Insulin Sensitivity, Islet Cell Function, and Incretin Axis in Pregnant Women With and Without Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare insulin sensitivity, islet cell function, and incretin axes in pregnant subjects with GDM and normal healthy controls. Methods: Pregnant women at 24 to 28 weeks of gestation were subjected to a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Samples for glucose, insulin, glucagon, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) were collected at 0, 30, 60, and 120 min during the OGTT. The Matsuda index (MI) and insulin secretion and sensitivity index-2 (ISSI-2) were assessed. The glucagon suppression index (GSI) was calculated along with the area under the curve (AUC) for glucose, insulin, glucagon, GLP-1, and GIP. Results: A total of 48 pregnant women (25 GDM and 23 controls) were finally analysed. The MI and ISSI-2 were low in the GDM group [4.31 vs. 5.42; P = 0.04], [1.99 vs. 3.18, P ≤ 0.01] respectively). Total AUCglucagon was higher in the GDM group (7411.7 vs. 6320.1, P = 0.02). GSI30 was significantly lower in the GDM group (-62.6 vs. -24.7, P = 0.03). Fasting GLP-1 levels were low in GDM women (17.3 vs. 22.2, P = 0.04). The total AUCGLP-1 positively correlated with total GSI in the GDM group. Conclusion: Asian-Indian GDM women have high insulin insensitivity, islet cell dysfunction, and low fasting GLP-1. Incretin axis dysfunction plays a potential role in their islet cell dysfunction.

Vaginal mesh erosion - a challenging entity.

Pelvic reconstructive surgery with mesh for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) has been reported to have a superior anatomical cure rate compared with traditional repair methods. Mesh-related adverse events are increasing worldwide. We describe a case of excision of mesh erosion following vaginal hysterectomy. A 45yr old lady presented with 3 × 2 cm infected mesh erosion on the anterior vaginal wall following a vaginal hysterectomy a year earlier in a camp setting. Cystoscopy was normal. Under anesthesia, the mesh was dissected from the vagina and excised. The vaginal edges were freshened, and approximated Postoperative period was uneventful, and she was discharged home the next day. Surgical revision is indicated for large or multiple erosions. Mesh excision can be a challenging procedure with difficulty in gaining access and increased risk of surgical bleeding. A multidisciplinary approach in conjunction with a urologist will help optimise outcomes.

Spontaneous Hemoperitoneum in Third Trimester of Pregnancy-an Enigma.

Spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy is a rare and challenging obstetric emergency. It can present as acute abdomen with features of hypovolemic shock and requires high index of suspicion for diagnosis as various obstetric and non-obstetric causes have similar presenting features. Here we present a case of primigravida at 33 weeks of gestation who presented with acute abdomen, signs of shock and a pathological trace on cardiotocogram. She underwent laparotomy and cesarean section in view of suspicion of abruption placentae. Intraoperatively there was hemoperitoneum of 600 ml with 750 g clots and a small venous bleeder on the posterior surface of the uterus which was secured with hemostatic sutures. Patient got discharged along with the baby on seventh postoperative day. Timely intervention is paramount in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality.

Managing pregnancy in women with Sturge-Weber syndrome: case report and review of the literature.

Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is a sporadic congenital neuro-cutaneous anomaly with capillary-venous malformation involving the brain, eye, and the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve. In these cases, physiological changes in pregnancy, including hormonal and hemodynamic changes, may predispose to increased seizure frequency and even a life-threatening intracranial haemorrhage. There are only few case reports available about the management of women with pregnancy and SWS. We report two patients with SWS diagnosed in childhood and managed during pregnancy and reviewed the outcomes and complications during pregnancy in women with this disorder.

A Rare Type of Uterine Rupture Following Over-the-Counter Use of Misoprostol in Second Trimester Abortion.

The use of misoprostol in the second trimester by a woman with a uterine scar may lead to severe contractions and uterine rupture. We report a 24-year-old pregnant female patient who presented at the Emergency Department at a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry, India, in 2020 with haemorrhagic shock. She was at 16 weeks of gestation and had taken over the counter misoprostol for inducing an abortion. A quick initial resuscitation and urgent laparotomy were performed. An irreparable circumferentially avulsed uterus suspended only by round ligaments was noted. Haemostasis required internal artery ligation and immediate total hysterectomy. The patient was doing well upon follow-up six months after the surgery. Proper and supervised use of misoprostol in the appropriate dosage can avoid life-threatening consequences of uterine rupture.

Labial adhesions in a pre-pubertal girl: The importance of awareness.

Labial adhesion affects up to 0.6-5% of pre-pubertal girls. They may be congenital or acquired. Patients usually are asymptomatic, and thus, labial adhesions are found incidentally on routine examination. If the patient is indeed truly asymptomatic, there is no need for any treatment, and reassurance only is needed. When treatment is indicated, topical application of oestrogen cream is advised, but when this fails, surgical intervention is recommended. Recurrence is common regardless of the treatment. We present the case of a three-year-old girl managed by release of adhesions under topical anaesthesia and topical application of oestrogen cream.

Association of osteoprotegerin gene T950C polymorphism with cardiometabolic risk factors in gestational diabetes mellitus in South Indian Tamilian women.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: This study was designed to explore the relevance of Osteoprotegerin (OPG) and its polymorphism in the cardiometabolic risk in gestational diabetes mellitus patients before diet-therapy (GDMA1). METHODS: South Indian Tamilian pregnant women were screened and 145 were grouped as GDMA1 (n = 73) and normal pregnancy (n = 72). Serum OPG, TNF α, lipid profile, insulin and blood pressure was compared. Genomic DNA was analysed for rs2073617 T950C polymorphism. Chi square test was done to analyze the frequency distribution of alleles. Multiple regression analysis was done to assess the association among cardiometabolic parameters. RESULTS: TNF α (p < 0.01), Osteoprotegerin (p < 0.01), lipid profile (p < 0.01), atherogenic indices (p < 0.01), systolic and diastolic and blood pressure (<0.001) levels were higher in GDMA1 patients. TNF α (p < 0.01) and osteoprotegerin (p < 0.01) were higher in women with CT allele. Osteoprotegerin was independently contributed by BMI in all GDMA1 cases and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in CT allele cases. There was significantly higher odd (OR = 3.63) in the distribution of CT genotype among the multiparous women. CONCLUSIONS: Osteoprotegerin, atherogenic lipid risk factor and inflammation are higher in GDMA1 women. Rise in OPG is contributed by high BMI in GDMA1 women. Higher odds of CT allele distribution in multiparous women suggests that TT allele women are at higher risk of developing GDM in their first pregnancy. Further analysis of T950C polymorphism in a larger cohort is warranted to confirm its role.

Endocrine Abnormalities in Adolescents with Menstrual Disorders.

Purpose: To look for endocrine abnormalities like thyroid disorders, hyperprolactinemia, hyperandrogenism and PCOS among adolescents with menstrual disorders and to compare the above endocrine status with those without menstrual disorders. Methods: This was a case-control study carried out in adolescent girls aged 10-19 years in gynecology outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital. Sample of venous blood (5 ml) was taken for hormonal studies as clinically indicated-thyroid function test, serum prolactin, total testosterone, which were analyzed by chemiluminescence system. Results: Oligomenorrhea was the most common menstrual abnormality in our study, the prevalence being 61.0% in cases followed by primary amenorrhea (16.4%). Thyroid dysfunction was found in 13.6% girls with menstrual disorders compared to 3.5% in those without menstrual disorders, and this was statistically significant (p = 0.006). Biochemical hyperandrogenism was seen in 9.04% cases compared to 0.7% controls (p = 0.001). The overall prevalence of hyperprolactinemia was 0.94%, and there was no statistically significant difference in girls with and without menstrual disorders. The prevalence of PCOS was 12.4% in the study population and 22.6% cases. Oligomenorrhea and PCOS were the most prevalent phenotypes in 52.5% of PCOS girls. No endocrine abnormality was detected in cases of polymenorrhea, hypomenorrhea and intermenstrual bleeding. Conclusions: Although immaturity of hypothalamic pituitary ovarian axis is considered to be the most common cause of menstrual irregularities in adolescent girls, endocrine abnormalities, namely thyroid dysfunction and hyperandrogenism, may be responsible in some cases, thus warranting further evaluation.

Intravenous iron sucrose and oral iron for the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous iron sucrose and oral iron administration for the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hundred women with gestational age between 30 and 34 weeks with established iron deficiency anaemia with Haemoglobin-6-8g/dL were randomised to receive either oral ferrous sulphate 200 mg thrice daily or required dose of intravenous iron sucrose 200 mg in 200 ml NS on alternate days. Haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, reticulocyte count were measured at recruitment and on 2(nd) week, 4(th) week and at 37 weeks. Adverse drug reactions were also noted in both the groups. RESULTS were analyzed by student's t-test and Chi-square test. RESULTS: Haemoglobin values varied significantly with time between the two groups at second week, 4(th) week and at term (p<0.005). The mean difference in mean corpuscular volume from the recruitment value was not significant at 2(nd) week. When compared to iron sucrose group, oral iron group had significant gastro-intestinal adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Intravenous iron sucrose treated iron deficiency anaemia of pregnancy faster, and more effectively than oral iron therapy, with no serious adverse drug reactions.

Study of tumour cellularity in locally advanced breast carcinoma on neo-adjuvant chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common invasive malignancy which occurs in women worldwide. The advent of neoadjuvant chemotherapy has radically changed the management of locally advanced breast cancer and a complete response is reported to significantly improve disease free survival. Traditionally, clinical response is assessed on basis of tumour size. In this study, an attempt was made to check whether tumour cellularity could be a better prognostic factor and also to check as to what impact the correlation of tumour size with cellularity had on the response assessment in locally advanced breast cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty seven patients with locally advanced breast cancer, who were treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy during the period of December 2008 to May 2009, were selected for the study and from their case records, tumour size, clinical response and demographic details were gathered. Tumour cellularity was assessed prior to chemotherapy in core needle biopsy sections and it was matched with that seen in subsequent mastectomy specimens. Tumour size and cellularity were then correlated with the different treatment response groups and they were statistically analyzed by using the SPSS, version 13.0 software. RESULTS: After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the tumour size and cellularity were found to be significantly reduced in breast carcinomas (p<0.05, paired t-test). The relative changes in cellularity which were seen were highly variable between individual patients and different clinical response groups, particularly in the partial response and no response categories. The product of cellularity and size dramatically changed the distribution of residual tumour pathology, thus causing a shift towards a complete response. CONCLUSION: The current study showed that the product of tumour size and cellularity may be a better prognostic indicator of clinical response in patients with neoadjuvant chemotherapy treated locally advanced breast cancer and that it would enable a new definition for clinical response in the future.

Huge Bilateral Paramesonephric Cysts in a 25 year old Nulliparous woman.

Paraovarian cysts are uncommon adnexal masses which are usually asymptomatic. We describe a case of bilateral huge paramesonephric cysts in a nulliparous woman. A 25-year-old lady presented with abdominal distension for one year duration. Examination and imaging revealed large abdominopelvic cystic masses with no solid areas or septations. Intraoperatively there were huge bilateral paraovarian cysts which were excised. Histopathology revealed low cuboidal to ciliated columnar epithelium with no evidence of ovarian parenchyma suggestive of paramesonephric cyst. Paraovarian cyst should be included in the differential diagnosis of a cystic mass visualised on ultrasound.

Congenital hypothyroidism presenting as menorrhagia in adulthood.

Although hypothyroidism is a common cause of menorrhagia, it is an uncommon presentation of congenital hypothyroidism. We report a case of congenital hypothyroidism presenting in adulthood with severe menorrhagia. Despite the late presentation, she had features to suggest hypothyroidism since birth.

Unusual complication of vaginal delivery: is misoprostal the cause?

A 20-year-old primiparous woman who delivered vaginally in a private hospital 5 h ago was referred to our institute as a case of ruptured uterus. She was very pale and tachycardic with well-contracted uterus of 18-week size but had a cervical tear extending up to the left fornix. Examination under anaesthesia showed colporrhexis of posterior vaginal wall with intestines at the site of colporrhexis. Emergency laparotomy confirmed the above findings and also revealed intestinal gangrene involving more than 10 cm. Repair of colporrhexis, cervical tear and resection and anastomosis of small intestines was carried out. She gave a history of administration of five doses of vaginal misoprostal during labour and fundal pressure at the time of delivery. Literature review revealed that vaginal misoprostal can cause overgrowth of clostridial organisms by decreasing the macrophage function and thus can lead to developmental gangrene of reproductive tract and gastrointestinal tract.

Life-threatening complications following multidose methotrexate for medical management of ectopic pregnancy.

A 25-year-old primigravida was diagnosed to be suffering from unruptured ectopic pregnancy. The serum ß-human chorionic gonadotropin levels were 2851 mIU/l and the ectopic gestational sac was 2.7×2.7 cm without any fetal pole. It was decided to manage her by expectant therapy. But she received medical therapy with multidose methotrexate because of misinterpretation of expectant therapy as medical therapy. She suffered from methotrexate toxicity, which manifested as high-grade fever, vomiting, melena, oral ulcerations, pneumonitis, subconjunctival haemorrhages and skin pigmentation. She developed severe third space fluid collection and shock, which was mistaken for rupture ectopic gestation. Her haematological picture showed severe neutropaenia and thrombocytopaenia which confirmed the clinical picture to be due to methotrexate toxicity. She also developed septicaemia and candidal infection secondary to immunosuppression. She was managed in intensive care unit with ventilatory support, high-dose leucovorin and injection filgastrim. She responded well to the therapy with dramatic recovery in 4 days.

Incarcerated foreign body in the vagina--a metal bangle used as a pessary.

Long-forgotten vaginal pessaries get incarcerated in the vagina and their removal poses problems. A 60-year-old postmenopausal woman presented with foul smelling purulent discharge per vaginum and stress incontinence. Speculum examination revealed foul smelling white discharge per vaginum and a friable vaginal wall which bled on touch. The anterior portion of a metal ring deeply embedded in the vagina was seen. The cervix appeared normal. Attempts of removal by traction under local infiltration failed and resulted in bleeding. Biopsy from the tissue covering the ring reported no evidence of malignancy. She was treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics for 1 week and the metallic ring was removed without any complications under general anaesthesia using electrocautery. It was found to be a metallic bangle with design. It is essential to gently cauterise and release the fibrosis over the incarcerated foreign body to achieve safe removal.

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome in association with tuberous sclerosis.

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome occurring in association with tuberous sclerosis is rare in adults. Electrocardiography and echocardiography should be routinely performed in the assessment of patients with tuberous sclerosis as sudden cardiac death may be the first manifestation of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome in previously asymptomatic individuals. We report a case of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome in a 20-year-old female with tuberous sclerosis.