Swati Rathore

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus infection during pregnancy in South India

To assess the clinical profile of pregnant/puerperal women from a semi‐urban Indian population who were infected with pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus (P[H1N1]2009v) and to evaluate their outcome.

A randomised controlled trial comparing 30 mL and 80 mL in Foley catheter for induction of labour after previous Caesarean section

Inducing labour with a Foley balloon catheter rather than using oxytocin or prostaglandins is considered to be less risky if the uterus is scarred.1 It is not known if more fluid in the balloon is more effective without being more dangerous. Volumes of 80 mL and 30 mL were compared in 154 eligible women. Mode of delivery, duration of labour and delivery within 24 h were similar in both groups. However, the second group required oxytocin more frequently. Though more scar dehiscences occurred in the first group, the difference was not significant.

Umbilical Cord Haematoma Causing Still Birth- A Case Report

Still birth continues to be one of the many challenges that an obstetrician has to face. Still births that occur in the antenatal period are more difficult to explain than that which occurs intrapartum. The latter is most often due to intrapartum asphyxia, medical complications or infections; however a cause for antenatal still birth is difficult to ascertain. A thorough examination of the case along with necessary investigations might not necessarily reveal any cause and this leads to considerable anxiety for both the mother and the treating obstetrician. In the investigation of a case of still birth a detailed examination of the placenta and cord has to be emphasised as a considerable number of still births that are thought to be unexplained may be attributable to placental or cord pathologies. Here we present one such case where an umbilical cord haematoma resulted in intrauterine foetal death.

Harlequin Ichthyosis: Prenatal Diagnosis of a Rare Yet Severe Genetic Dermatosis

Harlequin Ichthyosis (HI) is an extremely rare genetic skin disorder. It is the most severe type of ichthyosis. It is characterized by thickened, dry, rough and armor like plates of skin with deep cracks in between. Alternative names for HI include- keratosis diffusafetalis, ichthyosis congenital, icthyosis fetalis, harlequin fetus and icthyosis congenital gravior. It is an autosomal recessive disorder with the majority of affected individuals being homozygous for mutation in the ABCA 12 gene. This condition presents with a wide range of severity and symptoms. Affected neonates usually do not survive beyond first few days of life. We are presenting prenatal diagnosis of a case of this rare condition.

Digital stretching of cervix in the active phase of labour to shorten its duration: a randomised control trial

An assessment of the efficacy and satisfaction of women in active labour having digital cervical stretching compared to women who did not have this intervention. Ours was a randomised controlled trial at a tertiary centre in India. Low-risk women at term with vertex presentation in active labour with ruptured membranes and cervical dilation of 4–6 cm were included. Stretching to delivery interval was 247.5 ± 158.2 min in the intervention group and 265.5 ± 158.4 in the control group. The mode of delivery, incidence of cervical tear, and maternal, fetal and neonatal complications were similar in both groups. The Labour and Delivery Satisfaction Index (LADSI) was similar in both groups. While no significant discomfort was perceived with stretching, it does not appear to expedite labour.

Randomized controlled trial of the effect of amniotomy on the duration of spontaneous labor

To investigate the effect of amniotomy on the duration of spontaneous labor.