ABSTRACT
Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most frequently encountered endocrine disorders that occurs in as many as 4 to 10% of women of reproductive age group. It presents with a series of skin changes including acne, hirsutism, seborrhea, androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and acanthosis nigricans. Aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and frequency of different cutaneous manifestations in PCOS patients and to correlate them with the degree of hormonal abnormalities.Methods: A total 100 patients with features of PCOS who presented to department of dermatology, gynecology (January 2018-December 2019) with cutaneous manifestations were recorded and diagnosis of PCOS was made using Rotterdam’s criteria. Pregnant women and diagnosed cases of any other endocrine disorder were excluded. Hirsutism was assessed using Ferriman-Gallwey score and AGA according to Ludwig’s classification. Serum hormonal profile including FSH, LH, prolactin, testosterone (free), DHEAS, TSH, FBS, fasting insulin were done. Insulin resistance was determined by calculating HOMA-IR score.Results: Among cutaneous manifestations of PCOS, hirsutism (85%) was the most common finding followed by acne (73%), seborrhea (50%), AGA (36%), acanthosis nigricans (29%) and acrochordons (9%). The most common hormonal abnormality was insulin resistance in 53% patients, followed by raised free testosterone in 19% and serum prolactin in 18% patients. A statistically significant association was present between AGA and insulin resistance, hirsutism and raised prolactin levels, seborrhea and raised body mass index (p < 0.05).Conclusions: Dermatological manifestations of PCOS play a significant role in making the diagnosis and constitute a substantial portion of the symptoms experienced by women with this syndrome.
ABSTRACT
Background: Preterm labor is a potential cause of preterm birth. Certain demographic and presenting features in pregnant women may correlate to the severity of the problem and progression to delivery. The aim of the study was to find out the clinical profile and fetal outcome in women with preterm labor pains in a tertiary care hospital of North India.Methods: 83 women with preterm labor were included in the study. Antenatal corticosteroids and tocolytic therapy were given. Women who delivered preterm comprised of Group A and who delivered at term were Group B. Clinical profile and fetal outcome was compared and statistically analyzed.Results: 39 (47.0%) women had preterm delivery (Group A) and 44 (53.0%) women delivered at term (Group B). 23.1% women in group A and 4.5% in group B had a previous preterm birth (p=0.021). 16 (41%) women in group A and 4 (9.1%) in group B had a positive microbial growth on high vaginal swab (p=0.001). The odds of having a preterm birth with cervical length of <2 cm was calculated to be 5.281 (p=0.000). A statistically significant difference was observed in the mean birth weight, Apgar score and nursery admissions in both the groups (p=0.000).Conclusions: A prior history of preterm birth, a positive growth on high vaginal swab and a cervical length of less than 2 cm were found to be significantly associated with preterm birth.
ABSTRACT
Background: Antenatal Care (ANC) utilization facility is available but poorly utilized because of many factors which play indirect role in inadequate utilization of antenatal care facility: low social status of women in the society, less opportunity for basic education, less ability to make decisions. Therefore, the present study is an attempt to study the effect of maternal education on antenatal care utilization, maternal and perinatal outcome in a tertiary care hospital.Methods: A prospective study was carried out on 525 cases delivered during period of one year at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India; a tertiary care hospital catering both urban and rural population. All cases were categorized into two groups: booked and unbooked. The age, parity and education of each patient in booked and unbooked cases was noted. Further, its impact on antenatal care utilization, maternal and perinatal outcome was studied.Results: On studying education pattern, among illiterate subjects 50% were booked and 50% were unbooked; For graduate and above were 80.6% and 19.4%respectively. Among mothers who were illiterate 90.9% had low birth weight babies and 13.6% had stillborn. Among those graduates and above 38.7% had low birth weight babies,1.5 % stillborn and 1.2% neonatal deaths.Conclusions: The educational status of the women came out as a significantly important variable and predictor of perinatal outcome. Hence, whole hearted efforts should be directed in educating women population and also improving health care facilities in rural areas to provide early referral to higher centers.