Pregnancy induced hypertension includes gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia. In PIH, lower the platelet count, greater are maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Recent studies suggest that platelet parameters like platelet indices are most simple and cost effective method for prediction of PIH, way before the appearance of derangements in PT, APTT, TT values so we undertook this study with an aim to see an association between platelet indices and pregnancy induced hypertension. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This was prospective analytical case control study. Study included 125 cases, who were diagnosed as PIH with B.P. >140/90 mmHg, detected after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Under all aseptic precautions samples were collected randomly in EDTA vials. Samples were analysed for platelet indices. RESULT: Maximum number of cases of Preeclampsia (88.57%) & Eclampsia (87.5%) were found in age group of 21 to 25.Controls were of same age group i.e. 21 to 25 years. It was observed that platelet count showed gradual decrease in eclampsia (1.44580± 36,210) & pre-eclampsia patients (1.97850±39,010) as compared to normotensive subjects (2.42620±40,412). MPV showed gradual increase in eclampsia (10.49±1.12) & pre-eclampsia (9.14±0.612) patients as compared to normotensive subjects (8.422±0.743). PDW value also shows gradual increase in eclampsia (18.39±2.62) & pre-eclampsia (16.29±2.34) patients as compared to normotensive subjects (12.09±2.53). CONCLUSION: Study showed that platelet indices were important, simple, effortless and cost effective investigations which can be used for early recognition of preventable eclampsia complications.

A BSTRACT Background: The clinical features and management of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been well documented in urban India. However, little data exist on the management and outcomes of severe COVID-19 in rural and tribal areas. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of the patients admitted in a 20-bedded COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) set up at the Government District Hospital, Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh, between 17 May and 17 July 2021 during the second wave of COVID-19 in India. The ICU was managed by a team of primary care providers, family physicians, and nurses under the supervision of three specialists. Data related to socio-demographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment profiles were extracted using a data extraction tool and analysed. Results: A total of 55 of the 63 (87.3%) patients admitted in the ICU during the study period were eligible for the study. The mean age of the patients was 50.95 [standard deviation (SD) 15.76] years; 66% were < 60 years of age, and 63.6% were men. The mean duration of symptoms before ICU admission was 7.52 (SD 4.16) days. Breathlessness (63.6%), fever (58.2%), cough (52.7%), and altered sensorium (38.2%) were the most common presenting symptoms. 67% of the patients had any co-morbidity, and 43% had two or more co-morbidities. 32.7% patients needed non-invasive (14 out of 55) or invasive ventilation (4 out of 55). 12.7% of the patients (7 out of 55) needed dialysis. The intra-ICU mortality was 47%. Patients who died had higher prevalence of heart disease, hypoxia, and altered sensorium. Conclusion: Our study highlights the need for critical care services in Government District Hospitals in India and the feasibility of providing such care by primary care providers through specialist mentoring.