I . Studies were made on liver stores of retinol in aborted human fetuses and stillborn babies in relation to gestational age, fetal size and maternal retinol status. The mothers belonged to low-and high-income groups (LIG and HIG respectively) in urban Baroda.2. Fetal weights were less than those reported by Widdowson (1968) for similar gestational ages and the deficits were greater in LIG.3. The combined mean values &g/l) for maternal serum retinol for all gestational ages were 193 for LIG and 261 for HIG. They were found to decline in late pregnancy in the former but not significantly in the latter.4. Fetal liver retinol concentrations were much lower than those reported for healthy Thai subjects by Montreewasuwat & Olson (1979) in early pregnancy but showed complete 'catch up' in late pregnancy for HIG and to a considerable extent for LIG. 5.Significant correlations were found between maternal serum retinol, fetal liver retinol and fetal growth. 6. These findings stress the importance of adequate vitamin A supplies during pregnancy to prevent vitamin A deficiency and intra-uterine growth retardation in the newborn.

1. Studies were made on the vitamin E status of the newborn as judged by cord serum vitamin E and erythrocyte haemolysis in vitro in relation to gestational age, birth weight and maternal vitamin E status in subjects belonging to low (L1G)-and high (HIG)-income groups in urban Baroda.2. In the case of full-term infants, the mean values for maternal serum vitamin E (mg/l) for LIG (n 73) and HIG (n 43) were 9.9 (SE 0.4) and 11.6 (SE 0.5). The corresponding values for cord serum vitamin E were 3.6 (SE 0.2) and 4.6 (SE 0.2) mg/.3. Serum vitamin E levels (mg/l) were lower in premature infants (2.3 (SE 0.2); n 20) and low-birth-weight fullterm infants (2.9 (SE 0.2); n 25) than in full-term normal infants (4.2 (SE 0.1); n 91). This was associated with differences in maternal serum vitamin E levels (7.4 (SE 09, 8.2 (SE 0.5) and 11.1 (SE 0.3) respectively). The differences were more marked for LIG. 4. A negative correlation was found between serum vitamin E and erythrocyte haemolysis in vitro in the case of maternal blood but not in cord blood.5. These results suggest that maternal vitamin E deficiency is one of the features associated with prematurity and intra-uterine growth retardation.Infants and children with either severe protein-energy malnutrition or milder forms of malnutrition have been shown to develop vitamin E deficiency, although the incidence is less in the latter category Tocopherol depletion in these patients can be attributed to both poor vitamin intake and impaired intestinal absorption which, in turn, may be due to a combination of pancreatic insufficiency, decreased bile production and diarrhoea (Hansen (1967) quoted by Gallo-Torres (1980)). In children suffering from protein-energy malnutrition of varying degrees, serum vitamin E levels were significantly lower in those who died than in survivors (Mclaren et al. 1969).It is well known that plasma tocopherol levels rise during pregnancy (Ferguson et al. 1955;Vobecky et al. 1973Vobecky et al. , 1974Horwitt et al. 1975; National Institute of Nutrition, 1978). In previous studies in this laboratory, serum vitamin E levels (mg/l) at term in lowincome women were found to be 11.7 (SE 0.5) compared with 8.2 (SE 0.7) in non-pregnant, non-lactating women from the same social groups in urban Baroda. Even in Kerala, where tocopherol intake is low, the corresponding values for serum vitamin E were found to be 12.8 (SE 0.9) and 6.8 (SE 0.6) mg/l (Dave, 1980

Background: Worldwide, about 5-8% of all pregnant females are affected by hypertensive disorders. In rural India, the incidence is 10%. This entity has become a significant cause of maternal mortality and morbidity, resulting in 10-15% of all maternal fatalities in developing nations, particularly in developing nations. Hence, identifying this entity in pregnant females and its timely management is vital for both mother and baby. Gestational hypertension can cause placental insufficiency due to narrowing and occlusion of uteroplacental vessels leading to intrauterine growth retardation. This study aims to detect placental grading by ultrasonography in the third trimester in cases of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and to assess its correlation with fetal-maternal outcomes. Methodology: This will be a cross-sectional study carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, AVBRH, Wardha. About 130 pregnant normotensive females and 130 hypertensive pregnant females will be included in the study. Baseline data such as age, sex, parity, routine laboratory data, PIH profile, sonography scans will be collected. All the patients will be followed till delivery, and feto-maternal outcomes will be assessed. Data will be analyzed with appropriate statistical tests. Expected Outcome: A significant correlation is expected between higher placental grading in hypertensive pregnant females compared to normotensive patients and will have a significant association with perinatal and fetal morbidity.

Background: Umbilical cord true knot is a rare condition which affects about 1% of all pregnancies. Though the incidence is lower, it often goes undetected in antenatal period despite the availability of prenatal sonography and may lead to a compromised fetal outcome as presented in this case. In this case the presence of true knot of umbilical cord was missed despite routine sonography done just 1 week prior to delivery, when patient presented to casualty with complains of decreased fetal movements since 24 hours. This modality is said to be associated with adverse fetal outcome such as birth asphyxia or in adverse cases intra uterine fetal demise. Risk factors include long cord, polyhydramnios, small sized fetus, etc. Case Summary: 27 years old gravida two, para two, with 1 live issue with k/c/o hypothyroidism with previous lesions came with complaints of decreased fetal movement since 24 hours at 36 weeks 3 days of gestational period. The patient recorded regular ANC checkups and routine investigations within normal limits. Her USG scan done at 34.2 wks showing single loop of cord around neck and normal doppler findings. On examination her vitals were normal .Her abdominal examination showed uterus of 34 wks size, longitudinal lie, cephalic presentation and irritable with mild contractions present with scar tenderness . Her FHS were present/irregular/112 bpm with less variability. On p/v examination os was admitting tip of finger, cervix soft, 25% effaced, station high up, presenting part vertex, membrane present. She was advised admission and a cardio-tocography (CTG) was done which showed recurrent deep atypical variable decelerations with decreased beat to beat variability. An emergent cesarean section was taken. Newborn was a female diagnosed with true umbilical cord knot, 2 cm away from fetal insertion with cord length of 84 cm. The baby was shifted to NICU in view of respiratory distress. Conclusion: Despite of modern day ultrasonography and Doppler studies, true umbilical cord knot still remains a lesser diagnosed entity and so every pregnant patients should be monitored carefully with a watch for daily fetal movement count (DFMC)and weekly non stress test (NST) for fetal well being.