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Aim: This study was aimed to evaluate the association of maternal determinants with birth weight (BW) of babies in tea garden workers (TGW) and housewives (HW). Methods: A total of 175 subjects were recruited from Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh, India. In this cross-sectional study, maternal determinants, BW of babies and placental weight were explored in TGW (n = 102) and HW (n = 73). These factors were assessed and correlated by logistic regression models. Results: A higher incidence of low birth weight (LBW) was found in mothers working in the tea garden (48.04%) as compared to HW (10.96%). Activity of plucking of leaves in tea garden by women had a higher risk for LBW babies (adjusted odd ratio [AOR] 4.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.38-13.57, P = 0.012) and decreased placental weight (AOR 11.42, 95% CI 1.18-126.02, P = 0.036) as compared to HW considered as reference group. Women who worked continuously in the tea garden during 9 months of pregnancy also revealed an elevated risk for LBW (AOR 5.32, 95% CI 1.34-21.09, P = 0.017). Conclusion: This study suggests the activity of plucking of tea leaves by women is associated with LBW of babies and decreased placental weight. Particularly, if mothers worked continuously in the tea garden during 9 months of pregnancy, it also increased the risk of delivering LBW babies. This exploratory study provides an important platform for further prospective studies, which could be focused on the potential consequences of maternal occupational exposures during pregnancy on fetal development.

The incidence of the uterine malformations is estimated to be 3% to 5% in the general population. Abnormal fusion of the mesonephric duct (Mullerian duct) during embryonic life results in a variety of congenital uterine malformations like septate uterus, unicornuate uterus, and bicornuate uterus. Fertility and evolution of pregnancy depends on the type of uterine anomaly. Many of them are asymptomatic but it is important to consider this diagnosis in recurrent miscarriages, preterm labours, malpresentations, and intrauterine growth restrictions. We are presenting a 22-years-old pregnant woman with a history of abortion. The patient was not diagnosed with a bicornuate uterus in her first pregnancy. However, she was diagnosed with a bicornuate uterus based on the findings of ultrasound in the present pregnancy. A successful caesarean section was performed on the subject in the 39th week of gestation. According to the results, successful outcome could be achieved in patients with bicornuate uterus.

Background Smokeless tobacco (SLT) consumption during pregnancy is a well‐recognized health risk that causes placental damage including hypoxia and oxidative damage. Although consumption of SLT by women varies from region to region, majority of tea leave pluckers consume SLT for relieving stress and pain. Still, the effects of SLT consumption have not been evaluated in tea garden workers (TGW). While previous studies have attempted to report effects of cigarette smoke using in vitro model, hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF)‐1α expression in human placentae from pregnant women exposed to SLT has not been previously studied. This study was aimed to explore the effects of SLT consumption on placental structure, expression of HIF‐1α and oxidative DNA damage in sample population of TGW. Methods A total of 51 placentae were collected from SLT users and nonusers (n = 30 and 21, respectively) with full‐term normal delivery, who were involved in the plucking of tea leaves during pregnancy in tea plantation. Low birth weight (LBW, i.e., weight <2,500 g) and normal birth weight (NBW) groups among both SLT user and nonuser were compared for the stated parameters. Placental tissues were processed for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study and immunohistochemical analysis for the expression of HIF‐1α and 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG). Results Altered ultrastructural characteristics were observed in the tertiary villi of LBW group among SLT users which included endothelial cells protrusion into capillary lumen, degenerated nuclei, significant thickening of trophoblast basement membrane and vasculo‐syncytial membrane, abnormalities of the microvilli, swollen or damaged mitochondria, and dilatation in endoplasmic reticulum cisternae. Furthermore, significant reduction in the perimeter, area, and number of the stromal capillary of the tertiary villi of placenta were found in LBW group as compared with NBW group from the SLT users. Enhanced expression for HIF‐1α and oxidative DNA damage (8‐OHdG) biomarker was observed in SLT users as compared with nonusers. Conclusions Maternal SLT exposure during pregnancy may be associated with villus hypoxia and consequently oxidative DNA damage. It is presumed that deleterious effect of SLT exposure on placenta could result in impairment of placental barrier, and restrict nutrient and oxygen supply from mother to fetus, and thus could be a cause of fetal growth restriction.

Background: This study was undertaken to evaluate and compare the efficacies of two different regimen for induction of labour in IUFD in an effort to find a better management of woman with IUFD. Methods: It was a hospital based prospective comparative study taken up in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH), Dibrugarh for a period of 1 year. A total number of 90 cases were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups. The two groups were induced using regimen recommended by the RCOG. Group A was induced with Mifepristone -Misoprostol Combined Regimen while Group B was induced with only Misoprostol. Results: Both the groups were found to be comparable with respect to mean Pre -induction Bishops score. The mean Induction to Onset of Labour Interval and Induction to Delivery Interval were significantly less in Group A as compared to Group B. Mean dose of Misoprostol required was less in Group A compared to Group B. In terms of side effects tolerance to Group A was better than Group B. Conclusions: It was observed in the study that both the regimen were equally safe, easy to administer and affordable but the Combination Regimen had a slight edge over misoprostol alone regimen in terms of tolerance, fewer side effects and efficacy with regard to early onset of labour, shorter Induction to Delivery Interval and relatively less dose of misoprostol than misoprostol alone regimen.