Rubella immunity among pregnant women and the burden of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) in India, 2022.

BACKGROUND: India aims to eliminate rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) by 2023. We conducted serosurveys among pregnant women to monitor the trend of rubella immunity and estimate the CRS burden in India following a nationwide measles and rubella vaccination campaign. METHODS: We surveyed pregnant women at 13 sentinel sites across India from Aug to Oct 2022 to estimate seroprevalence of rubella IgG antibodies. Using age-specific seroprevalence data from serosurveys conducted during 2017/2019 (prior to and during the vaccination campaign) and 2022 surveys (after the vaccination campaign), we developed force of infection (FOI) models and estimated incidence and burden of CRS. RESULTS: In 2022, rubella seroprevalence was 85.2% (95% CI: 84.0, 86.2). Among 10 sites which participated in both rounds of serosurveys, the seroprevalence was not different between the two periods (pooled prevalence during 2017/2019: 83.5%, 95% CI: 82.1, 84.8; prevalence during 2022: 85.1%, 95% CI: 83.8, 86.3). The estimated annual incidence of CRS during 2017/2019 in India was 218.3 (95% CI: 209.7, 226.5) per 100, 000 livebirths, resulting in 47,120 (95% CI: 45,260, 48,875) cases of CRS every year. After measles-rubella (MR) vaccination campaign, the estimated incidence of CRS declined to 5.3 (95% CI: 0, 21.2) per 100,000 livebirths, resulting in 1141 (95% CI: 0, 4,569) cases of CRS during the post MR-vaccination campaign period. CONCLUSION: The incidence of CRS in India has substantially decreased following the nationwide MR vaccination campaign. About 15% of women in childbearing age in India lack immunity to rubella and hence susceptible to rubella infection. Since there are no routine rubella vaccination opportunities for this age group under the national immunization program, it is imperative to maintain high rates of rubella vaccination among children to prevent rubella virus exposure among women of childbearing age susceptible for rubella.

Correction to: Postpartum Collapse Subsequent to Catatonia in a Female with COVID-19 Infection: A Rare Entity Visited.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s13224-022-01737-5.].

Postpartum Collapse Subsequent to Catatonia in a Female with COVID-19 Infection: a Rare Entity Visited.

Postpartum collapse is a life-threatening condition caused by obstetrical and non-obstetrical events. In this case report, we discuss a case of postpartum collapse in COVID-19-positive woman who required intensive care and mechanical ventilation for two days. After confusing collision of many provisional diagnoses soldiering for three days, she was ultimately diagnosed with malignant catatonia. Targeted therapy with lorazepam challenge resulted in drastic improvement, and she was discharged with her baby in healthy condition.

The placental pathology in Coronavirus disease 2019 infected mothers and its impact on pregnancy outcome.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims at observing placental pathologies in COVID-19 infected women, and analyzing its impact on pregnancy outcome. METHOD: This is a descriptive-analytical study done at a tertiary centre of Northern India. All COVID-19 positive pregnant women with gestational age ≥20 weeks, with placental histopathological reporting, were included in this study. A total of 173 COVID-19 pregnant women were included in the study. RESULTS: Placental abnormalities were noticed in 49·16% of total 179 placentae examined. Maternal vascular malperfusion (27·93%) was the most observed placental pathology followed by villous fibrin deposits (22·90%), fetal vasculopathy (16·75%), and acute inflammation (6·70%). Stillbirths were 22 and NICU admissions were seen in 50 neonates. Abnormal placental abnormalities led to higher stillbirths (p value 0·011) and lower Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min (p-value 0·028; p-value 0·002, respectively). Intervillous fibrin deposits had higher risk associated with lower Apgar score at 1 and 5 min [RR 2·05 (95% CI 1·21-3·48, p-value 0·010) and RR 5·52 (95% CI 2·58-11·81, p-value <0·001), respectively]. RP clot/hemorrhage was also associated with lower Apgar score at 1 and 5 min [RR 2·61 (95% CI 1·52-4·49, p-value 0·002) and RR 3.54 (95% CI 1·66-7·55, p-value 0·001), respectively]. DISCUSSION: Placental abnormalities in COVID-19 infection were associated with significant higher incidence of unexplained stillbirths, and lower Apgar scores. Although, this is the largest descriptive-analytical study done so far, comparative studies are required to draw a clear conclusion regarding the impact of COVID-19 infection on human placenta and its effect on pregnancy outcomes.

To compare the optimal cytoreduction rate in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer stage III/IV after 3 versus 6 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

This study aimed to compare the impact of 3 versus 6 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) on the optimal cytoreduction in patients of advanced ovarian malignancy during interval debulking surgery (IDS). Thirty patients with advanced-stage IIIc/IV epithelial ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, and primary peritoneal cancer were randomly allocated to receive 6 cycles in the late IDS group versus 3 cycles in early IDS before undergoing interval debulking surgery. A higher percentage of patients achieved optimal cytoreduction in the late IDS group compared to the early IDS group (60 versus 23%) which was statistically significant (p = .010). Giving 6 cycles of NACT before surgery increased the odd of optimal cytoreduction by 10 than giving 3 cycles of NACT which was statistically significant (p = 0.046) Thus, we conclude that administering 6 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy before debulking surgery helps in achieving optimal cytoreduction in a higher number of patients with lesser surgical morbidity.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on the subject? Currently, there are no established criteria that would help to determine the number of chemotherapy cycles before debulking surgery in patients with advanced ovarian malignancy.What do the results of this study add? Administering 6 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy before debulking surgery helps in achieving optimal cytoreduction in a higher number of patients with lesser surgical morbidity in cases of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? We conclude that late interval debulking may be used as a treatment option in the advanced stage IIIc/stage IV. However, the findings need to be studied in a larger study group with a longer follow up period.

Sero-prevalence of rubella among pregnant women in India, 2017.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a sero-survey among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics of six hospitals which also function as sentinel sites for CRS surveillance, to estimate the prevalence of IgG antibodies against rubella. METHODS: We systematically sampled 1800 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics and tested their sera for IgG antibodies against rubella. We classified sera as seropositive (titre ≥10 IU/ml), sero-negative (titre <8 IU/ml) or indeterminate (titre 8-9.9 IU/ml) per manufacturer's instructions. In a sub-sample, we estimated the titers of IgG antibodies against rubella. IgG titer of ≥10 IU/mL was considered protective. RESULTS: Of 1800 sera tested, 1502 (83.4%) were seropositive and 24 (1.3%) were indeterminate and 274 (15.2%) were sero-negative. Rubella sero-positivity did not differ by age group, educational status or place of residence. Three hundred and eighty three (87.8%) of the 436 sera had IgG concentrations ≥10 IU/mL. CONCLUSION: The results of the serosurvey indicate high levels of rubella sero-positivity in pregnant women. High sero-prevalence in the absence of routine childhood immunization indicates continued transmission of rubella virus in cities where sentinel sites are located.

Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis during Pregnancy: Two Case Reports and Review of the Literature.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is identified from the time of introduction of antituberculosis treatment and is a known worldwide public health crisis affecting women of reproductive age group. Management issues raised by pregnant women with MDR tuberculosis are challenging due to the limited clinical experience available with the use of second line drugs. We hereby report two cases of MDR-TB during pregnancy: one patient was on second line drugs, while another one was evaluated and diagnosed to have MDR-TB in last trimester. At 6 months of follow-up both mothers and babies are doing well. The approach to such cases along with review of the literature is discussed.

Obstetric Complications and Management in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is amongst the most common haematological malignancies encountered in adults. The younger age of onset and increased incidence of CML in Indians leads to higher chances of encountering it in pregnancy. Pregnancy in CML is a complex situation as first line therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), is fraught with multiple fetal safety issues. The fetal aspects have been elucidated in literature, but there is scarcity of information on the obstetric outcome per se in presence of CML, excluding the influence of TKI. Obstetric outcomes of 5 pregnancies in four patients with CML are being reported. Literature on interplay of CML and bleeding or thrombotic manifestations is reviewed. The major complications encountered were antepartum (APH) and postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), preterm labour, intrauterine growth retardation and intrauterine fetal death. Patients in the reproductive age group with diagnosis of CML should be carefully counseled regarding the effect of disease and TKI on the maternal-fetal health. Bleeding complications, particularly APH and PPH may be encountered in CML patients. Close coordination of the obstetrician, haematologist, and neonatologist is required in managing these cases successfully. The need for absolute contraception till the remission of disease needs to be emphasized for further pregnancies.

Individualistic approach to the management of complete hydatidiform mole with coexisting live fetus.

Complete hydatidiform mole with a coexisting live fetus (CHMCF) is a rare obstetric occurrence. So far, approximately 177 cases have been documented in the literature with consequent 66 live births. We report a review article along with two cases of CHMCF, one presenting as incomplete abortion and other continued as CHMCF but terminated because of antepartum hemorrhage. Both had histopathologically proven one normal and other complete molar placenta with coexisting normal fetus. No evidence of persistent trophoblastic disease was observed. The dilemma of continuation versus termination of pregnancy is being emphasized in the review of literature. Pregnancy complicated by CHMCF may result in a viable live born infant in approximately one third of the cases. A potentially viable fetus with CHMCF may result in normal live birth with antecedent high risk maternal complications. A decision of termination of pregnancy in all CHMCF will however nullify all the chances of a live birth. An individualistic approach and an informed doctor patient consensus may improve the likely outcome. Appropriate counseling of the mother regarding high incidence of antenatal complications plays an integral part of decision of continuation of such pregnancies.

Uterine necrosis and lumbosacral-plexopathy following pelvic vessel embolization for postpartum haemorrhage: report of two cases and review of literature.

We are reporting two cases of uterine necrosis and lumbosacral-plexopathy in patients, who underwent pelvic vessel embolization (PVE) following postpartum hemorrhage. Embolization was performed with gelfoam slurry, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles and coil in one patient and with gelfoam slurry only, in second patient. Both patients had lower limbs weakness and had persistent fever in the postembolization period. Nerve conduction study in both were suggestive of common peroneal and tibial neuropathy. An ultrasonography and computed tomography of abdomen and pelvis revealed bulky uterus with no identifiable endometrium and multiple air foci in subendometrial region suggestive of uterine necrosis, confirmed later by histology of expelled uterine mass. Lumbosacral ischemia resulting in paraparesis and uterine necrosis presenting as longstanding fever after embolization are extremely rare but overwhelming complications of embolization. Only 19 cases of uterine necrosis and <10 cases of lumbosacral plexopathy have been reported in the literature. The overall effectiveness of PVE is high in treatment of obstetric hemorrhage with low complication rate and highly selective PVE may further prevent these complication. To the best of our knowledge the co-existing uterine necrosis and lumbosacral plexopathy secondry to PVE has not been described prevoiusly in patients with postpartum hemorrhage. Both patients recovered with conservative management.

Management of massive hemorrhage in patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia by angiographic embolization: a safer alternative.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the usefulness of angiographic embolization in hemorrhage due to gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective analysis of data of patients with gestational trophoblastic disease within the time period 2002-2008. RESULTS: Eight women with GTN presented with massive hemorrhage during this time period. According to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Scoring system 2000, 4 of those patients had high-risk GTN. Vaginal metastasis was present in 50% of the women. All women underwent angiography, and embolization was performed in 7 of the 8 patients. One patient could not undergo embolization due to technical reasons. Two patients underwent embolization of bilateral internal iliac arteries, 4 had bilateral uterine artery embolization and 1 had bilateral uterine and hepatic artery embolization. Embolization was successful in 85.7% of the patients. All patients received chemotherapy: high-risk patients received combined regimen chemotherapy (EMA-CO), while low-risk cases received methotrexate/folinic acid regimen. Out of the 8 patients, 5 are in remission and 3 succumbed to the disease. In 2 women who tried to conceive, 1 delivered a term infant and the other had a miscarriage. The most common side effect of embolization was pain requiring parenteral analgesia. CONCLUSION: Transcatheter embolization is a safe and quick procedure and should be considered in GTN patients with acute hemorrhagic life-threatening complications.

Pregnancy complicated by severe chronic hypertension: a 10-year analysis from a developing country.

OBJECTIVE: To assess pregnancy outcome in patients with severe chronic hypertension. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a 10-year period (1995-2004) in a referral hospital in northern India. The outcome was compared with those women with mild chronic hypertension who registered in the hypertensive disorders with pregnancy clinic immediately before and after each woman with severe chronic hypertension. RESULTS: Hospital data identified 25 such women. Superimposed preeclampsia (36.4% versus 8%), preterm delivery (86.4% versus 42%), and perinatal mortality (27.2% versus none) were increased in patients with severe chronic hypertension as compared to those with mild hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: The small number of cases reflects the lack of antenatal supervision in developing countries. A much larger number of women are referred in the third trimester with eclampsia or severe preeclampsia, at which time it is not possible to identify whether or not they had underlying hypertension. Adverse events were found to occur more often in patients with severe chronic hypertension compared with those with mild hypertension.

Preoperative embolization of a large vaginal leiomyoma: report of a case and review of the literature.

Leiomyoma of the vagina is a very rare tumour of the lower urogenital tract. These slow-growing masses may be asymptomatic or present with pain, dyspareunia or urinary symptoms. Rarely, these tumours may present with life-threatening haemorrhage. These hypervascular tumours are treated by surgical excision. Preoperative embolization therefore may aid in devascularization of these tumours before surgical excision. We present the MRI features of a case of vaginal leiomyoma, which was managed by preoperative embolization and was then excised in toto. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report where preoperative embolization was performed before excision of a vaginal leiomyoma with minimal peroperative blood loss.

Herniation of gravid uterus: report of 2 cases and review of literature.

Anterior abdominal wall hernias are uncommon, and herniation of a gravid uterus into these hernias is even rarer. Although reducible initially, the herniation of pregnant uterus may be complicated by incarceration and subsequent strangulation within the hernial sac, late in the course of pregnancy. There is no consensus over the management of this rare condition. Each case should be individualized. If uncomplicated, a conservative approach until term followed by delivery and herniorrhaphy is a good option. Here, 2 cases of herniation of gravid uterus into the anterior abdominal wall are described along with a brief review of literature pertaining to its presentation, complications, and management.