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Purpose: To study the effect of increasing grades of hypertensive retinopathy (HTR) on neonatal outcomes among preeclamptic women and assess the various maternal risk factors for HTR. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted on 258 preeclamptic women. The systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), liver, and renal function parameters were collected besides basic demographic details. Dilated fundus examination with the Keith-Wagner-Barker classification was used to grade HTR. Following delivery, neonatal outcomes were evaluated. Results: Of the 258 preeclamptic women recruited, 53.1% had preeclampsia (PE), and 46.9% had severe preeclampsia. With increasing grades of HTR, a significant association with low birth weight (LBW) (p = 0.012) and preterm gestational age (p = 0.002) was noted but not with the Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity and Respiration (APGAR) score (p = 0.062). Also, it did not increase the risk of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), with most babies, even those born to mothers with high grades of HTR, showing no evidence of ROP (p = 0.025). Among the maternal factors, increasing age (p = 0.016), SBP (p < 0.001), DBP (p < 0.001), serum creatinine (p = 0.035), alanine aminotransferase (p = 0.008), lower hemoglobin (Hb) (p = 0.009), lower platelet (p < 0.001), and severe PE (p < 0.001) have been found to significantly affect the grade of HTR. Conclusion: Higher grades of HTR in the preeclamptic mother are associated with preterm delivery and LBW of the neonates but neither affect the APGAR score nor pose the risk of developing ROP.

Pulmonary edema is a potentially life-threatening complication of preeclampsia, but only few studies have looked at possible risk factors. This study assessed the association between various potential risk factors and the development of pulmonary edema. An age-matched case-control design with hospital records from a tertiary care center in south India was used. A total of 55 pregnant women with preeclampsia who developed pulmonary edema were included as cases, who were 4:1 aged-matched as controls with 220 preeclamptic women, and who did not develop pulmonary edema. Multivariate conditional logistic regression was used to produce adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals for the likelihood to develop pulmonary edema (OR; 95% CI). Nulliparity (3.94; 1.44–10.7), multifetal pregnancy (5.06; 1.59–16.0), mean arterial blood pressure in mmHg (1.08; 1.03–1.13), and mild (3.25; 1.02–1.29) and moderate (4.43; 1.76–11.1) anemia showed increased odds. Multifetal pregnancy in nulliparous women had higher odds (39.5; 6.2–251) compared with those with singleton pregnancies (3.17; 1.13–8.88). While early aggressive blood pressure treatment can reduce the risk of pulmonary edema, the other risk factors are either non-modifiable or relate to disease severity; thus, continuous monitoring would be relevant for early diagnosis and management, especially among nulliparous preeclamptic women with multifetal pregnancies.

To compare the incidence of maternal near miss using the World Health Organization (WHO) near-miss tool and six other criteria sets, including criteria designed for low-resource settings or specifically for India.ObjectiveTo compare the incidence of maternal near miss using the World Health Organization (WHO) near-miss tool and six other criteria sets, including criteria designed for low-resource settings or specifically for India.In a cohort study we used WHO severity indicators to identify women with potentially life-threatening conditions during pregnancy or childbirth admitted to a referral hospital in Puducherry, India, from May 2018 to April 2021. We analysed sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory data for each woman and calculated the incidence of maternal near miss and other process indicators for each set of criteria.MethodsIn a cohort study we used WHO severity indicators to identify women with potentially life-threatening conditions during pregnancy or childbirth admitted to a referral hospital in Puducherry, India, from May 2018 to April 2021. We analysed sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory data for each woman and calculated the incidence of maternal near miss and other process indicators for each set of criteria.We analysed data on 37 590 live births; 1833 (4.9%) women were identified with potentially life-threatening conditions, 380 women had severe maternal outcomes and 57 died. Applying the different sets of criteria to the same data, we found the incidence of maternal near miss ranged from 7.6 to 15.6 per 1000 live births. Only the Global Network criteria (which exclude laboratory data that may not be available in low-resource settings) and the WHO criteria could identify all women who died. Applying the criterion of any number of units of blood transfusion increased the overall number of women identified with near miss.FindingsWe analysed data on 37 590 live births; 1833 (4.9%) women were identified with potentially life-threatening conditions, 380 women had severe maternal outcomes and 57 died. Applying the different sets of criteria to the same data, we found the incidence of maternal near miss ranged from 7.6 to 15.6 per 1000 live births. Only the Global Network criteria (which exclude laboratory data that may not be available in low-resource settings) and the WHO criteria could identify all women who died. Applying the criterion of any number of units of blood transfusion increased the overall number of women identified with near miss.The WHO and Global Network criteria may be used to detect maternal near miss in low-resource settings. Future studies could assess the usefulness of blood transfusion as an indicator for maternal near miss, especially in low- to middle-income countries where the indicator may not reflect severe maternal morbidity if the number of units received is not specified.ConclusionThe WHO and Global Network criteria may be used to detect maternal near miss in low-resource settings. Future studies could assess the usefulness of blood transfusion as an indicator for maternal near miss, especially in low- to middle-income countries where the indicator may not reflect severe maternal morbidity if the number of units received is not specified.

Background Arterial stiffness independently predicts cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. It is shown to be increased in vascular mediated conditions, such as preeclampsia and foetal growth restriction. ARTSENS Plus device assesses arterial stiffness and is validated in older populations. The study aimed to validate its use for measuring arterial stiffness in pregnant women by comparing it with SphygmoCor XCEL as a reference standard. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in two centres in the south-eastern region of India, recruiting 147 pregnant women. Arterial stiffness was assessed by the carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) using both devices and validated according to the ‘2024 recommendations for validation of non-invasive arterial pulse wave velocity measurement devices.’ Bland–Altman plot and coefficient of variation of the test–retest reproducibility were calculated. Results The mean age of the included women was 28 ± 4 years, and their mean gestational age was 24.6 ± 9.5 weeks. The mean difference in cfPWV values obtained from SphygmoCor XCEL and ARTSENS Plus was 0.16 ± 0.54 m/s ( p  = 0.12) with a measurement error of 0.85 m/s, indicating good accuracy of the ARTSENS plus device in assessing arterial stiffness. Both devices demonstrated good intra-observer reproducibility, with coefficients of variation of 2.53% for ARTSENS Plus and 3.48% for SphygmoCor XCEL. Conclusions ARTSENS Plus assesses arterial stiffness with good accuracy and intra-observer reproducibility when validated amongst pregnant women.

Background & objectives: Transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) is a non-invasive procedure and can be used as a screening tool among women with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). Power Doppler is useful in depicting the vascular architecture better than the conventional Doppler. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate whether addition of power Doppler to grey scale TVS can replace invasive hysteroscopy for the prediction of endometrial pathology in perimenopausal women with AUB. Methods: One hundred women (>45 yr) with perimenopausal AUB underwent evaluation with TVS, power Doppler and hysteroscopy-guided biopsy after a detailed history and examination. Histopathology was considered as gold standard and other tools such as grey scale TVS with power Doppler and hysteroscopy were compared with it. Results: Fifty six per cent women had no vascularity on power Doppler. Among those who had vascularity, the vascular patterns noted were single-vessel in 18 per cent, scattered-vessel in 15 per cent and multiple-vessel in 11 per cent. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of TVS-endometrial thickness with power Doppler in detecting hyperplasia were 50, 86.5, 13.3 and 97.6 per cent, respectively, whereas the same for hysteroscopy were 100, 97.6, 88.1 and 100 per cent, respectively. Interpretation & conclusions: Addition of power Doppler to grey scale TVS improved the specificity and negative predictive value almost comparable to hysteroscopy for evaluation of AUB, but sensitivity and positive predictive value remained poor.

Background: Availability of free/low-cost treatment in higher government facilities increases maternity self-referrals circumventing the referral system. We aimed to find the sociodemographic and health-care service delivery pattern among the pregnant women referred for institutional delivery in a tertiary care center in south India and assess factors associated with maternity self-referral from the perspective of pregnant women. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analytical study among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic and admitted to the obstetric and postnatal wards during the 6-month study period. Interview was conducted using a face validated structured questionnaire. Statistical Analysis: Adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated to assess the independent effects of the sociodemographic and health-care delivery factors on maternity self-referral. Results: Mean age of 4191 pregnant women was 24 years (3.9). Forty-one percent (1732) of them had come without any referral, i.e., self-referred. Fifty-two percent (909) of these self-referred pregnant women were primigravida, 77% (1330) belonged to joint families and had nearest health facility within half hour distance from their own house. Nuclear family (aPR: 1.56 [95% CI: 1.45-1.68]), monthly family income >Rs. 3000 (aPR: 1.38 [95% CI: 1.28-1.49], and nearest health facility more than half-hour (aPR: 1.57 [95% CI: 1.45-1.69]) were factors significantly associated with self-referral. Conclusions: The study presents the alarming maternal referral system prevailing in nation as 41% (95% CI: 39.8%-42.8%) of maternal admissions in a tertiary care institute of South India were without any documented referrals.

ObjectiveTo assess the potential associations between social determinants of health (SDH) and severe maternal outcomes (SMO), to better understand the social structural framework and the contributory, non-clinical mechanisms associated with SMO.Study designProspective observational study.Study settingTertiary referral centre in south-eastern region of India.ParticipantsOne thousand and thirty-three women with potentially life-threatening complications (PLTC) were identified using WHO criteria.Risk factors assessedSocial Determinants of Health (SDH).Primary outcomesSevere maternal outcomes, which include maternal near-miss and maternal death.Statistical analysisLogistic regression to assess the association between SDH and clinical factors on SMO, expressed as adjusted ORs (aOR) with a 95% CI.ResultsOf the 37 590 live births, 1833 (4.9%) sustained PLTC, and 380 (20.7%) developed SMO. Risk of SMO was higher with increasing maternal age (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.04 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.07)), multiparity (aOR 1.44 (1.10 to 1.90)), medical comorbidities (aOR 1.50 (1.11 to 2.02)), obstetric haemorrhage (aOR 4.63 (3.10 to 6.91)), infection (aOR 2.93 (1.83 to 4.70)), delays in seeking care (aOR 3.30 (2.08 to 5.23)), and admissions following a referral (aOR 2.95 (2.21 to 3.93)). SMO was lower in patients from socially backward community (aOR 0.45 (0.33 to 0.61)), those staying more than 10 km from hospital (aOR 0.56 (0.36 to 0.78)), those attending at least four antenatal visits (aOR=0.53 (0.36 to 0.78)) and those referred from resource-limited facilities (aOR=0.62 (0.46 to 0.84)).ConclusionThis study demonstrates the independent contribution of SDH to SMO among those sustaining PLTC in a middle-income setting, highlighting the need to formulate preventive strategies beyond clinical considerations.

A 26-year-old primiparous female patient underwent caesarean section for persistent occipito-posterior position in 2018 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Puducherry, India. Upon postnatal followup six weeks later, both mother and baby were reported to be fine. At eight weeks postpartum she had an episode of heavy vaginal bleeding which was treated symptomatically with tranexamic acid and antibiotics at a local hospital. One month after this, she had another episode of heavy vaginal bleeding at home and was referred to the emergency department at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research. On examination, she was pale, had a pulse rate of 90 per minute and blood pressure of 120/70mm Hg. She had a transverse abdominal scar that had healed by primary intention and the uterus was involuted normally. On speculum examination, minimal bleeding was only noted through the cervix. Intravenous antibiotics was started with a suspicion of infective aetiology for haemorrhage. An ultrasound showed a normal-sized uterus with heterogeneous myometrial echotexture, due to the presence of multiple anechoic areas, and thin endometrial lining with no retrained products of conception [Figure 1A]. Colour Doppler sonography showed intense myometrial hypervascularisation with turbulent flow in the hypoechoic region suggestive of a pseudoaneurysm, near the uterine incision site on the right side involving the right uterine artery [Figure 1B]. Her haemoglobin at admission was 8.2 g/dL. She underwent bilateral uterine artery embolisation under fluoroscopic guidance which confirmed pseudoaneurysm in the right uterine artery. The pseudoaneurysm was embolised with platinum coils and gel foam particles; postembolisation images ensured a complete occlusion [Figure 2]. The patient did not have any further bleeding and was discharged five days later. She resumed normal menstruation two months following the procedure. Open in a separate window Figure 1 A:Greyscale two-dimensional ultrasound of a 26-year-old primiparous female patient after a caesarean section showing a normal-sized uterus with heterogeneous myometrial echotexture and thin endometrium lining.B:Colour Doppler sonography showed intense myometrial hypervascularisation with turbulent flow in the hypoechoic region, near the uterine incision site on the right side, involving the right uterine artery. Open in a separate window Figure 2 Selective right internal iliac angiogram images of a 26-year-old primiparous female patient after a caesarean section showing(A)the pseudoaneurysm in the right uterine artery which was embolised with platinum coils and gel foam particles and(B)the postembolisation occlusion that ensured a complete occlusion.

ObjectivesTo perform an external validation to assess the usefulness of the Maternal Severity Index (MSI) in predicting maternal death among women with potentially life-threatening complications during pregnancy or childbirth.DesignProspective observational study.SettingA tertiary referral centre in southeastern India.Participants1833 women with potentially life-threatening complications identified using the WHO criteria.Predictor assessedMSI calculated based on the severity markers of the WHO criteria for maternal near-miss.Primary outcomeMaternal death.Statistical analysisReceiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was performed to assess discriminative performance, and agreement between expected and observed deaths was plotted to determine calibration.ResultsThe incidence of severe maternal outcomes was 10 per 1000 live births. There were 57 (151 per 100 000 live births) maternal deaths during the study period. Maternal Severity Score was significantly higher among those who died (2.8±1.3 vs 2.0±1.2, p<0.001). The mean MSI value was 1.03% (95% CI 0.7% to 1.2%). ROC curve analysis showed good discrimination (AUC(Area Under the Curve): 0.962, 95% CI 0.952 to 0.970); however, overfitting was seen with higher probabilities. The standardised mortality ratio (SMR) was 0.02 (95% CI 0.01 to 0.02), indicating good quality of care.ConclusionsThe MSI has good discriminative performance in distinguishing who succumbs to life-threatening complications, but needs recalibration to avoid overfitting. SMR of less than 0.5 indicates fewer than expected deaths, suggesting good quality of care in reducing maternal mortality in the study population.

BackgroundThe annual births in our hospital (a regional perinatal centre for the southeastern coastal region) had increased to nearly 19 000 in 2019, straining the resources. Reduced low-risk childbirths due to the restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic gave us an impetus to design and implement a risk-appropriate triage model referral system. We report its implementation process and examine its effect on birth rates and quality of care.MethodsInitially, the data on childbirths (2019) and the districts where the majority belonged were analysed. We discussed the need for triaging and the implementation process with these district health administrators. In the antenatal clinic, a dedicated team triaged and referred new cases to risk-appropriate facilities near their homes. Using WhatsApp groups, information about those referred back and the critically ill transferred to our hospital was shared. The impact of model implementation was assessed by the change in the number of births, proportion of high-risk cases, quality indicators and feedback from health workers.ResultsThe average number of childbirths per month decreased from 1530 in 2019 to 900 in 2023 after the implementation of triage on 15 December 2022. The quality indicators, such as stillbirth and scar rupture, declined after implementation, but caesarean deliveries rose from 20% to 30%. Better satisfaction among personnel and a change in the pattern to more high-risk pregnancies were noted; there was a reduction in bed occupancy rates, averting overcrowding.ConclusionA ‘risk-appropriate maternity care-based triage model’ could be implemented, reducing low-risk births and improving the quality of care for high-risk women in tertiary care institutes.