Plasma Homocysteine, Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 in Abruptio Placentae: A Cross-Sectional Study of Their Role and Feto-Maternal Outcome.

Background Out of the many causes of abruptio placentae, the micronutrient association with its occurrence and severity has not been researched extensively till now. We aim to measure the serum levels of homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B12 in patients with abruptio placentae in the third trimester of pregnancy and compare the levels with those without the complication. We also propose to compare the feto-maternal outcome between the groups. Methods The cross-sectional study was undertaken in 50 pregnant women with abruption before or during delivery and 50 controls with uncomplicated pregnancy over 28 weeks of gestation. Serum levels of homocysteine, folic acid, and vitamin B12 were determined and feto-maternal outcome was compared between the groups Results Mean age of the cases and controls are 26.82 ± 5.5 and 28.82 ± 4.88 years respectively. Obstetric characteristics have significant difference between the groups in terms of gravidity, mode of delivery, timing of delivery, proportion of stillbirths and blood transfusion. The mean concentration of homocysteine and vitamin B12 between the groups also have a significant difference . The serum level of homocysteine is significantly correlated with serum vitamin B12 level (Pearson correlation= -0.601, P=0.000). However, folic acid concentration between the groups remains comparable. Conclusion Hence we conclude that vitamin B12 and homocysteine are significant determinants of abruptio placentae in pregnant women. Supplementation with the vitamin in the high-risk Indian population can avert a number of obstetric complications occurring due to raised homocysteine.

Association between serum vitamin D level and uterine fibroid in premenopausal women in Indian population.

We aim to evaluate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels and total number, volume and location of uterine fibroids (UFs) in premenopausal women in North Indian population. This case control study was undertaken in 310 women between 18 years and 45 years of age. Cases comprised of 102 women with fibroid lesion and the control group included 208 women with normal uterine morphology on ultrasonography. Blood samples were taken for measuring 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels. The mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 level in the study and control group was 14.52 ± 7.89 ng/mL and 26.6 ± 14.36 ng/mL respectively (p < 0.05). There was significant inverse correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels and total volume of fibroids (p = 0.000) while none between 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels with location, number of fibroids. 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 deficiency was more common in the study group (54.90%) compared to healthy controls (6.7%) while sufficiency was more common among controls (67.8% vs. 27.45) (p < 0.05). Women with deficient 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels have an odds of 18.36 for developing uterine fibroid. Women with low parity, those belonging to higher socioeconomic status and having less than 1-hour sun exposure per day were independently found to have high risk for development of UFs. Vitamin D may have a role in growth of UFs. Women not able to get adequate sun exposure due to indoor working conditions may need evaluation and supplementation as prophylaxis for development of fibroid.

Continuation of Copper T in Immediate Postplacental, Immediate Postabortal and Interval Period of Insertion.

AIM: Copper containing IUCDs are one of most effective mode of contraception for birth spacing. We conducted this prospective observational study to suggest a possible better period of insertion of IUCDs with cost-saving benefits. METHODS: All married women in the reproductive age group desirous of Copper-T 375 IUD insertion in either immediate postplacental (PP), immediate postabortal (PA) or interval (INT) period were recruited. The women were asked to return for scheduled follow-up visits at 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months. They were advised to visit family planning clinic any time if they experienced pelvic pain, discharge per vaginum, unusual bleeding or missed periods. At each visit, women were interviewed for any side effects they have experienced and were asked to elaborate. Pelvic pain was assessed from visual analogue scale. Continuation rate was measured at the end of one year. RESULTS: Women in INT group (90.14%) had the highest continuation rate followed by PP (83.18%) and PA (80%) groups. Women in PP (AOR = 3.37, 95% CI 1.17-9.72) and PA (AOR = 4.53, 95% CI 1.33-14.04) groups had higher odds of discontinuation compared to INT group after adjusting for age, parity, working and education status. There was a significant difference between the groups when cumulative expulsion was considered (p = 0.045), but none when cumulative removal (p = 0.107) was taken into account. CONCLUSION: The continuation rate remained high in women who had insertion in the interval period compared to immediate postplacental and postabortal periods.

Endometrial Cut Off Thickness as Predictor of Endometrial Pathology in Perimenopausal Women with Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: A Cross-Sectional Study.

PURPOSE: We aim to determine the predictive value of endometrial thickness by transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) in diagnosing endometrial pathology and to evaluate whether Doppler complements its diagnostic efficacy in perimenopausal women with abnormal uterine bleeding. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 70 perimenopausal women with AUB who underwent TVS measurement of endometrial thickness (ET) and Doppler flow indices followed by endometrial sampling and histopathological examination (HPE). RESULTS: In HPE, 51 (73%) women had normal diagnosis while 19 (27%) women had neoplastic histology either benign or malignant. They were categorised into group I and group II, respectively. There was a significant difference in age (P=0.001) and incidence of obesity (P=0.01) between the two groups. The ETs measured in group I and group II were 7.89 ± 2.62 mm and 14.07 ± 3.96 mm, respectively, with significant difference (P < 0.001). A TVS-ET of 10.5 mm had the highest sensitivity and specificity of 89.5% and 86.3%, respectively, PPV of 70.68%, NPV of 95.68%, LR+ of 6.52, and LR- of 0.12. Doppler flow velocimetric study of endometrial and uterine vessels did not demonstrate a significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: Women in perimenopause with AUB should be offered to undergo endometrial sampling for histopathological examination if TVS ET ≥10.5 mm. The coexisting risk factors especially higher age (>45 years) and obesity (BMI>30) significantly escalate the chances of developing endometrial pathology.

Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Its Distribution among Pre- and Post-Menopausal Women from Northern India.

Aim: This study aims to determine the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MS) and recognize its abnormal components in pre and postmenopausal women. We also aim to recognize the abnormal components in postmenopausal women with regard to duration since menopause. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was undertaken among pre- and post-menopausal women between 40 and 65 years. Women with MS were identified as per the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. Results: A total of 220 women were enrolled comprising 112 premenopausal and 108 postmenopausal women, the prevalence of MS among them being 33% and 51.85%, respectively. Postmenopausal status was found to be independently associated with MS when adjusted for potential confounders (adjusted odds ratios = 14.77, 95% confidence intervals: 1.77-23.33). All the components were proportionately higher in postmenopausal group, the rise in blood pressure (BP) (P = 0.003) and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (0.027) being statistically significant. The risk of MS, abdominal obesity, and high BP were highest in <5 years since menopause and decreased thereafter. The risk for low HDL and high triglyceride increased with the number of years since menopause, reaching the peak level in the 5-9-year group and then decreased while the risk of high fasting blood sugar increased reaching peak in the 10-14 years' group. Conclusion: The prevalence of MS is significantly high in postmenopausal women. Screening of women in premenopausal period will give an opportunity to intervene and prevent the menace of MS in Indian women predisposed to abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular adverse events.

Can vitamin C and interleukin 6 levels predict preterm premature rupture of membranes: evaluating possibilities in North Indian population.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the relation between plasma ascorbic acid levels and the occurrence of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and whether patients with ascorbic acid deficiency have predisposition to microbial invasion, as revealed by serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and confirmed by placental culture sensitivity evaluation. METHODS: This controlled study involved 50 women with PPROM at gestational age between 28 and 36.6 weeks. Fifty patients with uncomplicated pregnancy and intact membranes were observed as control group. Serum ascorbic acid and IL-6 levels were evaluated for PPROM group subjects and controls, matched by their gestational age and body mass index. Repeat samples for IL-6 were taken after 48 hours of admission in PROM group subjects and at the onset of labor in controls. Placental membranes were sent for culture sensitivity evaluation after delivery. RESULTS: The mean plasma level of ascorbic acid was 0.60±0.35 mg/dL and 1.18±0.43 mg/dL in the PPROM and control groups, respectively, showing significant difference. Plasma IL-6 level rose from 18.18±5.94 pg/mL to 34.32±7.31 pg/mL after 48 hours of admission in the PPROM group (P=0.000). Plasma IL-6 level in controls rose from 5.59±4.36 pg/mL at admission to 7.36±3.67 pg/mL at the onset of labor. Membrane culture test results were positive in a total of 40 samples, of which 37 samples were from the PPROM group subjects. CONCLUSION: Vitamin C deficiency, when complemented with elevated serum IL-6 level, can predict susceptibility to PPROM in the third trimester; the risk increases in women with prior history of similar pathology.

Takayasu's Arteritis in Pregnancy: A Rare Case Report from a Tertiary Care Infirmary in India.

Background. Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a rare, chronic, inflammatory, progressive, idiopathic arteriopathy, afflicting young women of reproductive age group, causing narrowing, occlusion, and aneurysms of systemic and pulmonary arteries, especially the aorta and its branches. During pregnancy, such patients warrant special attention. An interdisciplinary collaboration of obstetricians, cardiologists, and neurologists is necessary to improve maternal and fetal prognosis. Here a case is reported where a patient with diagnosis of TA, complicated by neurological sequelae, successfully fought the vagaries of the condition twice to deliver uneventfully. Case. 25-year-old G2P1L1 presented at 34 weeks of gestation, with chronic hypertension, with TA, with epilepsy, and with late-onset severe IUGR. Following a multidisciplinary approach, she delivered an alive born low birth weight baby (following induction). Her postpartum course remained uneventful. Conclusion. Pregnancy with TA poses a stringent challenge to an obstetrician. Despite advancements in cardiovascular management and advent of new-fangled drugs, the optimal management for pregnant patients with this disease still remains elusive.

Determinants of rupture of the unscarred uterus and the related feto-maternal outcome: current scenario in a low-income country.

BACKGROUND: Rupture of the gravid uterus is one of the most grievous obstetric events accounting for considerable maternal morbidity and mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An audit over a period of 2 years from October 2010 to September 2012 was performed on pregnant women irrespective of gestational age who had a uterine rupture of a uterus, presumed to be unscarred. RESULTS: There were 141 ruptures among 43,886 deliveries (0.3%). Of those, 18 (12.8% of the ruptures and 0.04% of the deliveries) occurred in presumed unscarred uteri. The aetiologies were: obstruction 50%, uterine anomaly 22.2%, oxytocic administration 16.6 %, instrumental deliveries 5.5% and miscellaneous 11.1 %. Hysterectomy was performed in 55.6% of cases. Fetal mortality was 83.3% and maternal mortality was 16.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Training of traditional birth attendants for early referrals, screening for uterine anomalies by ultrasound in early pregnancy and counselling the women, especially multiparas and grand-multiparas are mandatory. Oxytocin should only be used for those if the doctor who prescribed its use stays with the patient continuously and stops oxytocics as soon as there are reasonable contractions. In emergency, the decision to delivery time should be less than 30 min. These are some ways through which a tragic event like uterine rupture and its consequences can be averted.

Evaluation of hematological parameters in partial exchange and packed cell transfusion in treatment of severe anemia in pregnancy.

Objectives. Anemia is a major public health problem throughout the world which assumes prominence in pregnant mothers. Patients with severe anemia continue to present themselves at term or in labor. This study was conducted to compare the improvements in hematological parameters of patients receiving partial exchange blood transfusion and transfusion of packed cells without exchange. Methods. One hundred and twenty-five severely anemic antenatal mothers were admitted from outpatient service. Partial exchange transfusion was given to sixty-six patients while fifty-nine received transfusion of packed cells with frusemide cover. Results. The two groups were comparable in terms of age, height, weight, religion, diet, education, occupation of self and husband, and income. Hemoglobin level in Group 1 was comparatively less than Group 2 at prelevel (5.2 ± 1.5 versus 6.6 ± 2.3, P = 0.001) and postlevel (7.2 ± 1.5 versus 8.6 ± 1.8, P = 0.001), respectively, but there was no significant difference between the two modes of transfusion (2.09 ± 1.6 versus 2.01 ± 1.5, P = 0.78). Conclusion. The study produced an equally significant improvement in hematological parameters in partial exchange and packed cell transfusion. Platelet counts were significantly less in partial exchange as compared with packed cell transfusion.