Emergence of the deadly corona virus infection took place in Wuhan in China in December last year. It soon spread to all countries and became a pandemic. India's first case of COVID 19 was confirmed in Kerala's Thrissur district on 30 January 2020. Ever since, our lives have changed and we are facing numerous difficulties. This editorial will take you through these difficulties faced by us at practice and in life in general. It presents a brief account of the impact of COVID 19 on functioning of this journal. We have compiled quality articles on COVID in a special section of this issue. This editorial also presents the highlights of these articles along with editorial comments. It contains lessons learned from original research on 141 covid positive pregnant women. It also covers issues faced by obstetricians like taking informed consent, lactation management, and safety of computed tomography imaging in pregnancy and newly introduced rapid testing strategies. It delves into the most sensitive issue of mental health of health care workers, economic crisis and takes a look at the way forward. We sincerely hope that this editorial is useful to our readers in their practice to cope up with this unforeseen crisis situation.
Background The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is the most challenging health crisis that we are facing today. Against the backdrop of this pandemic, it becomes imperative to study the effects of this infection on pregnancy and its outcome. Hence, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of COVID-19 infection on the maternal morbidity and mortality, the course of labour as well as the neonatal outcome.
Materials and Methods A total of 977 pregnant women were included in the study, from 1st April to 15th May 2020 at a tertiary care hospital. There were 141 women who tested COVID positive and remaining 836 patients were included in the COVID negative group. Findings were compared in both the groups.
Results The incidence of COVID positive pregnant women was found to be 14.43%. More patients delivered by LSCS in the COVID positive and the COVID negative group (50%) as compared to COVID negative group (47%), (p > 0.05). Low APGAR score (0-3) was observed in 2(1.52%) neonates of COVID positive mothers and in 15 (1.91%) neonates of COVID negative mothers. Overall most of the babies were healthy. Out of all babies tested, 3 were detected positive initially which were retested on day 5 and were found to be negative.
Conclusion There is no significant effect of COVID infection on maternal and foetal outcome in pregnancy and there is no evidence of vertical transmission of the COVID-19 infection but long-term follow-up of these babies is recommended.
Keywords COVID-19 • Pandemic • Pregnancy • Mortality • Morbidity • APGAR • Neonate
COVID-19 is a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Its impact on pregnant women is not yet clear owing to limited data and the knowledge is evolving in several aspects. Based on the available evidences, various clinical guidelines for management of COVID-19 have been formulated. This article intends to compile and summarise guidelines from esteemed organisations, along with their implication in the Indian scenario, and offers an easy tool for clinicians managing pregnant women in times of COVID-19.
Keywords COVID-19 • SARS-CoV • Pregnant women • Postpartum care
The encounter with the rampant novel Corona virus infection has led the healthcare system across the world to update and modify its tools to fight this pandemic. Pregnancy, childbirth and breast feeding are a set of special situations to be dealt in women afflicted with Covid-19. Currently there is no universal consensus on managing the issue of breast feeding with rooming-in of the neonates in women with suspected or confirmed Covid-19. Literature is still evolving with contradictory guidelines from various authorities across the globe. This review intends to analyse the available evidence on managing breast feeding in such women and to derive a practically plausible approach in handling such situations.
Keywords Breast feeding with Covid-19 • Neonatal Covid-19 • Vertical transmission of Covid-19
Objectives To evaluate β-hCG concentration in vaginal fluid as a biochemical marker for PPROM in suspected cases and its correlation with onset of labour.
Materials and Methods This is a prospective case–control study carried out in tertiary care centre in 1 year. Total 150 pregnant women of gestational age 28–36 week + 6 days were included and were divided into two groups: control (Group 1) (n = 50) normal antenatal patients. Group 2 cases with history of leaking per vaginum subdivided into two groups—Group 2A—(n = 50) with no detectable leakage of amniotic fluid present on per speculum examination and Group 2B—(n = 50) with minimal leaking per vaginum present upon per speculum examination (frank leaking were excluded). β-hCG level was measured by chemiluminescent microparticle assay, and all women were followed till onset of labour.
Results Mean β-hCG level in vaginal fluid was measured as 6.10 ± 8.52 mIU/mL, 57.10 ± 30.86 mIU/mL and 111.35 ± 36.01 mIU/mL in Group 1, Group 2A and Group 2B, respectively. By taking 21.5 mIU/ml as cut-off, receiver operating characteristic curve shows sensitivity 100%, specificity 92.0%, positive predictive value 92.6%, negative predictive value 100% and diagnostic accuracy 96%. Regarding the correlation of β-hCG level with onset of labour if the β-hCG level is < 21.5 mIU/ml, 100% pregnancy continued beyond 4 weeks and 56% women delivered within 4 weeks when β-hCG level is > 75 mIU/ml.
Conclusion β-hCG in vaginal fluid is a reliable biochemical marker for diagnosing suspected cases of PPROM and is well correlated with onset of labour.
Keywords β-hCG • Vaginal fluid • PPROM
Background Women with response to primary treatment for advanced ovarian cancer are said to have progression if CA125 increases more than double the upper normal limit (70 IU/L) on follow-up. It was, however, noted that large section of women with CA125 > 35 IU/L had disease on imaging.
Objective To compare values of CA125 rise at which radiological recurrence can be detected.
Methods This is a retrospective observational study where women with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer who underwent interval debulking surgery and completed treatment at Tata Medical Center, Kolkata, India, from 2012 to 2016, and were followed up with Ca125. If CA125 doubled or exceeded 35 IU/L or increased to ≥ 70 IU/L, women were subjected to imaging.
Results Among 142 women who underwent treatment, 64 women with response to primary treatment had recurrence. Recurrence was noted in two (3%) patients with doubling of Ca125 but ≤ 35 IU/, 18 (24%) patients with CA125 > 35 IU/L and 41 (64%) patients when CA125 was ≥ 70 IU/L. Three patients (5%) with normal CA125 had recurrence. Among the recurrence group, 45 women had R0 during surgery of which 27 (60%) had CA125 ≥ 70 IU/L and 14 (31%) had CA125 > 35 IU/L during recurrence. Sensitivity and specificity of value > 35 IU/L were 30.51% and 33.33%, respectively, with accuracy of 32.03%, while sensitivity and specificity at > 70 IU/L were 69.49% and 66.67%, respectively, with accuracy of 67.97%.
Conclusion CA125 value of ≥ 70 IU/L is a better predictor of recurrence; however, imaging done when value rises > 35 IU/L would be able to detect significant recurrences early thus allowing early treatment.
Keywords Ovarian cancer • Recurrence • CA125 • Imaging
Aim This study analyses the socio-demographic characteristics associated with post-sterilization regret.
Study Design The study uses cross-sectional data from the fourth round of National Family Health Surveys (2015–2016).
Methods Simple bivariate and binary logistic regressions analyses were used.
Results Research shows that 7% of women aged 15–49 reported sterilization regret, which increased by 2% from 2005 to 2016. It was found that factors significantly associated with sterilization regret were years since sterilization, child loss experience, regions of residence, and quality of services. Women who got sterilized at the age of 30 or more were more likely to express regret, than women who were sterilised before 25 years of age, when adjusted for confounding variables (aO.R= 1.006). Women having sons were less likely to report sterilization regret than women who had only daughters (aO.R.=1.3 for each) but on the contrary women having both son and daughter were significantly less likely to express regret in comparison with women having only sons (aO.R. = 0.8 for each. Women who had experienced child loss had higher odds of reporting sterilization regret in rural (aO.R =1.2) as well as in urban (aO.R = 1.3) areas respectively, compared to those who did not experience any child loss.
Conclusion Women need to be counselled about the permanent nature of sterilization in order to avoid future regret as sterilization is largely dominated by socio-economic conditions. Thus, couples' decision-making towards using the contraceptive from the basket of choice would help in uplifting the social and cultural status of women in conservative societies and will have a positive effect on contraceptive use. In addition, efforts should be made to educate both the partners equally about contraceptive methods that have higher efficiency. Further, there is also a need to improve the quality of services, both in terms of counselling and service provision. Lastly, health-related policies should tackle disparities in the empowerment, and economic status of women that would result in decreased post-sterilization regret, and will improve sexual relationships following sterilization.
Keywords Sterilization • Regret • National Family Health Survey • Regressions analysis
Aims The objective of this study was to describe the clinicopathological details in patients referred to the Gynaecologic Oncology Department with possible ovarian or primary peritoneal cancer where the final diagnosis turned out to be abdominal tuberculosis.
Methodology Retrospective chart analysis of 23 cases diagnosed with abdominal tuberculosis who were admitted under the Division of Gynaecologic Oncology suspected to have disseminated peritoneal malignancy, during 2014–2017.
Results There were 23 patients who were referred to the Gynaecologic Oncology outpatient for evaluation of ascites, to rule out malignancy. The mean age of this patient group was 35 years (SD 14.5, range 14–65). The mean CA 125 was 333.5 [400.7 (9.09–1568)]. Ascitic fluid analysis confirmed TB in 26%; omental biopsy revealed TB in 69%, and operative diagnostic procedures (laparoscopy and laparotomy) were done in 15 of the 23 patients which had a positive pick up rate of 100% to confirm the diagnosis of TB. Culture of ascitic fluid/omental tissue and PCR yields were poor with a pick up rate of 33% and 6%.
Conclusions Abdominal TB is common in India and can mimic ovarian malignancy, and hence, high degree of suspicion needed. The isolation of AFB is the gold standard for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis but has a low yield in abdominal TB. Ultrasound-guided procedure is reasonable as an initial procedure. As much time can be lost in working up these patients through multiple diagnostic algorithms using ascitic tap, USG biopsy and then an operative procedure, diagnostic laparoscopy could be considered early in the work up. It is a simple, time-saving and cost-effective way of establishing a diagnosis sooner with least complications.
Keywords Abdominal/peritoneal tuberculosis • Ascites differentials • Mimics of ovarian cancer
A woman who developed a persistent vegetative state in the late first trimester after an arterio-venous fistula (AVF) bleed in the brain presented at 12 weeks period of gestation. The difficult clinical and ethical management issues faced include whether to continue pregnancy, antenatal care and planning for delivery. Multidisciplinary team management along with a family centred approach helped in planning and continuing the pregnancy that resulted in a successful fetal outcome.
Keywords: Pregnancy • Persistent vegetative state • Coma • Ethical issues
Abbreviations:
AV arterio-venous
ICH intracranial hemorrhage
ECA external carotid artery
ICA internal carotid artery
MCA middle cerebral artery
DSA digital subtraction angiography
PVS persistent vegetative state
An inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour (IMT) is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm which was earlier considered under the broad category of inflammatory pseudotumor. It can arise from various anatomic location, out of all lung is the most common site. In our case a 27 years old female presented in our OPD with a mass arising from the episiotomy scar site in the vagina. The histopathological examination showed spindle-shaped cells in fascicles with inflamed granulation tissue with dense mixed inflammation. Immunohistochemistry test showed immunoreactivity for Smooth muscle actin (SMA) and are focally immunoreactive for Bcl2 and Desmin, negative for CK, CD34 and S100 protein. We framed our diagnosis of an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour of the episiotomy site. However, female genital tract IMT's are rare; to the best of our knowledge, there are no reported cases of IMT involving episiotomy site.
The outbreak of COVID-19 has become a globally concerning pandemic having affected more than 5 million people worldwide. The disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is highly contagious. Only limited literature exists on the evaluation and management of pregnant women with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. In this short commentary, we inform the readers of the potential role of chest CT in symptomatic COVID-19 pregnant women and the related limitations.
Keywords COVID-19 • Coronavirus • Chest CT • Pregnancy • Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 • SARSCoV- 2
Informed consent process has become a challenging issue before surgery for any emergency obstetric care during this COVID pandemic. There is an increased risk of morbidity if there is a need of intensive care unit postoperatively and a risk of high mortality if patient has symptoms of COVID-19. Admission to intensive care unit adds on to the financial burden to the patient. Also, there is an increased risk of perinatal anxiety and depression during the COVID pandemic. When an asymptomatic carrier develops symptoms of COVID after delivery or caesarean section, the morbidity increases. So we have designed an informed consent form for patients undergoing emergency obstetric surgeries incorporating some points specific for COVID-19.
Keywords COVID-19 • Pandemic • Informed consent
Background/purpose of study In view of restrictions on patients because of COVID-19 pandemic, face-to-face consultations are difficult. This short commentary tells us about the feasibility of telemedicine in this scenario in obstetrics and gynaecology.
Methods The database from our teleconsultation application (Apollo 247 and Askapollo) was analysed to assess feasibility of telemedicine and to design a triage pathway to reduce hospital visits for non-emergency situations and also to identify emergency cases without delay during this lockdown phase. Existing guidelines by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), Government of India, were accessed.
Results This was a single-doctor experience of 375 consultations done over 65 days. We also designed a triage pathway for obstetrics and gynaecology cases, and we discussed general practice for obstetricians and gynaecologists with its utility and limitations.
Conclusion Telemedicine has provided us the opportunity to manage women health problems and pregnancy concerns during this pandemic of COVID-19, except a few instances where face-to-face consultation or hospital visit is must. If we implement the triage pathway, we can minimize the risk of exposure for both patients and healthcare teams during COVID-19 pandemic.
Keywords Telemedicine • Obstetrics and gynaecology • Pandemic • Lockdown
