Question

9. Compare involution with subinvolution. 10. List the typical signs of subinvolution.

Answer 1

Ans) Involution is the shrinking or return of an organ to a former size. At a cellular level, involution is characterized by the process of proteolysis of the basement membrane (basal lamina), leading to epithelial regression and apoptosis, with accompanying stromal fibrosis.

Subinvolution: when the typical process of uterine involution is disrupted or incomplete.

- When the involution is impaired or retarded it is called subinvolution.

- The uterus is the most common organ affected by subinvolution.

- As it is the most accessible organ to be measured per abdomen, the uterine involution is considered clinically as an index to assess subinvolution.

10) Subinvolution of the uterus:

- Subinvolution is a slower than expected return of the uterus to its non pregnant condition.

Infection and retained fragments of the placenta are the most common causes.

• Typical signs of subinvolution include the following:
-fundal height greater than expected for the amount of time since birth.
-Persistence of lochia rubra or a slowed progression through the three phases.
-Pelvic pain, heaviness, fatigue.