Kiran Agarwal

Prevalence and determinants of "low birth weight" among institutional deliveries

Background: Birth weight is an important determinant of child survival and development. It is also a subject of clinical and epidemiological investigations. This study was planned to find out the epidemiological factors associated with low birth weight (LBW) among institutional deliveries so that suitable recommendation can be made to prevent LBW. Objectives: The present study was therefore undertaken to find out some maternal factors that may have their association, if any with LBW. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at tertiary care hospital among 350 mothers delivering live born neonate in study place. All babies were weighed within 24 hours after the birth. The babies were weighed on beam type weighing machine up to 20 g accuracy. LBW was defined as a birth weight of <2500 gram. All mothers were examined and interviewed within 24 hours after delivery and findings were recorded. The analysis was done using Epi Info package. Results : In this study, 40.0% mothers delivered LBW babies. Findings indicate that gestational age less than 37 weeks (76.5%), maternal age less than 20 years (58.5%), irregular antenatal checkup (70.5%), mother′s height less than 150 cm (68.5%), mother′s weight less than 50 kg (76.1%), hemoglobin less than 10 gm/dl (60.5%), severe physical work (78%), and tobacco chewing (58.5%) are significant determinants of LBW. Conclusion: Our study indicates that gestational age, maternal age, regular antenatal checkup, mother′s height, mother′s weight, anemia, physical work, and tobacco chewing are significant determinants of LBW. Prevalence of LBW can be reduced by increasing the gestational age, regular antenatal checkup, balanced diet during antenatal period, adequate rest during antenatal period, and avoiding the tobacco chewing.

Evaluation of paperless partogram as a bedside tool in the management of labor

Introduction: The partogram has been heralded as one of the most important advances in modern obstetric care. However, some healthcare practitioners, especially in high-income countries, have questioned its effectiveness. The purpose of this study is to evaluate prospectively the use of a paperless partogram as a bedside tool in the management of labor. Materials and Methods: Women were invited to participate in the trial if they were at 36 to 42 weeks of gestation, and carrying a singleton pregnancy, with a cephalic presentation. All women who met the criteria and gave informed consent were included in the study till the required sample size of 91 was obtained. Progress of labor was monitored on the basis of Alert estimated time of delivery (ETD) and Action ETD. At the time of the Action ETD, if woman had not yet delivered, a diagnosis of abnormal labor was made and arrangements were made for emergency obstetric care. Results: Out of 91 women who participated in the study 55 (60%) were primigravida and 36 (40%) were multipara. The mean age of the participants was 25.36 years and the mean duration gestation was 281.9 days. The mean duration for delivery after Alert ETD was 4.3 hours. In our study, out of 91 participants, labor was induced only in 13% of the cases. The mean duration for delivery after Alert ETD was 4.7 ± 1.9 hours in the primigravida and 3.7 ± 1.8 hours in multipara, but these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: In our study, the paperless partogram was found to be convenient and effective in the management of labor. The mean duration for delivery after Alert ETD was 4.3 hours in our study, which was similar to the World Health Organizations (WHO) recommendation for partograms, with a four-hour action line, denoting the timing of intervention for prolonged labor.

Comparative analgesic efficacy of buprenorphine or clonidine with bupivacaine in the caesarean section.

The need for early ambulation for caring of the neonate by mothers makes postoperative pain management after cesarean delivery unique. Favorable results have been observed with buprenorphine, clonidine and bupivacaine as epidural analgesics. This prospective, randomised triple blind control study was carried out among 112 lower segment caesarean segment (LSCS) patients, divided into three groups, to assess the analgesic efficacy and side effects of epidural analgesia, with an intermittent top up of (i) bupivacaine (0.125%) and buprenorphine (0.075 mg) (ii) bupivacaine (0.125%) and clonidine (37.5 microgram) and (iii) bupivacaine (0.125%) alone, in LSCS cases. The demographic characteristics (age, weight and height) of the three groups were comparable and the differences were not statistically significant. The mean duration of the analgesia was significantly longer in the group one patients receiving buprenorphine plus bupivacaine (690 ± 35 minutes) and it was lowest in group three patients receiving bupivacaine (170 ± 31 minutes) alone. The mean highest pain score (VAS scale) was significantly lower (3.4 ± 0.6) in group one patients and it was highest in group three (6.7 ± 0.8) patients. Requirement of continuation of epidural analgesia after 15 hours of operation and requirement of diclonfenac injections as well as incidence of itching and pruritus was significantly lower in group one patients. Incidence of nausea and vomiting was the lowest in group one patients. Incidence of respiratory depression, sedation and hypotension were nil in all three group of patients. Epidural buprenorphine combined with bupivacaine produced significantly longer duration and better quality of analgesia than bupivacaine combined with clonidine or bupivacaine alone, and it was safe in LSCS patients, for post-operative analgesia.

Efficacy of single dose epidural morphine versus intermittent low-dose epidural morphine along with bupivacaine for postcaesarean section analgesia

Background: Obstetric anesthesia presents a challenge to the anesthesiologist. The effective pain management allows the partu-rient adequate degree of comfort and promotes physical reco-very and a sense of well being. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled study was designed to assess the analgesic efficacy and side effects of 1.20 mg single-dose epidural morphine (Group 1) versus intermittent 12 hourly epidural morphine (0.5 mg) with bupivacaine (Group2) for postoperative analgesia in lower segment caesarean section cases. Results: Each group consisted of 36 patients. Demographic characteristics of two groups were comparable and differences among them were not statistically significant. Mean duration of analgesia was significantly longer in group one patients (16.5±2.5h) in comparison to group two patients (11.5±1.5h). Mean highest visual analog scales (VAS scale) was significantly lower (3.2±0.9) in group one patients in comparison of group two (6.7±0.8) patients. Only 43% patient in group one required supplementary perenteral analgesic (Paracetamole/Diclofenac) and 71% required epidural morphine/bupivacaine in group two. Mean number of supplementary perenteral analgesic required in group one was 0.7 and it was 1.8 in group two. There was no significant difference in nausea, vomiting, itching, and pruritis in two groups of patients. Conclusion: Our study showed that the use of single dose epidural morphine is associated with lower pain scores at rest and movement when compared to intermittent epidural morphine with bupivacaine in postcaesarean section analgesia.

Unusual foreign body (denture) in tracheo- bronchial tree.

Foreign bodies in aero-digestive tract have been reported over the years. A case of denture as a foreign body bronchus was reported to the department. We could find no evidence of denture being reported as foreign body bronchus & therefore this case is being reported.

Subcutaneous emphysema due to smooth foreign body bronchus an unusual finding

The clinical presentation of a foreign body aspiration is highly variable and preplexing. A case of smooth foreign body bronchus reported to the department of E.N. T. with subcutaneous emphysema. We could not find any report of a case of smooth foreign body bronchus presenting with subcutaneous emphysema and therefore this case is being reported.