[Related factors of acute Leukemia in children and the role of breast feeding]

In this study we aimed to determine factors related to the etiology of cancer in children. We investigated this issue in a case control study of 300 patients, aged 2 +/- 14 years, with acute leukemia, and 300 controls, individually matched to cases for age and sex, and place of residence. Children were enrolled after selection by a continuous sampling method. Information regarding breast-feeding was obtained through face to face interviews with mothers. Breastfeeding for durations less than one month increased the risk for childhood acute leukemia. Also, results showed that children 18-13 months and 24-19 months were breast fed, respectively, 2.45 and 3.54 times less than had been breastfed children under 1 year were diagnosed with acute leukemia. [P<0.05]. Higher number of children [OR=1.42, CI 1.03-1.96] and low family income [OR=0.6, CI 0.38-1.01] increased the risk for childhood acute leukemia [p<0.05]. Results of this study indicate that childhood acute leukemia may be associated with breast-feeding, economic status, and number of children. Further cohort studies on factors causing acute Leukemia in children are recommended

Correlation between reproductive factors and Osteoporosis among women

Osteoporosis is one of the most common diseases in middle-aged and elderly women, that imposes high costs on family and society. Acquiring knowledge about factors related to this disease such as reproductive risk factors, could help health care professionals to prevent osteoporosis and provide better services. A cross-sectional study was performed to determine the related reproductive factors with osteoporosis on 500 women who were admitted to Iran University of Medical Sciences' Bone Densitometry Centers in 2006. Data was gathered by a questionnaire. The study finding revealed that there were significant differences between the number of pregnancies, delivery mode, number of children, pregnancy intervals less than three years, frequency and duration of breastfeeding with osteoporosis [P < 0.05]. Also, there was a significant relationship between oral contraceptive pills, menopause situation and number of years after menopause with osteoporosis [P < 0.05]. The results of discriminant analysis showed that number of years after menopause was the most important related reproductive factors with incidence of osteoporosis, as number of children, menopause situation and pregnancy frequency were settled in other stages. According to the study findings and with consideration of osteoporosis complications such as disabilities and high mortality and morbidity rates, investigating and consideration of the related risk factors for prevention of this disease in the society was recommended