BACKGROUND Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is a vaginal disease in which lactobacilli-dominated vaginal flora is exchanged with an abundant complex flora dominated by strict and facultative anaerobic bacteria. It has been associated with significant obstetric complications such as preterm delivery, Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM), chorioamnionitis and postpartum endometritis. The aim of the study is to assess the prevalence of BV and evaluate its correlation with adverse pregnancy outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS An observational study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital from February 2015 to January 2017. Seven hundred and fifty antenatal patients admitted or attending antenatal outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital were included in the study. Appropriate clinical evaluation of BV was made and gram-stained vaginal smears were examined by application of Nugent's criteria. Adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with BV was evaluated. RESULTS Among the 750 women evaluated, 542 (72.26%) women had normal vaginal microflora, 64 (8.53%) had intermediate flora and 144 (19.2%) had BV. The study of BV associated adverse pregnancy outcomes revealed 72% preterm cases, 90% of PROM and 100% of postpartum endometritis cases were associated with BV. CONCLUSION Bacterial vaginosis was significantly associated with preterm labour, PROM and postpartum endometritis. Therefore, the screening of antenatal cases for BV and maintaining a high index of suspicion for the obstetric complications is a must in antenatal BV cases.

BACKGROUND Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension (PIH) contributes significantly to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Women with PIH are at a greater risk of abruptio placentae, cerebrovascular events, organ failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Foetuses of these mothers are at greater risk of intrauterine growth retardation, prematurity and intrauterine death. PIH brings about histomorphological changes in the placenta thereby resulting in placental dysfunction. Present study aims to understand the morphological changes in the placenta along with maternal and foetal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by PIH. MATERIALS AND METHODS A descriptive observational case-control study was conducted from March 2013 to April 2016 in a tertiary care hospital. Hundred women diagnosed with PIH and hundred women with normal gestation were enrolled in the study. Foetal and maternal outcome at term was evaluated in comparison to normal gestation. Placental specimens from term gestations (38-42 weeks) diagnosed with PIH and placenta from normal full-term gestations were studied to assess the morphological parameters. Statistical analysis was done using descriptive statistical measures. RESULTS A total of 100 cases with PIH and 100 control normotensive gestations were included in the present study. Gestational hypertension accounted for 66 cases, preeclampsia 23 and eclampsia 11 cases. Liver infarcts were the commonest maternal complication (11%) among the cases followed by renal failure and postpartum haemorrhage (5% each), however, no maternal mortality was documented in our study. Total number of preterm deliveries was 35 and foetal demise was documented in 9 cases. Low birth weight was the commonest foetal complication seen in 37% of the cases. Mean placental weight of PIH cases was found to be 406.5 g, which was significantly lesser than the mean weight of the control group placenta. Multifocal infarcts, retroplacental clots, fibrinoid necrosis and areas of calcification were significantly associated with placental specimens from PIH cases.