Uma Gupta

Structural violence on women: An impediment to women empowerment

Violence on women has been present in our society since times immemorial. The ethics, the values, the morals, the culture of the society has been framed in such a way or we can say structured in such a way so as to promote exploitation of this segment which is in reality the root of the society. The concept of STRUCTURAL VIOLENCE was introduced by Johan Galtung in 1969. It refers to a form of violence wherein some http://www.studylecturenotes.com/social-sciences/sociology/370-social-institution-definitions-a-structure-of-social-institution social institution may harm people by preventing them from meeting their basic needs. Violence against women has taken the form of a global epidemic which has taken its toll on the physical, psychological, sexual and economic life of the female. Johan Galtung in “Violence, Peace and Peace Studies”, 1969 has rightly remarked “when one husband beats his wife, there is a clear case of personal violence, but when one million husbands keep one million wives in ignorance, there is structural violence”. India has been slow in its pace for action against violence on women, but the brutal gang- rape of a 23 year old Delhi girl on December 2012 aroused the Indians from their deep slumber on this issue. Structural violence is a demon against women that is devouring the society. The combined efforts of Government NGOs and most important, the sufferers of this violence, the women have to take a major step to fight this dragon.

A rare case of Cushing's syndrome in pregnancy.

We report a case of Cushing’s syndrome (CS) in pregnancy. CS occurs due to abnormal exposure to excess glucocorticoids for a prolonged duration which leads to significant consequences if not treated. Fortunately, it is rare in pregnancy because of the menstrual disturbances and infertility with which it is associated. Its rarity leads to a low degree of clinical suspicion, often delaying diagnosis more or less completely. When it does occur, a high rate of miscarriage or preterm delivery and even sudden intrauterine death may be expected. Maternal morbidity includes hypertension, preeclampsia, wound breakdown, diabetes, fracture and opportunistic infections.

Study of antepartum haemorrhage and its maternal and perinatal outcome

Background: Antepartum haemorrhage (APH) is defined as bleeding from or into the genital tract after the period of viability until delivery of fetus. Etiology includes placenta previa, abruptio placentae, local causes, systemic causes and idiopathic origin. Objective of this study was to identify factors associated with APH, and to quantitate maternal morbidity, mortality and perinatal outcome in patients with APH at a tertiary care center in India. Methods: The study was a retrospective observational study and patient information was obtained from delivery records of 100 women presenting at gestational age of 28 weeks and above with APH. All patients with bleeding per vagina after 28 weeks of gestation were included in the study and were grouped as – Placenta Previa (PP), Abruptio Placenta (AP) or unknown causes. Results: Out of total 100 cases of APH, placenta previa contributed to 80%, abruptio placenta 19% and 1% unknown causes. Overall maternal mortality was 6%. Perinatal mortality was 42%. Prevalence of low birth weight and preterm babies was high. Conclusions: APH is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality which could be prevented by early registration, regular antenatal care, early detection of high risk cases, and early referral to higher center. Good facilities for caesarean section, availability of blood banks and multidisciplinary approach with a good NICU can improve maternal and perinatal outcome of APH. The results of this study were found in good agreement with previous studies.