Immunoglobulin Profile and Lymphocyte Subsets in Preterm Neonates

Objective: We documented the immunological profile of neonates and mothers, and lymphocyte subsets at birth. Methods: Consecutively born preterm neonates (26 to 31 weeks gestation) at our level III neonatal unit, fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Immunoglobulin levels were assessed in maternal blood and in cord blood along with T cell subsets. Results: A total of 115 neonates were enrolled. The mean cord levels for IgG, IgM and IgA, respectively were 5.34, 0.10 and 0.04 g/L and of B, T, NK and NK-T cells were 14%, 71%, 10% and 1%, respectively of total lymphocyte population. Cord IgG and IgA levels showed a significantly rising trend with increasing gestation (P=0.005 and 0.02, respectively) but not IgM and T cell subsets. Maternal immunoglobulins were similar in all gestations. Conclusion: The cord IgG and IgA increased with increasing gestation but not IgM in neonates.

Improving First-hour Breastfeeding Initiation Rate After Cesarean Deliveries: A Quality Improvement Study

Objective: To improve the rates of first hour initiation ofbreastfeeding in neonates born through cesarean section from 0to 80% over 3 months through a quality improvement (QI)process.Design: Quality improvement study.Setting: Labor Room-Operation Theatre of a tertiary carehospital.Participants: Stable newborns ?35 weeks of gestation born bycesarean section under spinal anesthesia.Procedure: A team of nurses, pediatricians, obstetricians andanesthetists analyzed possible reasons for delayed initiation ofbreastfeeding by Process flow mapping and Fish bone analysis.Various change ideas were tested through sequential Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles.Outcome measure: Proportion of eligible babies breast fedwithin 1 hour of delivery.Results: The rate of first-hour initiation of breastfeeding increasedfrom 0% to 93% over the study period. The result was sustainedeven after the last PDSA cycle, without any additional resources.Conclusions: A QI approach was able to accomplish sustainedimprovement in first-hour breastfeeding rates in cesareandeliveries.

Liquid-based cytology versus conventional cytology for evaluation of cervical Pap smears: Experience from the first 1000 split samples.

Context and Aim: Screening programs using conventional cytology conventional Pap smear (CPS) have successfully reduced cervical cancer, but newer tests like liquid-based cytology (LBC) and human papillomavirus testing might enhance screening. The main aim of the present study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of LBC versus CPS using “split samples.” Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study comprising of 1000 consecutive cervical “split samples” over a period of 1 year. Split sample was obtained using cervex-brush. CPS was prepared from the brush and the brush head was suspended in the LBC vial and processed by SurePath™ LBC. Results: There were 4.3% unsatisfactory (U/S) cases in CPS and 1.7% in LBC; the main cause is insuffi cient cells, and excess of blood in CPS. About 25/100 (2.5%) split samples had epithelial abnormalities both in CPS and LBC (1.2%-atypical squamous cells of undetermined signifi cance; 0.4%-low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion; 0.2%-high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion; 0.5%-squamous cell carcinoma; 0.1%-atypical glandular cells favouring neoplasia; 0.2%-adenocarcinoma). Infl ammatory organisms were almost equally identifi ed in both techniques but were better seen in LBC samples. Conclusions: LBC technique leads to signifi cant reduction of U/S rate. LBC samples offered better clarity, uniform spread of smears, less time for screening and better handling of hemorrhagic and infl ammatory samples. LBC had equivalent sensitivity and specifi city to CPS.

Evaluation of effect of isoflavone on thyroid economy & autoimmunity in oophorectomised women: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background and objectives: The potential of soy isoflavones to interfere with thyroid function has been reported. However, there are limited data regarding their effect on thyroid function and autoimmunity in surgical menopausal women. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of isoflavones on thyroid function and autoimmunity, menopausal symptoms, serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol levels in oophorectomised women. Methods: A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 43 oophorectomised women to evaluate the effect of soy isoflavones (75 mg/day for 12 wk) on serum thyroid profile (free T3 , free T4 , TSH, TBG and anti-TPO antibody titres) assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 wk after randomization. Assessment was also done for menopause symptom score (MSS) three weekly, and FSH and estradiol levels at baseline and at study completion. Results: There was a significant alteration in free T 3 levels in the group receiving isoflavones (4.05 ± 0.36, 4.12 ± 0.69 and 3.76 ± 0.55 pmol/l at baseline, 6 and 12 wk, respectively; P=0.02). However, the mean change in various thyroid parameters at 12 wk from baseline was not significantly different between the two groups. MSS was also significantly decreased at 9 and 12 wk from baseline with isoflavones (12.47 ± 8.15, 9.35 ± 5.23 and 9 ± 5.14 at baseline, 9 and 12 wk respectively; P=0.004) with significant improvement in urogenital symptoms compared to placebo. Isoflavones did not significantly affect other parameters during study period. There were no serious adverse events reported and the proportion of patients experiencing adverse events was similar between the two groups. Interpretation and conclusions: Modest reduction in serum free T3 levels in the isoflavone group in the absence of any effect on other thyroid parameters might be considered clinically unimportant.

Protein p 16INK4A expression in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive squamous cell carcinoma of uterine cervix.

The association of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is well recognized. Interaction of HPV oncogenic proteins with cellular regulatory proteins leads to up regulation of p16 INK4A , a CDK inhibitor, which is a biomarker for HPV infection. We investigated p16 expression in CIN and invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) which has not been reported in the Indian population previously. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of 100 cases with 20 cases each of histologically normal cervical epithelium, CIN1, 2, 3 and invasive SCC for p16 expression was performed by immunohistochemistry using commercially available mouse monoclonal antibody to p16 (clone 6H12). Statistical Analysis: For differences in expression among groups, statistical analysis was carried out using ANOVA and post hoc test of Scheffe. Results: p16 immunoreactivity was found to be both nuclear and/or cytoplasmic. The normal cervical epithelium was predominantly negative for p16 (18/20). There was a progressive increase of p16 expression with the grade of CIN. In CIN 1, two cases (20%) showed nuclear and nucleocytoplasmic positivity respectively. In contrast, diffuse strong nuclear or nucleocytoplasmic expression was observed in 45 and 55% cases of CIN 2 and CIN 3 respectively. All except one squamous cell carcinoma stained strongly positive for p16. The difference in expression between CIN 2/3 and SCC versus normal cervix was found highly significant (p is equal to 0.008 and p less than 0.001). Conclusions: p16 expression correlates excellently with the grade of CIN and is a sensitive marker of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Prenatal management with digoxin and sotalol combination for fetal supraventricular tachycardia : Case report and review of literature.

Sustained fetal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with a heart rate of approximately 210 bpm may lead to increased atrial and venous pressures and congestive heart failure. There is no clear consensus regarding the best drug-treatment regimens for fetal SVT. However, considerable nonrandomized experience in the transmaternal treatment of fetal SVT is available with a number of antiarrhythmic agents. We report a case of fetal supraventricular tachyarrhythmia with hydrops detected at 32 weeks that was managed with combination of oral digoxin and sotalol and review management guidelines available in the literature.

Rudimentary horn pregnancy: prerupture diagnosis and management.

A unicornuate uterus with a rudimentary horn is a rare mullerian abnormality which may cause many gynecological and obstetrical complications. Rupture of pregnant rudimentary horn in the second trimester is the usual presentation, resulting in maternal morbidity and even mortality.