Study of Oligohydramnios and its perinatal outcome

Background: Importance of amniotic fluid volume as an indicator of fetal status is being appreciated relatively recently. Around 3% to 8% of pregnant women are presenting with low amniotic fluid at any point of pregnancy. The present study was undertaken to study the outcome of pregnancies with Oligohydramnios [(amniotic fluid index) AFI≤5cm] at or beyond 34 weeks.Methods: This study consists of 50 cases of antenatal patients with oligohydramnios (AFI≤5) at or beyond 34 weeks of gestation compared with age and gestation matched 50 normal liquor (AFI≥5 and ≤25). The outcome measures recorded were labor, gestational age at delivery, amniotic fluid index (AFI), mode of delivery, indication for cesarean section or instrumental delivery, APGAR score and birth weight.Results: In the present study, AFI was significantly decreased in cases (3.74±1.2) compared (12.54±2.5) with controls. Variable deceleration was noted in 14 (28%) and late deceleration in 5 (10%) cases. In control group, 2 (4%) had late deceleration. In cases induced labor is in 14 (28%), spontaneous labor 36 (72%). In cases, term normal vaginal delivery was in 15 (30%), PVD in 6 (12%), LSCS in 28 (56%) and instrumental vaginal delivery in 1 (2%). In controls, full term normal vaginal delivery was in 41 (82%), PVD in 5 (10%), LSCS in 4 (8%). APGAR score <7 at 1 minute was in 19 (38%) and at 5 minutes was in 5 (10%) in cases. Birth weight is reduced in cases. IUGR was reported in 9 (18%) in cases.Conclusions: Pregnancies with Oligohydramnios (AFI≤5) is associated with increased rate of non-reactive NST. Routine induction of labor for Oligohydramnios is not recommended. It is preferable to allow patients to go into spontaneous labor with continuous FHR monitoring. Antepartum diagnosis of Oligohydramnios warrants close fetal surveillance.

Effects of Fruits of Barringtonia Racemosa Linn. On Human Polymorphonuclear Cell.

The objective of present study was to investigate Petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and hydroalcoholic extracts of B. racemosa fruits in vitro on human polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells to screen their effects on phagocytosis and chemotaxis. Ethyl acetate extract of B. racemosa fruitswas found to be a stimulant of PMN cell phagocytosis of Nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) dye and candida albicans. It also stimulated intracellur killing capacity of PMN cells. It was further found to increase the chemotaxis of human PMN cells.While, petroleum ether extract and hydroalcoholic extract were lesser active as far as these activities are concerned.

Immunomodulatory effects of fruits of Barringtonia racemosa Linn.

Background: Barringtonia racemosa (B. racemosa) is used medicinally in treatment of diarrhoea, asthma, coughs, jaundice. It is also used as an analgesic and antipyretic. This plant has also significant anti-tumor activity. However, systematic evaluation of its immunomodulatory effects has not been reported. In present study the hydroalcoholic extract of fruits of B. racemosa has been evaluated for its immunomodulatory properties in animal models. Methods: Extract of Fruits of B. racemosa was prepared from fruit powder and methanol by macerations and filtration. Healthy albino Wistar rats of either sex having 110-160 g body weight were used for this study. 1. Delayed type hypersensitivity reaction (DTH) using Sheep red blood cells (SRBCs): After immunization with SRBC effect of cyclophosphamide and hydroalcoholic extract of B. racemosa was seen on paw volume changes in rats challenged with SRBC by using digital Plethysmometer. 2. Humoral antibody response to SRBC: Animas were immunized with SRBC and treated with cyclophosphamide and hydroalcoholic extract of B. racemosa. Serum of these animals was observed for haemagglutination titer. Results: Fruits extract at the dose of 5 mg/kg i.p. showed significant decrease in DTH response as compared to that of control group animals. However, the effect of extract was less potent as compared to that of cyclophosphamide treated group. In haemagglutination titer assay, antibody titer in case naïve control, SRBC treated, cyclophosphamide treated and extract treated groups was 1:1, 1:32, 1:8 and 1:16 respectively. Conclusions: The hydroalcoholic extract of this fruits was found to inhibit SRBCs induced DTH in rats. Similarly, SRBCs induced antibody titer was also reduced.

Histogenesis of human fetal kidney.

Background: The normal histogenesis of human kidney during fetal life gives us information regarding histological maturation of kidney Objectives: - Present study aims at establishing details of histogenesis of human kidney with time of appearance of various microscopic elements. Methods: - The present study was conducted on kidneys of 59 human foetuses of gestational age ranging from16 to 38 weeks. The pieces of kidneys were processed and paraffin blocks were formed. Sections of kidney were cut which were studied with light microscope after staining. Results: - The subcapsular nephrogenic zone became narrow with increasing fetal age and disappeared at 38 weeks of gestation. In cortex, differentiation occurs from centre to periphery as indicated by more number of mature renal corpuscles and well differentiated proximal convoluted tubule, distal convoluted tubules in deeper part than superficial part of cortex. As the fetal age increases, the number of well differentiated tubules seen in medulla went on increasing. The histological structure of kidney was almost similar to kidney at 35 weeks of gestation. Conclusion:-This may help us in understanding various renal disorders. This study can also be used for determination of age of fetus.

Prevalence of oral mucosal lesions and variations in Indian public school children

Aim: To study the nature and distribution of oral mucosal lesions and variations in children.Methods: This investigation was a cross-sectional study. All the study subjects were taken fromgovernment primary school. Children were in the age group of 4-14years. The children whowere attending the Department of Pediatric Dentistry for dental check up were examined. Results:A total of 1,003 children were included in the present study,. The mucosal lesions were observedin 643 (64.11%) children, developmental variations of mucosa were evident in 220 (21.93%)children and normal mucosal variations were present in 391 (38.98%) children. The mostcommonly observed mucosal lesions were gingivitis, gingival abscess and traumatic ulcers. Themost frequent developmental mucosal variations were ankyloglossia and high frenal attachment.Normal mucosal variations noted were linea alba buccalis and fordyce’s spots. Distribution ofmucosal lesions/variations were same among both the gender except fordyce’s spots (p=0.018).Parotid papillae and pigmented spots had positive relation with age. Conclusions: Mucosallesions/variations were present in more than half of the children in this study. Only few oralmucosal lesions had gender differences and vary with age.

Multiple natal teeth: A rare case report.

A rare case report of multiple natal teeth in both maxillary and mandibular dental arches in a 21-day-old baby and its management is being presented here.