Down Syndrome Screening among Pregnant Women Visiting the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of a Tertiary Care Centre.

Introduction: The screening of Down's syndrome by the measurement of serum markers using dual and quadruple tests in the second trimester is done among obstetric patients between 13 to 22 weeks of gestation. The test readings are signified in terms of low-risk or high-risk. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of Downs syndrome screening among pregnant women visiting the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of a tertiary care centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 15 April 2022 to 15 December 2022 among patients visiting the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of a tertiary care centre. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee. Women with a singleton pregnancy who underwent dual and quadruple screening tests at 11 to 22 weeks of gestation were taken and analysed as per reports. Convenience sampling method was used. The point estimate was calculated at a 95% Confidence Interval. Results: Among 268 women, Down syndrome screening was done in 200 (74.63%) (69.42-79.84, 95% Confidence Interval). Among them, 168 (84%) had a low risk for Down syndrome, and 32 (16%) had a high risk for Down syndrome. Conclusions: The prevalence of Downs syndrome screening among pregnant women visiting the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of a tertiary care centre was found to be similar to other studies done in similar settings. Keywords: down syndrome; nuchal translucency; screening.

Anxiety among Pregnant Women about Corona Virus Infections during COVID-19 Pandemic at a Tertiary Care Center in Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 is a beta coronavirus that is transmitted by physical interaction or close contact. This Coronavirus Pandemic has also created stress and anxiety among pregnant women all over the world. The disease was first identified in Wuhan city, China, in late December 2019 and was declared pandemic by the World Health Organization on 11th March 2020. Concern and stress in pregnancy are associated with pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm labour, depression etc. Pregnancy is an immune-compromised state and poses a high risk to this risk. This study aims to identify anxiety about the coronavirus infection among pregnant women visiting a tertiary care centre in Kathmandu, Nepal, during this COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital from 15th July 2020 to 30th July 2020 after taking the ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Committee of Kathmandu Medical College (reference no. 207202002). Convenient sampling method was used. All the data were entered in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences data 20.0 and analyzed. Data was presented in frequencies, charts and percentage. RESULTS: Among the total 273 cases, only 2 (0.73%) cases had a score between 25-30 corresponding to moderate to severe anxiety, 21 (7.69%) had a score between 18-24, which corresponds to mild to moderate anxiety and 250 (91.57%) had score 0-17 which corresponds mild status. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the participants in the study reported a mild status of anxiety. Very few participants reported moderate to severe anxiety.

Cesarean Delivery on Maternal Request among Patients Undergoing Cesarean Section in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Caesarean delivery on maternal request in absence of any maternal and fetal indications and has become a concerning issue among obstetricians. It seems to be one of the contributory factors of increased cesarean rate all over the world. This study aims to find out the prevalence of cesarean delivery on maternal request among cesarean deliveries in a tertiary care hospital. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from November 1st 2019 to February 1st 2020 among women undergoing cesarean section in a tertiary care hospital. The ethical clearance was taken from the Institutional Review Committee of Kathmandu Medical College (reference number: 201120192). Convenient sampling was used. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0 was used for analysis. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. RESULTS: Out of 386 cesarean sections, maternal request was the indication in 72 (18.65%) (95% Confidence Interval = 14.76-22.54) mothers. Among the 72, 38 (52.7%) chose cesarean section for fear of labor pain, 14 (19.4%) for date-of-birth selection, 10 (13.8%) for anxiety of labor pain, because of cord around the neck in four (5.5%), male baby in three (4.1%), to avoid pelvic trauma in two (2.7%), and to go abroad in one (1.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a prevalence of cesarean delivery on maternal request higher than other national studies but was similar to the global prevalence. The commonest reasons were fear of labor followed by date-of-birth selection.

Study of Vitamin-D Deficiency among Pregnant Women in their First Trimester Visiting a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Vitamin-D deficient pregnant women are more likely to have pregnancy complications like pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, diabetes, preterm birth, etc. Associated factors include ethnicity, skin coverall, use of sun protection, overweight, vitamin-D intake, and smoking. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of Vitamin-D deficiency among pregnant women in a tertiary level hospital. METHODS: This study descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital from September 15th, 2020 to November 15th, 2020 where the pregnant women visiting for an antenatal checkup in the first trimester were enrolled. Ethical clearance was taken from the Institutional Review Committee of Kathmandu Medical College (reference no. 1808202003). A convenience sampling method was used. All the data were entered in the Statistical Package of the Social Sciences version 20.0 and analyzed. Point estimate at 90% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and percentage for binary data. RESULTS: Among a total of 47 cases, vitamin-D deficiency was seen in 21 (44.6%) (32.67-56.52 at 90% Confidence Interval). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of vitamin-D deficiency was similar to other studies done in similar settings.

Study of Menopausal Symptoms using Menopause Rating Scale at a Tertiary Care Center: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation for more than a year resulting from the loss of follicular activity of the ovaries. It is manifested by vasomotor, psychological, and urogenital symptoms which can be assessed by an internationally accepted scale known as Menopause Rating Scale. This study was conducted to find out the issues of perimenopausal women and proceed for management and proper counseling. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among women visiting the gynecological outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital from June 2017 to May 2018 using the Menopause Rating Scale. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee (reference number: 20122016). Convenient sampling was done. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0 was used for data analysis. Point estimate at 90% confidence interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. RESULTS: Out of 189 perimenopausal women interviewed, the mean age of menopause was found to be 50.2±2.1 years. The most common gynecological symptoms among the study population was abnormal uterine bleeding 66 (34.9%) followed by abnormal vaginal discharge 50 (26.5%). Among symptoms in Menopause Rating Scale, the depressive mood was found in 99 (52.4%) cases followed by joint and muscular discomfort 88 (46.6%) and bladder problems in 87 (46%). None of the women had a score on the Menopause Rating Scale more than 16 and did not require management for their problem. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the women didn't know menopausal symptoms. However, none required intervention from gynecologists for their problems reflecting better quality of life.