The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of India
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VOL. 72 NUMBER 4 July-August 2022 Regular Issue

Management of Obesity in Midlife Women—An AIIMS DST FOGSI Initiative

Geetha Balsarkar1

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Meta‑analysis to Assess the Association of Lateral Location of Placenta on Ultrasound with Preeclampsia

Saudamini A. Naik1 · Amit S. Naik1 · Shekhar B. Padhyegurjar2

Introduction Several studies have shown association between lateral placenta on ultrasound and preeclampsia (PE).This meta-analysis aims to review majority of the articles published between 1990 and 2020 and analyze the data extracted from them to find whether such an association really exists. Objective To conduct a meta-analysis to determine the degree of the association of lateral placenta on ultrasound with preeclampsia.

Methods We searched electronic databases keeping filters for human studies and published in the English language, between the year 1990 and 2020. Studies were reviewed by reviewers and studies which were analytical in nature, having focused research question and where odds ratio could be derived were identified, and included in the metanalysis.

Result Out of 16 included studies, 15 studies showed positive association (OR > 1) out of which 13 were statistically significant and only one study showed negative association. Eight studies showed extremely significant statistical positive association. The meta-analysis points toward positive association with OR 3.48 and Mantel–Haenszel Chi square 325.82 with relatively narrow 95% confidence interval around OR as 3.03–3.99 which clearly indicates a positive association between laterally placed placenta and preeclampsia. The findings of the individual studies in terms of OR and 95% confidence interval were plotted as individual line for each study, one aggregate estimate with summary OR and its 95% confidence interval was plotted on the Forest Plot.

Conclusion The Forest plot revealed association between lateral placenta on ultrasound and preeclampsia (PE).Hence it can be concluded that there is an association between lateral placenta on ultrasound and preeclampsia.

Lateral location of placenta · Lateral placenta on ultrasound · Pregnancy induced hypertension · Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy · Preeclampsia
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Role of Balloon Tamponade as a Therapeutic Non‑Surgical Tool in Controlling Obstetric and Gynecological Hemorrhage in Low‑Resource Countries

C. N. Purandare1 · Amala Khopkar Nazareth2 · Gillian Ryan3 · Nikhil C. Purandare4

Post partum hemorhage · Balloon tamponade · Uterine atony
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Association of combined second trimester maternal serum Homocysteine and Uterine Artery Doppler to predict adverse pregnancy outcome

Pooja Ramesh1 · S. Sudha2 · Vivek Krishnan3

Introduction Disturbances in placentation increase the risk of maternal and fetal complications. Several biochemical and imaging modalities have been studied, but the hunt for a single effective screening test never became a reality as the causes of this complex condition are multifactorial and polygenetic, many of which we are only beginning to discover. Not many studies have been conducted in the developing countries like India and other low resource settings to consider whether it would be worthwhile to combine inexpensive and effective markers together for better prediction of adverse pregnancy outcome. This study primarily aims to investigate the predictability of combined screening with maternal serum homocysteine and second trimester uterine artery Doppler in diagnosis of adverse pregnancy outcome.

Methodology A prospective cohort study which involved 100 women with singleton gestation, meeting the inclusion criteria, attending the inpatient or outpatient of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kerala, a tertiary care centre in Southern India from July 2016 and September 2018 was conducted. Serum Homocysteine estimation (tHcy) was done between 18 and 28 weeks of gestation with informed consent, and uterine artery (UA) Doppler PI which is a non-invasive routine study was done along with targeted second trimester anomaly scan (18–24 weeks) in Fetal Medicine Department. Cutoff values of tHcy and UA PI were computed at 95th (> / = 9.7 mmol/l) and 90th percentile, respectively as reported by Onalan et al. [9] and Nicholaides et al. [4]. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 20.0 software. Chi-square test and diagnostic measures were also used.

Results Of the 100 patients, 15% (n = 15) developed hypertensive disorder. 7% (n = 7) had FGR and 7%(n = 7) had spontaneous preterm birth. 6% (n = 6) neonates had an APGAR score < 7 and 8% neonates (n = 8) required immediate NICU admission. Statistically significant association was found when tHcy and UA PI were used together for the prediction of FGR (p = 0.003), preterm birth (p = 0.002) and low APGAR score at birth (p = 0.009) with a specificity of 83.4%. With regard to PIH, both parameters were found to be statistically significant only when used independently (p = 0.001) but not when used in combination (p = 0.17). Both elevated tHcy and abnormal UA PI used in combination predicted adverse pregnancy outcome like FGR but with a low sensitivity of 14.3% and high specificity of 98.9%. However, when used independently these markers predicted FGR with a better sensitivity (tHcy- 28.6% and UA PI- 44.4%)

Conclusion Findings from this study have been promising with potential clinical implications for the diagnosis and management of high-risk pregnancies. Though the independent role of the two markers in screening various adverse pregnancy outcomes could be proved, their combined use to improve predictivity of more complications warrants further studies on a larger population with appropriate randomisation.

Homocysteine · Uterine Artery Doppler · Hypertension in pregnancy · Placental disorders
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Added‑Value of Diffusion‑Weighted Imaging (DWI) and Dynamic Contrast‑Enhanced (DCE‑MRI) Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Preoperative Assessment of Cervical Cancer

Rohit Bhardwaj1 · Deb K. Boruah2 · Bidyut Bikash Gogoi3 · Farzana Zahir4 · Adity Sharma3

Purpose To evaluate the added-value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in the preoperative assessment of carcinoma cervix.

Methods This prospective study was carried out on histopathologically proven 45 patients of carcinoma cervix presented to a tertiary care hospital with bleeding per vagina between August 2017 and July 2018. Relevant local per vaginal examination and MRI examination of the pelvis were performed.

Results A total of 45 patients with carcinoma of the cervix, having 11 patients (24.4%) in Stage-I, 22 patients (48.9%) in Stage-II, 3 patients (6.7%) in Stage-III and 9 patients (20%) in stage-IV, were included in this study sample. The mean ADC value of the carcinoma of cervix was 0.802 ± 0.123 [SD] × 10– 3 mm2/ s. The stage-I carcinoma cervix had a mean ADC value of 0.915 ± 0.109 [SD] × 10– 3 mm2/ s, Stage-II 0.778 ± 0.099 [SD] × 10– 3 mm2/ s, Stage-III 0.762 ± 0.123 [SD] × 10– 3 mm2/ s and Stage-IV 0.737 ± 0.116 [SD] × 10– 3 mm2/ s. ROC curve analysis showed the percentage of signal intensity changes within cervical tumor on arterial phase of DCE-MRI had a threshold value of 42.25 in differentiating Stage-I carcinoma of cervix from other stages with a sensitivity of 81.8% and specificity of 44.1%.

Conclusion The DWI and DCE-MRI added valuable inputs over conventional MR sequences in the early diagnosis and preoperative staging of carcinoma cervix. DCE-MRI had a high accuracy for assessing the cervical stromal and parametrial invasions, which helps in selecting the optimal therapeutic protocol and prognostication in gynecological malignancies.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) · Cervical malignancy · Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)
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Consanguineous Marriage and Early Pregnancy Loss in Rural to Peri‑Urban India

Jamie M. Robertson1,5,6 · Kalpana Basany2 · Fouzia Farooq1 · Xiaoqing Tan3 · Gong Tang3 · Clareann H. Bunker1 · P. S. Reddy2,4 · Catherine L. Haggerty1

Background Consanguineous marriage (CM) has been linked to spontaneous abortion (SAB), although studies have largely been cross-sectional and likely underestimated early loss. We aimed to determine the relationships between CM and SAB in a prospective pregnancy cohort study in Telangana State, India. +

Methods Data from 661 participants aged 15–35 years in the Longitudinal Indian Family hEalth (LIFE) study actively followed for pregnancy and pregnancy loss were analyzed. SAB was classified as early (< 8) or late (8–22) weeks gestation. We used logistic regression to model the relationships between CM, defined by first-cousin marriage, and SAB, adjusted for maternal age.

Results Women in CM were at a modestly increased risk of any ( ORadj 1.15, 95% CI 0.69, 1.91) and early ( ORadj 2.03, 95% CI 0.85, 4.83) SAB compared to women in non-CM, although results were not statistically significant. There was no relationship between CM and late SAB. Conclusion Among couples in southern India, there was a modest increase in early but not late SAB among CMs which may be explained by the expected influence of chromosomal abnormalities and lethal homozygous recessive disease on early loss. Pre- and Peri-marital Health Counseling that addresses this risk may be warranted.

Consanguineous marriage · Cousin marriage · Spontaneous abortion · India · Pregnancy loss
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Model for Early Prediction of Preeclampsia: A Nested Case Controlled Study in Indian Women

Sonali Yadav1,5 · Sukhanshi Khandpur5 · Yogendra Singh Yadav2 · Madhu Mati Goel1 · Urmila Singh3 · Shankar Madhav Natu1 · Mahendra Pal S. Negi4 · Lokendra Kumar Sharma5 · Swasti Tiwari5

Purpose Preeclampsia (PE) affects 5–7% of the pregnancies worldwide, and is one of the most dreaded disorders of pregnancy contributing to maternal and neonatal mortality. PE is mostly presented in the third trimester of pregnancy. Here, we used serum placental growth factor (PIGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) to develop a model for predicting PE in Indian women in early second trimester.

Methods In this case–control study, a total 1452 healthy pregnant women were recruited. Blood samples were collected at the following gestational weeks (GWs), 12–20 (GW1), 21–28 (GW2) and 29-term (GW3), and post-delivery. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated by anthropometric measurements. Serum sFlt-1, PIGF and VEGF were analyzed by ELISA. A predictive model for PE was developed using multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results In PE cases, serum PlGF and VEGF levels were significantly lower at each GW, while serum sFlt-1 was lower only at GW1, relative to age-matched controls, (n = 132/group). Age-matched comparison between PE cases and controls indicated that sFlt-1 was associated with decreased PE outcome (Odds ratio. OR = 0.988, CI = 0.982–0.993), whereas sFlt-1/PlGF ratio (OR = 1.577, CI = 1.344–1.920) and BMI (OR = 1.334, CI = 1.187–1.520) were associated with increased PE outcome. Logistic regression was used to develop a predictive model for PE at GW1. Using testing dataset, model was externally validated which resulted in 88% accuracy in predicting PE cases at 0.5 probability cutoff.

Conclusion Prediction model using sFlt-1, sFlt-1/PlGF ratio and BMI may be useful to predict PE as early as 12–20 weeks in women with optimal sensitivity and specificity.

Preeclampsia · Pregnancy · Placenta · PlGF · VEGF · sFlt-1
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Transient Osteoporosis of Hip Causing Fracture Neck of Femur in Pregnancy

Tinu Philip1,3 · James C. George2 · Kunjamma Roy1 · Rekha G. Muricken1 · Kuruvilla P. Chacko1

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Effect of Umbilical Cord Milking on Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes in a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India: A Randomized Control Trial

Anu Anna George1 · Mini Isac1

Background and Aim Umbilical cord milking (UCM) has been theorized to increase placental blood transfusion then again, the optimal method of cord clamping at birth is still contested. We aimed to analyse the effects of UCM on the neonatal haematological parameters at 72 h and 6 weeks of age and its association with any adverse effects.

Materials and Methods In this randomized control trial, mothers ≥ 34 weeks were randomized into two arms. Under the intervention group, the cord was milked three times before clamping and cutting whereas the controls had the cord clamped and cut without milking. Haemoglobin and haematocrit levels were measured at 72 h. and at 6 weeks.

Results A total of 170 mothers were enrolled with 85 subjects in each arm. Baseline characteristics were comparable. In the intervention arm, the mean haemoglobin [18.1 (2.4) g/dL] and haematocrit [54 (7) %] were significantly higher as compared to the control arm [16.4 (2.1) g/dL and 48 (6) %], at 72 h of age. There was also significant increase in the mean haemoglobin [11.6 (1.3) g/dL] and haematocrit [34 (4) %] compared to the controls [10.1 (1.1) g/dL and 30 (3) %], at 6 weeks. No statistical difference was found in the incidence of PPH and duration of third stage. There was no significant rise in hyperbilirubinaemia, phototherapy requirement and polycythaemia among neonates in the intervention group.

Conclusion Umbilical cord milking is a sound practical approach to raise the haemoglobin and haematocrit levels up to 6 weeks thereby decreasing the proportion of anaemic infants.

Cord milking · Neonate · Anaemia · Placental transfusion
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Correlation of Menopausal Symptoms with Serum Estradiol: A Study in Urban Indian Postmenopausal Women

Renuka Malik1 · Chanderkala Pokeria1 · Swati Singh1

Background Menopause is a hypoestrogenic state. Menopausal symptoms like hot flushes, depression, joint pains and urinary symptoms all correlate with falling estrogen levels.

Material and Methods Four hundred postmenopausal women who underwent natural menopause were included in the study conducted from Nov 2018 to March 2020. Surgical menopause, premature menopause and those on hormone replacement were excluded. Serum estradiol was measured and assessment of severity of menopausal symptoms was done using MRS questionnaire. MRS score of 0–4, 5–8, 9–15 and more than 16 were taken as none/minimal, mild, moderate and severe postmenopausal symptoms, respectively. Correlation between serum estradiol and symptoms was analyzed statistically.

Results Mean age of menopause in our study population was found to be 47.2 ± 3.96 years. Somatic symptoms were found maximum out of all 3 subscales in study population. Psychological subscale which included depression and mood changes was found to have the strongest correlation with serum estradiol level compared to other two subscales (somatic and genito-urinary).

Discussion Psychological symptoms, somatic symptoms and genitor urinary symptoms at menopause show correlation with falling estrogen levels. We found maximum correlation of psychological symptoms with low serum estradiol level.

Conclusion There is an inverse correlation of serum estradiol value with menopausal symptoms, with psychological symptoms (depression, anxiety, mood changes) showing highest correlation with low estrogen levels.

Serum estradiol · Menopause · Menopausal symptoms · Menopause rating score · Menopause in Indian women
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Feasibility of Sentinel Lymph Node Sampling in Early‑Stage Carcinoma Endometrium: Single‑Institution Experience

Aswathy G. Nath1 · S. Suchetha1 · V. M. Pradeep2 · P. Rema1 · J. Sivaranjith3 · Jagathnath Krishna4 · Rari P. Mony5

Introduction Accurate surgical staging is an essential component in the management of carcinoma endometrium to assess the stage of disease and to tailor adjuvant treatment. Sentinel node technique was introduced as an alternative for extensive lymphadenectomy in early stages to avoid complications associated with lymphadenectomy.

Aims and Objectives To assess the detection rate and diagnostic accuracy of SLN mapping in patients with early-stage carcinoma endometrium

Materials and Methods Prospective validation study involving 30 patients diagnosed to have early-stage carcinoma endometrium. Sentinel nodes were detected by combined methods of radio colloid dye and isosulphan blue dye injection

Results Sentinel lymph node was detected in 19 patients (63.4%). 11 patients had no sentinel nodes. Total number of sentinel nodes isolated was 68 with a mean of 2.26 per patient (range 0–4). Ten (33.33%) patients had single sentinel node location, while 9 (30%) had more than 1 sentinel lymph nodes. Twelve patients had bilateral sentinel nodes, and the most frequent location of sentinel node was obturator, 19 (63.3%) especially on right hemi-pelvis. One patient had a hot para-aortic node, while none had blue para-aortic sentinel node. Average number of lymph nodes obtained by lymphadenectomy was 13 per patient (range 7–22). All patients with sentinel node had negative frozen report as well as in histopathology. Two patients in whom no sentinel nodes were detected by either techniques had metastatic nodes in histopathology report.

Conclusion Detection rate was maximum with radiocolloid dye, and it is better to utilize the technique for less graded tumours and endometrioid variants.

Carcinoma endometrium · Sentinel nodes · Detection rate
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A Rare Case of Fraser Syndrome with Partial Vaginal Agenesis and Its Successful Reconstructive Cosmetic Management: A Case Report

Sambedana Panigrahi1 · Kirtirekha Mohapatra1 · Madhusmita Pradhan1 · Shubhankar Mishra2 · Sampriti Samal3

Fraser syndrome is a rare disorder with autosomal recessive inheritance having a wide spectrum of phenotypic appearances. A fourteen-year-old female presented to us with a chief complaint of acute retention of urine without any cyclical abdominal pain with syndromic appearance. She had partial vaginal agenesis which was treated by successful reconstructive surgery by lotus petal flap technique followed by recanalisation. Objective of this report is to highlight the rare disease of Fraser syndrome along with successful rare surgical management.

Fraser syndrome · Vaginal agenesis · Cryptophthalmos · Lotus flap
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“Tunnel Clusters” an Unexplored World for Gynaecologists: A Case Report

Pesona Grace Lucksom1 · Mingma Sherpa2 · Barun Kumar Sharma3 · Vatika Tiwari1

Cervix · Cysts · Tunnel clusters
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Ovarian Teratoma Causing Oncogenic Osteomalacia: An Instance of Serendipity

Jinson Paul1 · Antresa Jose1 · Beena Kingsbury2 · Marie Therese Manipadam3 · Nitin Kapoor1 · Thomas Vizhalil Paul1 · Kripa Elizabeth Cherian1

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Inhibin B Secreting Ovarian Fibroma

Garima Yadav1 · Ishita Aggarwal1 · Aasma Nalwa2 · Binit Sureka3

Background Nearly 90% of all the hormone-producing ovarian tumours are sex cord-stromal tumours (SCSTs). The Ovarian fibroma is a hormonally inactive variant of SCST. It is composed of spindle, oval, round cells producing collagen and accounts for approximately 4% of all ovarian neoplasms. Amongst the other SCSTs, Inhibin B is an important tumour marker. It is a heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone that is secreted primarily by the granulosa cells of the developing follicles. High levels of Inhibin-B can hamper follicular recruitment, leading to amenorrhea in a reproductive age woman.

Finding In this case report, we describe a rare case of a reproductive age female presenting with secondary amenorrhea, having an Ovarian Fibroma, producing massive amounts of Inhibin B. .

Significance Although some pathological variants of ovarian fibromas like cyst-adeno-fibroma and ovarian fibro-thecoma are known to secrete inhibin B, benign /pure ovarian fibromas rarely do so.

Ovarian fibroma · Inhibin B · Secondary amenorrhea · FSH
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Prenatal Diagnosis of Otocephaly: A Rare Facial Anomaly

Shreya Goenka1 · K. Sahithi1 · Chinmayee Ratha1,2

Introduction Otocephaly is a rare malformation characterized by agnathia (absence of the mandible), melotia (medially displaced ear pinna), aglossia (absence of the tongue) and microstomia (small oral aperture). This results due to failure of migration of the neural crest cells and is a defect of the first branchial arch. It is incompatible with life and early prenatal diagnosis is useful.

Case Report Our patient a primigravida with 19 weeks 6 days gestation was referred for micrognathia and polyhydramnios. On ultrasound examination, she had unilateral mild ventriculomegaly and posterior fossa cyst in the fetal brain. The fetus had agnathia and anophthalmia. There was an echogenic intracardiac focus and echogenic bowel. The stomach was not seen clearly. This could be due to agnathia and microstomia leading to swallowing difficulties. The patient was explained about the guarded prognosis. The pregnancy was terminated. A diagnosis of otocephaly was made.

Discussion Otocephaly is a rare disorder of development of the first branchial arch. The reported incidence is 1 in 70,000. It is mostly lethal due to respiratory difficulties and may be associated with cranial and extracranial malformations. Most case reports have found that it is sporadic and could be due to mutations in the PRRX1 gene. Other anomalies that may be associated with otocephaly are neural tube defects, cephalocele, dysgenesis of corpus callosum, atresia of the third ventricle, midline probocis, hypotelorism, renal ectopia, cyclopia, vertebral and rib abnormalities, tracheo esophageal fistula, cardiac anomalies and adrenal hypoplasia. Most of the cases reported so far were diagnosed in the second or the third trimester. Facial anomaly screening has undergone a huge evolution in the recent years. In addition to the usual facial screening, we recommend mandibular arch screening in the first and early second trimester. If there is a doubt the patient may be called back at 15 to 16 weeks of gestation considering the fact that these anomalies are usually lethal and medical termination is safer earlier in pregnancy than later. MRI may be a handy tool to confirm antenatal diagnosis as it can detect the abnormal ears. Agnathia and polyhydramnios occur together in the third trimester but in the first or second trimester polyhydramnios may not be observed.

Conclusion Otocephaly, though rare, poses a clinical challenge for both patient and the reporting doctor. Considering the time limitation for termination of pregnancy in our country, early prenatal diagnosis is important. A detailed face evaluation in the first trimester can help detect this defect as early as 11–14 weeks. Early diagnosis of lethal anomalies helps in completing the fetal work up and offering a safer termination. Correct diagnosis and work up of fetal anomalies allows for documentation and awareness of the presence of these conditions in our population.

Otocephaly · Anophthalmia · Agnathia · Microstomia · Synotia · Melotia
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Genetic Evaluation of the Parents Following Demise of the Index Case: Report of a Family with Fucosidosis

N. Gayatri1 · Prajnya Ranganath2

It is common in obstetric practice to encounter couples who seek prenatal genetic counseling and testing in view of history of known or suspected genetic disorders in the previous offspring or in other family members. Recent advances in genetic testing techniques, especially the availability of the next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, have greatly facilitated genetic evaluation of the proband and/or the consultand couple and enabled provision of accurate genetic counseling and prenatal genetic testing in such clinical scenarios. However, even in this era of NGS, comprehensive clinical history taking and detailed phenotype characterization through clinical examination and thorough perusal of available medical records, are very important and essential for accurate diagnosis, as reiterated by this report of a 30-year-old third gravida, who was referred for prenatal genetic counseling and testing, in view of history of death of the first offspring due to a suspected neurogenetic disorder. Retrospective clinical diagnosis for the deceased index child with the help of available medical records and reports, followed by relevant NGS-based clinical exome sequencing of the couple, helped to arrive at a definitive diagnosis of fucosidosis, based on which accurate prenatal genetic testing could be done.

Prenatal genetic counseling · Next-generation sequencing · Exome sequencing · Fucosidosis
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