Background: There are conflicting reports about the effect of psychological stress upon menstruation. We studied menstrual patterns and stress in 254 undergraduate medical students. Method: All girls of years one and two were included. The students maintained menstrual records over six months. DASS questionnaires measured stress. Salivary cortisol levels were also measured. Results: In year 1 and 2 students, persisting normal cycles were 39.4% and 36.5%; normal becoming abnormal were 28.8% and 23.1%; abnormal becoming normal were 19.2% and 17.3%; persisting abnormal were 12.5% and 23.1% . Students with moderate to severe stress (20% and 21%) had less stress at six months (13% and 15%) Comment: Most students have normal menstrual patterns, and no stress. Stress if present tends to decrease with time. There is no clear association between psychological stress and menstrual abnormality.

We concluded that transcervical intrapartum amnioinfusion is a safe, simple and inexpensive technique that reduces operative intervention and improves neonatal outcome, and is of tremendous relevance in developing countries.

No abstract

A high incidence of congenital neural tube defects was suspected among the babies born in East Delhi. The hospital data of 30 months was reviewed to find out the incidence and to evaluate the prenatal diagnosis in these disorders. An incidence of 7/1000 births was found to be correct in all cases of anencephaly and hydrocephalus. However, spina bifida and encephalocele were missed in 25% of cases. All patients were diagnosed late during pregnancy mainly because of late booking. Early booking and a high index of suspicion are desirable for early prenatal diagnosis.