[Association of trichomonas vaginalis with low birth weight]

Available information suggests that pregnant women infected with Trichomonas vaginalis may be at increased risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight [LBW]. This study evaluated the association between T. vaginalis infection and the risk of LBW. In this cohort study, we evaluated 1000 pregnant women [gestational age>/=28 weeks] for trichomoniasis by using direct and culture methods at the time of delivery at two hospitals of Zanjan, Iran. All the infected women [33 cases] and non-infected women [107] who had been selected with purposive quota sampling were compared with each other. Questionnaires were used to collect demographic and obstetric parameters. Consequently, infants' weights were recorded using mothers files. The prevalence of T. vaginalis infection was 3.3% [33 cases]. Mean gestational age of the infected women at the time of delivery was significantly less than the non-infected [36.5 +/- 4.5 weeks vs. 39 +/- 1.9 weeks; P=0.009]. Higher parity, and living in city were significantly associated with the increased risk of vaginal trichomoniasis [P<0.05]. No significant association was found between the T. vaginalis infection and degree of education, type of delivery, family income, and frequency of LBW. The results of this study suggest that, T. vaginalis infection may be associated with low gestational age and higher parity at the time of delivery. However, no significant association was found between the T. vaginalis infection and LBW in the third trimester of pregnancy

[Evaluation of psychological problems in teenagers suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome]

Polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS] is the most common disorder of endocrine among the women capable of reproduction. This disorder involves 6-7 percent of women. With regard to mental health, disorders such as depression and eating disorder can be seen and a change in their quality of life is expected. One thousand and eight hundred and twenty four female students were evaluated psychologically in order to assess the prevalence and development of polycystic ovary syndrome. The students suffering from polycystic ovary were assessed mentally. Eighty students between 15-18 years old were suffering from PCOS. Previous family problems were significantly higher in control group [P=0.03]. There were no significant differences in terms of drug misuse, committing suicide, physical problems and daily sleepiness. Depression symptoms were observed in 38.3 percent of control group and 32.6 percent of sufferers of PCOS. Anxiety assessment indicated that 22.5 percent of PCOS group and 22.3 percent of control group were suffering from anxiety. Despite universal reports regarding psychological effects of PCOS in the quality of life of adult sufferers such as depression, sleeping and eating disorders, such differences were not observed in our PCOS study group. This may indicate the role of age in developing psychological disorders among the sufferers. Moreover, parameters such as cultural factors, the importance of considering own physical state and the impact of social view on interpersonal relationships can play an important role

[ prevalence of polycystic ovarian syndrome in 14-18 year old girls of Zanjan high schools, 2008]

Polycystic ovarian syndrome [PCOS] is the most common endocrine disorder among reproductive-age women. There is very little information about the prevalence of PCOS in Iran. With regard to the symptoms of PCOS which begin after menarche and regarding to its side effects on women's health, we aimed to determine the prevalence of PCOS in adolescents in Zanjan, Iran. In this descriptive community based study, 1882, 14-18 year old adolescents were randomly selected from Zanjan schools. The presence of PCOS was determined by the presence of olygomenorea, hirsutism, acne and androgenic alopecia. For correlation between PCOS and obesity, BMI and central obesity was evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using K[2] test. PCOS was present in 54[2.9%], hirsutism was present in 161 [8.6%], acne was present in 220 [11.7%], androgenic alopsia was present in 130[6.9%] and menstrual irregularity was present in 281 [16.9%] of the cases. The prevalence of central obesity and over weight did not differ among the studied groups. The prevalence of PCOS in our study was similar to the results reported from other societies. With regard to PCOS side effects, we suggest that the diagnosis and treatment of PCOS is better to be started from adolescence

[ association between hyperemesis gravidarum [HG] and helicobacter pylori [H.pylori] infection]

HG is a severe form of expectancy nausea and vomiting, occurring in 0/5 to 2% of the expectancies. The etiology of HG is unknown, though hormonal stimuli, and psychologic predisposition are attributable to the condition. Recent studies suggest a relationship between HG and H.pylori infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between HG and H.pylori infection. Forty pregnant women with HG [Treatment group] and forty asymptomatic pregnant women [control group] were assigned into the research from April to August 2006. Specific serum immunoglobulin G [IgG] for H.pylori was assayed by ELISA. The data was analyzed using SPSS software, Chi-Square and T-test. Out of 40 pregnant women with HG 25 individuals [62/5%] were found to have serologically positive H.pylori, whereas in asymptomatic pregnant women 19 [47.5%] individuals were positive, which shows no significant difference between H.Pylori infection with HG [P=0.178]. No significant difference was observed between positive H.pylori and the number of pregnancy, body mass index [BMI], and duration of hospital stay. Since HG has a multifactorial etiology and with regard to high prevalenve of H pylori in our country, research studies with higher sample sizes and utilization of more sensitive diagnostic methods for the detection of active H pylori is recommended