MATERNAL AND PERINATAL OUTCOMES WITH ANTENATAL CORTICOSTEROID ADMINISTRATION IN PRETERM DELIVERIES AT GOVERNMENT DISTRICT HOSPITAL, NANDYAL- AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

BACKGROUND: Preterm birth remains a major health issue worldwide. Preterm delivery affects over 7–12% of births in India and is responsible for up to 75% of neonatal deaths. Despite advances in medical technology, the prevalence of preterm birth is increasing. Discovery of antenatal corticosteroid for fetal maturation and its adoption into clinical practice highlights several fascinating and universal truths about science and medicine. The challenge in human studies is to demonstrate antenatal corticosteroid administration in pregnancy contributes to developmental programming and how this is manifested in later life. The World Health Organization recommends the use of one course of antenatal steroids for all pregnant women between 26 and 35 weeks of gestation who are at risk of preterm delivery within 7 days. Both, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recommend their use between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation (1). The use of antenatal steroids after 34 or 35 weeks of gestation is not recommended unless there is evidence of fetal pulmonary immaturity. Despite this, antenatal steroids are widely used globally across all gestational periods. In a diverse country like India, diversity in clinical practice is a reality. Hence, the present research study intends to study the maternal and perinatal outcomes with antenatal corticosteroid administration in preterm deliveries at Government district hospital, Nandyal in South India. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES Ÿ To determine the incidence of RDS at District hospital, Nandyal among neonates delivered between 28-37 weeks due to PTL, PPROM or severe PET whose mothers received ACS and in those whose mothers did not receive ACS. Ÿ To determine the severity of RDS at District hospital, Nandyal among neonates delivered between 28-37 weeks due to PTL, PPROM or severe PET whose mothers received ACS and in those whose mothers did not receive ACS. Ÿ To compare the neonatal mortality among neonates delivered between 28-37 weeks due to PTL, PPROM or severe PET whose mothers received ACS with those whose mothers did not receive ACS. Ÿ To determine the effectiveness of antenatal corticosteroid administration in preventing early neonatal respiratory distress syndrome in early preterm labour versus late preterm labour. Ÿ To determine the effectiveness of ACS administration in preventing neonatal complications with respect to the mode of delivery. METHODOLOGY: Study was conducted at Government District Hospital, Nandyal from 01/01/2019 to 30/10/2019. A structured questionnaire was prepared under guidance of thesis guide. All pregnant women with gestational age between 28 completed weeks to 37 completed weeks, presenting in OPD either in labour or getting admitted due to any other maternal medical complication, are initially assessed thoroughly to estimate the gestational age by history, LMP, early USG, and clinical examination. They are given a course of ACS if they were not expecting delivery within next 1 hour, after explaining the benets and risks of ACS as per recommendations of Federation of International st Gynecology and Obstetrics. Those who did not receive ACS or those who delivered within 24hrs of administration of 1 dose of ACS were considered as subjects in NACS group. Those who received ACS were considered as subjects in ACS group. After delivery, the neonate is followed up in NICU until discharged or until 7 days whichever is shorter. Mother is followed up for any clinical signs of infection, until she is discharged. Data is analyzed scientically. RESULTS: In Antenatal corticosteroids group (ACS), there were 36 subjects within 20 years, 43 subjects between 20-25 years, 29 subjects between 25-30 years, 25 subjects between 30-35 years. In No Antenatal corticosteroids group (NACS), there were 32 subjects within 20 years, 49 subjects between 20-25 years, 25 subjects between 25-30 years, 10 subjects between 30-35 years. Study observed that Antenatal corticosteroids group had lower incidence of Respiratory distress syndrome compared to No Antenatal corticosteroids group (12.07% versus 23.28%). Antenatal corticosteroids group had lower incidence of severe Respiratory distress syndrome compared to No Antenatal corticosteroids group (21.3 % versus 33.33%) among those who had Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Antenatal corticosteroids group had fewer admissions to NICU than No Antenatal corticosteroids group (20.69% versus 33.62%). Antenatal corticosteroids group had lower mortality than No Antenatal corticosteroids group (12.07 % versus 22.41%). Antenatal corticosteroids group had 35 % less chances of Respiratory distress syndrome compared to No Antenatal corticosteroids group. In No Antenatal corticosteroids group, subjects who underwent vaginal delivery had 10% less risk compared to those who underwent LSCS for their neonates to have Respiratory distress syndrome. In Antenatal corticosteroids group, subjects who underwent vaginal delivery had 14.29 % less risk compared to those who underwent LSCS for their neonates to have Respiratory distress syndrome. Antenatal corticosteroids group had maternal infection rate comparable to No Antenatal Corticosteroids group. CONCLUSION: Use of antenatal corticosteroids was found to be benecial in pregnant women with Gestational age of 28 completed weeks to less than 37 completed weeks at Government District hospital, Nandyal. Antenatal corticosteroids did not have statistically signicant adverse effects (i.e. increased rate of infection) in mothers.

Dogs undergoing surgical excision of mast cell tumors are not at increased risk of incisional complications

OBJECTIVE To retrospectively compare the incidence of incisional complications in dogs undergoing surgery for mast cell tumors (MCTs) and soft tissue sarcomas (STSs). ANIMALS 218 dogs. PROCEDURES Dogs that underwent excision of ≥ 1 MCT, STS, or both from January 2014 to July 2019 and had ≥ 30 days postoperative follow-up were included. Signalment; anesthesia and surgery time; administration of propofol; tumor type, grade, location, and size; intended surgical margins; histologic margins; perioperative radiation, chemotherapy, and corticosteroid and antihistamine (MCT group) treatments; and incisional complications (classified as major or minor) were recorded. Follow-up information was obtained from owners or primary care veterinarians, if needed. Incidence and severity of incisional complications were compared between the MCT and STS groups. Potential risk factors were assessed for associations with incisional complications by simple and multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS The 218 dogs underwent surgery for 293 tumors (209 MCTs and 84 STSs). Complication rates did not differ between MCT (28/209 [13%]) and STS (12/84 [14%]) groups. For the MCT group, incomplete margins (vs complete or narrow), increasing Patnaik tumor grade, and postoperative chemotherapy (yes vs no) were associated with increased odds of incisional complications on simple regression. On multiple logistic regression, postoperative chemotherapy was associated with increased odds of incisional complications for the MCT group and both groups combined. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE On the basis of the results, we suggest that chemotherapy be used with caution ≤ 30 days after surgery for dogs with MCTs. Corticosteroid administration was not associated with incisional complications for the MCT group in this study.

Is There a Benefit of Antenatal Corticosteroid When Given < 48 Hours Before Delivery?

Objective We assessed the association between a short Antenatal Corticosteroid Administration-to-Birth Interval and neonatal outcome. Study design: A retrospective study between 2010- 2020. Eligible cases were singleton preterm live-born neonates born between 24 0/7 and 33 6/7 weeks of gestation and were initiated an ACS course of Betamethasone. We divided the first 48 hours following 1st ACS administration to four-time intervals and compared each time interval to those born more than 48 hours following ACS administration. The primary outcome was a composite of adverse neonatal outcome, including neonatal mortality or any major neonatal morbidity. Results A total of 200 women gave birth less than 48 hours from receiving the first betamethasone injection, and 172 women gave birth within 2-7 days (48-168 hours) from ACS administration. Composite adverse neonatal outcome was higher for neonates born less than 12 hours from initial ACS administration compared to neonates born 2-7 days from first betamethasone injection (55.45% vs. 29.07%, OR 3.45 95% CI [2.02-5.89], p.value<0.0001). However, there was no difference in composite adverse neonatal outcomes between neonates born 12-48 hours following ACS administration and those born after 2-7 days. That was also true after adjusting for confounders. Conclusions 12-24 hours following ACS Administration may be sufficient in reducing the same risk of neonatal morbidities as > 48 hours following ACS administration. It may raise the question regarding the utility of the second dose of ACS.

RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF FUNDUS CHANGES IN POST COVID RHINO ORBITAL CEREBRAL MUCORMYCOSIS - A CASE SERIES

Aim:To study the fundus changes in post COVID- Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis. Methods: The study was done by collecting data from 30 cases of ROCM admitted in GGH, Kurnool. Detailed history was taken along with systemic ,ENT, ophthalmic and neurological examination and all necessary investigations were done including contrast enhanced MRI. Treatment was started with systemic and retrobulbar amphotericin-B injections. Fundus pictures were taken. Results: All of them had history of infection with covid-19 dated about 3-5 weeks back. Among them 18 had corticosteroid administration, 12 had oxygen with nasal prongs/mask, 2 had high flow/non-invasive ventilation. All of them were diabetics and 21 were hypertensives.Most of them had orbital/facial pain & edema, headache, 24 patients had proptosis, 16 had ptosis, 20 had ocular movement restriction,18 had loss of vision. In Contrast Enhanced MRI scan, 28 cases showed diffuse PNS involvement,4 had medial orbital involvement, 8 had diffuse orbital involvement,18 had involvement of orbital apex, 6 had CNS involvement. Fundus examination revealed optic atrophy in 15 cases, 5 had CRAO and 3 had CRVO,8 had diabetic retinopathy,4 had hypertensive retinopathy, others had no significant abnormality. Conclusion: Mucormycosis is a rapidly progressive angioinvasive fungal infection which has been on rise in India with the 2nd wave of COVID-19. Early diagnosis and management are essential to halt the spread of infection and prevent diminution of vision and therefore, further improve the visual outcome and overall prognosis of the patient.

The Mechanism of Hyperammonemia Triggered by Corticosteroid Administration in Late-Onset Ornithine Transcarbamylase Deficiency

Background: Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OTCD) is most popular among urea cycle disorders (UCDs), defined by the loss of function in any of the enzymes associated with ureagenesis. Corticosteroid administration to UCD patients, including OTCD patients, is well known to induce life-threatening hyperammonemia. The mechanism has been considered nitrogen overload due to the catabolic effect of corticosteroids; however, the pathophysiological process is unclear. We evaluated the effects of corticosteroids on urea cycle enzyme expressions and urea cycle-associated metabolites in OTC-deficient mice.Methods: The clinical courses of two adult-onset OTCD patients were presented. To elucidate the mechanism of hyperammonemia induced by corticosteroid administration in OTCD patients, we developed a mouse model by administering corticosteroids to OTCspf-ash mice deficient in the OTC gene. Dexamethasone (DEX; 20 mg/kg) was administered to the OTCspf-ash and wild-type (WT) mice at 0 and 24 h, and the serum ammonia concentrations, the levels of the hepatic metabolites, and the gene expressions of urea-cycle-related genes were analyzed.Results: Two adult-onset OTCD patients received multimodal treatment, including dialysis, and recovered completely from severe hyperammonemia. The ammonia levels in Otcspf-ash mice that were administered DEX tended to increase at 24 h and increased significantly at 48 h. The metabolomic analysis showed that the levels of citrulline, arginine, and ornithine did not differ significantly between Otcspf-ash mice that were administered DEX and normal saline; however, the level of aspartate was increased drastically in Otcspf-ash mice owing to DEX administration (P < 0.01). Among the enzymes associated with the urea cycle, mRNA expressions of carbamoyl-phosphate synthase 1, ornithine transcarbamylase, arginosuccinate synthase 1, and arginosuccinate lyase were significantly downregulated by DEX administration in both the Otcspf-ash and WT mice (P < 0.01).Conclusions: We elucidated that corticosteroid administration induced hyperammonemia in Otcspf-ash mice by suppressing urea-cycle-related gene expressions as early as 24 h. Since the urea cycle intermediate amino acids, such as arginine, might not be effective because of the suppressed expression of urea-cycle-related genes by corticosteroid administration, we should consider an early intervention by renal replacement therapy in cases of UCD patients induced by corticosteroids to avoid brain injuries or fatal outcomes.

Association of Antenatal Corticosteroid Exposure and Infant Survival at 22 and 23 Weeks

Objective In 2014, the leading obstetric societies published an executive summary of a joint workshop to establish obstetric interventions to be considered for periviable births. Antenatal corticosteroid administration between 220/7 and 226/7 weeks was not recommended given existing evidence. We sought to evaluate whether antenatal steroid exposure was associated with improved survival among resuscitated newborns delivered between 22 and 23 weeks of gestation. Study Design We conducted a population-based cohort study of all resuscitated livebirths delivered between 220/7 and 236/7 weeks of gestation in the United States during 2009 to 2014 utilizing National Center for Health Statistics data. The primary outcome was rate of survival to 1 year of life (YOL) between infant cohorts based on antenatal steroid exposure. Multivariable logistic regression estimated the association of antenatal steroid exposure on survival outcomes. Results In the United States between 2009 and 2014, there were 2,635 and 7,992 infants who received postnatal resuscitation after delivery between 220/7 to 226/7 and 230/7 to 236/7 weeks of gestation, respectively. Few infants born at 22 (15.9%) and 23 (26.0%) weeks of gestation received antenatal corticosteroids (ANCS). Among resuscitated neonates, survival to 1 YOL was 45.2 versus 27.8% (adjusted relative risk [aRR]: 1.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2–2.1) and 57.9 versus 47.7% (aRR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1–1.5) for infants exposed to ANCS compared with those not exposed at 22 and 23 weeks of gestation, respectively. When stratified by 100 g birth weight category, ANCS were associated with survival among neonates weighing 500 to 599 g (aRR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.3–2.9) and 600 to 699 g (aRR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1–2.6) at 22 weeks. Conclusion Exposure to ANCS was associated with higher survival rates to 1 YOL among resuscitated infants born at 22 and 23 weeks. National guidelines recommending against ANCS utilization at 22 weeks should be re-evaluated given emerging evidence of benefit. Key Points

The effects of betamethasone on clinical outcome of the late preterm neonates born between 34 and 36 weeks of gestation

Background Prenatal corticosteroid administration in preterm labor is one of the most important treatments available to improve neonatal outcomes; however, its beneficial effects on late preterm infants (after the 34th week of gestation) remained unknown. We aimed to assess the effects of betamethasone on the clinical condition of the late preterm infants born between 34 and 36 weeks of gestation. Methods This retrospective cohort study was performed on 100 consecutive infants born between 34 and 36 weeks of gestation and received betamethasone before delivery as the cases and 100 neonates with the same delivery conditions but without receiving betamethasone. All neonates were followed up within hospitalization to assess the neonatal outcome. Results The neonates receiving betamethasone suffered more from respiratory distress syndrome (49% versus 31%, p = 0.008, RR = 1.59 95% CI (1.12–2.27)) and requiring more respiratory support (71% versus 50%, p = 0.002, RR = 1.43 95% CI (1.13–1.80)) as compared to the control group. There was no difference between the two groups in other neonatal adverse events or death. Conclusion the use of betamethasone in the late preterm period (after 34 weeks of gestation) has no beneficial effects on lung maturity or preventing neonatal adverse outcomes, even may lead to increase the risk for RDS and requiring respiratory support.

Macular dual retinitis with Herpes simplex and Cytomegalovirus following periocular corticosteroid in a patient of Pemphigus Vulgaris

Background Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis may occur in non-HIV individuals following systemic immunosuppressive treatment or periocular corticosteroid administration. However, simultaneous multiple viral retinitis is rare in HIV-negative individuals. We report a case of dual viral retinitis in a non-HIV female on systemic immunosuppressive for pemphigus vulgaris who was administered a periocular corticosteroid injection. Method A 32-year-old female on double immunosuppressive therapy (prednisolone and cyclophosphamide) for pemphigus vulgaris, presented with gradual painless diminution of vision in the right eye for one month. She was initially diagnosed to have possible autoimmune neuroretinitis by the referring ophthalmologist and received a single injection of posterior subtenon triamcinolone acetonide for the same. Her vision however deteriorated further and she received an intravitreal ganciclovir injection with a revised diagnosis of CMV retinitis. Due to suboptimal response she was referred to us. Aqueous Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed dual positivity for CMV and Herpes simplex virus. She was successfully managed with intravitreal ganciclovir injections, systemic acyclovir and tapering of systemic immunosuppressive drugs. Result The retinitis lesions resolved gradually leaving behind a pale optic disc and foveal atrophy at 12 weeks follow-up. Conclusion Infective etiology must be ruled out in immunosuppressed patients before considering periocular corticosteroids. Dual viral involvement, although rare, may cause fulminant retinitis in predisposed individuals. High index of suspicion and PCR from ocular fluids should be performed at the earliest in patients with atypical or poorly responding retinitis lesions.