Incidence & factors influencing maternal near miss events in tertiary hospitals of Maharashtra, India

Background & objectives: Government of India (GoI) released operational guidelines for maternal near miss-review (MNM-R) in 2014 for use by programme managers of public health system to assist them for conducting MNM-R. The objective of the present study was to review the incidence and factors influencing MNM events in two tertiary hospitals of Maharashtra, India, as per the operational guidelines of the GoI released in 2014 and identify delays based on three-delay model to prevent such events in future. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in two tertiary hospitals of Maharashtra, from July 2018 to November 2020. All women during pregnancy, childbirth or postpartum upto 42 days meeting the eligibility criteria of MNM as per the 2014 GoI guidelines were included as cases (n=228), interviewed and discussed during the monthly MNM meetings at these hospitals. Results: The incidence of MNM was 11/1000 live births; the ratio of MNM to maternal deaths was 1.2:1. Leading causes of MNM were haemorrhage (36.4%) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (30.3%). Haemorrhage was maximum (70.6%) in abortion and ectopic pregnancies. Majority of the women (80.2%) were anaemic, of whom 32.4 per cent had severe anaemia. Eighty six per cent of women included in the study had MNM events at the time of admission and 81 per cent were referred from lower facilities. Level one and two delays were reported by 52.6 and 32.5 per cent of women, respectively. Level three delay at referral centres and at tertiary hospitals was reported by 69.7 and 48.2 per cent of women, respectively. Interpretation & conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that MNM-R should be undertaken at all tertiary hospitals in India as per GoI guidelines to identify gaps based on three-delay model. These hospitals should implement interventions as per the identified gaps with emphasis on strengthening the infrastructure, facilities and manpower at the first-referral units.

Study of etiopathogenesis and clinical profile of patients presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding

Background: AUB is a common condition affecting 14-25% of women of reproductive age and may have a significant impact on their physical, social, emotional and material quality of life. AUB can occur at any age in various forms and has different modes of presentation. The key to successful clinical management is to recognize or identify the causative factors responsible.Methods: This study was conducted over 100 patients. Patients with complaints of menstrual irregularity between menarche to premenopausal age group were considered. Data about age, parity, menstrual history, obstetric history, medical history, physical examination, thyroid function test, radiological findings and histopathology were collected and studied.Results: Incidence of AUB is more common in 5th decade of life. Menorrhagia is the most common bleeding pattern. It is concluded that DUB is the most common cause of AUB. Among the other organic pathological causes, fibroid is the commonest. Maximum number of apparently normal patients with abnormal uterine bleeding belong to category of sub clinical hypothyroid.Conclusions: Accurate analysis of endometrial sample is the key to effective therapy and rational approach to treatment of women with abnormal uterine bleeding.

An observational study of maternal and fetal outcome in pregnant women with Hepatitis E

Background: Hepatitis E in pregnancy has been a subject of interest in the recent years as the available research work is very limited and conflicting especially in pregnant women as compared to infection in men and non- pregnant women in which the disease is usually self- limiting. The mechanism of liver injury in hepatitis E is not clear and no conclusive theories about the exact pathogenesis are available. This study was done to gain insight into the effects of hepatitis E virus on pregnancy in terms of maternal and fetal outcome.Methods: Total of 40 pregnant women with Hepatitis E Virus IgM antibodies was included in the study. Hepatitis cases due to other viral and non-infective causes were excluded. Maternal outcomes in terms of mode of delivery, complications like PPH, hepatic encephalopathy, fulminant hepatic failure, coagulopathy and maternal mortality was studied. Fetal outcomes in terms of intrauterine fetal deaths, stillbirth, live births, and neonatal deaths were studied.Results: This study showed high mortality rates (42.5%) in pregnant women with hepatitis E. The most common obstetric complication was IUFD (45%) followed by preterm labor (32.5%) and postpartum hemorrhage (22.5%). Hepatic encephalopathy (62.5%) was the commonest medical complication followed by coagulopathy (25%). A statistically significant association was found between the presence of medical complications and poor maternal outcome.Conclusions: Hepatitis E virus infection in pregnancy often has a fulminant course with poor maternal and fetal outcome. Its management therefore requires an early diagnosis, and a multidisciplinary approach.