A prospective blinded diagnostic accuracy study to assess the accuracy of fetal weight estimation at term by clinical method using Leopold's maneuvers and ultrasonography in predicting the actual birth weight.

Context: Over-medicalization of normal pregnancy is associated with unnecessary inductions of labor leading to operative deliveries. In a busy outpatient department (OPD) or low-resource setup where ultrasound availability, experience, and cost will be a concern, routine ultrasound at term can be avoided if the clinical estimation of fetal weight is more or less equal to the actual birth weight.

Aims: To assess the reliability and validity of fetal weight estimation at term by ultrasound and clinical estimation.

A randomized controlled trial comparing two antenatal care regimes in the management of mild to moderate gestational diabetes in a low-middle income country.

Context: The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in the Indian subcontinent has increased exponentially, especially after new diagnostic criteria. Identifying women who need close monitoring is a challenge. Ultrasound has been used to guide therapy but its use in the management of GDM has been used indiscriminately due to paucity of information.

Late-Preterm Antenatal Steroids for Reduction of Neonatal Respiratory Complications: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of antenatal corticosteroids in reducing neonatal respiratory complications when administered to those at risk of preterm delivery between 34 and 36 6/7 weeks of gestation.

Methods: This was a single-center, triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in southern India enrolling pregnant participants at risk of preterm delivery between 34 and 36 6/7 weeks of gestation. Computer-generated block randomization was used with participants randomized to either one course of intramuscular betamethasone or placebo.

C- reactive protein levels in women with prelabour rupture of membrane and women with normal labour.

Background: There is a very little information known about CRP in term pregnancies. It is a marker that is easily tested and is inexpensive. Although CRP has been used very effectively in diagnosing infection in the neonate, its clinical use and values have not been studied in term pregnancies.

The efficacy and safety of 25 μg or 50 μg oral misoprostol versus 25 μg vaginal misoprostol given at 4- or 6-hourly intervals for induction of labour in women at or beyond term with live singleton pregnancies: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Misoprostol is widely used for cervical ripening and labour induction as it is heat-stable and inexpensive. Oral misoprostol 25 μg given 2-hourly is recommended over vaginal misoprostol 25 μg given 6-hourly, but the need for 2-hourly fetal monitoring makes oral misoprostol impractical for routine use in high-volume obstetric units in resource-constrained settings.

Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of oral misoprostol initiated at 25 or 50 μg versus 25 μg vaginal misoprostol given at 4- to 6-hourly intervals for labor induction in women at or beyond term (≥ 37 weeks) with a single viable fetus and an unscarred uterus.

Study protocol: 'a large cohort study of postnatal events in a not-for-profit referral centre in Vellore, South India'.

Introduction: In a large developing country, with diverse population characteristics and differential access to healthcare, it is important to identify factors that influence postnatal health. This knowledge will help frame recommendations to enhance universal postnatal care.

Methods And Analysis: A prospective cohort study will be conducted by recruiting all participants who deliver in a referral centre in South India during a 1-year period after written consent is obtained from them.

Placental chorioangioma with an emphasis on rare giant placental chorioangioma and associated maternal and perinatal outcome: Clinicopathological study in a single centre.

Context: Giant placental chorioangiomas (GPC) are exceedingly rare and harbour potential to cause feto-maternal complications with resultant morbidity.

Aims & Materials And Methods: A retrospective study using details from Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Pathology is done to study the various clinical and pathological features of placental chorioangiomas with a special emphasis on the rare GPCs and associated complications.

Results: Over a period of 16 years, 20 cases were diagnosed as chorioangioma in our institution.

Is new onset hypertension in obese women more likely to be Gestational Hypertension? - A retrospective study.

Introduction: New onset hypertension is more common in antenatal women with increased Body Mass Index (BMI). This may be due to either gestational hypertension (GH) or pre-eclampsia (PE). GH unlike PE is not associated with poor perinatal outcomes and would not require interventions such as increased antenatal visits and induction of labour.

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.

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.

A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial comparing stepwise oral misoprostol with vaginal misoprostol for induction of labour.

A comparison of induction of labour (IOL) using three doses of 25 µg vaginal misoprostol inserted at intervals of 4 h or more with a stepwise oral regime starting with 50 µg followed by two doses of 100 µg was studied in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial in a tertiary centre in South India. Primary outcome was vaginal delivery in 24 h. Significantly more women in the first group required oxytocin augmentation and a third dose of the drug than women in the second group.