To Evaluate Efficacy of Sonographic Cervical Length to Predict Preterm Labour.

Background: Preterm birth is a major challenges faced by obstetricians worldwide during their practice. Preterm birth is one of a leading direct cause of neonatal death (27%) and more than one million preterm newborns die annually due to various complications. This study done to look for diagnostic efficacy of sonographic cervical length to predict preterm labour. Methods: A prospective study comprised of a total of 132 pregnant women with a singleton foetus with symptoms of preterm labour. Sonographic trans-cervical length measurement taken in all patients. Results: Out of which 17 patients were lost during follow up, 3 patients develop premature rupture of membrane. Hence, a study was conducted over 112 patients. Among these 62 patients went in preterm labour and 50 patients delivered at term. For predicting preterm delivery, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of cervical length was 82.2%, 74%, 79.6% and 77%. Conclusion: Sonographic cervical length is a good predictor. Patients with reduced cervical length are more likely to deliver preterm.

Evaluation of Antidiarrhoeal activity of extract from roots of Rumex hastatus (Family: Polygonaceae) on experimental animals.

Rumex hastatus is fairly common small shrub, growing on dry slopes, rocks and walls between 700-2500 m, typically in North Indian hill station. Roots of Rumex hastatus have been used in Ayurveda and other folk medicines for the treatment of diarrhoea. To justify its folklore, present study was undertaken to investigate the antidiarrhoeal activity of the ethanolic extract from the roots of Rumex hastatus (EERH). Preliminary phytochemical screening, acute toxicity study and antidiarrhoeal activity of were studied on castor oil induced diarrhoea and normal gastrointestinal models of rats at 100, 150 and 200mg/kg body weight. The preliminary phytochemical screening of the ethanolic extract from the roots of Rumex hastatus (EERH) results with the presence of anthraquinone glycoside, tannins, flavonoids etc., LD50> 2000mg/kg. The doses of EERH significantly decreased (P<0.001) the total number of diarrhoeal faeces. PI decreases doses dependentally (100, 150 and 200mg/kg orally) of EERH and was comparable with standard drug atropine sulphate. Conclusively, EERH has the antidiarrhoeal activity in experimental rats.