A Comparative Study of Serum and Salivary Uric Acid Measurement in Pre-eclampsia and Normal Pregnancy in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Punjab: A Pilot Study.

Background Pre-eclampsia is a multisystem progressive disorder associated with significant maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. It is essential to identify the potential indicators of associated complications in pre-eclampsia to improve pregnancy outcomes. Serum uric acid (UA) levels are increased in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia. This study was performed to validate salivary UA as an alternative non-invasive biomarker to serum UA in pre-eclampsia. Methodology A total of 150 pregnant women were enrolled in the study. They were divided equally into three groups with 50 participants in each group. Group 1 included healthy normotensive pregnant women as control, group 2 included participants with non-severe pre-eclampsia and group 3 included participants with severe pre-eclampsia. Both salivary and serum UA were estimated in all the study participants and comparative analyses were done. Results Serum UA was elevated in 33(66%) and 48(96%) of participants in groups 2 and 3 respectively while saliva uric acid in 30(60%) and 43(86%) as compared with healthy controls who had serum UA raised in 14(28%) and salivary UA in 12(24%) with a significant p-value of 0.0001. The mean values of serum and salivary UA in group 1 were 4.5 ±1.16 mg/dl and 4.11±1.74 mg/dl respectively whereas in group 2 these were 6.12±1.86mg/dl and 5.96±1.90mg/dl and in group 3 these were 8.24±2.31mg/dl and 8.17±3.31mg/dl respectively. There was a significant correlation between serum and salivary UA values in groups 1 and 2, groups 1 and 3, and groups 2 and 3 with a p-value of 0. 001. The serum and salivary UA levels showed an increasing trend from healthy controls (group 1) to non-severe pre-eclampsia (group 2) with the highest values in severe pre-eclampsia (group 3). Oligohydramnios was present in 10(20%) cases in group 1 whereas 24(48%) cases in group 3. The appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, respiration (APGAR) score at 1 and 5 minutes was abnormal in 5(1.23%) and 7(1.33%) cases in group 1, 6(1.26%) and 7(1.29%) cases in group 2 and 5(1.73%) and 6(1.53%) cases in group 3. The area under curve (AUC) in group 2 was 0.778 for serum UA and 0.779 for salivary UA. In group 3, the AUC for serum UA values was 0.938 and for salivary UA 0.882. A statistically significant correlation between serum and salivary UA values in group 2 (non-severe pre-eclampsia) was found with a p-value of 0.001 and Pearson's correlation coefficient r of 0.738. Conclusions Serum and salivary UA levels correlate with the severity of pre-eclampsia with maximum levels in severe pre-eclampsia (group 3) followed by group 2 (non-severe pre-eclampsia) with the lowest levels in group 1 (healthy controls). The authors are of the opinion that a non-invasive salivary UA test can replace the serum UA test and can be a useful supplementation for conventional pre-eclampsia prediction.

Assessment of Quality of Life after Hysterectomy using European Quality of Life Five Dimension Scale (EQ5D).

In several regions throughout the globe, caesarean sections constitute the most common nonobstetric surgery, followed by hysterectomy, which is the surgical excision of the uterus. While it is not the only solution for reproductive organ issues, it is the most effective technique to treat many illnesses over the long term. The uterus is a very critical reproductive organ for all age groups as this is not only essential for giving birth but also for hormonal-related physiology in women's life. The quality of life is impacted by a number of hysterectomy-related effects on females. Physical, psychological, environmental, and social relations are some of these impacts. All EuroQol five-dimensions (EQ5D) subscales significantly improved, as per the research 's findings. Preoperative psychosocial status, perioperative pain, indication of hysterectomy, complications occur during surgery, and mode of hysterectomy postoperative infection had been discovered as determinants of quality of life outcome following hysterectomy. In most of the subjects we noticed small, however, noticable improvements in all component of EQ5D Scale. The strengths of EQ5D questionnaire lie in its simplicity and moreover it is available in several languages.

To Compare the Maternal and Fetal Outcomes of COVID-19-Affected Expectant Mothers During the First and Second COVID-19 Waves: Data From a Tertiary Care Referral Hospital in Punjab.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection, declared pandemic in March 2020 by the World Health Organization, paved the way for newer research in the field of medicine. The second wave, beginning in March 2021, appeared to be more devastating. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics, effects of COVID-19 infection in pregnancy, and obstetric and perinatal outcomes in the first and second waves. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted from January 2020 to August 2021 at the Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot, Punjab. The patients were enrolled immediately after each infected woman was identified as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Demographic details of the patients, associated comorbid conditions, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and treatment details were noted. Neonatal outcomes were recorded. The testing of pregnant women was done as per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines. RESULTS: There were 3421 obstetric admissions and 2132 deliveries during this period. Group 1 had 123 COVID-19-positive admissions, while group 2 had 101 admissions. The incidence of COVID-19 infection in pregnancy was 6.54%. In both groups, the majority of patients were between the ages of 21 and 30. About 80(66%) of the admissions in group 1 and 46(46%) in group 2 were in the gestational age of 29-36 weeks. Multiparity was more common in both groups, with 58% of cases in group 1 and 79% of cases in group 2. Obstetric comorbidities were common in both groups, seen in 46% of cases in group 1 and 78% of cases in group 2. The majority of patients were asymptomatic in group 1, with an 89% incidence, whereas only 33% of patients in group 2 were without symptoms. In biological data, D-dimers, prothrombin time, and platelet count were altered in 11%, 14%, and 17% of cases, respectively, in group 2, with almost normal data in group 1. Most cases in group 2 (52%) were critical cases in the moderate and severe categories requiring intensive care unit (ICU) treatment, whereas there was only single ICU admission in group 1. The overall case fatality rate (CFR) in group 2 was found to be 19.8(20/101).  Delivery by cesarean section was done in 38.2% of cases in group 1, while in 33% of cases in group 2, with a significant p-value of 0.001. About 29% of cases in group 1 and 34% of cases in group 2 underwent vaginal delivery. The rate of abortion was almost similar in both groups. Only two cases in group 1 and nine cases in group 2 had intrauterine fetal death. Observations of neonatal outcomes suggested that five cases in group 2 and two cases in group 1 had severe birth asphyxia. Only one case in group 1 and four cases in group 2 had positive COVID-19 status. Maternal mortality was significantly higher in group 2 with 20 cases, while only one case was in group 1. Anemia and pregnancy-induced hypertension were the chief comorbidities in this group. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 infection during pregnancy may be associated with maternal mortality while having a minimal effect on neonatal morbidity and mortality. The possibility of maternal-fetal transmission cannot be ruled out completely. The severity and characteristics of COVID-19 may vary in each wave, and we need to modify treatment strategies. More studies or meta-analyses reports are required to authenticate this transmission.

Unusual Cases of Pure Malignant Germ Cell Tumors of the Ovary: A Case Series on 10 Years Experience at a Tertiary Care Center.

BACKGROUND: Malignant ovarian germ cell tumors (MOGCTs) are rare female cancers, constituting up to 10% of ovarian cancers. Dysgerminoma is the most common histological variant. Surgical removal of the tumor with optimal debulking is the treatment of choice. Multidrug chemotherapy following surgery offers high remission rates. Considering the prevalence of these tumors in adolescent and young females, fertility-sparing treatment is of paramount importance. METHODS: The data of all patients with ovarian malignancy admitted at a tertiary-care-teaching hospital from September 2009-March 2019 were analyzed. Ten patients of MOGCTs were treated in this period. The clinical features, radiological and biochemical findings, and management and treatment outcome were evaluated. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 23 years. Histological subtypes included immature teratoma (n=3), endodermal sinus tumor (n=4), and dysgerminoma (n=3). Tumor markers namely AFP, ßHCG, and LDH increased in all except the patients with immature teratoma. Two patients with dysgerminoma were in the second trimester of pregnancy. All patients except one underwent surgery followed by BEP chemotherapy. Two patients had developed metastasis within six months of treatment and died. In seven patients, no evidence of disease was reported till date. CONCLUSION: Management of antenatal patients with dysgerminoma by surgery followed by BEP chemotherapy has favorable prognosis. Fertility-sparing surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy offers great advantage in young girls. However, risk stratification based on prognostic factors should be implemented in order to individualize the treatment for achieving higher survival rates. The option for oocyte-cryopreservation prior to surgery must be discussed with patients desiring future fertlity.

Evaluation of effect of gestational diabetes mellitus on composition of the initial oral microbiota of neonates.

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the commonly occurring high-risk obstetric complications that accounts for 4%-9% of total pregnancies. The present study was an attempt to assess the effect of GDM on composition of the neonatal oral microbiota. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, oral samples from 155 full-term vaginally delivered newborns were collected with sterile swabs. Seventy-five mothers diagnosed with GDM group and 80 were nondiabetic mothers (control). The oral microbiota was evaluated and analyzed by SPSS software. RESULTS: The mean gestational age in Group I was 38.1 weeks and in Group II was 39.6 weeks. Firmicutes was present in 38.1% in Group I versus 77.6% in Group II patients, Actinobacteria was seen in 15.2% in Group I and 7.4% in Group II, Bacteroidetes in 27.6% in Group I and 7.9% in Group II, Proteobacteria in 9.5% in Group I and 3.8% in Group II, and Tenericutes in 9.6% in Group I and 3.3% in Group II. There was a significant difference in major genera Prevotella, Bacteroidetes, Bifidobacterium, Corynebacterium, Ureaplasma, and Weissella in both groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There was increased bacterial microbiota in neonates born to mothers with GDM as compared to neonates born to nondiabetic mothers. Assessment of initial oral microbiota of neonates could help in assessing the early effect of GDM on neonatal oral microbial flora.

Plasma Osteocalcin Levels, Status of Oral Disease and Alteration in Mandibular Bone Density in Postmenopausal Women.

AIM: The present study was undertaken for assessing plasma osteocalcin levels, status of oral disease, and alteration in mandibular bone density in postmenopausal women (PMW). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In all, 80 premenopausal women and 80 PMW were enrolled. For analyzing the oral dryness, clinical score of oral dryness (CSOD) on a scale of up to 10 was used. Complete dental profiling of all the patients was done. Digital panoramic radiographs were taken for all the patients. Bone mineral density (BMD) was evaluated by measuring the following parameters: mandibular cortical index (MCI), panoramic mandibular index (PMI), mandibular cortical width (MCW), and fractal dimension (FD). Osteocalcin levels were evaluated with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. All the results were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Mean osteocalcin levels of PMW (453.12 ng/mL) were significantly higher in comparison to the premenopausal women (249.28 ng/mL). Postmenopausal women had significantly higher CSOD and number of peri-apical radiolucencies in comparison to premenopausal women. Bone mineral density as assessed by MCI was found to be negatively and significantly correlated with oral disease status and osteocalcin levels. Significant difference was obtained while comparing the MCI inbetween the two study groups. CONCLUSION: There is significantly higher prevalence of oral lesions along with oral dryness in postmenopausal women. Also, thinning of mandibular cortex is significantly higher in postmenopausal women. Higher plasma osteocalcin levels help in predicting osteopenia/osteoporosis at an early stage in such patients. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In PMW, special considerations should be made while planning for dental implant therapy.