Maternal hypothyroidism and neonatal outcome

Background: Hypothyroidism is widely prevalent in pregnant women but rate of detection is very low in developing countries. Hypothyroidism is easily treated, timely detection and treatment of the disorder could reduce the burden of adverse fetal and maternal outcomes. Objective of the study was to determine the immediate outcome in neonates born to mother with hypothyroidism.Methods: Prospective descriptive study.110 babies were observed for neonatal outcome.55 babies were born to hypothyroid mothers and 55 babies were born to mothers without thyroid abnormalities. These babies were observed for type of delivery, Gestational age, need for intensive care unit, growth parameters, Interventions required during the stay, sepsis was compared with those born to mothers without hypothyroidism.Results: Both the groups were similar in terms of type of delivery. No association between maternal hypothyroidism and Hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes. Cases with prematurity are almost same in both groups. Most of babies were term gestation. The birth weight of babies was similar. Majority from both the group did not require any oxygen support. Majority of babies were in appropriate for age category. Both the groups were similar in incidence of small for gestational age and large of gestational age babies.Conclusions: Babies born to well treated hypothyroid mothers were similar in all aspects to babies born to non-hypothyroid mothers. These signify the importance of screening all antenatal mothers for hypothyroidism and prompt treatment to prevent adverse consequences on neonatal outcome.

Posterior fossa infarct following Viper bite: a paradox

Cerebral infarction after a viper bite is relatively uncommon. A combination of factors has been implicated in the pathophysiology of infarct following snakebite. In this case report, the clinical outcome after a posterior circulation infarct and various possibilities that could lead to such a catastrophic event are discussed. The present study stresses the need to keep hydration, blood pressure and central venous pressure optimal in all snakebite patients. Cerebral infarction should be considered a differential diagnosis, in any patient with neurological deterioration following snakebite. Prognosis of such patients with posterior circulation stroke remains poor and decompressive craniectomy has not been found to be helpful.(AU)