Background: Deficiency of vitamin D is widespread across the globe. Expectant women are one of the most vulnerable groups for vitamin D deficiency (VDD). Even in South India with abundance of sunlight, pregnant women are believed to be at a high risk of this deficiency. The objectives of this study are to assess the prevalence of VDD in antenatal women, associate it with modifiable risk factors and evaluate its correlation with low birth weight. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital, in Chennai, in 100 pregnant women in their last trimester on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria and their vitamin D and calcium levels were assessed. A detailed history regarding physical activity, diet, and sun exposure were collected and results were analyzed. Results: The point prevalence of VDD (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D) level <20 ng/mL) among antenatal women in our study is 62%. Univariate analysis revealed that sun exposure and socioeconomic status were the significant factors associated with higher percentage of VDD. Linear regression analysis showed that only sun exposure was a significant predictor for serum 25(OH) D levels. VDD is also associated with increased risk of low-birth-weight babies. Conclusion: VDD is highly prevalent among pregnant women in South India leading to adverse health consequences in the mother and offspring. Less physical activity, decreased sun exposure, darker skin complexion, lower socioeconomic status and lack of awareness are the major risk factors associated with VDD in our study population.

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Introduction: The key important factor influencing the outcomes following rehabilitation is the surgical approach involved in Total Knee Replacement (TKR). Most studies have analysed the functional outcome in comparing the approaches on surgical perspective rather on post-operative therapeutic interventions. The current study was to analyse the effects of structured TKR rehabilitation programme on the quality of life and joint specific outcomes between two different surgical approaches. Materials and Methods: In this double-blind randomised controlled trial, participants were randomly allocated to one of two groups: Group 1- those who underwent medial parapatellar approach and Group 2- those who underwent mid-vastus approach. Both groups received three-phase structured rehabilitation protocol for 12 weeks. The outcome measures of SF-36, knee mobility, isometric knee musculature strength and six-minute walk distance were measured at baseline, on discharge and at review after three months. Results: The quality of life and joint specific outcome scores were better in mid-vastus approach than the popular medial parapatellar approach. The outcomes of knee flexion mobility (p=0.04), knee extension mobility (p=0.03), isometric muscle strength of quadriceps (p=0.001), isometric muscle strength of hamstrings (p=0.03), six-minute walk distance (p=0.001) and Physical Cumulative Scores (PCS) (p=0.03) were found to exhibit significant improvements at three months follow up. Conclusion: The mid-vastus approach was found to exhibit better improvements following structured rehabilitation care, in physical summary scores of quality of life and joint specific outcomes than medial parapatellar approach.