Background: Post partum haemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. PPH occurs in up to 18% of total births. Among different factors, PPH due to uterine atony is the primary and direct cause of maternal mortality comprising about 90%. Objective: The objective of the present study was to assess the prevalence, morbidity and management pattern of PPH in Dhulikhel Hospital. Materials and methods: Hospital based retrospective study was carried out at Kathmandu University School of Medical Science, Dhulikhel Hospital from the period of January 2007 till October 2009. The study group included total of 60 patients. All women who had PPH both primary and secondary were studied. Information regarding total number of deliveries obtained from Obstetrics ward. The cases with PPH were identifi ed and detail records were reviewed using standard format. The main outcome measures used for the analysis were amount of blood loss, cause of PPH and treatment methods. Results: In Dhulikhel hospital, from January 2007 till October 2009 a total of 3805 deliveries took place. Out of which 60 women had PPH. The prevalence was 16/1000 deliveries. There are 41 (68.3%) cases of primary PPH and 19 (31.7%) cases of secondary PPH. PPH was found more in home deliveries, unbooked case and in multiparas. The mean blood loss was 1055ml. As an aetiology, retained placenta and retained placental bits of tissue was found in 37(61.7%) cases, atonic uterus in 10 (16.7%) cases, genital tract trauma in 8(13.3%), sepsis of genital tract in 3(5%), case of ruptured uterus in one case and a case of angle bleeding from previous uterine scar following caesarean section. Among all 15 (25%) cases underwent manual removal of placenta, 5(8.3%) underwent controlled cord traction, 3 (5%) underwent manual removal of placenta followed by check curettage in cases of retained placenta, 16 (26.7%) cases were managed by check curettage for retained bits of placental tissue and membrane. Trauma in genital tract was managed by repair of trauma in 6 (10%) cases. Hysterectomy was required in 3 (5%) cases. Conservative management with uterotonics only required in 12 (20%) cases. Conclusion: Active management of third stage of labour can prevent PPH so delivery by skilled hand in hospital should be promoted. Secondary PPH besides primary can result in signifi cant maternal morbidity. It also deserves similar attention.

Background The frequency of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is 0.6% -15% of pregnant woman. The modern trend towards the delay starting family is the main factor responsible for increase prevalence of GDM. This condition is associated with the adverse effect on mother and fetus, so it is important to find out the GDM by screening of all the pregnant women. Objective To observe the feasibility of using the 50g GCT for all pregnant women attending Dhulikhel Hospital, Obstetric OPD. To determine the incidence of gestational diabetes in the population and to observe the maternal and fetal outcome among those having an elevated GCT level and gestational diabetes. Methods A prospective and analytical study of 1598 pregnant women booked and delivered between June 2009and August 2010. Glucose challenge test (GCT) performed by using 50gm glucose and diagnosis of gestational diabetes performed by using the Carpenter Coustan Criteria. Pregnancy outcomes were assessed by the gestation and mode of delivery. Similarly, neonatal outcomes assessed in terms of birth weights, APGAR scores, congenital abnormalities, hyperbilirubinaemia, hypoglycaemia or respiratory distress syndrome. Results The detected incidence of gestational diabetes was 0.75%. With the threshold plasma glucose level at140 mg/ dl, 198 women needed to undergo the 100g oral glucose tolerance test and 12 women had gestational diabetes. The diagnostic yield was 6.06%. Perinatal outcome was similar to the rest of the women with normal glucose challenge test. Conclusions The 50g GCT is feasible and also helps to find out GDM. It is easy, user friendly, cheap and convenient for screening purpose. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v9i2.6282  Kathmandu Univ Med J 2011;9(2):22-25

Background

Background Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is an important cause of maternal morbidity and mortality especially in the developing countries. Compared to expectant management, active management decreases the incidence of PPH. Objective To compare the effectiveness of rectal misoprostol with intramuscular oxytocin in the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage. Methods This is a prospective, randomized and analytical study from 1stSeptember 2009 to 28th February 2010 at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dhulkhel Hospital - Kathmandu University Hospital, Dhulikhel, Nepal. A total of 200 women were included to receive either 1000 micrograms rectal misoprostol tablets or 10 units of oxytocin intramuscularly. Primary outcome measures were the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage or a change in hematocrit or hemoglobin from admission to day two post delivery. Secondary outcome measures including severe postpartum hemorrhage and the duration of the third stage of labor were noted. Also the side effects of both misoprostol and oxytocin were recorded. Results The frequency of postpartum hemorrhage was 4% in the misoprostol subjects and 6% in the control subjects (P=0.886) There were no significant difference among the groups in the drop of hematocrit (P>0.05). Secondary outcome measures including severe postpartum hemorrhage and the duration of the third stage of labor were similar in both groups. Similarly, the side effects between the misoprostol and oxytocin group within 6 hours was statistically significant (p=0.003) whereas the side effects within 24hours was statistically not significant (p=0.106). ConclusionRectal misoprostol is as effective as intravenous oxytocin in preventing postpartum hemorrhage with the similar incidence of side effects and is worthwhile to be used as a uterotonic agent for the routine management of third stage of labor.http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v9i1.6254 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2011;9(1):8-12