Iron deficiency anaemia is still a major killer of pregnant women

Objective: To observe the effects of iron deficiency anaemia on the health and life of pregnant women

Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit IV, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Jamshoro from 1st June 2015 to 30th November 2015, for the period of 6 months. During this study period all the pregnant women from 13-40 weeks of pregnancy with iron deficiency anaemia having haemoglobin level less than 9 gram% were included, while the pregnant women with other medical disorders were excluded from the study. The data was collected and analyzed on SPSS version 21

Result: Out of the 305 pregnant registered women with iron deficiency anaemia most women were young 170[55.73%] between 20-30 years, belonged to low socioeconomic group 254[83.27%], they were multiparous 104[34.09%], having very low haemoglobin level between 1-3 gram % in 54[17.70%] women and between 4-6gram% in162 [53.11%] women. These women were prone to high complications such as ante partum haemorrhage 49[16.06%], renal failure 48[15.73%], disseminated intravascular coagulation 54[17.70%] and 16[5.24%] women died

Conclusion: Iron deficiency anaemia is common in pregnant women with higher rates of complications

Infertility and weight reduction: influence and outcome

To assess the effect of weight reduction in obese infertile women on conception rate spontaneously as well as with ovulation induction and pregnancy outcome. Observational experimental study. Different private clinics at Mirpurkhas, Thana Bola Khan and Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan, from March 2008 to February 2011. Infertile women who were obese with the body mass index [BMI] > 30 kg/ m[2] and failed to conceive within 2 - 5 years after taking treatment of infertility for many cycles were inducted. These women underwent life style change program related to exercise and diet for 6 months and in the next 6 months they were observed for spontaneous conception. Those women who failed to conceive were prescribed ovulation induction [clomifene citrate] for the next 6 months and were observed for conception. After conception, they visited regularly during antenatal period till delivery. The data was collected and analyzed on SPSS version 17. The mean decrease in the body index observed was 9.6 +/- 1.23 kg/m[2], spontaneous conception rate was [n = 35, 41.17%] and miscarriage rate was [n = 9, 16.66%]. Weight reduction leads to high spontaneous conception rate as well as with ovulation induction therapy and improves the pregnancy outcome.

Obstetrical trauma to the genital tract following vaginal delivery

To determine the frequency, types and complications of genital tract trauma during child birth. Case series. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Unit I, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, from June 2006 to May 2010. All women who sustained genital tract trauma during delivery at the study centre and those referred from periphery with the same condition within 40 days of delivery were enrolled in the study. Exclusion criteria were women who sustained genital tract injury with caesarean section and genital tract trauma due to accident. Studied variables included age of women, parity, place of labour, type of trauma received and its immediate complications. The data was expressed in terms of descriptive statistics. Out of a total 9216 cases admitted in maternity ward during the study period, 467 cases [5.06%] had sustained genital tract trauma. The most frequent obstetrical trauma seen in primiparous referral cases were vaginal tears in 16 cases [25.39%] and perineal tears in 12 cases [19.04%]. Multiparous women were 196 [41.97%] and cervical tears were the most frequent obstetrical trauma in them [n=52, 26.53%]. Grand multiparous women were 208 having cervical tears [44.4%] and uterine rupture in 77 cases [37.01%] each. Most frequent early morbidities were postpartum haemorrhage [n=352, 75.37%], hypovolemic shock [n=220, 47.10%] and infection [n=158, 33.83%]. The mortality rate was 16.05%. Genital tract trauma is a common complication of vaginal birth mostly seen in grand multipara, leading to haemorrhage, shock and infection

Risk factors in early pregnancy complications

To determine the underlying risk factors in early pregnancy complications and outcome. Case series. This study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit-IV, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, from July 2007 to June 2008. All the women with first trimester pregnancy with different complications were included in this study while those women with uneventful first trimester were excluded. The inducted women were registered on pre-designed proforma. Studied Variables including demographic details, gestational period, type of complications, risk factors, treatment and outcome. The data was expressed in terms of mean and percentages with a confidence interval of 95%. Analysis was done on SPSS version 14. Out of a 204 total admissions, 115 [56.37%] patients had different early pregnancy complications. Their mean age was 29.4+6.8 years. Commonest complications found were abortion in 88 [76.52%] cases. The underlying risk factors found in abortion were antiphospholipid syndrome in 5 [5.68%] cases, Diabetes mellitus in 8 [9.09%] cases, hypertension in 16 [18.18%] cases, and polycystic ovarian syndrome and infection in 11 [12.5%] cases each. Most of the cases 69 [60%] were treated by minor surgical procedures, and 22 [19.13%] cases responded with conservative medical therapy. Outcome were anaemia in 92 [79.3%] cases, psychological upset in 72 [62.1%], infection in 55 [44%] cases and coagulopathy in 9 [7.8%] cases. Abortion was found as the most frequent early pregnancy complication and the most frequent underlying risk factor was hypertension. Outcome included anaemia, psychological upset and infection