Maternal and prenatal risk factors for childhood leukemia in southern of Iran

The causes of childhood leukemia as the most common malignancy in children are vastly unknown. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between maternal birth characteristics with environmental exposures in childhood leukemia. This is a case-control study which consists of children younger than 18 year old suffering from leukemia who reside at Fars Province of Iran. Patients were individually matched with variables such as age, sex and residence region. In order to evaluate the relationships between each variable and the risk of leukemia, odds ratio [OR] and 95% confidence interval [CI] were estimated using conditional logistic regression. Statistically, the association between risk of childhood leukemia with birth order [OR=6.177, 95% CI: 2.551-14.957], pet ownership [OR=2.565, 95% CI: 1.352-4.868] and history of leukemia in first and second degree relatives [OR=2.667, 95%CI: 1.043-6.815] was significant. However, there was no significant association between daycare attendance, history of miscarriage, number of siblings and history of mother's diagnostic radiology tests with risk of childhood leukemia. Although no definite etiologic factor for acute childhood leukemia has been clearly defined, the contribution of environmental risk factors in the context of genetic predisposition are strongly elucidated

Prognostic factors of concomitant hyperglycemia and hypocalcemia in pediatric intensive care units

Hyperglycemia and hypocalcemia have separately been attributed to adverse outcomes in critically ill patients. This study aimed to investigate the simultaneous effects of the two conditions on mortality and morbidity in a pediatric intensive care unit. All children aged 1 month to 18 years, admitted for at least 24 hours to medical pediatric intensive care unit [PICU], Nemazee Hospital, Shiraz, Iran were reviewed over one year period. Those with a history of diabetes mellitus and any calcium disorders were excluded. Data on blood glucose and calcium during the first 6 hours of admission, in-PICU length of stay, need for mechanical ventilation, vassopressor drugs administration, and mortality were assessed. The incidence of hyperglycemia [>/= 150 mg/dl [8.3mmol/L]] and hypocalcemia [serum calcium<8.5 mg/dl [2.12mmol/L]] were 26.5% and 43.9%, respectively. Hyperglycemia and hypocalcemia were associated with increased mortality. Among the survivors, hyperglycemia and hypocalcemia had no significant effect on PICU length of stay. The interaction of hyperglycemia and hypocalcemia did not intensify their separate effects on mortality, the need for mechanical ventilation and vasopressor infusion. Although hyperglycemia and hypocalcemia separately increase the mortality rate, their simultaneous presence is not associated with poorer outcomes in critically ill patients

Differentiation of Fanconi and aplastic anemia using chromosomal breakage test in Southern Iran

Fanconi anemia [FA] is a chromosomal breakage disorder characterized by familial aplastic anemia [AA], various congenital anomalies, and a characteristic chromosomal response to clastogenic stress. In this study, chromosome breakage test was performed for 38 patients suspected of having FA and age-matched controls. According to the results, ten patients were considered as FA cases and 15 patients with no chromosomal breaks were considered as AA. Differentiation of FA from AA is very important because the primary treatment is different. This test should be done in every primary presentation of AA

[Comparison of psychopathology in medical and non medical College students of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences]

Some psychopathologies and high rates of stress have been reported among medical students higher than others in some reseavehes. Based on importance of mental health in physicians and their responsibilities we designed this study to assess the role of field of study in psychopathology of college students. In this cross-sectional study, 69 medical interns and 57 MSC and PhD students of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, were assessed by a questionnaire concerning age, sex, marital status, habitat and income. Psychiatric evaluation was performed by the use of SCL-25 pnestionaire. The two groups were selected by simple cluster method, then they were compared in their 9 subscore of SCL-25 onestionair Relation between the age, sex, and other variables and psychopathology was assessed. There was no signification difference between the two groups in 9 sub scores of SCL-25 one stionaire [p>0.05]. Psychopathology in general and interpersonal hostility in especial were higher among male students of the two groups. Somatization in married students and depression in single members of both groups was highest. Phobia and paranoid ideas were not related to age, sex, and marietal status. Based on this study no endence was Round to rvove the velation between psychopathology and standing Medicine but other factors like sep and marietnl field of academic study does not related psychopathology and such factors as sex and marietal status seem to need move resemches and have move important role