Naina Kumar

AmniSure: A Point of Care Diagnostic for Preterm, Term Prelabor Rupture of Membranes

Background: Accurate, early diagnosis, prompt appropriate intervention is essential in the management of rupture of membranes (ROM), especially preterm. Aim: The aim was to determine efficacy of AmniSure rapid immunoassay placental alpha-microglobulin-1 test for accurate diagnosis of true ROM in women with watery discharge after 28 weeks gestation, compare with conventional methods. Subjects and Methods: Study was carried out in women presenting with ROM to labor the room of referral rural medical institute in Central India after ethical approval. Prospective study was performed in women presenting with symptoms/signs of ROM after 28 weeks of gestation. Sterile speculum examination was performed to observe pooling of liquor. Nitrazine, ferning tests were done to diagnose ROM. Vaginal examination was performed to determine cervical dilatation, effacement, station of presenting part in term cases. If all or 2 of 3 tests (pooling, ferning, and nitrazine) were positive, provisional diagnosis of ROM was made. Confirmation of ROM was done at birth. However, if 2 of 3 tests were negative, sterile speculum examination was repeated after 30 min of the first test. Test performance was calculated by comparing AmniSure results against final diagnosis at birth. Of 200 patients between 28 and 42 weeks gestation recruited for study, 31.5% (63/200) were preterm, 68.5% (137/200) term. Statistical analysis of data collected in the electronic database using SPSS version (Amnisure International LLC, 30 JFK Street, 4th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA). Results: AmniSure rapid immunoassay, rapid method for diagnosis of ROM, has 100% specificity, 99.44% sensitivity (one false negative due to meconium and immediate cesarean section). Conclusion: In comparison to nitrazine, pooling, ferning, AmniSure has almost 100% sensitivity, specificity.

Successful pregnancy outcome in an untreated case of concomitant transverse complete vaginal septum with unicornuate uterus

Transverse vaginal septum is a result of faulty canalization of embryonic vagina. Septum may be complete but usually has laterally placed tiny hole giving an impression of vaginal vault without cervix. We described a case of untreated transverse vaginal septum with small central aperture diagnosed during labor and unicornuate uterus diagnosed intraoperatively, with successful pregnancy outcome.

Role of Zinc in Male Infertility: Review of Literature

Infertility is a worldwide problem with male factor contributing equally to infertility as females. Zinc is one of essential trace elements required for normal physiology of male reproduction and plays important role in spermatogenesis. The process of spermatogenesis is well studied and understood, but studies related to role of essential nutritional elements like zinc; necessary for normal spermatogenesis are not yet covered thoroughly in detail. The present review throws light on role of zinc in human spermatogenesis as well as its effect on male infertility. Method: The literature regarding male infertility and role of zinc in male reproduction was searched from various journals and published peer-reviewed articles on Pubmed, MEDLINE, Embase and Google Scholar till 2015.