ABSTRACT
Background: Dengue is a vector borne disease with various grades of severity. Pregnancy is a high-risk group and is prone for complications of dengue haemorrhagic fever. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical profile of pregnant patients with dengue and to assess the maternal and fetal outcomes of dengue in pregnancy.Methods: All pregnant patients reporting to the hospital with fever and serologically confirmed dengue infection were included in the study. Clinical and laboratory data of patients were collected. The cases were followed up till their delivery to monitor the effect of dengue. An account of the mode of delivery in these patients was made. The neonates were evaluated and followed up till 6 weeks of life.Results: A total 100% patients reported with fever and serologically confirmed dengue infection. 15% had severe thrombocytopenia requiring platelet transfusion. 31% required ICU care and 15% needed mechanical respiratory support due to severe complications of dengue. NICU admission rate was 30% but there was no major neonatal complication or vertical transmission noted. A high index of suspicion should be maintained by the clinician with an aim to identify infection early, start supportive treatment and evaluate for complications. In-patient care should be provided for feto-maternal monitoring.Conclusions: The progression of dengue infection in pregnancy was rapid leading to major complications. Close materno-fetal monitoring and timely obstetric care are essential to ensure a favorable pregnancy outcome
ABSTRACT
Background: Post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is generally self-limiting, associated with high level of patient dissatisfaction and may delay hospital discharge. The anaesthetist is usually blamed, despite evidence that PONV results from a variety of factors and variety of antiemetic drug available in market. With this issue we aim to compare the effectiveness of dexamethasone with granisetron or ondansetron in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynaecological surgery.Methods: 120 patients were registered in this prospective, randomized double blind study. Group I (n=60) received ondansetron 4 mg intravenously (IV)+dexamethasone 8mg I/V or II (n=60) received granisetron 1 mg IV+dexamethasone 8 mg I/V prior to anaesthesia. Post-operative data of PONV was recorded at pre-defined intervals.Results: The majority of the patients were of the age group 20-25 years (55.83%). The mean score of Group I subjects was 0.30±0.72 and that of Group II was 0.20±0.57 (p=0.43). There are 3.33% of patients in group-I having vomiting episodes, and 1.67% of patients in group-II having vomiting episodes, none of the patients developed 2nd episodes of vomiting in either group. Thus it appears that dexamethasone in combination with ondansetron and granisetron is effective in decreasing the number of episodes of PONV. The occurrence of sickness episodes within 24 hours of surgery revealed no significant different in both groups. Haemodynamic variables showed no significant difference recorded in postoperative care unit between the study groups. The most common complaint was headache 16.67% in both groups. Conclusions: Dexamethasone 8 mg with either granisetron 1 mg or ondansetron 4 mg showed no significant difference in antiemetic efficacy with minimal side effects and excellent patient satisfaction.