Introduction: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age and is characterized by metabolic and reproductive dysfunction. Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in women with PCOS and has been associated with insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, menstrual irregularities, and chronic low-grade inflammation. Understanding this association may help refine management strategies for PCOS. Methods: A structured literature review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and ResearchGate to identify peer-reviewed human studies published between January 2015 and July 2024. Studies examining clinical, molecular, genetic, and therapeutic aspects of vitamin D in PCOS were included, while animal studies and articles unrelated to PCOS were excluded. Results: Evidence from observational studies and meta-analyses indicates that vitamin D deficiency is common in women with PCOS and correlates with increased insulin resistance, elevated androgen levels, and inflammatory markers. A pooled analysis of 20 randomized controlled trials (n=1961) demonstrated that vitamin D supplementation was associated with improvements in ovulation and pregnancy rates, reductions in early miscarriage risk, and favorable changes in androgen levels and metabolic parameters. Proposed mechanisms include modulation of insulin signaling, steroidogenesis, inflammatory pathways, and vitamin D receptor–mediated gene expression. However, heterogeneity in dosing regimens and treatment duration limits definitive clinical recommendations. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency appears to contribute to metabolic and reproductive dysfunction in PCOS. Supplementation shows potential benefits, particularly in women with documented deficiency, but standardized dosing strategies and long-term outcome data are needed. Addressing vitamin D status may represent an adjunctive component of comprehensive PCOS management.

Background: Thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, including miscarriage, preterm birth and impaired neurodevelopment. Physiological changes in gestation necessitate trimester-specific assessment, yet data from Bangladesh remain limited. Early identification through antenatal screening may reduce preventable complications. This study aimed to determine the trimester-specific distribution of thyroid disorders detected through routine antenatal screening and to assess associated demographic and obstetric factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital, Dhaka, from September 2014 to February 2015. Sixty-two pregnant women up to 36 weeks of gestation with singleton pregnancies were enrolled using purposive sampling. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, clinical examination and thyroid function testing. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 17. Results: Nineteen of 62 participants (30.6%) had abnormal thyroid function. Thyroid dysfunction was observed across all trimesters, with a higher proportion detected in the third trimester. Significant associations were found between thyroid dysfunction and maternal age (p = 0.039), menstrual irregularity (p = 0.042), parity (p = 0.025), history of subfertility (p = 0.004) and prior abortion (p < 0.001). Socioeconomic status and gestational age were not significantly associated. Conclusion: A considerable burden of thyroid dysfunction was detected during routine antenatal care. The findings support the implementation of structured thyroid screening strategies during pregnancy to enhance maternal and fetal health outcomes.

Background: Eclampsia remains a significant cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in low-resource settings. Despite advances in obstetric care, it continues to pose a grave challenge in Bangladesh, necessitating local data to guide clinical management and public health interventions. Objective: To evaluate the frequency and nature of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with eclampsia. Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted at Nilphamari Medical College, Nilphamari, from January 2024 to December 2024. A total of 87 eclamptic patients were enrolled using a purposive sampling technique. Data on clinical profiles, maternal complications, and fetal outcomes were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Results: The majority of patients were aged 20-30 years (68%) and primigravida (71%). Antepartum eclampsia was the most common type (62%). Major maternal morbidities included acute kidney injury (18%), pulmonary edema (13%), and cerebrovascular accidents (5%). The maternal mortality rate was 4.6%. Perinatal outcomes revealed a high rate of preterm birth (48%), low birth weight (55%), and stillbirth (16%). The perinatal mortality rate was 21%. Admission to the neonatal intensive care unit was required for 58% of the live-born babies. Conclusion: Eclampsia is associated with substantial maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in this setting. The findings underscore the urgent need for improved antenatal care, early detection of pre-eclampsia, and prompt, effective management of eclamptic seizures and complications to enhance maternal and fetal outcomes.

Introduction: Infertility affects about 15% of reproductive-age couples globally and is a highly stressful experience, especially for women facing psychological, social, and cultural impacts. Employment status may influence how women cope with infertility stress. Objective: To compare perceived mental stress levels between working and non-working infertile women attending selected infertility centres in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and to identify associated socio-demographic, reproductive, and social factors. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study from January to December 2022 was conducted at Mohammadpur Fertility Services and Training Center and BSMMU, Dhaka. It involved 110 infertile women (55 working, 55 non-working), aged 20-49, with primary infertility, selected via purposive sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with a pretested semi-structured questionnaire including the PSS-10. Height and weight were measured for BMI. SPSS v25 was used for analysis, employing descriptive stats, t-tests, chi-square, Fisher's exact tests, and regression, with p<0.05 as significant. Results: Working women had higher education (43.6% graduates vs 16.4%, p=0.001) and income (39,845 BDT vs 26,735 BDT, p=0.001), married later (22.16 vs 19.99 years, p=0.011), and shorter infertility duration (4.72 vs 6.05 years, p=0.022). Among working women, 61.8% had moderate stress and 36.4% low stress, while among non-working women, 89.1% had moderate stress and 7.3% had low stress (p=0.001). Marriage duration was linked to stress only among non-working women (p=0.031), with >5 years married experiencing higher stress. Caffeine intake correlated with stress only among non-working women (p=0.041). Social stigma was more common among non-working women (60.0% vs 49.1%). Conclusion: Non-working infertile women face higher moderate mental stress than working women. Employment acts as a protective factor via financial independence, social identity, and coping resources. Support services should target non-working women, who encounter greater social stigma, longer infertility duration, and fewer coping resources.

Background: Maternal heart disease is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality, and while pregnancy-related cardiac complications have been studied extensively, data on postpartum cardiac events and the influence of obstetric characteristics remain limited, particularly in low- and middle-income countries such as Bangladesh. The purpose of the study was to evaluate obstetric characteristics and the incidence of postpartum cardiac events in women with pre-existing heart disease. Methods: This hospital-based cohort study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fetomaternal Medicine Unit, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, the Department of Fetomaternal Medicine, BSMMU, and the Department of Cardiology, NICVD, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from February 2020 to March 2021. Seventy-three postpartum women with pre-existing heart disease were enrolled. Data on demographics, obstetric history, cardiac status, and maternal outcomes were collected and analyzed using SPSS 26; p <0.05 was significant. Results: Among 73 women with pre-existing heart disease, most were 18–30 years old (67.1%) and multiparous (78.1%), with term deliveries (83.6%) and LUCS (75.3%) common. Rheumatic valvular disease predominated (56.2%), followed by congenital heart disease (27.4%) and cardiomyopathy (16.4%), with 93.2% in NYHA I–II. Postpartum cardiac events occurred in 45.2%, higher in incidentally diagnosed women (61.8% vs 30.8%), particularly in multiparous, term, and vaginal deliveries. Conclusion: Women with pre-existing heart disease are at significant risk of postpartum cardiac complications, especially if undiagnosed, multiparous, or delivered vaginally, highlighting the need for early recognition and careful peripartum management.

Background: Thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy is a common endocrine disorder with significant implications for maternal and fetal health, particularly in relation to hypertensive complications. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of subclinical thyroid dysfunction in hypertensive compared to normotensive pregnant women. Methods: This cross-sectional, comparative study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from February 2020 to March 2021, including 220 pregnant women (110 hypertensive, 110 normotensive). Socio-demographic and obstetric data were collected, blood pressure measured, and 5 mL venous blood samples analyzed for serum TSH and FT4 using chemiluminescent immunoassay. Subclinical thyroid disorders were defined by trimester-specific reference ranges, data were analyzed with SPSS v25 (p < 0.05). Results: In 220 pregnant women, hypertensive and normotensive groups were comparable in age, gestation, and parity. Subclinical hypothyroidism was higher in hypertensive women (46.4% vs 14.5%), euthyroidism predominated in normotensive women (83.6% vs 39.1%), and higher blood pressure was associated with increased thyroid dysfunction. Hypertensive women also had higher TSH (4.46 vs 2.28 µIU/mL) and lower FT4 (13.49 vs 15.78 pmol/L), both significant (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Hypertensive pregnant women have a higher prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism and altered thyroid hormone levels compared to normotensive women, highlighting the need for early thyroid screening in this population.