[Incidence of birth defects in Golestan province]

Background and Objective: Birth defects are important causes of childhood morbidity and disability. This study was done to determine the incidence and pattern of birth defects in live birth in cities of Golestan province, north of Iran

Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on 92420 live births in 13 hospitals in Golestan province, northern Iran from 21 January 2008 to 20 March 2011. The newborns were examined for the presence of birth defects. Gender, type of birth defects and residency of parents according to city in Golestan province was recorded for each newborn

Results: The incidence rate of birth defects, in Gorgan, Kordkoy, Aliabad and Gonbad was 20.46, 12.53, 10.86, and 8.99 per 1,000 live births, respectively. The incidence rate of birth defects western area [including Kordkoy, Bandargaz and Kordkoy], center [Gorgan, Capital city] and eastern area [including Aliabad, Gonbad, Minodasht and Kalaleh] of Golestan province] was 9.3, 20.46 and 8.79 per 1,000 live births, respectively. Cardiovascular anomaly was the most frequent birth defects

Conclusion: The incidence rate of birth defects varies in diferent area of Golestan provine and overally was lower than the other region in Iran

[Gestational diabetes reduces motor neurons of spinal cord in 4, 8 and 12 weeks rat offspring]

Previous studies have shown the adverse effects of gestational diabetes on hippocampal neuron density in animal model. This study was conducted to determine the effect of gestational diabetes on number of motor neuron in the ventral horns of spinal cord in 4, 8 and 12 weeks rat offspring. In this experimental study, 30 Wistar dams were randomly allocated in control and diabetic groups. Dams in diabetic group were received 40 mg/kg/bw of streptozotocin [STZ] at the first day of gestational day [GD] and control group were received an equivalent volume normal saline, intraperitoneally. Six offspring of cases and controls were randomly selected at the 4, 8, 12 postnatal weeks. Postnatal rats were scarified and sections [6 micrometer] were taken from the cervical part of spinal cord, stained by cresyl violet. A photograph of sections was produced using an Olympus BX51 microscope and a DP12 digital camera. The number of motor neurons in the right ventral horns of spinal cord was evaluated in 100000 microm2 area of spinal cord using OLYSIA Autobioreport software. The number of motor neurons in 4 weeks rat offspring were reduced [24.90%] in gestational diabetics compared to controls [17.16 +/- 0.5 vs22.85 +/- 2.1, P<0.05]. The motor neurons in 8 weeks rat offspring were reduced [32.95%] in gestational diabetics in comparison with controls [17.70 +/- 1.7 vs26.40 +/- 2.0, P<0.05]. Also, the number of motor neurons in 12 weeks rat offspring were reduced [24.38%] in gestational diabetics in comparison with controls [17.83 +/- 0.7 vs23.58 +/- 1.4, P<0.05]. The uncontrolled gestational diabetes reduces the number of motor neurons in the ventral horn of spinal cord in rat offspring

[Pattern and risk factors of cryptorchidism in Gorgan, northern Iran]

Cryptorchidism or undescending testis is a developmental defect and occurred in 2-4% of male newborns. This study was done to determine the pattern and risk factors of cryptorchidism in Gorgan, northern Iran. In this cohort study, 2851 male newborns were examined for cryptorchidism at the birth and follow up for one year after birth in Dezyani referral teaching hospital in Gorgan, northern Iran during April 2010 - December 2011. Mother ethnicity, working in farmland, addiction, consanguinity, age, infant maturity and birth weight were recorded for each subject. The rate of cryptorchidism was 18.9 per 1000 live birth. Bilateral and unilateral cryptorchidism was 11.7 and 7.1 per 1000, respectively. The rate of cryptorchidism in preterm newborns [30 per 1000] was significantly higher than the term [20 per 1000] and post term [11.4 per 1000] newborns [P<0.05]. The Mean +/- SD of newborns weight with unilateral cryptorchidism [3024 +/- 537grams] was significantly lower than the healthy newborns [3253 +/- 489 grams] [P<0.05]. The rate of cryptorchidism in Turkmens [10 per 1000 births] was significantly lower than Fars [21 per 1000 births] and Sistani [23 per 1000 births] newborns [P<0.05]. One year Follow up of newborns showed that 41 [77.3%] testes were descent to scrotum. Low births weight, prematurity and ethnicity are the main risk factors of cryptorchidism in northern Iran

[Effect of gestational diabetes on astrocyte density in CA1 and CA3 subfields of hippocampus in rat offspring]

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common serious metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycemia, altered metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates and proteins. Gestational diabetes mellitus [GDM], affects 3.5-5% of all human pregnancy. Therefore, this study was done to evaluate the effect of gestational diabetes on astrocyte density in CA1 and CA3 subfields of hippocampus in rat male offspring. In this experimental study, 12 Wistar Dams rats were randomly allocated in control and diabetic groups. Gestational diabetes induced by 40 mg/kg/body weight of streptozotocin at the first day of gestation [GD] in experimental group and controls were received an equivalent volume normal saline injection intraperitoneally [IP]. Six male offspring of cases and controls dams, at the 7, 21 postnatal day [P7, P21] were randomly selected. Animals were scarified using chloroform anesthesia. The coronal sections of brain by 6 micrometer serially were prepared. The sections were stained with PTAH. The number of astrocytes was evaluated in 100000 micro m[2] area of CA1 and CA3 in 1000X magnification. Data was analyzed by SPSS-11.5 and t-test. In CA1 subfield of hippocampus in offspring, the number of astrocytes significantly reduced by 36.25% and 36.37% in diabetic group in compare to controls in the P7 and P21, respectively [P<0.05]. In CA3, astrocytes density significantly reduced 36.35% and 26.5% in GD in comparison with controls in the P7 and P21, respectively [P<0.05]. This study showed that the uncontrol gestational diabetes significantly reduces astrocytes density in CA1 and CA3 subfields of hippocampus in rat offspring

Possible role of TORCH agents in congenital malformations in Gorgan, northern Islamic Republic of Iran

This descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out to explore the frequency of contamination with TORCH agents in neonates with congenital malformations in a referral centre in Gorgan city, Islamic Republic of Iran. Blood samples were taken from 64 neonates and their mothers over a 20-month period in 2003-04. Serologic tests showed that 4/64 infants born with congenital malformations [6%] had positive IgM antibody titres for Toxoplasma gondii [2 cases], rubella virus [1 case] and cytomegalovirus [1 case]. IgM was positive in 9/63 mothers [14%], also for T. gondii [3 cases], rubella virus [3 cases] and cytomegalovirus [3 cases]. No cases of herpes simplex virus type II or Treponema pallidum were found

Maternal serum zinc deficiency in cases of neural tube defect in Gorgan, north Islamic Republic of Iran

Previous studies have shown a high rate of neural tube defects [NTD] in Gorgan, northern Islamic Republic of Iran. This case-control study during 2003-04 compared serum zinc levels and other variables in 23 mothers of neonates affected with NTD and 36 mothers with normal healthy neonates in Dezyani hospital in Gorgan. Mean serum zinc levels in the case and control groups were 13.43 micromol/L [SD 6.3] and 11.41 micromol/L [SD 6.3] respectively. Zinc deficiency was found in 13 [36.5%] of the cases and 7 [19.4%] of the controls. Logistic regression analysis showed an association between the presence of NTD and zinc deficiency [OR 5.06; 95% CI: 1.51-16.94]

Epidemiology of neural tube defects in northern Iran, 1998-2003

We determined the rates of neural tube defects at a referral hospital in Gorgan, north Islamic Republic of Iran, and the relations of these abnormalities to sex, maternal ethnicity, maternal age and season. During 1998-2003, there were 109 cases among 37 951 births, a prevalence of 28.7 per 10 000 [24.8 and 32.8 per 10 000 among males and females respectively]. The rates in Turkmen, native Fars and Sistani ethnic groups were 40.5, 25.2 and 30.8 per 10 000 respectively. The rates of spina bifida and anencephaly were 16.3 and 11.3 per 10 000 respectively. The rate of affected newborns was highest in mothers aged over 35 years [50.7 per 10 000]. The peak prevalence was in December

[Epidemiological survey of suicide in Golestan province in the North of Iran [2003]]

Suicide is one of the most important causes of death in the world. The prevalence of suicide varies in different parts of Iran and the world. This study was done to determine the prevalence and types of suicide and its relation to gender, age and education in Golestan prevalence in North of Iran. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 1857 patients admitted to general hospitals in Golestan province during 2003. The data were collected through questionnaires filled by health workers and analyzed using SPSS software. The prevalence of suicide was 117.8, 88.5 and 147.4 per 10000 in general population, males and females respectively. The rate of suicide in 20-24 age groups was 285.8 per 10000. The highest rate of suicide was observed in spring. Thirty one percent of samples had high school education. 48 percent of suicide attempts were with drugs and opium. Considering the ethnicity, the rate of suicide was 177 among native Fars, 79.6 in Turkman and 270 in Sistani per 10000, respectively. This study has shown that the rate of suicide is higher in this province comparing to other studies in some parts of Iran and other countries

Congenital malformations at a referral hospital in Gorgan, Islamic Republic of Iran

This study recorded the rate of congenital malformations in 10000 births at a referral hospital in Gorgan, Islamic Republic of Iran in 1998-99. The overall incidence of congenital malformations was 1.01% [1.19% in males and 0.76% in females]. Anomalies of the musculoskeletal system had the highest incidence [0.38%], followed by central nervous system [0.28%] and genitourinary system [0.25%]. The incidence of congenital malformations in different ethnic groups was 0.85%, 1.45% and 1.70% in native Fars, Turkman and Sistani groups respectively. Sex and ethnic background are factors in the rate of congenital malformations in this area

[Epidemiology of cleft lip and cleft palate in Gorgan [1998-2003]]

Cleft lip and palate is one of the most common human congenital craniofacial abnormalities with the side effects of middle-ear infections, hard of hearing, nutritional problems, speaking, and other societal burdens. The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of cleft lip and palate and its relation with sex, ethnic group, paternal and maternal age, consanguineous marriage and season in Gorgan during 6 years. This cross-sectional study was done on 37951 births in Gorgan's Dezyani hospital during 1998-2003. Sex, type of abnormalities, ethnic group, paternal and maternal age, consanguineous marriage, season and date of birth were recorded in questionnaires and data were analyzed by SPSS. The prevalence of cleft lip and cleft palate was 0.97 per 1000 birth and it was more common in males [1.08 per 1000] than in females [0.86 per 1000]. The rate of cleft was 0.86, 0.89 and 1.47 per 1000 in native Fars, Turkaman and Sistani ethnic group, respectively. 29.7% of parents had consanguineous marriage. 29.7% of mothers with affected newborns consumed different drugs during pregnancy. The commonest rate was in winter and autumn. Maternal and paternal age was 35.5 and 28.5 years, respectively. Cleft was more common in 1998. This study reveals that incidence of cleft in Gorgan is much closer to European and east Asian countries. Consanguineous marriage and the toxicity of pregnant women with drugs or chemicals can induce cleft palate

[Estimation of cranial capacity of Turkman's 17-20 years old in Gorgan - North of Iran]

It is natural that there is close relationship between cranial capacity, and the size of brain, several studies have estimated the cranial capacity which indirectly reflects the brain volume in different countries. In the present study cranial capacity has been estimated in Turkman's 17-20 years old group in North of Iran. This study was carried out on 401 normal 17-20 years old [male 198, female 203] in South-East of Caspian Sea border [North of IRAN]. By using linear dimensions of the head [Using Lee- Pearsom's Formula]. The mean and SD of cranial capacity in males and females were 1420.6 +/- 85 ml and, 1227.2 +/- 120 ml, respectively, this difference was significant [P<0.05]. This investigation was shown that the cranial capacity is higher in male than female also racial and Geographical factors can affect on cranial capacity

Estimation of face shapes in Fars and Turkman female adults in Gorgan

The evaluation and measurement of human body dimensions are achieved by physical anthropometry. Cephalomerty is a branch of anthropometry Science, in which the head and face anatomical are measured. With respect to its importance in legal medicine, plastic surgery, radiology, anatomy, orthodency and industry, this study was set up to determine and compare the face shapes in Fars and Turkman ethnic groups of normal female adults. This study was a descriptive- and cross-sectional study which was carried out on 410 girls of 17-20 years of age in two ethnic groups of native Fars and Turkman. The length and width of girls face were determined by using classic cephalometry technique, On the basis of this method, the shape of faces was subdivided in five interrational groups. Subsequently the prevalancy and the shape of faces in the ethnic group of Fars and Turkman were compared. The prosopic [facial] indices of Fars and Turkman groups were 84.5 +/- 5.8 and 81.5 +/- 5.2, respectively. Dominant shape of face in Fars group was euryprosopic [37.7%] and in Turkman group was euryprosopic [51.7%]. Rare shape of face in Fars and Turkman groups were hyperleptoprosopic [5.8%] and leptoprosopic [3%] respectively. This study showed that the face shape is affeiced by ethnical factor and primarily by genetic factor

Serum zinc and copper level bofore and after haemodialysis

Zinc and Copper are those trace elements which are necessary for human growth and biological functions. Concentration changes of these elements in the body is clinically important. This research has been set up to study the possibility of zinc and copper variations after haemodialysis, and to determine the serum zinc and copper concentrations before and after haemodialysis. This project is a comparative, non-experimental study. The sample population were 50 of haemodialized patients chosen randomly from the patients referred to Azar hospital in Gorgan in the year of 2003 [33 male and 17 female]. The concentration of serum urea, creatinine, and copper of these patients were determined before and after dialysis, and were analyzed by SPSS software using the Wilkacson tests. The results of this research indicate that the average concentration of zinc and copper in haemodialized patients after dialysis were 135.32, 59.32 and 136.40, 51.25 microgram/deci litre respectively which is markedly increased in comparison to the serum concentrations of these trace elements before dialysis which were 78.38, 37.46 and 89.92, 32.54 microgram/deci litre respectively. In this study the average increase in concentration of zinc and copper after the process of dialysis among the haemodialized patients had a meaningful statistical variation [P<0.001]. Uremia, quality of dialysis membrane and quality of water used for the process of dialysis could be a reason for increase in concentration of zinc and copper

Cleft lip and palate in Gorgan [North-East of Iran]

Cleft lip and palate is one of the most common congenital chrinofacial abnormalities with the side-effect of middle-ear infections, hard of hearing, nutritional problems, speaking, and other societal burdens. This research has been designed to evaluate the prevalence and etiology of cleft lip and palate. This study has been designed to evaluate the prevalence and been done on 19545 live birds in Dezianei Hospital during three years of study [1992-2001]. The results from this research indicate that the prevalence of cleft lip and palate was 1.02/1000. The prevalancy in males and females was 1.4/1000 and 0.63/1000 respectively. We observed that the rate of cleft lip and cleft lip with palate was much higher in make newborns. Our finding also showed the highest rate of these abnormalities was among the sistanei's/mmi grant ethnic with the prevalancy of 2.25/1000 live birds. Genetical factors and drug consumption during pregnancy are among the important factors in creating such abnormalities. This study also shows that in addition to the above factors in this study the climate of this agricultural region, the high consumption of agricultural toxin, the time of conception, and the possibility of the contamination of pregnant mothers with such chemicals may play a role in the above congenital abnormalities

Neural tube defects in newborns in the South-East of the Caspian sea border [Gorgan, Iran 1998-2000]

Neural tube defects [NTD] are one of the most important malformations of newborns. The aim of this research is to determine the rates of NTD, anencephaly and spina bifida cystica and the relations of these abnormalities to the factors including sex, race, ethnicity, maternal age and familial marriage in the south-east of the Caspian Sea border. A three-year descriptive-analytic and cross-sectional study was carried out on 19545 newborns delivered in Dezyani hospital in Gorgan during 1998-2000. From the total sample population [19545], the NTD rate was 3.12 per 1000 deliveries. In males the rate was 2.49 per 1000, in females 3.79 per 1000, and the female to male ratio was 1.44:1. The rate of anencephaly and spina bifida was 1.25 per 1000 and 1.74 per 1000 respectively. In regard to different races the NTD rate was 7.48 per 1000, 9.5 per 1000, and 2.35 per 1000 among Turkmans, Sistanis and Farses, respectively. It can be concluded that there is a higher rate of NTD in this region that may be due to the race-ethnicity and the ecological variations