Introduction:This study was done to compare the prevalence of mental health disorders between COVID-19-infected and non-infected mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The secondary objective was to find out the risk factors and long-term outcome of peripartum depression (PPD). Material and methods:This was an observational and comparative study using a questionnaire-based direct interview, conducted in a tertiary hospital. After judging the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 842 subjects were selected between September 2020 to December 2020. The Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) and COVID-19 anxiety scale (CAS) was used for evaluation of the mental health. Subjects with PPD were followed up for a year. Results:The mean age of the subjects was 24.8 ± 3.9 years, 142 (16.8%) were confirmed COVID-19 positive. Overall, 317 (37.6%) had possible PPD (EPDS ≥14) and 763 (90.6%) had peripartum anxiety (EPDS anxiety subscore ≥4). While there was no significant difference in the prevalence of PPD (32.6% vs 39%, p = 0.12), peripartum anxiety was higher among COVID non-infected subjects (91.6% vs 86.6%, p = 0.04). Furthermore, COVID-19-related anxiety was higher among COVID-19-infected compared to the non-infected [17 (10-28) vs 15 (8-25), p = 0.00]. In multivariate analysis, medical comorbidities (p = 0.000), history of psychiatric illness (p = 0.002), domestic violence (p = 0.032) and obstetric complications (p = 0.000) were significant risk factors for PPD. Among the subjects who had PPD, only 35% still had depression after a year. Conclusion:This study provides an in-depth analysis of PPD and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk factors, and the long-term effects.Clinical significance: It highlights the importance of routine screening for perinatal mental health disorders and early psychiatric consultation when required.

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Fungal infections of the paranasal sinuses are a spectrum of diseases rather than one distinct entity. The prevalence of fungal sinus disease has been increasing in recent decades, especially in immunocompetent individuals. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics and immunosuppressive drugs has partially been attributed to this. The diagnosis of invasive fungal disease still imposes a challenge to medical professionals occasionally. Here we present an interesting case of a middle-aged immunocompetent male who presented to us with non-specific symptoms of chronic invasive fungal sinusitis. The routine investigations for diagnosing fungal sinusitis turned out to be futile and the result of serum galactomannan test helped to identify and treat his condition. <p> </p>