Bhavna Durgaprasad Kumare et al ABSTRACTThe acute and chronic management of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) during pregnancy presents a challenging clinical situation as there are no evidence-based guidelines despite being the commonest arrhythmia found in pregnancy. We report a case of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in a 25 years old antenatal woman with no organic heart disease, where she received verapamil followed by diltiazem as antiarrhythmics instead of adenosine for conversion into sinus rhythm. Since she had recurrent episodes in third trimester she received verapamil and metoprolol as prophylaxis with good fetal and maternal outcome. This case highlights the need to understand the complexities in diagnosis and management of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia during pregnancy.

In spite of the implementation of the National nutritional anemia prophylaxis program in India, the prevalence of anemia during pregnancy is 50 in 100 women. One main cause for the high frequency of anemia among antenatal women in India is a lack of iron consumption. Few studies are available in the literature where efforts have been made to improve compliance with iron therapy. In the same line of thinking, it was decided in the present study to use mobile phone calls as a reminder for iron tablets. MethodThe present study is a randomized controlled open-label trial. Antenatal women with gestational age between 13-28 weeks of pregnancy diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia (Hb -8 to 11 gm/dl) having mobile phones were included in the study. Recruited women were randomized into two groups of study groups receiving standard therapy with the addition of fortnightly mobile phone call reminders and a control group receiving standard therapy alone. ResultsCompliance with iron supplementation was observed higher in the study group as compared to the control group (range of 48% to 93%). There was a mean hemoglobin rise in both the groups at the time of delivery compared with the hemoglobin at the time of recruitment (Study group-9.74 to 10.69, Control group-9.48 to 10.06). There was a statistically higher (0.00001) increase in the mean hemoglobin concentration in the study group (0.96 gm/dl) as compared to the control group (0.59 gm/dl). The reasons for poor compliance were boredom with taking daily oral iron therapy (66.66%), constipation (3.7%), forgetfulness (14.81%), and heartburn (14.81%). There was no statistical difference in the reason for poor compliance with iron supplementation in both groups. ConclusionThe present study concludes that mobile phone call reminders along with standard therapy with iron supplementation improve compliance with iron supplementation and lead to a greater rise in hemoglobin in antenatal women with iron deficiency anemia.

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) is a rare, catastrophic disease affecting women in the third trimester of pregnancy or the postpartum period. We report a case of 24-year-old G2A1 with GA of 35 weeks who presented with amenorrhea, nausea, fever, vomiting, headache and yellowness of eyes. The patient was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia with Intrauterine death (IUD) with hemolysis elevated liver enzymes low platelets (HELLP). Investigations showed hypoglycemia, low platelet count, and raised liver enzymes with an altered coagulation profile. The patient was kept in the Medicine Intensive care unit, induction was done with misoprostol, and she delivered an IUD baby. The condition of the patient deteriorated, and she developed pulmonary edema. Thus, she was intubated. Ultrasonography (USG) of the liver showed altered echotexture. The condition of the patient was then improved. AFLP requires a high index of suspicion for early diagnosis. Hypoglycemia in a pregnant woman without overt /gestational diabetes mellitus along with deranged liver panels and thrombocytopenia gives a clue in diagnosing AFLP. Timely diagnosis and intervention can reduce both maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.