Context:Prevalence of hypothyroidism is 2–4% in women in the reproductive age group. Hypothyroidism can affect fertility due to anovulatory cycles, luteal phase defects, hyperprolactinemia, and sex hormone imbalance.Aims and Objectives:To study the prevalence of clinical/sub-clinical hypothyroidism in infertile women and the response of treatment for hypothyroidism on infertility.Materials and Methods:A total of 394 infertile women visiting the infertility clinic for the first time were investigated for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin (PRL). Infertile women with hypothyroidism alone or with associated hyperprolactinemia were given treatment for hypothyroidism with thyroxine 25–150 μg.Results:Of 394 infertile women, 23.9% were hypothyroid (TSH > 4.2 μIU/ml). After treatment for hypothyroidism, 76.6% of infertile women conceived within 6 weeks to 1 year. Infertile women with both hypothyroidism and hyperprolactinemia also responded to treatment and their PRL levels returned to normal.Conclusion:Measurement of TSH and PRL should be done at early stage of infertility check up rather than straight away going for more costly tests or invasive procedures. Simple, oral hypothyroidism treatment for 3 months to 1 year can be of great benefit to conceive in otherwise asymptomatic infertile women.

Background:Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a rare event in pregnancy, occurring in approximately 3 in 10 000 pregnancies. The spectrum of AP in pregnancy ranges from mild pancreatitis to serious pancreatitis associated with necrosis, abscesses, pseudocysts, and multiple organ dysfunction syndromes. As in any other disease associated with pregnancy, AP is associated with greater concerns as it deals with two lives rather than just one as in the nonpregnant population. AP is most often associated with gall stone disease or hypertriglyceridemia.Material and Methods:We present 2 years of experience during which we had eight patients of AP.Results:Of the eight patients, three underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and five were treated conservatively. One had multiple cysts in the abdomen which were drained. All the patients delivered at term. Prophylactic tocolysis was given for 48-72 h to only those patients who had laparoscopic cholecystectomy. All the patients recovered completely. There was no maternal or fetal mortality.Conclusion:When properly managed AP in pregnancy does not carry a dismal prognosis as in the past.

Neurological complications are not uncommon in patients with HELLP syndrome and a high index of suspicion is essential. Aggressive multidisciplinary approach is the key to reduce the morbidity and mortality.

Background: Antenatal Care (ANC) utilization facility is available but poorly utilized because of many factors which play indirect role in inadequate utilization of antenatal care facility: low social status of women in the society, less opportunity for basic education, less ability to make decisions. Therefore, the present study is an attempt to study the effect of maternal education on antenatal care utilization, maternal and perinatal outcome in a tertiary care hospital.Methods: A prospective study was carried out on 525 cases delivered during period of one year at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India; a tertiary care hospital catering both urban and rural population. All cases were categorized into two groups: booked and unbooked. The age, parity and education of each patient in booked and unbooked cases was noted. Further, its impact on antenatal care utilization, maternal and perinatal outcome was studied.Results: On studying education pattern, among illiterate subjects 50% were booked and 50% were unbooked; For graduate and above were 80.6% and 19.4%respectively. Among mothers who were illiterate 90.9% had low birth weight babies and 13.6% had stillborn. Among those graduates and above 38.7% had low birth weight babies,1.5 % stillborn and 1.2% neonatal deaths.Conclusions: The educational status of the women came out as a significantly important variable and predictor of perinatal outcome. Hence, whole hearted efforts should be directed in educating women population and also improving health care facilities in rural areas to provide early referral to higher centers.

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