The intra-uterine existence of foetus is dependent on placenta, a major organ of nutrition and homeostasis.The present study was carried out to compare morphometric and histological changes in preterm and term human placentas. Eighty placentas collected from Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, JNMCH, AMU, Aligarh, were divided into group first of preterm placentas up to 36 weeks (n =30) and second group of full term placentas i.e. 37 to 40 weeks ( n = 50) respectively. The samples were fixed in 10% formol-saline solution. The gross morphological variables of placentas were studied. There was a significant increase in the placental weight, decidual area and umbilical cord diameter of term placenta as compared to that of the preterm ones. From each placenta whole thickness tissue blocks were taken and processed for paraffin sectioning. Five µ-thick sections were stained with Haematoxylin-eosin and Van Gieson stains and processed for light microscopy. A total of 200 villi were studied in each sample under high power field and occurrence of different features was expressed as percentages for each parameter. The appearance of microvilli and syncytial bud on the syncytium were almost absent in the villi of term placentas. It was concluded that with increasing gestational age there was a gradual increase in the number of capillaries in villi from preterm to term placenta.There was a significant increase in syncytial knot count, fibrinoid necrosis, vasculosyncytial membrane and decrease in the percentage of villi showing cytotrophoblastic cells and number of Hofbauer cells in term group as compared to preterm group.

La existencia intrauterina del feto depende de la placenta, el mayor órgano de nutrición y homeostasis. El estudio se llevó a cabo para comparar los cambios morfométricos e histológicos de la placenta humana de término y pretérmino. Ochenta placentas fueron obtenidas del Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, JNMCH, AMU, Aligarh y se dividieron en grupos, el primer grupo de placentas de pretérmino hasta 36 semanas (n = 30) y el segundo grupo de placentas de término, de 37 a 40 semanas (n = 50 ). Las muestras fueron fijadas en solución de formol-salina al 10%. Se estudiaron las variables morfológicas macroscópicas de las placentas. Hubo un aumento significativo en el peso de la placenta, el área de decidua y el diámetro del cordón umbilical de la placenta a término en comparación con la de los prematuros. De cada placenta se tomaron y se procesaron bloques de tejido para incluirlos en parafina. Cortes de 5 µm fueron teñidos con HE y Van Gieson para microscopía óptica. De cada muestra fueron estudiadas 200 vellosidades, bajo campo de alta resolución y la aparición de diferentes características se expresó como porcentajes para cada parámetro. La aparición de las microvellosidades y brote sincitial en el sincitio estaban casi ausente en las vellosidades de las placentas de término. Se puede concluir que al aumentar la edad gestacional hubo un aumento gradual en el número de capilares en las vellosidades de la placenta de término. Existe un aumento significativo en el recuento de nudo sincitial, necrosis fibrinoide, membrana vasculosincisial y disminución en el porcentaje de las vellosidades que muestran células citotrofoblástica y número de células de Hofbauer en las placentas del término de grupo en comparación con el grupo de pretérmino.

Snakebite is an important medical emergency. Anti-snake venom along with supportive care is the only specific treatment. However, many people put their faith in non-registered medical practitioners. Where medical aid is available, lack of trained health personnel jeopardizes the situation. This retrospective study, the first of its kind, was aimed at studying the pre-hospital treatment as well as the behavior of patients bitten by snakes and referred to the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. A total of 88 cases that occurred between January 1997 and December 2001 were studied. Seventy patients received treatment prior to admission (the majority was treated by non-registered medical practitioners, registered medical practitioners, and MBBS doctors). The various treatment modalities used were: anti-snake venom (ASV), tourniquet, incision and drainage (I&D), tetanus toxoid, injections, and tablets. Non-registered medical practitioners still preferred tourniquet and I&D. The patients who were referred within 24 hours stayed less time in the hospital and spent less money on the treatment compared to those who were referred after 24 hours. Non-registered medical practitioners and inadequately trained health staff are often the first contact of snakebite victims. Their traditional and unscientific methods of treatment lead to unnecessary morbidity and increased treatment cost. It is therefore necessary to train these people adequately so that proper treatment can be instituted at the earliest.