postpartum hemorrhage. Embolization was performed with gelfoam slurry, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles and coil in one patient and with gelfoam slurry only, in second patient. Both patients had lower limbs weakness and had persistent fever in the postembolization period. Nerve conduction study in both were suggestive of common peroneal and tibial neuropathy. An ultrasonography and computed tomography of abdomen and pelvis revealed bulky uterus with no identifiable endometrium and multiple air foci in subendometrial region suggestive of uterine necrosis, confirmed later by histology of expelled uterine mass. Lumbosacral ischemia resulting in paraparesis and uterine necrosis presenting as longstanding fever after embolization are extremely rare but overwhelming complications of embolization. Only 19 cases of uterine necrosis and <10 cases of lumbosacral plexopathy have been reported in the literature. The overall effectiveness of PVE is high in treatment of obstetric hemorrhage with low complication rate and highly selective PVE may further prevent these complication. To the best of our knowledge the co-existing uterine necrosis and lumbosacral plexopathy secondry to PVE has not been described prevoiusly in patients with postpartum hemorrhage. Both patients recovered with conservative management.

Perinatal outcomes in indian women with Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS): Five year experience from a tertiary care centre.

Background: Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune thrombophilic condition characterized by obstetric manifestations, including pregnancy loss, preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Early diagnosis and management are key to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the perinatal outcomes in APS, the development of various adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO), and their association with specific antibody profiles. Material methods: This observational study was carried out on booked cases of singleton pregnancy and diagnosed cases of primary APS in our High-Risk Pregnancy (HRP) clinic from January 2018 to December 2022 after approval from institutional ethics committee. Forty-three confirmed cases of primary APS were enrolled and started on low-dose aspirin and low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) as per the patient's body weight after confirmation of fetal heart activity radiologically until 36 weeks of gestation as a standard of care. Results: Forty patients (93 %) had obstetric APS, and three patients (7 %) had thrombotic APS. During the course of the current pregnancy, adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO) developed in 12 (30 %) out of 40 cases of obstetric APS and in all 3 patients with thrombotic APS. Preeclampsia was seen in 11 (25.5 %), FGR in 12 (27.9 %), and preterm birth in 7 (16.2 %) cases. Patients with an antibody profile showing the presence of Anti-ß2 GP-I positivity and ACL positivity had fewer APOs (20 % and 29 %) in comparison to patients with a LA and triple positive antibody profile (55 % and 50 %). Conclusion: Treatment of pregnant women with APS causes significant improvement in the live birth rate. The late pregnancy complications like preeclampsia, FGR, and premature birth, occurring despite treatment still remains a challenge and emphasizes the need for stringent antepartum surveillance and timely delivery.

Pregnancy and Vaginal Childbirth Followed by Reconstructive Vulval Surgery in a Woman with Giant and Isolated Vulval Elephantiasis.

Isolated elephantiasis of the vulva refers to a gigantic swelling of the vulva without concomitant swelling of the lower limbs. It is a rarely reported entity and its occurrence during pregnancy has been reported only once. We report a case of an isolated vulval elephantiasis during pregnancy and we discuss the possible etiologies and management issues. Our patient had a successful vaginal delivery followed by a satisfactory genital reconstruction at eight months postpartum and no recurrence thereafter.

Influence of forkhead box protein 3 gene polymorphisms in recurrent pregnancy loss: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Treg cells play an important role in development of tolerance in maternal immune system against the semi-allogenic embryo. Human forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) gene, is the major transcription factor responsible for the regulation of Treg function during pregnancy. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of FOXP3 gene have been reported as a risk factor for Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL), however, results from previous studies are inconsistent. METHODOLOGY: We have collected data from different studies to investigate the overall association of FOXP3 SNPs with risk of RPL. PubMed, Google Scholar, Elsevier, and Cochrane databases were searched to identify eligible studies. Odds Ratio (OR) and 95 % Confidence Interval (CI), calculated via fixed effect or random effect models, were used to evaluate strength of association. This meta-analysis included 11 studies (1383 RPL cases and 1413 controls) of 6 SNPs: rs3761548 A/C, rs2232365 A/G, rs2294021 T/C, 2280883 T/C, rs5902434del/ATT and rs141704699C/T, with ≥2 studies per SNPs and at least 1 significant result. RESULTS: We observed that FOXP3 polymorphism was predominantly present in Asian women with history of RPL. rs2232365 A/G, rs3761548 A/C, rs2294021 T/C, rs2280883 T/C and rs5902434del/ATT polymorphisms were significantly associated with risk of RPL in Indian population. Further, among the most commonly seen polymorphism, rs3761548 A/C was significantly associated with risk of RPL in women from Kazakhstan, China and Gaza, Palestine; rs2232365 A/G in populations of Kazakhstan, Egypt, Iran and Gaza, Palestine. Results of this study indicates that FOXP3 polymorphism is significantly associated with risk of RPL, especially in Asians.

Comparison of B1 and RE 529 gene targets by real time PCR and LAMP assay for diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in pregnant females.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to accurately diagnose the presence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women. In this study we evaluated two gene targets B1 and RE-529 using two different molecular methods i.e., real-time PCR and LAMP. PROCEDURE: A total of 150 blood samples were collected from pregnant women attending the PGIMER outpatient clinic. The serum and Buffy layer were extracted and various serological (ELISA) and molecular tests (qPCR and LAMP) targeting B1 and RE-529 were carried out. FINDING: Out of 150 patients, 32 were seropositive. Amongst which for the RE-529 gene, 18 were LAMP positive and 16 were qPCR positive, while for the B1 gene, 14 were LAMP positive and 13 were qPCR positive. CONCLUSIONS: Molecular methods were more sensitive than serological tests to diagnose congenital toxoplasmosis in antenatal females. Few seronegative patients were reported positive using molecular methods. In addition, LAMP targeting the RE-529 gene is more sensitive than qPCR, and LAMP targets the B1 gene.

Identification of genetic alterations in couples and their products of conceptions from recurrent pregnancy loss in North Indian population.

Background: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is one of the most common pregnancy-related complications, which can be stressful and emotionally draining for a couple. Genetic alterations, which are responsible for RPL, can be present in either of the three genomes: mother, father, or their fetuses. In addition, environmental factors interacting with these three genomes can affect germline cells. With this aim, the present study was conducted to understand the underlying etiology of RPL using Next-generation sequencing (NGS; couple exome and TRIO exomes) in combination with cytogenetic tests [karyotyping and chromosomal microarray (CMA)]. Material & Methods: In present study we recruited 61 couples with RPL (history of ≥ 2 abortions) and 31 products of conceptions (POCs). For all couples karyotyping was done at the time of recruitment, followed by collection of POC samples and parental blood samples. Before processing POC samples for CMA, they were checked for maternal cell contamination (MCC) by QF-PCR. In POC samples with no pathogenic variant, TRIO exome sequencing was done. Further, in case of unavailability of POC sample, couple exome sequencing was done for RPL couples. Results: In six individuals out of 61 couples (5%), abnormality in karyotypes was detected. Among 116 normal karyotypes, there were 11 heteromorphisms (9.5%), for which the couples had to be counselled and reassured. Out of the 31 POCs, 10 were excluded because of MCC (around 30%) and one had major aneuploidy. CMA in POCs identified pathogenic copy number variations (CNVs) in 25% of cases (5/20) and variant of unknown significance (VUS) in 20% of cases (4/20). Autosomal trisomy was the most frequent chromosomal abnormality diagnosed. NGS was performed to establish single-gene causes of RPL. Couple exome sequencing was performed in 20 couples, and 14 were found to be carriers for autosomal recessive conditions. A total of 50 potential disease-causing variants in 40 genes were identified in 33 of 40 individuals (82.5%). Putative causative variants were identified in 37.5% of the TRIO cases (3/8). Mutations in few important genes (SRP54, ERBB4, NEB, ALMS, ALAD, MTHFR, F5, and APOE), which are involved in vital pathways, early embryonic development, and fetal demise, were identified in the POCs. Conclusion: It enhances our understanding of prenatal phenotypes of many Mendelian disorders. These mutated genes may play an auxiliary role in the development of treatment strategies for RPL. There was no correlation of the number of abortions with etiological yield of any technique to detect the cause of RPL. This study shows the utilization of combination of techniques in improving our understanding of the cause of early embryonic lethality in humans.

Obstetric Teleconsultation by Using Mobile Phone Technology in COVID Pandemic.

Introduction: Obstetrics teleconsultation is a new concept to enable health-care services in the COVID pandemic by limiting in-person visits. This study describes the methodology of mobile-based teleconsultation, preliminary findings, and the experience of the obstetricians. Material and Methods: The data of pregnant women who got registered for teleconsultation in early phase of COVID pandemic lockdown were reviewed and analyzed. A qualitative analysis was performed to assess the experience of obstetricians (consultants, senior residents, and junior residents) via an online electronic survey. Results: The majority of obstetrics teleconsultations were for routine antenatal care (75%) and fetal medicine consultation (12.3%). Out of 187 women, 29.9% were advised to continue antenatal care at local hospitals, whereas 33.6% were asked to follow up via teleconsultation. Most of the obstetricians (73.68%) felt that they were able to satisfy the pregnant women and rated the teleconsultation satisfactory. Conclusion: Obstetrics telemedicine found to be beneficial for providing routine antenatal care services via reducing physical visits and overcrowding in outpatient departments, promoting antenatal care at local hospitals, and making specialized (maternal-fetal medicine) care accessible even during COVID-19 pandemic.

Baseline Assessment of Evidence-Based Intrapartum Care Practices in Medical Schools in 3 States in India: A Mixed-Methods Study.

INTRODUCTION: Implementation research with pre- and post-comparison was planned to improve the quality of evidence-based intrapartum care services in Indian medical schools. We present the baseline study results to assess the status of adherence to intrapartum evidence-based practices (IP-EBP) in study schools in 3 states in India and the perception of the faculty. METHODS: A concurrent mixed-methods approach was used to conduct the baseline assessment in 9 medical schools in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Union Territory from October 2018 to June 2019. IP-EBP among pregnant women in uncomplicated first (n=135), second (n=120), and third stage (n=120) of labor were observed using a predesigned, pretested checklist quantitatively. We conducted in-depth interviews with 33 obstetrics and gynecology faculty to understand their perceptions of intrapartum practices. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS (version 22). COM-B (Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation Behavior) model was used to understand the behaviors, and thematic analysis was done for the qualitative data. FINDINGS: Unindicated augmentation of labor was done in 64.4%, fundal pressure applied in 50.8%, episiotomy done in 58.3%, and delivery in lithotomy position was performed in 86.7% of women in labor. CONCLUSIONS: Intrapartum practices that are not recommended were routinely practiced in the study medical schools due to a lack of staff awareness of evidence-based practices and incorrect beliefs about their impact.

Chlorhexidine-alcohol versus povidone-iodine as preoperative skin antisepsis for prevention of surgical site infection in cesarean delivery-a pilot randomized control trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of chlorhexidine-alcohol and povidone-iodine as preoperative antiseptic skin preparation for prevention of surgical site infection (SSI) after cesarean delivery (CD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 311 eligible women who underwent CS were recruited in the study after fulfilling all the eligibility and exclusion criteria. Patients were randomized into two groups (153 in chlorhexidine-alcohol group and 158 in povidone-iodine group) by a computer-generated randomization table. Patients were followed for a period of 30 days in postoperative period to monitor for SSI. RESULTS: The rate of SSI in the chlorhexidine-alcohol group is 5.4% and that of the povidone-iodine group is 8.6%. E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter baumannii were the most common organisms isolated. E. coli was found in 9.5% of the total SSI cases. CONCLUSIONS: The study found that the patients who received chlorhexidine-alcohol as skin antiseptic had less chance of developing SSI than those who received povidone-iodine; however, it did not reach a statistical significance. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials Registry of India CTRI/2018/05/014294 . Registered on May 31, 2018.

The Management of Scar Ectopic: A Single-Center Experience.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to highlight the clinical features, diagnosis, and different modalities of the treatment of cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP). METHODS:  This study was done in the tertiary referral hospital of India for one year. A total of 11 cases were enrolled prospectively. In each case, the diagnostic ultrasonography and measurement of baseline beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-HCG) levels were done. The treatment was given based on the hemodynamic status of the patient and desire for future fertility. Various treatment modalities used were medical, surgical, or interventional digital subtraction angiography to control hemorrhage. Also, in some cases, ultrasound-guided methotrexate was injected into the scar ectopic. Medically treated cases were followed up until their ß-HCG levels became normal. RESULTS: Out of 11 patients, six had a history of two cesarean sections in the past, four patients had a history of one cesarean section and one patient with a previous three low segments cesarean section (LSCS). Seven out of 11 patients underwent medical management with either methotrexate with potassium chloride (KCl) or methotrexate alone. The success of the medical management was monitored by serial ß- HCG values. The mean time for the resolution of these 10 patients was 86.7 ± 53.6 days. Three patients underwent emergency uterine artery embolization due to uncontrolled bleeding and one patient required laparotomy. CONCLUSION: CSP is a life-threatening condition that can be diagnosed with the help of transvaginal ultrasonography. The treatment, however, depends on the hemodynamic status of the patient and desire for future fertility. Well-defined diagnostic criteria coupled with structured management and follow-up protocol can help in treating this challenging form of ectopic pregnancy.