Role of uterine artery doppler in prediction of pre-eclampsia

Background: Approximately 5-10 % of pregnancies are complicated by pre- eclampsia and it is a prime cause for maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity worldwide, particularly in developing countries. In pre-eclampsia insufficient invasion of maternal spiral arteries by the trophoblast early in gestation due to abnormal implantation or maternal vascular disease results in impaired placental perfusion. Aspirin is a potent anti-inflammatory drug, has been shown to inhibit the biosynthesis and release of prostaglandins, even in low dosage. Ingestion of low dose aspirin may result in a decrease in the incidence of pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction and the precise mechanism by which it prevents preeclampsia in some women is also uncertain.Methods: The present prospective observational study was carried out in females between 18-20 weeks of gestation with raised uterine artery PI attending antenatal clinic in obstetrics and gynaecology department in SVP Hospital Ahmedabad from May 2023 to December 2023 using Microsoft excel and SPSS version 23.Results: In this study all the females were with raised uterine artery PI in 18-20 weeks ultrasound among them 51.85% were normotensive in later pregnancy. 48.14% developed pre-eclampsia in later pregnancy. In our study the middle cerebral artery indices in doppler ultrasound showed increased diastolic flow (including brain sparing effect) among 37% of the patients. The umbilical artery doppler showed that 62.9% of subjects were having normal umbilical artery indices, 18.5% of the patients were having decreased diastolic flow, 11.1% of the patients were having reversal of diastolic flow and 7.4% of the patients were having absent end diastolic flowConclusions: Doppler study for fetal surveillance in pre-eclampsia is a very useful and non-invasive method and abnormal uterine artery velocimetry lead to the worse pregnancy outcomes in the present study. The knowledge of uterine and umbilical artery doppler is very helpful to improve pregnancy management and to identify and assess hypertensive disorder of the pregnancy at early gestational age compared to other antepartum test modalities.

A study of short cervix in mid trimester of pregnancy

Background: Preterm birth is truly a global problem. Cervical length is one of the major determinants of preterm births. Diagnosis of cervical insufficiency can be made by history of previous mid trimester loss, on clinical evaluation or sonographically by measuring cervical length or seeing funnelling of OS. The mainstay treatment of cervical insufficiency is the cervical cerclage.Methods: Present study includes 55 cases of cervical length less than or equal to 2.5 cm on TVS examination between 18 to 22 weeks of gestation of singleton pregnancy was conducted at department of obstetrics and gynaecology at SMT NHL medical municipal hospital, Ahmedabad from July 2022 to December 2023 and shows comparison of rate of full term and preterm deliveries.Results: Out of 55 patients with cervical incompetence, 22 (40%) patients were diagnosed on examination. Out of 55 patients with cervical incompetence 33 (60%) patients had preterm births and only 19 (35%) patients delivered full term, 3 (5%) had abortions. Present study shows there were 35% full term deliveries, 60% preterm deliveries and 5% had abortion among patients having cervical length less than or equal to 2.5 cm.Conclusions: Internal OS status of every patient should always be examined by ultrasound between 18 to 22 weeks. Thus, cervical length is very useful in prognostication and prediction of preterm birth. There are highest chances of late preterm in cervical incompetent patients. Our study showed better outcome with OS tightening group compared to conservative group.

Feto-maternal outcome of pregnancy with thrombocytopenia

Background: Thrombocytopenia is the second most haematological abnormality in pregnancy where the platelets count below 1,50,000/µl. Gestational thrombocytopenia is most common cause of thrombocytopenia, accounts for 70% of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy.Methods: It is retrospective study with 30 antenatal women at any gestational age having thrombocytopenia, platelet count less than 1,50,000/µl at SVP Hospital, Ahmedabad during duration of May 2023-November 2023. All the pregnant women who attend OPD and admitted in SVP Hospital, Ahmedabad were included in the study.Results: The present study found that gestational thrombocytopenia (53.34%) accounted for most common cause of thrombocytopenia, followed by hypertensive disorders (10.0%), HELLP syndrome (6.67%), dengue and malaria (6.67%), DIC (6.67%) and ITP (3.34%) in which 53.34% women has mild, 36.67% has moderate and 10% has severe thrombocytopenia. In this study vaginal delivery accounts for 33.34% and caesarean delivery accounts for 66.67%. In present study 50.0% patient of gestational thrombocytopenia didn’t required any treatment. About 6.67% patients required transfusion of PRC and 33.34% of neonates needed NICU admission. Neonatal mortality due to complications like prematurity, septicemia was seen in 10.0% of the cases.Conclusions: Outcome of pregnancy with moderate to severe thrombocytopenia depends mainly on the etiology of thrombocytopenia. Early interdisciplinary evaluation of thrombocytopenia during pregnancy can help in optimizing care as fetal outcomes and management depend on the etiology.

Fetomaternal outcome in COVID-19 infected pregnant women: a preliminary clinical study

Background: WHO has declared COVID-19 infection a health emergency of international concern on 11th March, 2020. It is not clear whether clinical characteristics of pregnant women with COVID-19 differ from those of nonpregnant women and whether it aggravates COVID-19 symptoms and whether antiviral therapy is necessary for COVID-19 infected pregnant women.Methods: This is prospective study of 125 cases based on the compiled clinical data for pregnant women with COVID-19 between 15th April 2020 and 10th June 2020. A laboratory confirmed positive case of COVID-19 infection in pregnant women were included.Results: The most common symptoms at presentation were cough in 61.6% (77/125) and fever in 46.4% (58/125). Other reported symptoms were sore throat in 13.6% (17/125), myalgia in 10.4% (13/125) while 38.4% (48/125) were asymptomatic. There were total 97 deliveries (including 2 twins’ deliveries) among which 3 cases had IUD. Present study reported 96 live births. The incidence of missed abortion was 2.4% (3/125). The incidence of preterm birth before 37 weeks was 8.2% (8/97). Ninety-six (96.9%) of neonates were tested for SARS-CoV-2 viral nucleic acid on nasopharyngeal and pharyngeal samples and 16.67% (16/96) were resulted positive.Conclusions: At present, there is no evidence regarding the greater risk of pregnant women to succumb to COVID-19 infection and experience severe pneumonia. The risks of spontaneous abortion and preterm birth are not increased as reported in this study but shows possibility of vertical transmission when it manifests during the third trimester of pregnancy.

A retrospective analysis of ectopic pregnancies in tertiary care hospital of Western India: two year study

Background: Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is the leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in the first trimester and major cause of reduced reproductive potential. Early detection of EP by improved ultrasonography modalities has decreased the rate of rupture and consequent maternal morbidity. Aim was to study the predisposing risk factors in modern scenario and choose the appropriate management available.Methods: A retrospective study on clinical diagnosis and management of EP of patients was carried out between January 2018 to February 2020. Investigations included CBC, UPT, serum β-hCG and TVS. Management was decided after thorough evaluation.Results: Out of 7,780 deliveries, 70 were EP (0.9%). Women with age 21-30 year had highest incidence (85.7%). Common symptoms were abdominal pain (94%), amenorrhea (87%), bleeding per vagina (48%). Most common risk factor associated with EP was PID (28.5%). Tubal EP was most common (84.2%) involving ampulla (66%), isthmus (15%), fimbria (12%), interstitial (7%). Scar ectopic was reported in 10% of cases and ovarian, rudimentary horn and abdominal pregnancy in 1.4% each. About 52.8% of ectopic was ruptured and salpingectomy was done in 74.3% and salpingo-oophorectomy in 2.8%. Five cases of scar EP required hysterotomy and 1 case was managed by methotrexate (MTX).Conclusions: EP remains a major challenge to the obstetrician worldwide. A high index of suspicion is required for early diagnosis and timely intervention in the form of medical or surgical treatment will definitely help in reducing the morbidity and mortality.

A study on diagnosis and management of arteriovenous malformation of uterus

Background: Arteriovenous malformation is abnormal connection between an organ’s arterial and venous circulation. In acquired AVM, history of uterine procedure seems inevitable. Their clinical feature is usually vaginal bleeding. It is diagnosed by 2-D ultrasonography combined with colour doppler. Most of the time they resolve spontaneously; however, if left untreated, uterine artery embolization or hysterectomy comes in hand. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of TVUS and colour doppler in the diagnosis and follow-up of treated cases of uterine AVM. This study also aims to evaluate different modalities to manage uterine AVM.Methods: This was a retrospective study done at tertiary care centre from January 2018 to December 2019 to assess the presentation, treatment, and clinical pictures of patients with uterine AVM that were diagnosed with TVUS. Authors reviewed both (1) clinical data (2) ultrasound data of patients. The diagnostic criteria were “subjective” with a rich vascular network in the myometrium with the use of colour Doppler images and “objective” with a high PSV of 20 cm/sec in the vascular web.Results: Thirteen patients met the diagnostic criteria mentioned above. Out of that 100% presented with on and off bleeding per vaginum. Recent and remote history of uterine procedures were in found in 84.6% (n=11) of cases. UAE was done in 53.8% (n=7) cases. Thirty-three (33%) (n=5) cases spontaneously resolved when closely monitored with serial imaging and serum beta- HCG levels. Hysterectomy was needed in 7.4% (n=1) of patients of AVM.Conclusions: Uterine AVM occurred after unsuccessful pregnancies or uterine procedures. Triage of patients for expectant treatment, hormonal treatment vs intervention with uterine artery embolization based on their clinical status, which was supplemented by objective measurements of blood velocity measurement in the AVM, appears to be a good predictor of outcome.

Fetomaternal outcome in pregnancy with HELLP syndrome

Background: HELLP Syndrome is a serious complication of pregnancy induced hypertensive disorders. It is defined as a triad of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP). Objectives of this study was to find out incidence of HELLP syndrome in pre-eclampsia, eclampsia and its overall incidence. To analyse the clinical profile of HELLP syndrome. To study maternal and perinatal outcome including morbidity and mortality.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted from July 2017 to September 2019 at a tertiary care center with inclusion criteria of abnormal peripheral blood smear, elevated liver enzymes (LDH, aspartate aminotransferase), and low platelet count.Results: HELLP syndrome was more common in younger age group (45%) and in primigravida (52.5%). Most of the patients presented at >36 weeks of gestation (40%) and most of the patients delivered by caesarean section (67.5%). Maternal complications were acute renal failure (27.5%), DIC (22.5%), maternal mortality (7.5%). Neonatal complications associated were intrauterine death (27.5%), prematurity (25%) and intrauterine growth retardation (15%).Conclusions: Thus, HELLP syndrome requires an early diagnosis and early initiation of treatment at tertiary care center with all the medical facilities available.

A retrospective study of obstetric hysterectomy cases at tertiary care centre

Background: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is a life-threatening condition. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence, demographic characteristics, indications, and feto-maternal outcomes associated with obstetric hysterectomy in a tertiary care centre.Methods: This is a retrospective analytical study conducted over a period of six years, from March 2014 to April 2020. A total of 68 cases of obstetric hysterectomy were studied at tertiary care centre in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.Results: Present study reported 68 obstetric hysterectomies per 44663 total deliveries (incidence - 0.15%), out of them 20 following 26446 vaginal deliveries (0.07%) and 48 following 18217 caesarean section (0.26%). Morbidly adherent placenta (29.41%) was the most common indication followed by atonic postpartum haemorrhage (25.00%) and uterine rupture (17.64%). The most frequent sequelae were disseminated intravascular coagulation (26.47%) and febrile morbidity (10.29%), maternal mortality was 16.17% whereas neonatal mortality was 26.47%.Conclusions: The incidence of obstetric hysterectomy has been found to be more following caesarean sections. There is a change in the indications of obstetric hysterectomy in the past two decades with placenta accreta spectrum being the commonest in present study. This is because of rising number of caesarean sections. Patients who underwent emergency obstetric hysterectomy due to atonic PPH had a higher mortality.

Evaluation of complication during third stage of labour at tertiary care center

Background: The objective of the present study was to determine the maternal outcome of complications of third stage of labour and to determine the risk factors and evaluate the management protocols for these complications.Methods: This is retrospective study of maternal outcome with complications of third stage of labour carried out at tertiary care centre from June 2016 to December 2019. Patients who developed any complications of third stage of labour after vaginal delivery or caesarean section were included.Results: Complications observed during third stage of labour were atonic PPH 0.82% (74 cases), traumatic PPH 0.55% (50 cases), retained placenta (including placenta accreta spectrum) 0.21% (19 cases), secondary PPH 0.03% (3 cases), uterine inversion 0.03% (3 cases) and amniotic fluid embolism 0.01% (1 case). Maximum cases were seen in 18-24 years of age group. Only 36% patients having atonic PPH responded to medical treatment, 46% patients having atonic PPH responded to conservative surgery, 18% of patients required radical surgery.Conclusions: Third stage complications are potentially life threatening. Associated conditions for third stage complication are high parity, anemia, hydramnios, multiple pregnancy, malpresentation, placenta previa, and adherent placenta. Early anticipation and early intervention with proper planning is required to reduce the maternal morbidity and mortality in third stage complication.

A clinical study on fetomaternal outcome in jaundice with pregnancy

Background: Jaundice in pregnancy and pregnancy in women with preexisting liver disease is not very uncommon. However it takes a major toll on health of both mother and fetus, due to increased morbidity and mortality for both mother and fetus, categorizing pregnancy as a high risk one. The distribution of jaundice in pregnancy varies throughout the world, but is seen more in developing countries. The course and outcome of liver disorder in pregnancy is altered due to various hemodynamic, hormonal and immunological changes unique to pregnancy. The hepatic functions during pregnancy are affected by increase in serum estrogen and progesterone levels.Methods: This was a prospective study of 70 cases of pregnancy with jaundice admitted in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Sheth V.S. General Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. The duration of study was from June 2015 to December 2018. During this period 70 patients were admitted with jaundice in pregnancy. Patients were analyzed with regards to socio demographic profile, investigations, maternal and perinatal outcome.Results: The incidence of pregnancy with jaundice in present study was 0.32%. Most common cause identified was viral hepatitis in 27 cases (38.57%) out of which 23(32.85%) cases being hepatitis E. Followed by HELLP syndrome, pre eclempsia, eclempsia in 24(34.28%) cases. 13(18.57%) cases were belonged to cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy. Rest 6(8.56%) cases belonged to malaria, portal hypertension due to liver disease etc. Out of total 70 patients 53(75.71%) women from rural area, 54(77.13%) patients were from age group of 20-29years.Maximum patients were multigravida i.e. 28 (40%) and 66(94.28%) women coming from lower middle and lower socio economic class. There were 9 maternal deaths, 5 due to DIC. Total vaginal deliveries were 40, 24 patients underwent LSCS, 4 patients had abortion, and 2 expired undelivered. Most common complication was DIC in 16(22.85%) cases and thrombocytopenia in 14(31.67%) cases. 30(42.85%) babies were LBW and 18(25.7%) babies were IUGR.Conclusions: Prompt diagnosis and accurate evaluation and multidisciplinary approach of management in pregnancy with jaundice at a tertiary care center with good NICU is helpful in reducing maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity.

Fetomaternal outcome in patients with diabetes mellitus in pregnancy

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is defined as increased blood glucose level due to defect in insulin secretion, insulin action or both. Undiagnosed or inadequately treated diabetes mellitus during pregnancy can lead to significant maternal and fetal complications. The study was conducted to review feto-maternal outcome in pregnancy with diabetes and to plan management of pregnancy with diabetes and to study the modalities for treatment of DM in pregnancy.Methods: A prospective case study was conducted from July 2015 to December 2018 at a tertiary care center. Study group used single step 75gm oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) test recommended by WHO for GDM diagnosis.Results: GDM (85%) was more common than overt diabetes (15%) and in younger age group (53.75%) and Multiparous patients (18.2%). Most of patients required insulin (81.2%) for treatment of DM during pregnancy along with medical nutrition therapy and exercise. Most common association in this patient was hypertension (41%). Rate of caesarean section (60%) was more common. Average birth weight was of >3.5 kg, intrauterine death (4.2%), preterm delivery (14.2%) and admission to NICU were also common.Conclusions: There was significant fetomaternal morbidity in patients with diabetes mellitus. Early diagnosis and treatment reduces the fetomaternal outcome.

Mullerian ductal anomalies and its outcome

Background: The aim is to study various investigative modalities to diagnose Mullerian anomalies and to evaluate the reproductive outcome that occurs as a result of malformation of genital tract.Methods: A prospective study of reproductive anomalies and its outcome was performed by using data from women with congenital anomalies attended in OPD either with complains or for operative treatment or incidental diagnosis during caesarean section, manual removal of placenta, during laparoscopy or laparotomy at tertiary care center. Total 70 women with different types of congenital anomalies were included in study. Out of them gynecological cases (27) were diagnosed on basis of clinical examination and other diagnostic aids while Mullerian anomalies in obstetric cases (43) were observed and their outcomes were studied.Results: Most common utero-vaginal anomaly seen in present study was septate uterus with 18 (25.7%) cases, followed by bicornuate uterus with 13 (18.6%) cases. Most common presenting symptom is primary amenorrhea 21 (30%) followed by cyclical abdominal pain 11 (15.7). HSG, USG are the primary tools to detect genital tract anomalies. Surgical correction was required in 47.1% patients.Conclusions: Present study shows prevalence of congenital malformation of female reproductive tract is 0.17% at our tertiary care center. Utero-vaginal anomalies are a morphologically diverse group of developmental disorders. Establishing an accurate diagnosis is essential for planning treatment and management strategies. The surgical approach for correction of utero-vaginal anomalies is specific to the type of malformation and may vary in a specific group.