Incidental Intraoperative Diagnosis of Term Conjoined Twins: A Case Series.

Conjoined twins (Siamese twins) represent the rarest form of twin pregnancy. Reported here are two rare cases of conjoined term twins presented to the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology within 3 months. The first case, 32 years of gravida 6 parity 5 referred from periphery after full trial of labour following multi-organ dysfunction and term intrauterine dead twins. Intraoperatively it was dead conjoined thoraco-omphalopagus females. The patient died after 3 days following multiorgan dysfunction syndrome and disseminated intravascular coagulation. The second case, 22 years gravida 2 parity 1 also referred from periphery in second stage of labour with diagnosis of 39 weeks intrauterine dead twins with obstructed labour, delivered by caesarean with intraoperative conjoined dead females of thoracophagus type. Twins are high-risk pregnancy. This rare diagnosis with complications could have been prevented by regular antenatal checkups, ultrasonography performed by radiologists and early referral antenatally in labour along with multidisciplinary approach. Keywords: conjoined; monozygotic twinning; siamese twins; twins.

Stroke in Pregnancy: A Case Report.

Reported here is a rare near-miss case of stroke in pregnancy presented to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. A 38 years gravida 8 was referred from a private hospital on 18 November 2022 with hemorrhagic stroke, a known case of chronic hypertension at 37 weeks of gestation with previous cesarean section and acute kidney injury. At a private hospital computed tomography head was done it showed intracerebral haemorrhage. On cesarean, intraoperatively it was a live female with thick meconium. The patient was kept in intensive care with a mechanical ventilator, antihypertensives, antibiotics, and analgesics. Serum creatinine was increasing daily. Suture was cut on the 7th postoperative and two times dialysis was done on the 8th and 9th postoperative days. Stroke in pregnancy is a rare diagnosis and it could have been prevented by regular antenatal visits and early referral antenatally along with a multidisciplinary approach. Keywords: case reports; hypertension; intracerebral haemorrhage; pregnancy; stroke.

Primary Caesarean Section among Multiparous Pregnant Women Visiting a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Caesarean section is one of the most common obstetric operations performed. Primary caesarean section in multiparous women means the first caesarean section done in the multiparity who had previously delivered vaginally. This study aimed to find out the prevalence of primary caesarean section among multiparous pregnant women visiting a tertiary care centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among multiparous women in a tertiary care centre from 15 June 2020 to 14 June 2021. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee (Registration number: F-NMC/420/075/076). Demographic data were collected using predesigned proforma in parous women who had a previous vaginal delivery. A convenience sampling method was used. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. Results: Among 1158 multiparity, primary caesarean section was found in 155 (13.39%) (11.43-15.35, 95% Confidence Interval). Most women 62 (40%) belong to 21-25 years and the majority were second gravida 51 (32.90%). The emergency caesarean section was done in 149 (96.12%). Indications for primary caesarean section were fetal distress 63 (40.63%), non-progress of labour and breech 12 (7.74%). Post-operative complications were uneventful in 110 (70.96%) cases. Conclusions: The prevalence of primary caesarean section in multiparous women was found to be higher than the other studies done in similar settings. Keywords: caesarean section; multiparity; prevalence.

The role of inflammatory markers following Ramadan Fasting.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of fasting during Ramadan on plasma adiponectin and TNF-α levels. METHODS: This is a cross sectional study, conducted at Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science & Technology (FUUAST), Karachi, comprising a total of 55 (50%) females and 55 (50%) males whose ages ranged between 20 and 40 years, and fasted during Ramadan (June-July 2014) were enrolled in the study. Subjects were separated into normal weight, overweight and obese males and females. Anthropometric measurements and Fasting venous blood samples were taken at first and last (29th) day of Ramadan. Plasma adiponectin and TNF-alpha levels were assayed with ELISA kits. All values were calculated and presented as mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM) and by using analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures. P values < 0.05 were accepted as significant. RESULTS: Body mass index (BMI) (Kg/m2) in over-weight and obese male subjects exhibited considerable reduction (P<0.05; P<0.05), post Ramadan when compared to their respective pre Ramadan fasting weights. Noticeable and significant reduction was also observed in BMI of obese females (P<0.05). Post Ramadan Overweight Males (P<0.05) and Post Ramadan Obese Males (P<0.001) exhibited significantly elevated plasma adiponectin (µg/mL) values. While plasma adiponectin mean concentration of only obese females were significantly improved at last week of Ramadan (P<0.01). Fasting in Ramadan significantly decreased TNF-α (pg/mL) levels of post obese males and females than Pre-Ramadan-groups (P<0.05; P<0.01) respectively. CONCLUSION: The study reports of noticeable changes with Ramadan fasting resulting increase of plasma adiponectin and decrease of TNF-α levels as well as body weight. The study strongly suggests further investigations on larger sample sizes with possible association of dietary restrictions and weight loss on mechanism of enhanced adiponectin and reduced TNF-α in obese and overweight persons who fast on Ramadan pattern.