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ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of attending antenatal classes on fear of childbirth and antenatal stress in nulliparous pregnant women. METHODS A total of 133 nulliparous pregnant women participated in the study, which had a quasi-experimental design. Data were collected by a descriptive data form, the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire, and the Antenatal Perceived Stress Inventory (APSI). RESULTS A significant correlation was found between antenatal class attendance and having a high schooling level and an intended pregnancy (p < 0.05). The mean fear of childbirth score of pregnant women was 85.50 ± 19.41 before the training and 76.32 ± 20.52 after the training, and the difference between these scores was significant (p < 0.01). Fear of childbirth score were not significantly different between the intervention group and the control group. The mean APSI score of pregnant women in the intervention group was 22.32 ± 6.12 before the training and 21.79 ± 5.97 after the training. However, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.70). CONCLUSION The fear of childbirth score decreased significantly in the intervention group after the training.
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Humans , Female , Pregnancy , Pregnancy, Abdominal , Prenatal Care , Prenatal Diagnosis , Parturition , Fear , Prenatal EducationABSTRACT
Background: Pregnancy creates an important opportunity to screen the cervix for neoplastic and infectious diseases and to spread awareness. A pap smear is simple, cost effective and safe in pregnancy. In low resource countries, this may be the only opportunity when the woman visits a health centre. It also helps identify and treat infections that could hamper the pregnancy outcome. Objective of the study is to determine the awareness of pap smear as a cervical cancer screening test in antenatal women; to determine the incidence of cervical neoplasia and premalignant lesions of the cervix in antenatal women.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out between November 2018 to April 2019. Inclusion criteria were pregnant women in the first trimester. Exclusion criteria were pregnancy greater than 12 weeks, symptoms of vaginal infection, history of sexual intercourse or vaginal medication or bleeding in the last 48 hours or a normal pap smear in the last 3 years. The reporting was done as per Bethesda 2014.Results: 308 women underwent a pap smear in their 1st trimester. 94% were satisfactory smears and 3(0.9%) an abnormal smear (2 LSIL and 1 ASCUS). 31.2% had inflammatory smears. Only 15 women were aware of pap smear as a test for cancer cervix screening and all these women were graduates and above. No women had ever had a pap smear test in the past. One fifth of women studied had 1 or more risk factor the commonest being early age at first intercourse.Conclusions: The antenatal period should be utilized as an opportunity to screen women for cancer cervix.
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Background: Thalassemia is a chronic debilitating disease that affects nearly 200 million people worldwide. A caregiver who has good knowledge regarding the disease can not only provide a better quality of care to his/her ward but also may spread knowledge in the society in which he/she lives which helps immensely in raising community awareness related to the disease.Methods: 50 caregivers (either mother or father) of chronically transfused thalassemic children were questioned regarding their knowledge, attitude and practice towards this disease, using a self-constructed questionnaire.Results: It was found that despite adequate knowledge regarding every aspect of this disease, there is a lack of attitude of practice towards prevention of this disease in their subsequent child or in their near and dear ones.Conclusions: There is a need to promote an attitude of practice in prevention of the birth of thalassemic children as mere knowledge regarding the disease is not enough in the present scenario where the disease burden is increasing as is the financial and emotional burden on the families. Role of Government sponsorship, a social worker and a child psychologist in the Thalassemia day care unit cannot be minimized.
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Background: Group B Streptococci (GBS) is an important cause of early onset neonatal sepsis and the maternal colonization of this organism is a key factor in the occurrence of GBS associated morbidity and mortality in the newborns. Timely recognition of its presence in the genital tract of a pregnant women and intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis can significantly bring down the burden of the disease in neonates. A cross sectional study was conducted on antenatal women during 35-37weeks of gestation to evaluate the prevalence of Group B Streptococci in third trimester of pregnancy and explore the feasibility of including GBS screening in the routine antenatal investigation protocol.Methods: 200 antenatal women satisfying the exclusion/inclusion criteria were recruited for the study. Vaginal and perianal swabs were collected using sterile swab sticks and inoculated using the specified media. Beta hemolysis and typical colonies were looked for under microscope. Positive cases were subjected to intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis and the neonates were observed for 72 hours to look for any signs of sepsis.Results: It was found that 2% of the women screened were positive for GBS .While none of the newborns of the 4 positive cases showed any signs of sepsis.Conclusions: Prophylactic intrapartum prophylaxis against GBS has shown to decrease the chances of neonatal sepsis but more detailed and robust studies are required before incorporating routine screening in our antenatal care system.
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Purpose: This study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in different groups of patients at a tertiary care hospital in North India. Materials and Methods: Clinical and demographic data such as age and gender of patients who had undergone testing for the presence of anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies between January 2004 and October 2014 were retrospectively analysed. Results: Amongst the 8397 serum samples, an overall seropositivity of 21% (n = 1763) and IgG and IgM seropositivity of 5.7% (n = 481) and 15.3% (n = 1282) were respectively observed. Compared to the period of 2004–2012 (median seroprevalence: 23.6%), a decline in seropositivity to 9.7% in 2013 and 8.1% in 2014 was noted. A rising seroprevalence with age and a higher seroprevalence in females versus males (29.5%, n = 1179 vs. 13.3%, n = 584) were recorded. The highest seroprevalence was observed in suspected ocular toxoplasmosis (47.2%, n = 47), followed by neurological (26.8%, n = 77), human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (18.9%, n = 267), post-transplant (17.1%, n = 12) and congenital (7.2%, n = 144) toxoplasmosis. In patients screened for Toxoplasma exposure, the seropositivity was 47.8% (n = 11) in transplant screening and 44.9% (n = 781) in antenatal screening. Conclusion: Toxoplasma infection is highly prevalent in the population of North India across various clinical categories of patients. Future studies focusing on continuous monitoring of seroprevalence trends and elucidation of the risk factors associated with seropositivity in more defined groups of patients are needed.
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Alpha globin chain variants per se do not cause severe morbidity and mortality but can modify – usually ameliorate – the clinical manifestations of beta globin chain variants when co-inherited with the latter. They also pose challenges in interpretation of high-performance liquid chromatography histograms and require molecular analysis for proper characterization. Hemoglobin (Hb) Fontainebleau is a rare alpha globin chain variant [alpha 21(B2) Ala?Pro], of which only three families have been reported from India in the past. Here, we describe a case of Hb fontainebleau detected in heterozygous condition in a 19-year-old primigravida. Her husband was found to have a double heterozygous state for HbQ India and beta-thalassemia trait. This opens up the possibility of multiple combinations of hemoglobinopathies in the offspring.
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Red cell alloimmunization among antenatal women attending a tertiary care hospital in south India Jophy Varghese, Mary P. Chacko, Molly Rajaiah & Dolly Daniel Department of Transfusion Medicine & Immunohaematology, Christian Medical College & Hospital, Vellore, India Received December 13, 2011 Background & objectives: Detection of maternal alloimmunization against red cell antigens is vital in the management of haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn (HDFN). This study was conducted to measure the presence of allosensitization to blood group antibodies in the antenatal women attending a tertiary care hospital and to observe the proportion of minor blood group antibodies to assess the benefit of screening for the same. Methods: All antenatal women registered in the hospital between January 2008 and January 2009, were screened for irregular antibodies using a commercial 3-cell antibody screening panel. Antibody identification was performed on samples found positive using a commercial 11 cell-panel. Results: Screening was performed on 5347 women, 339 (6.34%) of whom were Rh negative. Allosensitization was found in 79 women (1.48%; confidence interval 1.17 -1.84). In 29 of these 79 (37%) women the allo-antibodies could not be identified. In the remaining 50 women, 54 antibodies were characterized. A total of 40 clinically significant antibody specificities were identified among 36 women, of whom four were Rh(D) positive. Allosensitization with clinically significant antibodies was found in 9.43 per cent (confidence interval 6.55-13.06) Rh(D) negative and in 0.08 per cent (confidence interval .02-0.2) Rh(D) positive women. Anti D was the most frequent antibody found in 8.85 per cent Rh(D) negative women. The remaining clinically significant antibodies identified included anti-C, c, E, Jka, Jkb, M and S. In Rh(D) negative women, anti-D and antibodies of the Rh system contributed 83.3 and 94.4 per cent of clinically significant antibodies. However, in Rh(D) positive women, non-Rh antibodies comprised three out of four clinically significant antibodies. Interpretation & conclusions: The presence of alloimmunization in our study corroborated with data reported from India. The most frequent antibody was anti-D. However, a significant fraction was non-D. Alloimmunization among Rh(D) positive women though low as compared to Rh(D) negative women, included clinically significant antibodies, and most of these were non Rh.
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Background: Hemoglobinopathies are the most common inherited red cell disorders worldwide. Identification of these disorders is immensely important epidemiologically and for improved management protocols. Aim and Objectives: Our aim was to determine the prevalence of hemoglobinopathies in patients with microcytic hypochromic anemia and to assess the suitability of using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) routinely for screening antenatal cases and patients with anemia. Materials and Methods: A total of 4335 cases received from Mar 2007 to Nov 2011 were studied for various hemoglobinopathies and variants on BIO RAD ‘VARIANT’ analyzer. Results: Of the 4335 cases studied, 2119 were antenatal cases, 1710 patients with other disorders and 506 family studies. Of these, 688 cases displayed abnormal hemoglobin fractions on HPLC of which 140 were antenatal women. There were 455 cases of thalassemia trait, 24 thalassemia major, 20 thalassemia inter-media, 54 sickle cell trait, fi vesickle cell disease, 21 double heterozygous thalassemia–sickle cell trait, nineand 4 Hb D- Punjab heterozygous and homozygous respectively, three Hb D Thalassemia trait, 20 and 37 Hb E homozygous and heterozygous respectively, three Hb E Thalassemia trait and four cases of Hb Q India. Twenty nine adults had isolated HbF elevation. Conclusion: Our study found a high prevalence (15.8%) of hemoglobinopathies amongst microcytic hypochromic anemia and antenatal cases. An accurate diagnosis helps in preventing unnecessary iron loading. Screening all antenatal cases with anemia helps in timely antenatal counseling, thus preventing the psychological trauma of bearing a transfusion dependent child for life.
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The Di(a+b-) phenotype is extremely rare among Caucacians and mostly confined to mongoloids. The clinical significance of anti-Di(b) is incompletely recognized. The authors report here a mild case of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) due to anti-Di(b). The mother was Di(a+b-) with anti-Di(b), which was detected by antenatal screening. She delivered a Di(a+b+) infant with a positive direct antiglobulin test and mild hemolytic disease. The infant was treated by phototherapy and subsequently recovered without the need for exchange transfusion. We suggest that the screening program as routine prenatal care is necessary.
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Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Pregnancy , Coombs Test , Fetus , Mass Screening , Mothers , Phenotype , Phototherapy , Prenatal Care , Prenatal DiagnosisABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Many countries including U.S. have established their own Antenatal Screening Guideline suitable for their actual state to help Obstetricians detect pregnancy-related problems in clinical conditions. However, even investigations on the actual condition of Antenatal Screening in clinical conditions are not thoroughgoing enough in Korea. Therefore, this study was to survey the actual condition of Antenatal Screening in Obstetric Clinics in Korea. METHODS: Among 868 Obstetric Clinics, in which 100 or more cases of delivery were performed per annum according to an aggregate summary of the National Health Insurance Corporation in 2001, 848 clinics representing their correct address were selected to carry out a cross-sectional descriptive survey and understand the actual state of Antenatal Screening with literature review. RESULTS: Antenatal Screening Tests have been carried out in a diverse forms in Obstetric Clinics; some items (CBC, Urine analysis, VDRL test, ABO and Rh typing, HBs Ag and HBs Ab test, Triple test, Ultrasound, Rubella Ig M and Ig G test, Oral Glucose Tolerance test) of the test were performed as a basic test in 80% or higher of Obstetric Clinics; some items (Chlamydia test, PAPP-A, Chest X-ray, BUN, Creatinine, EKG, Cervix culture for Gonococcus) of the test were performed routinely in 10% or less of Obstetric Clinics or selectively in high-risk pregnant women; and some items (PAP smear, Blood chemistry, Nuchal translucency) of the test were performed on the basis of physician's experience or given conditions. CONCLUSION: According to the findings of this study, the role of Antenatal Tests as a screening test in clinical conditions is not evaluated properly under the current state. Thus, clinical assessment should be performed for each item of Antenatal Tests with respect to a screening test and systematic and efficient Antenatal Screening Guideline suitable for Korean conditions should be established in future studies.
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Female , Humans , Cervix Uteri , Chemistry , Creatinine , Electrocardiography , Glucose Tolerance Test , Korea , Mass Screening , National Health Programs , Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A , Pregnant Women , Prenatal Diagnosis , Rubella , Thorax , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
L'amniocentese est la technique de reference pour les prelevements fotaux destines a la recherche des mutations de l'ADN de l'hemoglobine ou des anomalies chromosomiques. Nous avons mene une etude transversale analytique sur 20 mois chez 21 gestantes de 16 a 24 semaines d'amenorrhee (SA) porteuses (avec le conjoint) de mutation C ou S sur l'une ou les deux chaines de l'hemoglobine ; les prelevements de liquide amniotique etaient indiques dans 19 et 2 cas respectivement pour le risque d'enfants drepanocytaires et les signes d'appel echographiques de malformations congenitales. L'age moyen etait de 29;81 ans. L'extraction de l'ADN des amniocytes par PCR avait revele 5 cas de double mutation homozygote S; 2 doubles heterozygotes SC; 3 et 6 cas respectivement d'hemoglobine AS et AA ; le caryotype avait revele deux fotus trisomiques 13 et 18. L'issue de ces grossesses etait marquee par la naissance a terme de 15 nouveau- nes vivants et respectivement par 1 et 2 cas d'interruption de grossesse; volontaire (IVG) et medicale (IMG). Aucune complication imputable a la technique n'etait enregistree. L'innocuite de la methode est un point fort pour la conseiller dans le cadre du diagnostic antenatal de la drepanocytose a Cotonou