Current Trend of Using Anti-Hypertensives in Pregnancy and Postpartum Period in a Tertiary Level Hospital.

Hypertensive disorders are one of the most common disorders in pregnancy. They are amongst the major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Incidence is increasing in developing countries like Bangladesh. This cross sectional descriptive study has done to observe the utilization of antihypertensive drugs in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and conducted from January 2016 to December 2016 in the department of Pharmacology in collaboration with department of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Non random purposive sampling technique was used. Total of 300 patients participated in the study, 281 anti partum and 19 postpartum. Age distribution showed 42% patients were in 21-25 years age group. Majority of the participants (91%) were housewife and majority (79%) came from poor socioeconomic status with below SSC education (68%). About 82% patients lived in rural area. Trimester and gravida wise distribution showed most of the participants were 3rd trimester (61%) and primigravida (57%) and only 6% patients belong to postpartum period. In this study preeclampsia was highest (63.8%) among all other types of hypertensive diseases in pregnancy. Majority of the patient were preferred for dual therapy (53%), mono therapy was used in 29% of cases. Most frequently given drug in pregnancy associated hypertension was methyldopa that is 88.33% (single 22.3%, combination 66%). Second most commonly used drug was nifidipine consisting of 47.6% but used in combination in all cases. Average number of anti hypertensive drugs prescribed per prescription was 1.87 and majorities (92%) were from essential drug list but used as trade name. Preeclampsia and eclampsia were more common among the hypertensive disorders in tertiary level hospital cases. Methyldopa was found to be the commonest prescribed antihypertensive in monotherapy and in combination.

Histological and histochemical studies on the female reproductive system of rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri) after testosterone propionate treatment.

Intramuscular injections of testosterone propionate (Perandren, CIBA) at a dose level of 2.5 mg per day for 10 days into adult female parakeet caused an increment of differentiated follicles in the ovary. The histological study of the testosterone treated oviduct of the bird showed well developed villi with a significant number of tubular glands particularly in the middle and distal parts of the oviduct. The high level of alkaline phosphatase activity and ascorbic acid concentration in the distal part of the oviduct in treated birds probably increase the power of hatchable eggs which has a close relationship with the enzyme and vitamin C concentration in the uterus. The testosterone treatment causes a marked depletion of granulosal vitamins from ovary but augments the ascorbate mobilization in the thecal region to a very great extent probably due to more LH secretion from the pituitary.

A study of accidental poisoning (in children) in a rural medical college hospital of West Bengal.

134 cases of accidental poisoning in children have been reported, children belonging to the age group of 1-3 years are the main victims. Kerosene has been noted as the single most important cause of poisoning. Mortality was fortunately low amounting to 5.2% of all cases.

PIP: The findings of a study on accidental poisoning in children admitted in the pediatric ward of Burdwan Medical College Hospital, a rural hospital in West Bengal, India, are reported. From January to December 1987, 134 cases of poisoning in children up to 7 years of age were examined. Poisons were categorized into the following groups: 1) organic substances and caustic substances, 2) kerosene, 3) heavy metals 4) plant produces, 5) drugs, 6) insecticides and pesticides and 7) unknown. Lacking facilities in which to chemically identify poisons, the history of the case was thoroughly examined and close clinical observations were conducted. Kerosene, the most common poison was found in 57 (42.5%) of the 134 children. Insecticides and pesticides were the second most common poison, affecting 28 (20.9%) of the children. The incidence of the remaining poisons were: plant products, 9.7%; organic solvents and caustic substances, 9.0% unknown, 6.7% drugs, 6.0%; and heavy metals, 5.2%. Most of the cases occurred among children up to 3 years of age. 74% of the cases were male. Mortality was low -- 5.2% of the cases. The most common poison, kerosene, is largely used as a fuel and light source. 60% of the kerosene poisoning cases occurred among children aged 1-3, an age at which the child is curious and liked to put things into his or her mouth. The insecticides and pesticides category, the 2nd most common poison, includes organophosphorus compounds, rat killers, and organochlorine compounds.