Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus among patients at a tertiary health care centre in Rajasthan, India

Background: To ascertain the prevalence of Hepatitis C infection among patients visiting a tertiary care center in Jaipur, Rajasthan.Methods: An observation analytic study was done at a tertiary care center affiliated to Medical College with retrospective analysis of the hospital data of two calendar years. During this period HCV infection screening (anti-HCV) was offered to every suspected patient admitted in hospital and every pregnant women visiting antenatal care clinic.Results: The study prevalence of HCV infection was 0.05% (13/25311). The prevalence was more in female (0.03%) than male (0.02%). The study prevalence of anti-HCV among pregnant female was 0.02% (3/16224). Maximum positive cases (4/13, 30.77% positive cases) were in the age group of 21-30 years (sexually active group) and >50 years age group while minimum positivity was found in children (00 case, 0-20 years age).Conclusions: In this study, prevalence of HCV infection was 0.05%. The study prevalence of HCV among pregnant females was 0.02%. Maximum positive cases (4/13, 30.77% positive cases) were in the age group of >50 years and 21-30 years. This study aids in view to strengthen proper screening for HCV infection to reduce HCV related morbidity and mortality

Third trimester maternal blood and at birth cord blood lipid profile characteristics in pregnant woman with or without fetal growth restriction

Background: To study the lipid profile of 3rd trimester pregnant women and their cord blood with and without intrauterine growth restriction Design: Observational study, Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Neonatology, in a teaching hospital in North India during February 2013 to August 2014.Methods: Third trimester pregnant women and their neonates. Enrolled 250 women were divided in intrauterine growth restricted and control groups. Outcome Measures: Venous blood Lipid levels of 3rd trimester mothers and their neonate at birth.Results: Women of IUGR group had significantly lowered total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoproteins (HDL) and low density lipoproteins (LDL)210.2 (19.8), 221.6 (36.2),65.4(11.7)and 130.7 (20.8)compared to 251(55.3), 234.7(35.6), 70.8(19.9) and 181.3(16.8) mg/dl control group. The TC, TG and LDL levels in cord blood of IUGR group were 93.6(16.5), 50.4 (6.5) and 51.8(12.6) as compared 106.4(17.7), 30.7(4.4) and 55.9(12.1) mg/dl to control group (p value <0.05). HDL levels were significantly lower 15.8(4.6) in IUGR group as compared to 26.5(5.4) in control group. The LDL: HDL and TC: HDL ratio was significantly higher in IUGR group. Maternal weight, gestational age, urban residence, primi parity, birth weight and APGAR score were lower, while maternal age, parity, smoking, blood pressure, cesarean sections (%) and male sex (%) of baby was higher in IUGR group.Conclusions: Lipid profile of mothers of IUGR fetuses had significantly lowered cholesterol levels and their cord blood had shown atherogenic phenotype

A cross-sectional study to evaluate sonographic foetal humerus length for estimation of gestational age in normal singleton pregnancies at a tertiary care centre

Background: Accurate knowledge of gestational age of the foetus is essential for planning a timely and uneventful outcome. Biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length reliably predict gestational age. The humerus length is not widely used as biometric parameter for determining the GA so the present study was done to estimate foetal gestational age by measuring humerus length between 18 to 36 weeks of normal singleton pregnancies and to compare humerus length with routine parameters.Methods: This was a hospital based descriptive cross-sectional study, 200 women with viable singleton pregnancy, with known LMP, between 18 weeks to 36 weeks of gestation were included. Various foetal measurements such as biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, femur length and humerus length were measured using electronic calipers on ultrasound. Data were statistically analyzed.Results: The mean humerus length at 18 weeks was 25.27±1.16 mm and at 36 weeks of gestation was 57.11±1.58 mm. Simple linear regression analysis shows a strongly significant linear relationship between humerus length and gestational age. Where, gestational age (weeks) Y= 0.5213 x humerus length (X) + 4.905; with high degree of correlation coefficient (R2 =0.9785 and P≤0.0001). When Compared with BPD, HC, AC and FL, humerus length also shows a linear correlation.Conclusions: The measurement of the humerus length can be an important additional parameter for estimating gestational age along with other parameters and can be used to predict the gestational age of fetuses in special circumstances.

Human immunodeficiency virus and HBV co-infection: independent entities, together by coincidence?

Background: To ascertain the prevalence of HBV among HIV-infected, treatment- naïve patients visiting a tertiary care centre in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.Methods: An observation analytic study was done at a tertiary care centre affiliated to medical college with retrospective analysis of the hospital data of 30 calendar months. During this period routine diagnostic screening of HIV infection and HBV infection was offered to every suspected patient admitted in hospital and every pregnant woman visiting antenatal care clinic. Patients with documentary evidence of HIV infection and history of Hepatitis B vaccination in last 30 days are not screened for these infections at our centre. The HIV screening was done as per NACO guidelines. The HBV screening was done using commercially available enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kits (ELISA) for detection of surface antigen (HBsAg).Results: The study prevalence of HIV infection was 0.11% (40/35289). The prevalence was more in male (0.45%) than females (0.06%). HBV was not detected in any of the HIV positive patient in this study. The study prevalence of HIV among pregnant females was 0.05% (10/22026).Conclusions: In this study, prevalence of HIV infection was 0.11%. The study prevalence of HIV among pregnant females was 0.05%. Other than pregnant women, maximum positive cases (13/30, 43.33% positive cases) were in the age group of 25-34 years (sexually active group). No patient had HIV and HBV co-infection.

Evaluation of postoperative outcome of different techniques of lower segment caesarean section

Background: Caesarean section is the most commonly performed obstetric surgery. A change in the operative technique affects the postoperative outcome. The study was undertaken to study the postoperative outcome of the patient who underwent caesarean section by Pfannensteil Kerr and Misgav Ladach method of lower segment caesarean section.Methods: It was a hospital based interventional study done in a tertiary care hospital over one year. Postoperative condition of the women was assessed after caesarean section in women with Pfannensteil Kerr and Misgav Ladach method and compared.Results: Most cases in the Misgav Ladach method had breast fed early, had quicker return of bowel activity and earlier ambulation in comparison to the Pfannensteil Kerr method. This difference was statistically significant. Women with the Pfannensteil Kerr method had more postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting. The duration of hospital stay was less in Misgav  technique.Conclusions: Since Misgav Ladach method was a better technique than Pfannensteil Kerr, adopting it routinely would result in considerable reduction in maternal morbidity, decreased hospital stay, better patient satisfaction level and more cost effective.