Does remote COVID infection in pregnancy affect the placenta and pregnancy outcomes? - Results from a prospective cohort study (PLACENTA IN COVID/ PIC study).

Objectives: To study the rates of abnormal placentae and associated adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnant women who had COVID 19 infection during pregnancy, remote from delivery. To study the histopathological findings associated with these abnormal placentae.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was carried out, recruiting pregnant women with singleton gestation, who had COVID 19 infection during their pregnancy, remote from delivery between August 2021 to July 2022.

Exploring the clinical utility of exome sequencing/Mono, Duo, Trio in prenatal testing: a retrospective study in a tertiary care centre in South India.

Objectives: With the availability of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) diagnosis of genetic disorders has improved significantly. Its use is also applicable to ascertain diagnosis and management in a perinatal setting. The study aims to detect the genetic aetiology of various congenital structural and functional defects using NGS technology in the reproductive cohort at a tertiary centre.

Comparing Obstetric and Perinatal Outcomes Following Elective and Emergency Cervical Cerclage in Singleton and Multiple Pregnancies in a Tertiary Care Perinatal Centre.

Objective: To compare the success, failure rates and perinatal outcomes following emergency and elective cervical cerclage in singleton and twin pregnancies at a tertiary care perinatal centre over half a decade.

Methods: All pregnant women, both with singleton and twin pregnancies, who had cervical cerclage between June 2014 and May 2019 were included in the retrospective study. Success rates, failure rates, maternal complications and perinatal outcomes were compared in both groups.

Serotype distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of invasive group B streptococcal disease-in South Indian population.

Invasive group B Streptococcal disease (iGBS) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates for which the development of an efficacious vaccine remains a global health imperative. The knowledge about the serotype distribution of iGBS is important component for formulation of Capsular polysaccharide (CPS)-based vaccine. However, there were absolute lack of information on serotype distribution in invasive GBS isolates from Indian subcontinent.

Successful Outcome of Pregnancy in Niemann-Pick Disease Type B: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Niemann-Pick (NPD) is a rare autosomal recessive disease, caused by deficiency of acid sphingomyelinase enzyme leading to accumulation of lipids mainly in the reticuloendothelial system and lungs. We describe the case of a 29-year-old primigravida, recently diagnosed with NPD type B. At initial evaluation, her platelets were normal, liver enzymes slightly elevated and splenomegaly on scan.

Spectrum of Chromosomal Abnormalities Detected by Conventional Cytogenetic Analysis Following Invasive Prenatal Testing of Fetuses with Abnormal Ultrasound Scans.

Objectives: The frequent association between malformations and chromosomal abnormalities is now well-established. This study looks at the incidence and type of chromosomal abnormalities detected by conventional cytogenetic analysis in women undergoing invasive tests following detection of fetal anomalies on antenatal scans as well as incidence of other genetic abnormalities detected by DNA analysis of fetuses with congenital anomalies that had a normal karyotype.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective, observational study of pregnant women undergoing invasive testing following identification of fetal anomalies by ultrasonography was carried out in a tertiary care facility, Vellore, India, between 2011 and 2018.

A retrospective study analyzing indications and outcomes of mid-trimester emergency cervical cerclage in a tertiary care perinatal centre over half a decade.

We studied the indications, success rate, perinatal outcomes and maternal complications following mid-trimester emergency cervical cerclage. All women undergoing mid-trimester emergency cerclage at our centre during 2014-2019 were included in this retrospective study.There were 46 women in our cohort.

Breast milk contains red cell isohaemagglutinins: An observational study of 176 mothers.

Background And Objectives: Maternal antibodies are transferred to the child, predominantly IgG, via the transplacental route, and mostly IgA through breast milk. Cases reported by us and others have shown the transfer of red cell allo-antibodies through breast milk. This study was conducted to assess the presence of isohaemagglutinins in breast milk, the range of titres, and the correlation between breast milk and maternal plasma titres.

Placenta accreta spectrum: Management and outcomes in a tertiary centre in India: An observational cross-sectional study.

Our observational cross-sectional study looked at the risk factors, diagnosis, management and outcomes of placenta accrete spectrum at the Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, India, between January 2013 and December 2018. A total of 21 cases of placenta accrete spectrum are described among whom a preop diagnosis was available in 14 cases. A previous history of Caesarean section and placenta previa was present in 90%.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy: An analysis of clinical profiles and outcomes from a tertiary care centre in southern India.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a syndrome of maternal heart failure with decreased left ventricular ejection fraction affecting maternal and fetal well-being. We analysed clinical profiles and outcomes in women with peripartum cardiomyopathy enrolled retrospectively from a tertiary care centre in southern India (1 January 2008-31 December 2014). The incidence of peripartum cardiomyopathy was one case per 1541 live births.

Audit of level II scans in a tertiary center of a middle-income country (MIC).

Context: Significant anomalies are those that are lethal or those that require prolonged follow-up and unaffordable treatments. Detection of these anomalies allows early termination or the support systems necessary for pregnancies with these diagnoses. Anxiety associated with overdiagnosis makes the woman a victim of modern imaging technology.

An Integrated System for Fetal Scalp Visualization, Blood Collection and Analysis.

Key Message: The new NB scope aids in better visualization of the scalp and blood collection and analysis at bed side.

Objective: Caesarean section rates and inherent complications are on the rise all over the world. One way to avoid a caesarean is to measure fetal scalp blood lactate levels.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) versus Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test (VDRL) and rapid plasma reagin test (RPR) for screening of syphilis in pregnant women.

Objective: To evaluate a treponemal enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as an alternative screening test for syphilis in pregnant women.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of diagnostic test accuracy was carried out in a large volume laboratory from a tertiary care center. A total of 416 serum samples, including 102 archived syphilis Treponema pallidum hemagglutination (TPHA)-positive samples and 314 samples from pregnant women, were used to determine the sensitivity and specificity of ELISA.

Obstetric and perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with Takayasu’s arteritis: single centre experience over five years.

Objective: To study obstetric and perinatal outcomes among pregnant women with Takayasu arteritis (TA), attending our hospital for pregnancy and childbirth between January 2011 to December 2016.

Material And Methods: Retrospective study was carried out by abstracting clinical charts on all pregnant women with TA who underwent antenatal care and/or delivery in our hospital during this period. American College of Rheumatology criteria was used for diagnosis of TA.

Decoding stillbirths using the Relevant Condition at Death classification: Study from the developing world.

Objective: To determine the stillbirth rate in 2017 at Christian Medical College, a tertiary care perinatal center in South India, and to identify causes for the various stillbirths that occurred using the Relevant Condition at Death (ReCoDe) classification.

Material And Methods: Medical records of the women with stillbirths between January 1, to December 31, 2017, were retrieved and analyzed using the SPSS software (IBM, version 23). The study was approved by the institutional review board (minute no: 11273, retro dated: 28/3/2018).

Tumour lysis in newborn: spontaneous or secondary to antenatal steroids?

Malignancies are rare in the early neonatal period. Common congenital tumours include malignant teratoma and neuroblastomas. Tumour lysis syndrome is a serious condition usually seen after commencement of chemotherapy for a malignancy.

Prevalence of group B Streptococcal colonization among pregnant women and neonates in a tertiary hospital in India.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of group B Streptococcus (GBS) carriage among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic, and the colonization rates among newborn born to colonized mothers.

Material And Methods: Women attending the antenatal clinic between 35-37 weeks were screened using rectal and lower vaginal swab. Swabs were initially plated on sheep blood agar and LIM broth.

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.

Risk Factors for Stress During Antenatal Period Among Pregnant Women in Tertiary Care Hospital of Southern India.

Background: The well-being of an infant may be affected when the mother is subjected to psychosocial stress during her pregnancy. Mothers exposed to stressful conditions were more prone for preterm birth than those without any stress. In this study perceived stress has been used as an indicator of levels of stress.

Comparison of neonatal outcomes in women with gestational diabetes with moderate hyperglycaemia on metformin or glibenclamide--a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Two oral hypoglycaemic agents, metformin and glibenclamide, have been compared with insulin in separate large randomised controlled trials and have been found to be as effective as insulin in gestational diabetes. However, very few trials have compared metformin with glibenclamide.

Materials And Methods: Of 159 South Indian women with fasting glucose ≥5.