Relationship between low birth weight neonate and maternal serum zinc concentration

Zinc deficiency can lead to clinically relevant disturbances in tissue functions and particularly important for birth weight of neonates. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between serum zinc in pregnant women and the incidence of low birth weight [<2500 g] in their newborns. This case-control study was done on women who delivered low birth weight infants [Cases], and normal birth weight infants [Controls]. Blood samples got in all women within 5 minutes of delivery, and assessed the concentration of zinc using electro-thermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Serum concentration of zinc was compared. One hundred and seventeen mothers were enrolled, of them, 65 cases were low birth weight infants [1845 +/- 472 g] and 52 were controls [3166 +/- 435 g]. Mothers in the case and control groups did not differ in age, body mass index, and socioeconomic or demographic factors. Maternal zinc concentration differed between cases and controls; 753.34 +/- 15 micro g/l vs. 654.76 +/- 12 micro g/l respectively. Maternal zinc differed between premature and full term deliveries. Maternal zinc concentration was shown to affect birth weight and prematurity

Pregnancy outcome following inadvertent rubella vaccination in 1-4 weeks periconceptional period in 60 pregnant women

Rubella virus is a potent teratogen. Risk of rubella virus induced multisystem fetal malformation is highly dependent on the gestational age at the time of infection. Because the rubella vaccine is an attenuated live virus, its use is contraindicated during pregnancy. Our objective was to examine whether exposure to rubella vaccine during 1-4 weeks periconceptional period can cause any adverse pregnancy outcome or Congenital Rubella Syndrome [CRS]. This prospective study was performed in 60 pregnant women who received rubella vaccine inadvertently 1-4 wks pre or post conception. Time of conception was determined by last menstrual period [LMP] and first trimester sonography. In addition to gathering mother's obstetric and demographic information, all neonates were evaluated for CRS signs by systemic physical examination and anti rubella IgG and IgM antibody levels in cord blood samples. Mean maternal age was 21.8 +/- 2.9 years and 58.3% of pregnancies were unintended. In 90% of mothers there were no post vaccination side effects. None of the mothers had a history of drug abuse, smoking or teratogenic exposures. Mean neonatal weight was 3108 +/- 581 gr and 6.7% of them were premature. There was no increase in the rate of adverse pregnancy outcome, [abortion, preterm labour, post term pregnancy, fetal demise, obstetric hemorrhage, pregnancy related major malformation]. No signs of CRS were found in the neonates based on systemic physical exam. Mean value of cord blood anti-rubella IgG level was 143.9 +/- 69.5 IU/mL. Cord blood anti-rubella IgM was negative in all of the neonates. It seems that inadvertent rubella vaccination 1-4 weeks before and after conception does not cause CRS in neonate and therapeutic abortion is not indicated; however since in rare instances clinical manifestations of rubella have appeared years after the congenital infection, women planning to get pregnant should not be vaccinated against rubella one month before and throughout pregnancy

[Protective effect of Captopril and Allopunnol against renal warm ischemia reperfusion injury in dogs]

Captopril and Allopurinol have protective effect against renal warm ischemia with different mechanisms. The aime of this study was to evaluate this protective effect against induced 1 hour warm ischemia in dog's kidneys. This experimental study was done in the year 2006. We performed the operation on 15 healthy dogs. During these procedures both kidneys were clamped for 1 hour, then left kidney was removed for pathologic evaluation and right kidney remained insitue for functional assessment. Five random dogs received 1 [mg/kg]d[day] Captopril orally before and after surgery [captopril group]; another five dogs received 10 [mg/kg]/day Allopurinol orally before and after surgery [allopurinol group]. Five dogs of control group received no drugs. Serum urea and creatinine were measured preoperatively and on postoperative days of 1, 3, 5, 10 and 16 in all groups. Serum levels of urea and creatinine elevated in all groups but in Captopril group maximum levels of urea and creatinine were significantly lower than control [P<0.05]. In Allopurinol group the maximum rise of creatinine was significantly lower in comparison to control group [p< 0.05], but the maximum levels of urea in this group had no significant difference when compared with control values [p< 0.05]. There was no significant difference in pathologic changes in the three groups. One hour warm ischemia results in ATN so it is not safe for dog's kidneys. Althogh Captopril and Allopurinol do not prevent ATN after one hour warm ischemia; they can reduce its severity and improve renal function after warm ischemia

[Clinical and para clinical evaluation of peripheral nerves in patients with HTLV1 associated myelopathy]

The main neurological manifestation of Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus type 1 [HTLV-1] is spastic Paraparesis, of progressive nature, also known as HTLV-1 Associated Myelopathy [HAM] or Tropical Spastic Paraparesis [TSP]. Despite various CNS complications described in HAM/TSP a relatively little attention has been directed toward disorders of the peripheral nervous system [PNS]. The aim of this study was evaluation of HAM/TSP patients about concomitant neuropathy by clinical and neurophysiologic methods. In this descriptive Study 73 Patients with HTLV1 associated myelopathy in Neurology Clinic of Ghaem Hospital were assesed by clinical and neorophysiologic evaluations in 2002-2004. Questionnaire was completed for each patient, and then Median and Ulnar nerves from the upper extremity and Proneal, Tibial and Sural nerves from the lower extremity were evaluated by electrophysiological studies [NCV]. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and frequency distribution tables. 65.8% of patients were clinically suspected to neuropathy. In 54.8% of patients with HAM/TSP, there was concomitant peripheral nerve disease. Mononeuropathy in 15 [20.54%], multiplex mononeuropathy in 5 [6.8%], motor sensory polyneuropathy in 17 [23.3%], motor polyneuropathy in 2 [2.7%] and sensory polyneuropathy in 2[2.7%] of patients were present. According to this study electrophysiological compromise of the peripheral nerve is frequent in patients with HTLV-1 associated myelopathy. Furthermore, electrophysiological compromise could arise even when the patient did not present clinical manifestations denoting this kind of problem. Hence, the study of nerve conduction has to become a routine test for patients with HAM/TSP

[Evaluation of hypogonadism with Major Thalassemia]

Although new treatments have prolonged survival and improved quality of life in the patients with major Thalassemia, endocrine complications especially hypogonadotropic hypogonaidsm still occur. The objective of this study is to determine prevalence and risk factors of hypogonaidsm in 47 patients with major Thalassemia. 47 patients with Thalassemia major aged 14 years and older were studied. Those who had any other problems were omitted from this study. Serum level of LH, FSH, Testestrone, Estradiol were measured and correlation with parameters including duration of transfusion, duration and dose of Desferal treatment, Ferretin level and pertinent clinical findings was evaluated and compared in groups of patients with and without hypogonaidsm. Short stature and underweight was seen in 68/1% of patients. Mean hight was 151 +/- 10.2 and mean of weight was 43.5 +/- 8.4. Hypogonadotropic hypogonaidsm was seen in 63/8 %. The prevalence of hypogonaidsm was more in males than females [p= 0.025]. No significant correlation was found between duration of transfusion, duration and dose of Desferal treatment and Ferretin level with hypogonaidsm. Endocrin complications of Major Thalassemia is frequent and factors other than iron overload including zinc deficiency or genetic differences may influence susceptibility to hypogonaidsm