ABSTRACT
Background: The relationship between season of birth and human diseases is well known and such a relationship could be mediated by seasonal and environmental effects on early events of extrauterine life Empirical neonatological experience suggests that prevalence and degree of neonatal jaundice might be dependent on seasonal variation, mainly due to the sunshine duration. However, evidence based data on this issue are scarce. Thus, we have analyzed the seasonal effect on the rise of serum bilirubin level during the neonatal period
Methods: A prospective cohort study was done on a sample of 629 term and healthy infants born consecutively in Shariati Hospital, Tehran, Iran, during the years 2008-2009. The cord bilirubin level and then the serum bilirubin level near to 48 hour of age were measured. Seasonal differences in rise of serum bilirubin were studied
Results: Rise of serum bilirubin in spring was 3.95+/-1.4 mg/dl, in summer 3.76+/-1.69 mg/dl, in fall 3.51+/-1.60 mg/dl and in winter 4.79+/-1.99 mg/dl. Serum bilirubin level in cord blood did not appear to be correlated with season of birth. After correction for the possible effect of these variables the relation between season of birth and rise of serum bilirubin remained significant. The rise of serum bilirubin in winter was significantly higher than other season [P<0.0001]
Conclusion: Season acts as an independent etiological factor of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Mean rise of serum bilirubin in winter is higher than other season. This provided information to improve education for nurses in identifying risk factors and the prevention of hyperbilirubinemia readmissions
ABSTRACT
Hyperbilirubinemia is a common problem during neonatal period especially in preterm neonates. Transcutaneous bilirubin measurement [TcB] by special devices had been documented as an effective tool for predicting neonatal jaundice in full term neonate, but for preterm infants the present evidences are controversial. We carried out a prospective study in Shariati Hospital NICU. 126 paired TcB/total serum bilirubin [TSB] measurements were obtained. TcB [on forehead and sternum] were measured using JH2-1A device for every admitted preterm infant who clinically showed jaundice and TSB measurements was obtained within 30 min of TcB. 58 [46%] were male and 68 [54%] were female. The mean gestational age was 31 week and mean birth weight was 1728 +/- 60 g. 30 percent of neonates were ill. The mean value obtained by TBS was 8.8 mg/dl and for frontal TcB was 8.2mg/dl and for sternal TcB was 7.4mg/dl. There were good correlation between TBS and TcB and the maximum correlation were seen in 33-37 weeks of gestation and birth weight more than 2500 g with forehead TcB measurement. Healthy preterm infants had significant correlation of TSB and TcB [r=0.56, P<0.001] and ill preterm neonate had r =0.82, P<0.001. The correlation between TBS and TcB with and without phototherapy was r=0.66, P=0.000 and r=0.69, P=0.000 respectively. Although TcB measurement may underestimate TBS but there is significant correlation between TcB and TBS in preterm cases even in ill neonate or who receiving phototherapy. This method can be used for determination of bilirbin level in preterm neonate and reduces the number of blood sampling
ABSTRACT
There is limited data in the literature on the normal size of the anterior fontanelle. This crosssectional study was to determine normal values of anterior fontanelle size on the first day of life, using standard methods. Anterior fontanelle size was measured in 400 term and healthy neonates delivered at the Shariati Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Examination included assessment of head circumference, anterior fontanelle size, weight, length. Type of delivery was also recorded. The mean size of anterior fontanelle was 25.34 +/- 13.27 mm, and it was established in both genders, 26.70 +/- 13.19 mm in boys, and 23.67 +/- 13.20mm in girls. A significant difference between the mean anterior fontanelle size in boys and girls was found [P=0.023]. There was no significant difference in anterior fontanelle size between the infants born with a normal vaginal delivery and those with cesarean-section [P=0.08]. There was found a significant negative correlation between the mean size of anterior fontanelle size with both weight and height [P<0.05]. No significant correlation was found between mean size of anterior fontanelle and head circumference or with gestational age of infant [P >/= 0.05]. Our results proved possible to define a references range and centile chart. The method used is simple and accurate and easy used in the routine neonatal examination
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Infant, Newborn , Cross-Sectional StudiesABSTRACT
Despite an increasing prevalence of obesity and hypertension in young age, there is limited information on the contribution of body mass index [BMI] to blood pressure [BP] in these populations, especially in developing countries. This study examines the association between BMI and BP in four populations of school age children across southern region of Islamic republic of Iran