Cardio respiratory changes associated with graded exercise and determination of aerobic power in male medical students (18-19 years).

The data from the study reveals the normal cardiopulmonary responses in untrained subjects (18-19 yrs) and their aerobic power. Fifty male medical students in the given age group were selected for the study. They were subjected to moderate, predetermined, graded exercise on a bicycle ergograph and parameters like heart-rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate were recorded at rest, just after exercise and during recovery. VO2 max or aerobic power was calculated from Astrand's nomogram after determining work rate. Heart-rate, systolic blood pressure, double-product and respiratory rate rose linearly with increasing grades of exercise, while diastolic blood pressure recorded a fall. Aerobic power was found to be 2.10 litres/min in 18 years age group and 2.07 litres/min in 19 years category. The determination of aerobic power or VO2 max gives an idea of the capacity and regulation of O2 transporting system and also sets a norm in assessing physical fitness.

PEFR in pregnancy: a longitudinal study.

Peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR) were measured in 60 pregnant women aged 20-28 years (average 24 yrs) height between 130-160 cm (average 154.5 cm), each month beginning from 3rd month of gestation and also 8-10 weeks postpartum using, Wright's Peak Flow Meter. The PEFR declined from 329.12 +/- 4.40 lpm in 3rd month to 286.22 +/- 3.81 lpm in 9th month of gestation and increased to 347.86 +/- 2.93 lpm in postpartal period. A similar, declining trend is also observed in other Indian studies. However, the values are lower than those observed in Europeans. Also no change in PEFR during pregnancy was observed in an European study. The PEFR in our study regressed at a rate of 6.68 lpm/month of gestation and 5.49 lpm/kg increase in weight throughout pregnancy. The correlation with forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1) is non-significant throughout pregnancy. The anaemic pregnant women showed lower PEFR when compared with PEFR of nonanaemic pregnant women, but showed a similar declining trend throughout pregnancy.

A longitudinal study of pulmonary function tests during pregnancy.

The study deals with evaluation of pulmonary function status in fifty normal pregnant women tested monthly. The parameters studied were Vital Capacity (VC) Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Forced Expiratory Volume in 1st second (FEV1) using Vitalograph Spirometer; tidal volume (VT), inspiratory capacity (IC) and expiratory reserve volume (ERV) using Expirograph and resting minute ventilation (VE) using Tissot's spirometer. Control values were obtained in the same subject 8-10 weeks after delivery. The increase seen in VT, VE and IC was very highly significant. The small increment in frequency of respiration is significant and the declining trend observed in ERV is very highly significant. VC and FVC were maintained by the rise in IC and a concomitant fall in ERV. Rise in VC is attributed mainly to rise in VT than rise in frequency. The results suggest that though pulmonary function is altered during pregnancy, it is not compromised and hence does not induce any mechanical stress on the respiratory efficiency of the pregnant woman.

Serum level of iron and transferrin in pregnancy and postpartum period.

This study presents a composite picture of haemoglobin (Hb), serum level of iron (SI), total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and percent iron saturation of transferrin in women during different trimesters of pregnancy and postpartum period. The results were correlated with age and parity. A total of 75 subjects, 15 from each trimester and 15 postpartal, were studied and compared with 15 nonpregnant normal subjects. Signs of increased iron demand, increased iron turnover and obvious iron deficiency, were demonstrated throughout pregnancy, by decrease in haemoglobin, SI, percent iron saturation of transferrin and increased TIBC; especially in older age group and multigravidae. SI, TIBC and percent iron saturation of transferrin are more sensitive indices of iron status and provide us an opportunity to replenish iron stores of an iron deficient pregnant mother at an earlier date thus preventing anaemia.

Study of serum immunoglobulins in normal pregnancy.

Suppression of maternal immune response may be one of the factors contributing to continuation of pregnancy, a state in which the foetus exists as a well tolerated homograft. Studies on serum immunoglobulin levels in pregnancy show varying results. In this study serum immunoglobulin levels of Ig G, Ig A and Ig M were estimated in 75 normal pregnant women, 25 in each trimester. These were compared with a control group of 25 healthy women. A graded significant decrease in Ig G levels was observed throughout the pregnancy. Ig A levels decreased during the first and second trimester of pregnancy. A significant increase in Ig M levels from the first to third trimester was observed.