Anemia among Pregnant Women at Nepalgunj Medical College

Introduction: Anemia in pregnancy is major health issue of developing countries responsible for adverse maternal and fetal outcome. According to World health organization pregnant women with hemoglobin level less than 11 gm/dl in first trimester and less than 10.5gm/dl in second and third trimester are considered to be anemic. Iron deficiency anemia is common during pregnancy followed by megaloblastic anemia. Aims: To find out the prevalence of anemia during pregnancy. To correlate the maternal and fetal complications associated with anemia during pregnancy. Methods: This is a prospective hospital based study done at department of obstetrics and gynecology Nepalgunj Medical College from July 2020 to January 2021. All pregnant women with hemoglobin level <11 gm/dl were enrolled in the study. Data were collected from antenatal clinic and biochemistry laboratory. Results: In this study maximum participants were of age group 20-25 consisting of 38.5%. Anemia was more common in multiparous i.e. 60% as compared to primipara i.e. 40%. In this study maximum participant had vaginal delivery (57%) followed by LSCS (29%) then instrumental delivery (14%). These ladies had complications like postpartum hemorrhage (27.7%), preterm labor (16.9%), pregnancy induced hypertension (9.2%). similarly 10.8% had sepsis and 20% had no complications. About 23.1% babies delivered by anemic ladies required neonatal intensive care. Intrauterine growth restriction was seen in 12.3%, preterm birth in 10.3% and 53.8% babies had no complications. Conclusion: The prevalence of anemia during pregnancy is high leading to adverse maternal and fetal outcome.

Obstetric and perinatal outcomes of expectant management and immediate induction of labour in term premature rupture of membranes: promising outcomes from expectant management cohort

Background: Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) is common obstetric entity, the management even at term is controversial and there is no consensus for definite protocol of management. Objective of the present study is to compare the effectiveness, safety of expectant management of 24 hours and immediate induction with PGE2 gel in terms of maternal and fetal outcome in term PROM.Methods: 200 women were randomized to group A expectant management and group B immediate induction, after strict Inclusion and exclusion criteria. In expectant group waiting period was 24 hours. Multiple end points were examined throughout management. Chi square test and independent t tests were performed for statistical analysis. P value<0.05 was considered significant.Results: Demographic parameters of patients, maternal and gestational age were similar in both groups. Primigravidae were more in both groups A and B. Vaginal delivery rate is more in expectant group and Caesarean Section rate is high in immediate induction group. CS rate was 37% and 23% in group A and B respectively; the difference is statistically significant (p value=0.031). ‘ROM to delivery interval’ was more in group A (16.31±8.67 hrs and 13.85±5.46 hrs) (p value=0.0256). Hospital stay was comparatively more in group A (5.40±0.81 days and 4.11±0.86 days) (p value=0.435). Infective morbidity of mother and baby was low in both groups and no difference was seen.Conclusions: An expectant management allows a good number of women to go into labour and deliver vaginally without an increase in CS rate and infectious morbidity for mother and fetus.

The femur too short? 1373 fetuses with short femur during second-trimester screening

Purpose A short fetal femur in prenatal diagnosis might be an indicator for intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), a genetically determined small child (SGA) with or without associated fetal malformations and/or an adverse fetal outcome. Methods 1373 singleton pregnancies with a femoral length < 5th percentile detected between 1999 and 2015 during second-trimester screening in a tertiary prenatal diagnostic center were subjected to a descriptive retrospective analysis with regard to fetal characteristics as well as pregnancy outcome. Results 685 (49.9%) fetuses presented an isolated short femur, while 688 (50.1%) showed additional abnormalities. 293 (42.6%) of those were SGA babies without any malformation, while 395 (57.4%) had one or more severe anomaly of the following organ systems: 157 (11.5%) cardiovascular, 101 (7.4%) musculoskeletal, 82 (6.0%) urogenital, 72 (5.2%) cerebrocephalic, 50 (3.6%) gastrointestinal, and 5 (0.4%) thoracic. 75 (5.5%) of the fetuses showed chromosomal aberrations of which Trisomy 13, 18 and 21 were found in 2, 13 and 27 of the cases, respectively. Fetuses with associated malformations had a significantly lower live birth rate than those without (64.2% vs. 98.1%, p < 0.001); in addition, a higher rate of preterm births 36.6% vs. 11.3%, p < 0.001) and SGA babies (51.4% vs. 30.4%, p < 0.001) were observed in the first collective. Conclusion Diagnosis of a short fetal femur should lead to an extended organ screening; in the case of associated abnormalities, additional genetic testing has to be offered, as well as intensified pregnancy monitoring in pregnancies at risk for IUGR and/or preterm birth.

Maternal and Fetal Outcome of Pregnancy with COVID- 19 in A Tertiary Level Hospital, Bangladesh

Introduction: Pregnant women have long been recognized as a vulnerable population during infectious disease pandemics due to physiological changes in the immune, pulmonary, cardiac and coagulation systems. It is essential to acquire knowledge of pregnancy outcomes, potential complications and neonatal health conditions born to an infected mother with COVID-19. Material and methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Jashore from June 2020 to July 2021 among 100 hospitalized laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 positive pregnant women, patients who had clinical symptoms of COVID but RT PCR negative were excluded. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical profile and maternal and fetal outcome of pregnancy. Relevant data were recorded in a preformed data collection sheet and analyzed by SPSS version 20. Results: Among 100 COVID-19 positive hospitalized pregnant women, the mean age of participants was 27years (range 19-40 years), Maximum infection rate observed during 12 to 28 weeks of gestation among the participants, 21% got infected at 37 to 40 weeks of gestation and 20% got infected at 32 to 36 weeks. Seventy-four percent patients underwent delivery during the study & 23% of them continued with ongoing pregnancy; 67 of the participants underwent LUCS and 7 vaginal deliveries were done, 3% had abortion and IUFD 1% ,61% were multipara and 39% were Primipara, associated co-morbidities were subclinical hypothyroidism(15%), pregnancy induced HTN(12%) and GDM(8%); 36% participants were asymptomatic and 44% had mild symptoms, rate of LUCS was higher than (90.64%) vaginal delivery. Among the 73 live births, 80.82% were term and 10.18% were preterm of neonates, small for gestational was seen in the case of 20.55% neonates. Testing for SARS-CoV-2 was performed in all neonatal throat swabs and found positive in one case only. Eighty-six percent neonates were well-baby and 9.58% neonates required NICU admission. There were 2 neonatal deaths due to severe prematurity and 2 babies were found to have congenital cardiac anomaly and cleft lip, cleft palate. Though 36% of patients were asymptomatic but 10% were severe and in the critical stage. HDU support needed for 8% of patients and ICU support for 6%. Conclusion: This cross-sectional study supports that pregnant women with COVID-19 infection are at increased risk of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes and a low risk of congenital transmission. Availability of ICU in critical conditions is needed for better pregnancy outcomes. J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2022; 40: 10-16

Progesterone supplementation for prevention of preterm birth.

Objective: To study the efficacy of Progesterone supplementation for prevention of preterm birth. Study Design: Descriptive Interventional Study. Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Independent University Hospital, Faisalabad. Period: January 2018 to December 2020. Material & Methods: Data collected by using Non probability consecutive sampling techniques. Total 156 patients were included in study. Data was collected after informed consent, on pre designed proforma. Patient presented in 1st trimester and having previous history spontaneous preterm labour and recurrent miscarriages. We included patient presenting after 24 weeks of pregnancy and patient having threatened or actual preterm labour. Results: Among 156 patients, more than 82% of patient were delivered after 34 weeks of gestation and 18% were delivered before 34 weeks of gestation. Fetal outcome was very good in those patients who were delivered after 34 weeks of gestation with the use of Prophylactic progesterone therapy. Conclusion: Prophylactic use of progesterone helps in prolongation of pregnancy beyond 36 weeks and also help in decreasing the morbidity associated with premature delivery.

A new indication for elective induction of labor COVID-19 pandemic effect

Background: Induction of labour is performed in certain circumstances which involve greater risks of waiting for the onset of spontaneous labour than the risks due to shortening the duration of pregnancy by induction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the maternal and fetal outcome in patients undergoing elective induction during COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted on 60 ANC patients with singleton pregnancy and POG >39 weeks coming to OPD with negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report. To avoid the burden of repeat testing after one week and risk of exposure to COVID-19 virus from community, patients were induced. All the data was recorded and analyzed.Results: Most of the patients were in age group of 20-25 years (50%) and only 6.7% of the patients were older than 30 years. 32 (53.3%) patients were multiparous and 50% of the patients were having Bishop score between 2-5 and only 8.3% had bishop score of more than 5. 47 patients (78.3%) underwent normal vagina delivery whereas 12 patients (20%) underwent LSCS. Failure of Induction was the indication for LSCS in 5 patients (41.7%).Conclusions: Elective induction was found to be better option in COVID-19 negative patients. All pregnant women should be monitored for development of symptoms and signs of COVID-19 particularly if they have had close contact with a confirmed case. Pregnancy and childbirth generally do not increase the risk for acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection but may worsen the clinical course of COVID-19 compared with nonpregnant individuals of the same age.

First-line noninvasive management of cytomegalovirus primary infection in pregnancy

Objectives To introduce a first-line noninvasive antenatal management of maternal cytomegalovirus (CMV) primary infection based on ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Amniocentesis (AC) is used as a second-line tool in cases of abnormalities compatible with fetal CMV infection on US and/or MRI screening. Methods Between January 2011 and October 2018, pregnant women referred with a CMV primary infection on antibody screening were followed up by monthly US scans and a brain MRI at approximately 32 weeks. In cases with US and/or MRI abnormalities compatible with congenital CMV infection, AC was performed to confirm the diagnosis. Results Ninety pregnant women with a primary CMV infection were included (89 singleton and one twin pregnancy). The first-line screening by US and/or MRI was normal for 72 of 91 fetuses (79%). At birth, 19 of these 72 neonates (26%) had a positive urine sample for CMV but were asymptomatic. US and/or MRI abnormalities were identified in 19 fetuses (21%). AC confirmed a fetal CMV infection in 16 fetuses (84%); 12 pregnancies were terminated, and four were continued, with three symptomatic neonates at birth and one poor neurodevelopmental outcome at postnatal follow-up. Conclusions First-line noninvasive management of maternal CMV primary infection based on serial US scans and brain MRI can be offered to identify fetuses with severe symptomatic congenital CMV infection and reduce the number of ACs without compromising the fetal outcome.

On the cutting edge: key findings on maternal and neonatal outcomes in women with COVID-19 in a study by the World Association of Perinatal Medicine

The World Association of Perinatal Medicine (WAPM) study on the COrona VIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was an international, retrospective cohort study that included pregnant women tested positive with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection between February and April 2020. The study involved 73 centers from 22 countries. The WAPM study included 388 singletons, viable pregnancies, positive to SARS-CoV-2 at real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction nasal and pharyngeal swab. The majority of the included women were symptomatic. The occurrence of maternal adverse events was significantly higher in symptomatic, compared with asymptomatic pregnant women. Women carrying high-risk pregnancies (either preexisting chronic medical conditions in pregnancy or obstetrical disorders occurring in pregnancy) were at a higher risk of hospital admission, presence of severe respiratory symptoms, admission to the intensive care unit, and invasive mechanical ventilation. As per maternal outcomes, the occurrence of fetal and neonatal adverse events was significantly higher in symptomatic, compared with asymptomatic pregnant women. The incidence of a composite adverse fetal outcome was significantly higher when the infection occurred in the first trimester, and in fetuses with lower birthweight.