Comparing Feto-Maternal Outcomes in Pregnant Women With Normal and Abnormal Liver Function Tests: A Prospective Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: Pregnant women with abnormal liver function tests (LFTs) require proper evaluation and timely management to reduce maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: The present study was done with the objective of determining feto-maternal outcomes in antenatal women with abnormal LFTs and comparing them with antenatal women having normal liver function. The prevalence and possible causes of derangements in LFT were also identified. METHOD: Pregnant women referred to an antenatal clinic for several reasons pertaining to abnormal liver functions, and those admitted to the labor room for delivery with abnormal LFTs were included in the study. The pregnant women with abnormal LFT were studied prospectively, and they were compared with pregnant women having normal LFT. The fetal and maternal outcomes were also noted. RESULTS:  The pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic with a history of pruritus, abdominal pain, jaundice, nausea/vomiting, hypertension ascites, etc. and delivered at our facility were evaluated. One hundred and eight women had abnormal LFT defined by criteria laid down in material and methods. Eighty-seven women with normal LFT were taken for comparison. In the abnormal LFT, the main cause was intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (IHCP). There were 6 (5.5%) maternal deaths in this group and none in the normal LFTs. There were 6 (5.6%) fetal deaths and 4 (4.6%) in the other group (p-value=1). The prevalence of abnormal LFT was 9.11% throughout pregnancy. Increased bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly correlated with maternal mortality, while gestational age at birth, presence of meconium, appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration (APGAR) score, maternal mortality, and raised alkaline phosphatase level were found to be significantly associated with fetal mortality. CONCLUSION: Patients with abnormal LFT were significantly associated with maternal morbidity and mortality. However, fetal outcomes in patients with abnormal and normal LFT were similar. Hyperbilirubinemia and raised alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were significant predictors of maternal mortality.

Impact of Meconium-Stained Amniotic Fluid on Neonatal Outcome in a Tertiary Hospital.

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the perinatal outcome of pregnant patients complicated with meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) compared with clear amniotic fluid. Methodology This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in collaboration with the Department of Pediatrics at Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India, from September 2016 to January 2018. A total of 200 patients were included in the study after taking their written consent. Out of these 200 patients, 100 patients had MSAF, and the other 100 patients with clear liquor were taken as controls after fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria. These two groups of patients were compared regarding various maternal and neonatal parameters. These parameters were compared and tested statistically for significance. Results Among the 100 patients with MSAF, 20 patients had grade 1 meconium (X), 22 patients had grade 2 meconium (Y), and 58 patients had grade 3 meconium (Z). The majority of patients in the MSAF group were primigravida and more than 25 years of age. In addition, 47% of patients in the MSAF group had some associated high-risk factors and 50% of patients had non-reassuring fetal heart rate patterns, and among these, 39 patients had grade 3 MSAF (X). In the MSAF group, 49% of patients had undergone lower segment cesarean section (LSCS), whereas in the non-MSAF group, it was 37%. Also, 30% of babies in the MSAF group and 13% in the non-MSAF group had neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission; 22% of babies in the MSAF group and 12% of babies in the non-MSAF group had an adverse neonatal outcome. Meconium aspiration syndrome was present in 14% of the patients in the MSAF group, and among these, two babies had neonatal death and both had severe birth asphyxia. In the non-MSAF group, there was one neonatal death due to neonatal sepsis. However, after statistically analyzing the neonatal outcome in both the groups, there was no statistical difference between the two groups (p<0.001). Conclusion MSAF is associated with increased frequency of operative delivery, poor neonatal outcomes, and increased NICU admission. Management of labor with MSAF requires appropriate intrapartum care with continuous fetal heart rate monitoring, and this can reduce unnecessary cesarean sections in patients with MSAF.

Cesarean Audit Using Robson Classification at a Tertiary Care Center in Bihar: A Retrospective Study.

Background Since 1985, the international healthcare community has considered the ideal rate for cesarean section (CS) to be between 10% and 15%.However, CS has been increasing both in developed and developing countries. The aim of the present study was to audit CS using Robson's Ten Group Classification System (TGCS). Methodology This retrospective, hospital record-based study was conducted over a period of three years from April 1, 2016, to March 31, 2019, in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar, India. Data of patients who delivered by CS during this period were recorded and categorized in the 10 groups of TGCS. The size of each group, CS rate, and contribution of each group toward overall CS were calculated. Indications of CS in each group were analyzed, and strategies were planned to optimize the use of CS. The Chi-square test was used to analyse the statistical significance of the differences in the number of CS between the different Robson's groups. Results The total number of deliveries was 2,128 during the study period, of which CS was performed in 812 deliveries, with a CS rate of 38.16% in our institute. Robson's group 5 (34.97%) was the major contributor to the overall CS rate, followed by group 2 (26.35%), group 1 (15.51%), and group 10 (7.14%). The incidence of primary CS (61.82%) was more than repeat CS (38.17%). Previous CS, fetal distress, failed induction, arrest of labor, and malpresentation were the main indications for CS. Conclusions Robson's TGCS serves as an important tool for auditing CS. Indications of CS among major contributors and primary group should be analyzed regularly and uniform and standard protocols should be used. Standardization of indications for CS, regular audits, and definite protocols will help in reducing the CS rate in our hospital.