Neena Malhotra

Predictive value of endometrial thickness, pattern and sub-endometrial blood flows on the day of hCG by 2D doppler in in-vitro fertilization cycles: A prospective clinical study from a tertiary care unit

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the role of endometrial thickness, pattern and sub-endometrial blood flows measured by 2D power Doppler ultrasound to predict pregnancy during in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, non-randomized clinical study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective observational study. A total of 101 infertile women were recruited from our IVF-ET program from January to December, 2009. Women with tubal factor, male factor and unexplained infertility were included in the study. RESULTS: The mean age was 35 years and mean duration of infertility was 8 years. Seventy five (74.25%) patients had primary infertility and 26 (25.74%) had secondary infertility. The mean endometrial thickness was 8.1 mm and endometrial blood flow was in Zone I in 18 patients, 28 patients had blood flow in Zone II and 54 had in Zone III. Overall, 27 (26.73%) patients conceived and in these women the endometrial thickness was between 6 and 12 mm. CONCLUSIONS: With a thin endometrium (≤7 mm) and no-triple-line endometrial pattern coexisting in an in-vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) candidate, cryopreservation should be recommended. With a thin endometrium and a good texture (triple-line), other prognostic factors, such as embryo quality, should be taken into account. The endometrial vascularity has a useful predictive value on the implantation rate in IVF cycles irrespective of the morphological appearance of the endometrium. However, further study is needed to make a definitive conclusion.

Clinical significance of reactive oxygen species in semen of infertile Indian men

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in semen are believed to play both physiological and pathological roles in male fertility. The study was aimed to find the clinical significance of ROS levels in infertile Indian men. This pilot study included 33 idiopathic infertile men and 18 proven fertile controls. ROS levels in the washed sperm were measured using chemiluminescence assay and expressed as 106 cpm per 20 million spermatozoa. Sperm count, percent sperm motility, and percent normal sperm morphology were found to be significantly (P < 0.0001) reduced in infertile men compared with the controls. Median (minimum, maximum range) ROS levels of the infertile group [24.90 (6.89, 44.71)] were found to be significantly (P < 0.0001) elevated compared with the fertile controls [0.167(0.15, 2.78)]. No significant correlation was seen between ROS levels and semen parameters. Elevated ROS levels in the idiopathic Indian infertile men may be one of the underlying reasons for impaired fertility. Therefore measurement of seminal ROS levels may be used in Indian infertile men for better understanding of the aetiology and selection of antioxidant regimen in the treatment of male infertility. However, large studies may be urgently warranted to find out the role of antioxidants in ROS elevated Indian infertile men through randomised, controlled clinical study.

Maternal antenatal profile and immediate neonatal outcome in VLBW and ELBW babies

ObjectiveTo evaluate the antenatal profile of the mother and the immediate neonatal morbidity and mortality till discharge.MethodsThe study was a retrospective analysis of 92 patients of preterm labour who delivered babies weighing <1500 gms at 26 weeks to 34 weeks of gestation. The maternal demographic profile, causes of preterm labour, treatment profile and delivery outcome were recorded. Similarly the immediate neonatal morbidity and mortality were recorded in our case file. Both these data of maternal and neonatal profile were pooled and analysed.ResultsA total of 92 mothers in preterm labour at 26 to 34 weeks were admitted and subsequently delivered 70 VLBW babies (<1500 gms) and 36 ELBW babies (<1000 gms) including 8 pairs of twins and 3 triplets pregnancies. Majority of the patients (93.4%) were booked. Amongst the various high risk factors for preterm labour, anaemia, during pregnancy (32.6%), bacterial vaginosis (26%), gestational hypertension (18.4%) and pervious history of preterm labour (18.4%) were common associations. Calcium channel blocker (Depin) tocolysis was effective in postponing labour, from 48 hours to more than 2 weeks. The cesarean section rate was very high (67.3%) in our study. The commoner neonatal complications in both VLBW and ELBW babies were RDS, neonatal jaundice and sepsis. Features of IUGR were seen in both the groups (22.8% in VLBW and 22.2% in ELBW babies). The neonatal mortality rate till discharge was 15.7% in VLBW group and 33.3% in ELBW group. The morality rate was highest in 26 to 30 weeks gestation babies and in babies weighing <800 gms.ConclusionAntenatal profile of preterm labour in our series showed a number of high risk factors. The identification of common high risk factors is important for appropriate prenatal care. A better neonatal survival rate was possible due to timely intervention, appropriate management and NICU care facility available in our tertiary care centre.

Pregnancy associated aplastic anemia: maternal and fetal outcome.

Aim:  To study the maternal and fetal outcome in cases of aplastic anemia associated with pregnancy.

Hydatiform mole with coexisting live fetus in dichorionic twin gestation

A case of dichorionic twin pregnancy was diagnosed in a 29-year-old, on routine ultrasound at 12 weeks. Subsequent ultrasounds for persistent vaginal bleeding at 16 weeks revealed molar placenta with viable fetus in both gestational sacs. The patient declined any invasive prenatal testing to confirm the karyotype of the fetus. The pregnancy was managed expectantly until 21 weeks, when she had a spontaneous abortion of twin fetuses and separate placentae with attached molar tissue. A final karyotype on cord blood samples confirmed 46XY and 46XX for both fetuses. Histopathology of molar tissue reported complete mole, with diploid chromosomal pattern on subsequent DNA flow cytometry. The clinical, ultrasound and chromosomal examination suggest that there has been a quadruplet pregnancy where two embryos developed into normal fetuses and other two degenerated to complete moles.

Correlation of angiogenic cytokines-leptin and IL-8 in stage, type and presentation of endometriosis

Pelvic endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease with an immunological background. Yet there is paucity of contemporary research exploring both the angiogenic cytokines, leptin and IL-8 for a possible role in its pathophysiology. Objective: To compare levels of both leptin and IL-8 in peritoneal fluid (PF) in women with endometriosis vs. fertile controls and correlate with disease stage, type and symptoms. Materials and methods: PF from 58 women with endometriosis and 28 women undergoing tubal ligation was collected at laparoscopy and leptin and IL-8 levels were measured using ELISA. Results showed significantly higher levels of both cytokines in women with endometriosis. Significantly higher leptin and IL-8 levels were demonstrated in patients with early peritoneal (ASRM stage I and II) and advancing disease (ASRM stage III and IV), respectively. Levels of leptin/IL-8 were significantly lower in patients with endometrioma (4.8 ng/mL/32 pg/mL) vs. implants (13.0 ng/mL/68 pg/mL). There was no correlation of infertility or chronic pelvic pain with these levels. Conclusion: Both leptin and IL-8 levels are raised in PF of women with endometriosis reflecting inflammation and dysregulated immunomodulation. Higher levels of leptin were seen in early stages; IL-8 seems to stimulate the disease in a dose-dependent manner.

The Genetic Aspects of Pre-eclampsia: Achievements and Limitations

Pre-eclampsia, a life-threatening disease during pregnancy, is a leading cause of global maternal mortality. Although there is substantial evidence of a genetic background, the complexity of the processes involved and nature of the maternal–fetal phenomenon do not make the search for the causative genes easy. Recent retrospective studies on the subject suggest the heritable allelic variations, particularly the utero-placental renin–angiotensin system with defective placental vascular development, could become the cornerstone for the genetics of pre-eclampsia and hence might well be associated with such defective development. Moreover, the role of immune mechanisms (immune maladaptation) deserves not to be ignored. Large-scale studies entailing genomewide scanning, sib-pair linkage analysis, and family-based association studies with appropriate power to detect genes with a lower relative risk are necessary to understand the puzzle of the disease. Moreover, recently, the importance of epigenetic features and the effect of imprinted genes related to trophoblast growth as well as fetal development on hypertension in pregnancy have been highlighted. All these possibilities are intuitively attractive and are supported by some circumstantial evidence. Although the consistent tenor of a series of papers instills some confidence, we need meticulously designed larger-scale investigations including large numbers of affected women and their babies to provide the analytic stringency essential to study the polygenic multifactorial basis of pre-eclampsia.

High prevalence of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome in genital tuberculosis.

Perihepatitis with violin string adhesions between the liver and the anterior abdominal wall in association with gonococcal or chlamydial salpingitis constitutes Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome (FHCS). It manifests as pain and tenderness in the right upper quadrant of abdomen pleuritic pain exacerbated by breathing coughing laughing and movement probably due to irritation of Glissons capsule of the liver. There are two phases of the syndrome; acute and chronic. In the acute phase perihepatitis and focal peritonitis result from the transport of inflammatory peritoneal fluid either directly or by lymphatic vessels to the subphrenic and subdiaphragmatic spaces. In the chronic phase violin string adhesions are observed between the anterior surface of the liver and the anterior abdominal wall. Recently genital and abdominal tuberculosis has been observed to be associated with FHCS in a report of three cases. From June 2004 to December 2006 a total of 82 women were found to have genital tuberculosis.The ages ranged between 19 to 46 years (mean age 25.6 years). Most women were from rural areas (n=60 75.6%) with the majority of poor or low socioeconomic status (n=72 87.8%). (excerpt)

COMPARISON OF EFFICACY OF ORAL DROTAVERINE PLUS MEFENAMIC ACID WITH PARACERVICAL BLOCK AND WITH INTRAVENOUS SEDATION FOR PAIN RELIEF DURING HYSTEROSCOPY AND ENDOMETRIAL BIOPSY

BACKGROUND Office hysteroscopy with endometrial biopsy is usually the first investigation for abnormal uterine bleeding and other uterine diseases. AIMS To evaluate the effect of oral drotaverine with mefenamic acid on pain perception during hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy and to compare it with that of paracervical block using 1% lignocaine and with that of intravenous sedation using diazepam with pentazocine. SETTINGS AND DESIGN Outpatient gynecological department and open randomized trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred twenty women undergoing hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy were randomized into 3 groups. Group I received tablet containing drotaverine hydrochloride (80 mg)+mefenamic acid (250 mg), group II received lignocaine paracervically and group III received intravenous diazepam. The intensity of pain during the procedure, 30 and 60 minutes later on visual analog scale (VAS) was assessed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis test, with the Bonferroni correction, the t test, and the chi2 test. RESULTS Groups were similar in age, parity, vaginal birth or relevant medical history. A statistically significant difference in pain scores was noted among the 3 groups during the procedure (group I, 4.13+/-1.28; group II, 5.93+/-1.26; group III, 5.58+/-1.51), (P<0.001); as well as 30 minutes later (group I, 1.78+/-0.89; group II, 2.53+/-0.81; group III, 2.23+/-0.94), (P<0.001) and 60 minutes later (group I, 1.2+/-0.46; group II, 1.98+/-0.83; group III, 1.68+/-0.75), (P<0.001). VAS at different time intervals among the groups was also statistically significant. No adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS Oral drotaverine with mefenamic acid is effective in women undergoing hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy.

Comparison of perinatal outcome of growth-restricted fetuses with normal and abnormal umbilical artery Doppler waveforms.

AIMS To evaluate the role of umbilical artery Doppler in growth- restricted fetuses. MATERIALS AND METHODS In a prospective observational study, 70 pregnant women with growth-restricted fetuses confirmed by ultrasound, were followed up with Doppler studies of the umbilical artery. The study group consisted of 35 women, where the Doppler waveform in the umbilical artery was compromised (either absent end diastolic flow [AEDF] or reversed end diastolic flow [REDF]). These were compared with an equal number of controls, where growth- restricted fetuses had normal doppler waveforms. Outcome measures were evaluated in both groups and analyzed. RESULTS The periods of gestation at delivery were 27.2 +/- 3.5 weeks in group 1 and 37 +/- 3.3 weeks in-group II, respectively. Perinatal morbidity and mortality was significantly increased in the group with compromised umbilical artery blood group. Birth weight in group I was 742 +/- 126 grams and in group II was 1680 +/- 259 grams. This difference was statistically significant (P=0.0001). In comparison to AEDF, REDF fetuses had more morbidities. Perinatal mortality was also significantly increased in this group (P=0.001). CONCLUSION Umbilical artery Doppler should be used in the management of growth-restricted fetuses. In those fetuses in normal Doppler, pregnancy can be prolonged. REDF is an indication for termination of pregnancy.