Maternal serum zinc deficiency in cases of neural tube defect in Gorgan, north Islamic Republic of Iran

Previous studies have shown a high rate of neural tube defects [NTD] in Gorgan, northern Islamic Republic of Iran. This case-control study during 2003-04 compared serum zinc levels and other variables in 23 mothers of neonates affected with NTD and 36 mothers with normal healthy neonates in Dezyani hospital in Gorgan. Mean serum zinc levels in the case and control groups were 13.43 micromol/L [SD 6.3] and 11.41 micromol/L [SD 6.3] respectively. Zinc deficiency was found in 13 [36.5%] of the cases and 7 [19.4%] of the controls. Logistic regression analysis showed an association between the presence of NTD and zinc deficiency [OR 5.06; 95% CI: 1.51-16.94]

Efficacy of DOTS strategy in treatment of respiratory tuberculosis in Gorgan, Islamic Republic of Iran

We carried out a follow-up cohort study of 260 smear-positive patients [178 on directly observed treatment, short-course [DOTS]; 82 on non-DOTS] over a 2-year period to evaluate the efficacy of the DOTS strategy in treatment of tuberculosis [TB]. All the patients had cough for > 3 weeks; 91.9% had fever, 60.8% of them with sputum; and 27.7% had a positive family history. The rate of treatment failure with DOTS was 9.0% at the end of the 2nd month and 1.7% at the beginning of the 5th month. In the control group these rates were 18.3% and 7.3% respectively. The DOTS strategy significantly increased the success rate of TB treatment [P < 0.05]

Study of zinc deficiency in pregnant women

Zinc is one of the elements necessary for growth and health in human. Some evidences indicate that the zinc deficiency is one of real difficulties for the public health in developed and developing countries. Since the pregnant women are more at risk by the zinc deficiency, and this can cause many problems, in this study we tried to find out the rate of zinc deficiency in pregnant women within the region. This research project was analytical-descriptive study which was done on the 400 pregnant women whom referred to Zahedan Ghods hospital. A questionnaire was set up for each case which contained the following items, mother age, pregnancy age, numbers of deliveries, education, and consumption of iron tablet during pregnancy. The serum zinc level in each mother in this project was determined by atomic absorption technique. Prevalence of zinc deficiency among the pregnant women was 49%. Statistical analysis indicated that zinc deficiency had correlation with mother age, term of pregnancy and iron consumption. But zinc deficiency showed no correlation with numbers of deliveries and education

Cleft lip and palate in Gorgan [North-East of Iran]

Cleft lip and palate is one of the most common congenital chrinofacial abnormalities with the side-effect of middle-ear infections, hard of hearing, nutritional problems, speaking, and other societal burdens. This research has been designed to evaluate the prevalence and etiology of cleft lip and palate. This study has been designed to evaluate the prevalence and been done on 19545 live birds in Dezianei Hospital during three years of study [1992-2001]. The results from this research indicate that the prevalence of cleft lip and palate was 1.02/1000. The prevalancy in males and females was 1.4/1000 and 0.63/1000 respectively. We observed that the rate of cleft lip and cleft lip with palate was much higher in make newborns. Our finding also showed the highest rate of these abnormalities was among the sistanei's/mmi grant ethnic with the prevalancy of 2.25/1000 live birds. Genetical factors and drug consumption during pregnancy are among the important factors in creating such abnormalities. This study also shows that in addition to the above factors in this study the climate of this agricultural region, the high consumption of agricultural toxin, the time of conception, and the possibility of the contamination of pregnant mothers with such chemicals may play a role in the above congenital abnormalities