Pre-eclampsia is a disorder of 2nd half of pregnancy, which is characterized by a combination of hypertension, proteinuria and edema, secondary to decreased placental perfusion. Clinical studies suggest that there are histopathological changes in the placenta of pre-eclamptic women, compared to normotensive pregnant women. In developing countries, pre-eclampsia causes an estimated 50,000 maternal deaths per year. Only a small number of studies have however, been conducted in Bangladesh. Objective: To compare the histopathology of placenta in selected pre-eclamptic and normotensive pregnant women. Methods: 220 pregnant women were selected with inclusion and exclusion criteria from 3 different medical colleges and divided into 2 groups – A study group, consisting of 110 pre-eclamptic women and a control group consisting of 110 normotensive pregnant women. Dietary information was collected by 7 days food frequency questionnaire and food score was determined. Anthropometric and biochemical tests were performed. To evaluate the histopathology of placenta, tissue samples were collected from the placenta after delivery, and were prepared for histopathological studies, by haemotoxylin and eosin stain method. The mean number of areas of syncytial knot formation, the mean number of areas of cytotrophoblastic cell proliferation, the mean number of areas of fibrinoid necrosis, and the mean number of areas of hyalinised villi of pre-eclamptic and normal pregnant women were evaluated. Results: The mean number of areas of syncytial knot formation, the mean number of areas of cytotrophoblastic cell proliferation, the mean number of areas of fibrinoid necrosis, and the mean number of areas of hyalinised villi were found to be significantly higher in the study group, compared to the control group. Conclusion: Therefore, mean number of areas of syncytial knot formation, the mean number of areas of cytotrophoblastic cell proliferation, the mean number of areas of fibrinoid necrosis is increased in the placenta of pre-eclamptic women, compared to normotensive pregnant women. J Dhaka Med Coll. 2021; 30(2) : 189-195

Pre – Eclampsia is a disorder of 2nd half of pregnancy, which is characterized by a combination of hypertension, proteinuria and edema, secondary to decreased placental perfusion. Clinical studies suggest that there are morphological changes in the placenta of pre-eclamptic women, compared to normotensive pregnant women. In developing countries, pre-eclampsia causes an estimated 50,000 maternal deaths per year. Only a small number of studies have however, been conducted in Bangladesh. Objective: To compare the morphology of placenta in selected pre-eclamptic and normotensive pregnant women. Methods: 220 pregnant women were selected with inclusion and exclusion criteria from 3 different medical colleges and divided into 2 groups – A study group, consisting of 110 pre-eclamptic women and a control group consisting of 110 normotensive pregnant women. Dietary information was collected by 7 days food frequency questionnaire and food score was determined. Anthropometric and biochemical tests were performed. To measure the weight of the placentas, the decidual part of the placentas were removed. The umbilical cords were then cut, nearest to the placenta, to drain the blood from the placental vessels, and the weight was recorded upto nearest gram with weighing machine. The diameters of placentas were measured by taking the average of two maximum diameters of placentas with measuring tape (cm).The cotyledons were counted from maternal side after removal of deciduas basalis. Number of placental infarcts were counted from fetal side. Results: The mean weights, diameters, number of cotyledons were found to be significantly lower in the study group, compared to the control group. The number of infarcted areas was significantly higher in the placentas of pre-eclamptic women Conclusion: Therefore, weight, diameter and number of cotyledons are decreased and number of infarcted areas are increased in the placenta of pre-eclamptic women, compared to normotensive pregnant women. J Dhaka Medical College, Vol. 29, No.2, October, 2020, Page 171-177

Pre -eclampsia is a disorder of 2nd half of pregnancy, which is characterized by a combination of hypertension, proteinuria and edema, secondary to decreased placental perfusion. Clinical studies suggest that antioxidant vitamins, such as Vit C and Vit. E can stabilize reactive free radicals, which are produced due to placental hypo perfusion, thereby preventing the development of pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia remain a major cause of infant and maternal mortality and morbidity. In developing countries, pre-eclampsia causes an estimated 50,000 maternal deaths per year. Only a small number of studies have however, been conducted in Bangladesh. Objective: To compare the serum levels of antioxidants in selected pre-eclamptic and normotensive pregnant women. Methods: 220 pregnant women were selected with inclusion and exclusion criteria from 3 different medical colleges and divided into 2 groups – A study group, consisting of 110 pre-eclamptic women and a control group consisting of 110 normotensive pregnant women. Dietary information was collected by 7 days food frequency questionnaire and food score was determined. Anthropometric and biochemical tests were performed. Biochemical analysis such as serum vitamin C levels were measured by spectrophotometric method, and serum vitamin E levels were measured by HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) method. Results: The mean serum levels of Vit. C and Vit E were found to be significantly lower in the study group, compared to the control group. Anthropometric study revealed that the babies born to pre-eclamptic mothers had lower birth weight than those born to normotensive mothers. Conclusion: Therefore, low antioxidant levels do play a key role in the development of preeclampsia in pregnant women. J Dhaka Medical College, Vol. 29, No.1, April, 2020, Page 53-58

Pre-eclampsia is a disorder of 2nd half of pregnancy, which is characterized by a combination of hypertension, proteinuria and edema; secondary to decreased placental perfusion. It is commonly associated with reduced weight, diameter and volume of placenta, along with other microscopic changes. This was a comparative study, of 220 pregnant women, selected with inclusion and exclusion criteria from 3 different medical colleges - Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Sir Salimullah Medical College and Milford Hospital and Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College and Hospital. The objective of this study is to see the association of sods economic status of selected normotensive and pre-eclamptic women in Bangladesh. Those 220 cases were then divided into 2 groups - a study group, consisting of 110 pre-eclamptic women and a control group consisting of 110 normotensive pregnant women. The sample size was determined using the standard formula. The study was then explained to each individual subject and informed consent was taken. Standard pretested questionnaire was used to collect necessary information regarding their age, residential status, educational background, occupation, age of marriage, monthly income, dietary information and nutritional status. All interviews were conducted in the hospital. Dietary information was collected by 7 days food frequency questionnaire and food score was determined. Anthropometric and biochemical tests were carried out. Urinary protein was evaluated by the Heat Coagulation test. It was found that majority of the pre-eclamptic women were in the age group of 18-24 (56.36%) years, semi-urban (70.90%), housewives (56.36%), and 45.45% of the women could write. Almost half of the pre- eclamptic group (49.09%) had a monthly income of 25,000 to 29,999 taka.

We report a case of a 26-year old lady who presented with a history of several episodes of limb weakness requiring repeated hospitalization over the last 12 years and about 6 years back, she also developed features of sicca complex. Further investigations revealed hypokalemia, distal renal tubular acidosis and bilateral extensive nephrocalcinosis. Finally, a diagnosis of Sjogren’s syndrome was made. Hypokalemia may be the presenting feature of Sjogren’s syndrome. Sjogren’s syndrome may be suspected in patients with recurrent hypokalemia and renal tubular acidosis. IMC J Med Sci 2022; 16(2): 004. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55010/imcjms.16.014 *Correspondence: Shapur Ikhtaire, Department of Internal Medicine, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Shahbag, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh. Email: shapur17@gmail.com