Background: Anaemia during pregnancy is a significant concern in India. The consequences of iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy are often serious and long lasting for both the mother and the foetus. Haematocrit measurement is an acceptable and recommended method for anaemia determination especially in situations where limited resources are available, and the technical support is poor. There is a rough conversion factor of 3 which converts the HCT value to approximate haemoglobin level. Present study desires to know the prevalence of anaemia (with classification into mild, moderate and severe) in 3rd trimester pregnancy, to know effect of anaemia in pregnancy on new-born anthropometric parameters and to assess the validity of the threefold conversion between haemoglobin and haematocrit for the determination of anaemia in pregnancy.Methods: The estimation of haematocrit was done by micro-haematocrit method and estimation of haemoglobin was done by automated blood cell analyzer based on cyanmethemoglobin method. Welch's ANOVA, Post Hoc games Howell test and Bland Altman limits of agreement method were used for statistical analysis.Results: Present study showed that 53.75% women in their 3rd trimester were anaemic (mild, moderate and severe anaemic mothers were 22.25%, 28.25% and 3.25% respectively). The standard 3-fold conversion between the haemoglobin and haematocrit was not found to be valid for the assessment of anaemia in the 3rd trimester pregnancy. Finally, while comparing anthropometric measurements between mild/ no anaemia group with severe anaemia group we found that all measurements were less in severe anaemia group and this difference was statistically significant.Conclusions: This study shows that 53.75% women in their 3rd trimester were anaemic, which closely mimic the WHO data but is about 11% more than the prevalence in Himachal Pradesh. Secondly, the standard 3-fold conversion between the haemoglobin and haematocrit was not found to be valid for the assessment of anaemia in the 3rd trimester pregnancy. Finally, birth weight, height, head circumference, chest circumference and mid-arm circumference were significantly affected by third trimester haemoglobin that too the most in severe anaemia cases.

Background: Hysterectomy is the 2nd most common surgical procedure performed in women and is associated with various complications like any other major surgical procedure. The objectives and aims of this study was to compare the effects of ligasure and conventional clamping and suturing in abdominal hysterectomy.Methods: A randomized controlled trial was performed by randomizing the patients in 2 groups - ligasure (A) and conventional hysterectomy (B). Operative time, no. of sutures, blood loss, hospital stay and cost factor to patient were studied as its main outcomes. A total of 100 patients were studied.Results: 66% of patients in group A had duration of surgery that was less than an hour in spite of associated co-morbidities. More no (76%) of patients in Group A had significantly less blood loss (<50 ml) as compared to 60% of patients in Group B. Only one suture was used in 80% of patients in Group A while in group B all of the patients required more than one suture from stumps to vault. There by reducing the cost of surgery.Conclusion: Apparently ligasure group seems to have less time for surgery and less blood loss and more intraoperative and postoperative complications, but to prove one ligasure group superior or inferior over conventional method we need to have more studies. But yes, Ligasure group reduces the cost of surgery to patient by reducing suture consumption as compared to conventional group.

Background: Even though the neonatal, maternal and perinatal mortality is declining in our country, still the morbidity and mortality rate is very high. Further improvement is possible by increasing awareness and appropriate practices of mothers towards pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and essential newborn care. Objective of the study was to assess the knowledge of postnatal mothers regarding pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and newborn care. These feeding practices were assessed in postnatal mothers, using a structured questionnaire.Methods: Univariate analyses method [such as frequencies, percent distribution, means, and standard deviations (SD)] and Binary Logistic regression method was used for analysis of data with help of analyse-it and SPSS software.Results: Knowledge regarding pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care: Mean percentage obtained was 68.128% (SD of 18.15). 100% was obtained by only 7 mothers (2.3% of total). Knowledge regarding essential newborn care: Mean percentage obtained was 59.8% (SD of 19.6). 100% was obtained by only 15 mothers (5% of total). A total of 71 mothers failed, constituting 23.7% of total. Education status and parity status both were significantly associated with maternal knowledge regarding pregnancy and postpartum but they do not predict the outcome very well.Conclusions: Postnatal mothers had inadequate knowledge on pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and newborn care. Therefore educational intervention at multiple levels is required during the period of antenatal, and postnatal visits. Secondly socio-demographic factors- educational status and parity status of postnatal mothers were not associated with maternal knowledge.

Introduction: Anemia during pregnancy is a major public health problem throughout the world, especially in the developing countries. Anemia during pregnancy can lead to morbidity and mortality in mother as well as fetus. Anemia cannot be diagnosed only clinically, several blood tests are required for complete characterization. Aim of the present study was to know the prevalence of anemia during pregnancy in District Solan of Himachal Pradesh, classify its types and determine the effect of pregnancy on hematological parameters in Anemia. Material and Methods:In the present study Hematological parameters of 150 pregnant females in advanced pregnancy (of gestational age 32 to40 weeks) were analyzed and the results were compared with 90 age matched control cases. Results: The pregnant study group exhibited statistically significant lower values of haemoglobin, PCV, MCV, MCHC and lymphocyte and platelets while neutrophil and total WBC counts were significantly elevated. Conclusion: Hematological parameters are a simple and cost effective investigation which can aid in early recognition of anemia during pregnancyand thereby improve the outcome of pregnancy.

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