Elevated serum ßhCG and dyslipidemia in second trimester as predictors of subsequent Pregnancy Induced Hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: To test the hypothesis that pregnant women with high serum ßhCG level and serum dyslipidemia in second trimester are more prone to develop subsequent Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH). MATERIALS & METHODS: One hundred pregnant women with singleton pregnancy between 14 and 20 weeks of gestation attending antenatal outpatient department (OPD) of SMCH were studied. Serum ßhCG was estimated by two-site chemiluminescent-immunometric method. Serum lipid profile was evaluated by enzymatic colorimetric test with Lipid Clearing Factor (LCF). RESULTS: Eighteen cases developed PIH while eighty two cases remained normotensive. The serum ßhCG level was significantly high (p (see symbol) 0.001) in those women developing PIH. Serum concentration of total cholesterol in women who subsequently developed PIH was significantly higher than that of normotensive group (p (see symbol) 0.05). Mean TG value in PIH group was higher than the normotensive group. Level of LDL in PIH group was also significant (p (see symbol) 0.05). CONCLUSION: Present study showed that elevated serum ßhCG and Dyslipidemia in second trimester can be considered as predictors of subsequent PIH / Pre-eclampsia. However, there is need of large community based prospective study to validate the result.

Prevalence of Thinness among Rural Bengalee Pre-school Children in Chapra, Nadia District, West Bengal, India.

This-cross sectional study investigated the age and sex variations in thinness among 2016 (930 boys and 1086 girls) 3-5 years old rural children of Bengalee ethnicity. The children were randomly recruited from 66 Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS) centres of Chapra Block, Nadia District, West Bengal, India. The area is remote and mostly inhabited by Bengalee Muslims. All preschool children (3-5 years old) living in Chapra Block are enrolled at these centres. Anthropometric measures taken included height and weight using standard techniques and then body mass index (BMI) was computed. Age and sex specific cut-off values of body mass index (BMI) were utilised to identify thinness. Overall prevalence of thinness was 49.68% and 51.57% among boys and girls, respectively. There were significant (p< 0.05) sex differences in height, weight and BMI. In general, the frequency of thinness increased with increasing age in both sexes. The rates of Grade-III and Grade-II thinness were higher among girls (Grade-III = 7.46%, Grade-II = 13.44%) compared with boys (Grade-III = 5.48%, Grade-II = 11.72%). In contrast, Grade-I thinness was higher among boys. The results from this study indicate that the nutritional status of rural Bengalee pre-school children is unsatisfactory. These children are experiencing marked nutritional stress. There is scope for much improvement in the form of enhanced supplementary nutrition.

Leanness among early adolescents in two rural schools of two districts in West Bengal.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in two districts of West Bengal, to report the prevalence of leanness among rural adolescent school children. Leanness was evaluated using age and sex specific cut-off points of triceps skinfold thickness of < 5th percentile of NCHS reference population as recommended by World Health Organization. A total of 2016 students, of these, 51.39% boys and 48.61% girls aged 10-15 years were studied. Overall (age and sex combined) 18.35% children were lean. Moreover, prevalence of leanness was significantly higher in girls (22.04%) as compared to boys (14.86%).

Nutritional status of Lodha children in a village of Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal.

Undernutrition among tribal children is a major public health problem in India. Our study attempted to evaluate the prevalence of malnutrition among Lodha children of Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal. A cross sectional study was conducted among 165 children aged 1-14 years in a village of Paschim Medinipur district during January to March 2008. Children were considered underweight, stunting and wasting following the NCHS standards. Overall the prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was 33.9%, 26.1% and 19.4 %, respectively. Of these, 9.1%, 9.7% and 3.6% children were found to be severely underweight, stunted and wasted. Moreover, the prevalence of underweight and stunting was significantly higher in pre-school children compared to school going children. There is an urgent need for appropriate steps to be taken to improve nutritional status of children in this ethnic group.

Body mass index and nutritional status of adult Savar tribals of Keonjhar District, Orissa, India.

A cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine sex differences in mean body mass index (BMI) and nutritional status (based on BMI), as well as the effect of age on BMI and nutritional status of adult Savars, a tribal population of Orissa, India. A total of 600 adult (aged > 18 years) Savars of four villages, namely, Bonianiposi, Morabali, Panchapolli and Sailong of Keonjhar District, Orissa, India, were studied. Height and weight were measured and BMI computed. Mean ages of both sexes were similar (men: mean = 38.9 years, sd = 15.3; women: mean = 38.0, sd = 13.9). Men had significantly greater mean height (p < 0.001), weight (p < 0.001) and BMI (p < 0.05). The prevalence (sex combined) of undernutrition (BMI < 18.5) was found to be very high (43.5%). Moreover, there was a significant (chi2 = 7.39, p = 0.025) difference in the prevalence of undernutrition between men (38%) and women (49%). Age was significantly (p < 0.001) negatively correlated with BMI in both sexes (men: r = -0.20; women: r = -0.16). In general, the frequency of undernutrition increased with increasing age. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the prevalence of adult undernutrition was very high among Savar women and high among Savar men. These rates increased with increasing age. Therefore, from the public health point of view, immediate nutritional intervention programmes are needed for implementation among Savars, especially among older individuals. Moreover, further research is needed not only among this ethnic group but also other tribal populations of India to fully understand the causes and consequences of adult undernutrition.