Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome managed with McIndoe's vaginoplasty: a case series and literature review.

Introduction: Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is a congenital anomaly characterized by the absence of the uterus and the upper two-thirds of the vagina. It is a rare congenital anomaly with an incidence of 1 in 5000 female live births. Case series: The authors describe three cases of females presenting with primary amenorrhoea who were diagnosed with MRKH syndrome. The patients were managed with McIndoe's vaginoplasty with neovagina creation with an amnion graft. Discussion: Management of MRKH syndrome involves vaginoplasty with neovagina creation. The approach to neovagina creation can be done surgically or non-surgically. Non-surgical creation of the vaginal cavity involves serial use of vaginal dilators, while there are several ways for surgical creation of neovagina. The modified Abbe-McIndoe procedure using amnion to create neovagina is a minimally invasive, rapid, and simple procedure with no risk of immune rejection because the amnion membrane lacks histocompatibility antigens. In addition, the graft is also readily available, storable, and inexpensive. Conclusion: Diagnosis of MRKH syndrome can be made when a young female with primary amenorrhoea and normal secondary sexual characteristics has agenesis of the uterus, and upper two-thirds of the vagina revealed on ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging. The patient can be offered treatment with vaginoplasty with neovagina creation.

Adverse events following immunization with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and BBIBP-CorV vaccine: A comparative study among healthcare professionals of Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Adverse events following immunization (AEFI) against SARS-CoV-2 are common as reported by clinical trials and contemporary evidence. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the local and systemic adverse events following vaccination with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and BBIBP-CorV among the healthcare professionals (HCPs) of Nepal. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 606 vaccinated HCPs of Kathmandu, Nepal. Data was collected from June 15 to 30, 2021 using a self-administered online survey tool. Multiple binary logistic regression models were used to predict the adverse events according to the vaccine types and doses after adjusting for age, sex, comorbidity and previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age of the participants was 35.6 (13.2) years and 52% of them were female. Almost 59% of participants were vaccinated with two doses and around 54% of total of them took the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine. At least one local and systemic adverse event was reported by 54% and 62% of participants after the first dose and 37% and 49% after the second dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and by 37% and 43% after the first dose and 42% and 36% after the second dose of BBIBP-CorV vaccine respectively. Injection site pain, swelling and tenderness at the injection site were the most frequently reported local AEFI while, fatigue, headache, fever and myalgia were the most frequently reported systemic AEFI. The logistic model demonstrated that the risk of both local and systemic adverse events was higher among the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine recipients compared to the BBIBP-CorV vaccine. Almost 10% of individuals reported a post-vaccination SARS-CoV-2 infection and most of them occurred after taking the first dose of vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: Recipients of both the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and BBIBP-CorV vaccine among the HCPs of Nepal reported only mild and constitutional symptoms including injection site pain and tenderness, headache, fever, fatigue, etc. after vaccination.

Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Bacteria Causing Urinary Tract Infection.

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infection is one of the commonest infectious diseases worldwide. This study was carried out to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of bacteria causing urinary tract infection visiting Kathmandu University Hospital. METHODS: A total of 3,500 urine samples were processed and antibiotic resistance pattern was determined following Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute guidelines. Patients' information was obtained after informed consent. RESULTS: Total number of samples with positive growth was 434 (12.40%). 331 (76.27%) of the isolates were Escherichia coli followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Proteus mirabilis, Enterobacter species, Klebsiella oxytoca, Citrobacter freundii, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter species. Over all 224 (51.61%) were multidrug resistant strains. All strains were sensitive to colistin, vancomycin and linezolid. Over all ampicillin and cefazolin had least sensitivity. Multidrug resistant strains were detected more among elderly patients with complicated urinary tract infection and diabetes which was 25 (83.33%) compared to elderly patients with uncomplicated urinary tract infection and having no diabetes or any other comorbid illnesses which was only 11(22.22%) (p-value<0.05). 21 (70.00%) of the pregnant females had multidrug resistant isolates and only 18 (36.73%) of pediatric age group patients had multidrug resistant isolates (p-value<0.05) Conclusion: Drug-resistant bacteria were observed in urine samples. Effective treatment and prevention of urinary tract infection need detailed microbiological diagnosis and drug susceptibility testing.

Postpartum Hemorrhage in Pregnancy beyond 40 Weeks of Gestation in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Postpartum hemorrhage is defined as a blood loss of 500ml or more within 24 hours after birth. It is the leading cause of maternal mortality in low-income countries and the primary cause of nearly one-quarter of all maternal deaths globally. It occurs in up to 18% of total births. Post-dated pregnancy is a high-risk pregnancy with increased maternal morbidity. This study aims to determine the prevalence of postpartum hemorrhage in pregnancy beyond 40 weeks of gestation in a tertiary care hospital. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women beyond 40 weeks in Dhulikhel hospital from October 2016 to March 2017. The study was conducted after ethical clearance from the hospital research committee (reference number#128/16). The sample size was calculated and convenient sampling was done. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences is used for analysis. Point estimate at 95% confidence interval was calculated along with frequency and percentage for binary data. RESULTS: Out of 465 ladies enrolled in this study postpartum hemorrhage was seen in 6 (1.29%) (95% Confidence Interval = 0.267-2.31), and the mean age was 24.25+4.8. About 346 (74.4%) had a normal delivery, 104 (22.36%) had cesarean section and 15 (3.22%) had instrumental delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Postpartum haemorrhage prevalence is low among the pregnant women beyond 40 weeks compared to the standard study. Postpartum hemorrhage is the common leading cause of maternal mortality. So high-risk cases should be identified and active management should be done to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Prevalence assessment of sexually transmitted infections among pregnant women visiting an antenatal care center of Nepal: Pilot of the World Health Organization's standard protocol for conducting STI prevalence surveys among pregnant women.

INTRODUCTION: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common during pregnancy and can result in adverse delivery and birth outcomes. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of STIs; Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Treponema pallidum (syphilis), Trichomonas vaginalis (trichomoniasis), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) among pregnant women visiting an antenatal care center in Nepal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We adapted and piloted the WHO standard protocol for conducting a prevalence survey of STIs among pregnant women visiting antenatal care center of Dhulikhel Hospital, Nepal. Patient recruitment, data collection, and specimen testing took place between November 2019-March 2020. First catch urine sample was collected from each eligible woman. GeneXpert platform was used for CT and NG testing. Wet-mount microscopy of urine sample was used for detection of trichomoniasis. Serological test for HIV was done by rapid and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests. Serological test for syphilis was done using "nonspecific non-treponemal" and "specific treponemal" antibody tests. Tests for CT, NG and trichomoniasis were done as part of the prevalence study while tests for syphilis and HIV were done as part of the routine antenatal testing. RESULTS: 672 women were approached to participate in the study, out of which 591 (87.9%) met the eligibility criteria and consented to participate. The overall prevalence of any STIs was 8.6% (51/591, 95% CI: 6.3-10.8); 1.5% (95% CI: 0.5-2.5) for CT and 7.1% (95% CI: 5.0-9.2) for trichomoniasis infection. None of the samples tested positive for NG, HIV or syphilis. Prevalence of any STI was not significantly different among women, age ≤ 24 years (10%, 25/229) compared to women age ≥25 years (7.1%, 26/362) (p = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of trichomoniasis among pregnant women in this sub-urban population of Nepal was high compared to few cases of CT and no cases of NG, syphilis, and HIV. The WHO standard protocol provided a valuable framework for conducting STI surveillance that can be adapted for other countries and populations.

Use of Postpartum Family Planning among Women Undergoing Deliveries in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: The postpartum period is a high-risk time for unintended pregnancies. A short inter-pregnancy interval leads to a series of complications for both the mother and the fetus. Postpartum contraceptive knowledge helps women decide the time frame for future pregnancy and prepare. The study aimed to find out the prevalence of postpartum family planning among women undergoing deliveries in a tertiary care hospital. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from hospital records of all postpartum women delivering in a tertiary care hospital from Jan 2017 to Jan 2019. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee (IRC) of Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences/Dhulikhel Hospital (reference number: 62/19). Convenience sampling was done. Data was entered and analyzed using Statistical Package of the Social Sciences version 26. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. RESULTS: Out of 4205 deliveries, 1211 (28.7%) (27.33-30.06 at 95% Confidence Interval) women utilized postpartum family planning. Depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate was adopted by a majority of the participants 802 (19.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The use of postpartum contraception in this study was similar to the findings from studies done in national data and studies.

Follow-up of prolapse surgery in rural Nepal.

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a significant problem in Nepal. Surgical treatment is scarcely available and little is known of the results of POP surgery on women living under burdensome circumstances. The aim of our study was to set up a follow-up program in rural Nepal and evaluate POP surgery. In 2004 and 2006, 74 women with a POP from remote areas around Dhulikhel Hospital underwent prolapse surgery. Together with local contacts men, a plan was made to implement a follow-up program. All the operated patients were invited to a follow-up visit in March 2007. Thirty-three (45%) patients attended the follow-up: 85% (n = 28) found the effect of the procedure an improvement. A satisfactory anatomic outcome was found in 93% (n = 32). A remarkable finding was the reduction in physical labour after the surgical procedure in 50% of the follow-up cases. Some adjustments in the follow-up program may contribute to a higher participation.