distinct autosomal recessive ocular anomaly in Chaharborj, Islamic Republic of Iran

In Chaharborj, a village in north-eastern of the Islamic Republic of Iran, a high prevalence of congenital blindness [1.1%] has been reported. The clinical findings have not been fully described. We therefore assessed the clinical aspects of this condition in a case series of 20 congenially blind patients and 24 of their parents. All patients had been blind since birth. There was anterior segment dysgenesis and retinal non-attachment in all patients. There were no systemic anomalies. Histopathologically, there was iridocorneal adhesion, normal angle structure and retinal dysplasia. No significant difference was found in the frequency of different HLA class I alleles compared with the general population. The anomaly causing congenital blindness in these patients has components of both anterior and posterior segment dysgenesis. It appears to be a distinct entity with an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance

[Comparative study of pregnancy outcome in premature rupture of membranes with amniotic fluid indices of less and more than 5]

Preterm premature rupture of the membranes [PPROM] is one of the most important causes of perinatal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate pregnancy outcome in preterm premature rupture of the membranes with amniotic fluid index less than 5 and more than 5. This prospective study was performed on 137 pregnant women with gestational age of 28-34 weeks with PPROM from Oct 2006 to Oct 2008. The patients were divided in two groups according to amniotic fluid index: AFI<5 [77cases], AFI >/= 5 [60 cases]. Chi-square test was used for qualitative variables, while T-student test was used for quantitative test. Both groups were similar with respect to number of pregnancies, gestational age at rupture of the membranes and birth weight. In the group with AFI<5, applied latency was significantly shorter [PV=0.049], rate of cesarean section was higher due to fetal distress [PV=0.008], neonatal Apgar score in first minute was lower during the first week [PV=0.0127] and the rate of neonatal death was higher [PV=0.045] during the first week. An AFI<5 cm after PPROM is associated with earlier delivery, higher rate of cesarean due to fetal distress, higher rate of neonatal death, and lower neonatal Apgar score in first minute during the first week