[ prevalence rate of congenital hypothyroidism in Kerman/Iran in 2005-2007]

Congenital hypothyroidism [C.H] is one of the most common infants' endocrine diseases and the cause of mental retardation in newborns. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of C.H and it's relation with neonatal's sex, birth weight and height and mothers' age, gestational age, parents' educational level, past medical history of thyroid disease in mother and family and consumption of Iodine salt by mother. A Total of 3000 neonates aged 2-5 days were screened from November 2005 to July 2006. Specimen collection and transportation to lab were performed according to NCCLS and Wisconsin newborn screening program guidelines. Thyroid stimulating Hormone [TSH] concentration in dried blood spot was determined quantitatively using ELISA technique. From 3000 neonates, 23 cases [0.8%] had TSH >/= 20 mIU/L that were recalled for verification of C.H. Of them, 13 cases [56%] were male and 10 cases [44%] were female. All of 23 infants were detected during 1-2 months after birth and 3 of them had serum TSH >/= 10 mIU/L. According to the protocol of kit they were considered as hypothyroidism cases and were referred for treatment. Considering the importance of congenital hypothyroidism in mental retardation, neonatal screening programs are of high importance. In this study, the prevalence of the disease was 1 in 1000 that is more than that in developed countries. Therefore, it should be considered as one of the hygienic priorities in our country

[Comparison of the effects of progesterone, allopregnanolone and gender on suppressing edema formation after traumatic brain injury in rats]

Brain edema is one of the most important causes of death within the first few days following head trauma. In this study we investigated the role of gender as well as the effects of progesterone and allopregnanolone one hour after diffuse traumatic brain injury on edema formation in rats. This interventional-experimental study was performed on 12 groups of female and male rats. They were divided into 12 groups as follows: 1 and 2: intact female and male rats, 3 and 4: trauma male and female rats, 5: vehicle of progesterone [benzyl alcohol with sesame oil], 6: sham [ovariectomized female rats: ovx], 7: sham [no ovx], 8: sham[male], 9 and 10: low dose [4mg/kg] and high dose [8mg/kg] of progesterone, 11: allopregnanolone and 12: vehicle of allopregnanolone [water]. Hormones were injected i. p one hour after diffuse traumatic brain injury through Marmarou model. The results showed a significant increase of 5.32 times in Evans blue and 2.42% in water content in trauma male group comparing to control groups, while in female rats the difference was significant just for Evans blue [4.68 times]. Evans blue and water content were also significantly greater in traumatic males than female rats [1.57 times and 2.04% respectively]. After injection of low and high doses of progesterone, there was a significant decrease in water content [2.21% and 2.30%] and Evans blue content [2.55 and 2.98 times]. Allopregnanolone significantly decreased these parameters [2.36% and 1.82 times respectively]. Moreover, the injection of progesterone in both low and high doses increased the serum progesterone of female ovarectomized rats as compared to vehicle group. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the rate of edema formation in traumatic male rats is higher compared to traumatic female rats. Moreover, both progesterone and allopregnanolone decrease edema formation in ovariectomized female rats