Northern Iranian growth charts for children aged 7–11 years: comparison with international reference curves

Background: Child body mass index [BMI] is an internationally accepted indicator to assess child health status. International BMI reference curves are available but their suitability for Iranian children in not known.

Aims: This study aimed to produce BMI-for-age growth curves for northern Iranian schoolchildren aged 7–11 years and compare them with the World Health Organization [WHO 2006] and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC 2000] reference curves.

Methods: Stratified multistage cluster sampling was used to select schoolchildren from urban and rural areas of Babol. Height and weight were measured and BMI calculated. Smoothed BMI-for-age growth curves were constructed for both sexes and compared with the WHO and CDC reference curves.

Results: A total of 4 083 children aged 7–11 years were included; 48.8% were boys and 56.7% were urban residents The major significant differences between the Iranian curves in this study and the CDC2000 and WHO 2006 growth charts were in the upper centiles. The 5th centile is close to the 5th centiles of the reference curves.

Conclusions: BMI centiles for 7–11 years schoolchildren in Babol differed significantly from the international growth reference curves. Therefore, local and population-specific BMI curves should be developed to assess physical growth of children.

Nitric oxide levels and total antioxidant capacity in the seminal plasma of infertile smoking men

Cigarette is a rich source of oxidants and reactive nitrogen species. Nitric oxide [NO] in high concentration has deleterious effects on human sperm function. Antioxidant defense system in seminal plasma protects spermatozoa from the attack of reactive oxygen metabolites. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between cigarette smoking with the NO levels and the total antioxidant capacity [TAC] of the seminal plasma in infertile smoker men and to compare severity of oxidative stress [OS] in them with fertile and infertile non-smoking men. In this cross sectional study, a total of 95 male participants attended the Infertility Clinic of the Fatehmeh-zahra Hospital in Babol, Mazandaran Province, Iran, between 2010 and 2011. They were divided into three groups: I. fertile non-smokers [F.ns; n=32], II. infertile non-smokers [IF.ns; n=30] and III. infertile smokers [IF.s; n=33] according to semen analysis World Health Organization guidelines [WHO, 2001] and smoking data. TAC concentration and NO levels of seminal plasma were measured using the ferric reducing ability of plasma [FRAP] method and the Griess reagent, respectively. Standard sperm parameters were significantly higher in the fertile group than those in the infertile groups, but these differences between the IF.ns and IF.s were not statistically significant. The mean TAC in the seminal plasma was higher in the F.ns>IF.ns>IF.s, respectively, but these differences were not statistically significant among three groups [p= 0.096]. In contrast, the mean NO level in the seminal plasma was lower in the F.ns

Impact of parity on obesity: a cross-sectional study in Iranian women

The aim of the present study was to analyze whether or not parity influenced the prevalence of obesity in both pre- and postmenopausal women. A cross-sectional study was conducted on characteristics of urban women regarding parity. A total of 1,620 women aged 45-63 years were selected using cluster sampling. A face-to-face household interview was conducted by trained, skillful personnel. A risk factor questionnaire was used to obtain information on reproductive history and sociodemographic factors. Statistical associations between parity and obesity using logistic regression were then investigated. The mean BMI was 29.1 +/- 5.1, and 96.8% of the sample population were parous, with a median of 4 births. Of the total women enrolled, 216 [13.3%] had <3 parities, while 1,404 [86.7%] had >/=3 parities. The prevalence of obesity [BMI >/=30] was 38.3%, diagnosed at a mean age of 51.4 +/- 5.2 years. After adjustment for a range of potential confounders [age, marital status, employment, education, smoking status, abortion history, savings situation and menopausal status], women with >/=3 parities were at higher risk of being obese [OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.24-2.45; p = 0.001]. A positive association was observed between the number of parities and obesity. The findings of this study suggest that the BMI is associated with high parity in Babolian women. Health policymakers should work with health providers to develop appropriate postpartum weight loss interventions

[Correlation between retinopathy of prematurity and clinical risk index for babies score]

Several risk factors like prematurity, hyperoxia, hyperglycemia, duration of mechanical ventilation and supplemental oxygen use have been attributed to the occurrence of retinopathy of prematurity [ROP] in low birth weight infants. Clinical Risk Index for Babies [CRIB] score have been used to assess the severity of the newborn's disease and neonatal mortality. The relation between the CRIB score and the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity is less assessed. This study was carried out to determine the relation between the CRIB score and retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants. In a cross-sectional study all preterm infants admitted to NICU at Amirkola Children's Hospital, Northern Iran, from March 2009 to November 2012, with a birth weight less than 1500 grams and gestational age less than 28 weeks and other premature infants with birth weight 1500 to 2000 grams and gestational age 29 to 34 weeks with an unstable clinical condition, were included. The CRIB score was recorded in firs 12 hours of admission to the NICLJ. Ophthalmologic examination was done by a retinologist unaware of CRIB score. ROP classification was done according to the international classification of ROP. The CRIB score compared with presence or non-presence of ROP and its stage, progression or regression of disease. A P-value less than 005 are considered significant. One hundred and eighty [70%] neonates out of 256 neonates developed ROP. In 124 [68.88%] neonates it resolved spontaneously on serial ophthalmologic examination, but fifty-six [3 1.11%] neonates were required treatment for ROP which 42 [75%] received Avastin and 14 [25%] neonates treated with Laser. The Mean +/- SD for CRIB score in ROP group was 4.79 +/- 2.74 and in a group without ROP it was 3.78 +/- 2.00 [P0.004]. No correlation was found between the severity of ROP and CRIB score [P0.152]. The CRIB score can predict the occurrence of ROP, but can't predict its severity and progression or regression

Effects of cisapride on QTc interval in children

Cisapride is a prokinetic drug with different reports on its cardiac side effects. As there might be a genetic susceptibility for the effects of this drug, we studied its effects on QTc interval of children in our region. This semi-experimental study was performed on children aged over one month, who attended Amirkola Children's Hospital from October 2004 to March 2005 and needed to be treated with Cisapride. Patients with risk factors such as cardiac disease, electrolyte disturbance and drug usage interfering with Cisapride metabolism were excluded from the study. Cisapride was prescribed orally 0.6mg/kg/day in 3 doses. ECG was taken in lead II before drug administration and after one week. QTc intervals before and after treatment were compared. P-value >0.05 was considered significant. Among 135 admitted children needing Cisapride, 118 cases fulfilled inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. Their mean age was 14.1 [1.5] months. The mean QTc intervals before and after treatment were 377 [20] msec and 380 [22] msec, respectively [P=0.1]. No child had a QTc interval more than 450 msec. Cisapride [0.6mg/kg/day] did not cause a significant prolonged QTc interval in children with no risk factor

[Enterally recombinant erythropoietin stimulates erythropoiesis in preterm infants]

Erythropoietin [Epo] is an essential hormone for erythropoiesis. Parenterral recombinant erythropoietin [rEpo] is effective for prevention of anemia of prematurity [AOP]. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of enteral rEpo on erythropoiesis in preterm infants. This is a randomized clinical trial [RCT] study performed on preterm infants [?1800gr birth weight and ?34 weeks gestational age [GA]]. Two groups of infants were randomly included in the study by sequential admissions. One group [n=7] received Epo [CIMBA. Cuba] 1200U/kg per week [3 days a week] plus ferrous sulfate [3-6 mg/kg/day]. The control group [n=7] received only ferrous solfate. Hemoglobin [HB], Hematocrit [Hct] reticulocyte count, serum Epo and ferritin level were measured at baseline, after 10 days and on discharge. Collected data were tested by T-test and repeated measurement and analyzed by SPSS software. Mean [SD] GA of control group [n=7] were 30.3 [0.9] weeks and Epo group [n=7] were 30.7 [2.56] [P=0.7]. The mean [SD] body weight of control group was 1392 [196] gr and Epo group 1328 [267] gr. Reticulocytes count at the end of study in Epo group was significantly more than in control groups [2.99 [1.45] vs 1.36 [0.96]] [P<0.009]. Serum mean erythropoietin level in Epo group was significantly more than in control group [18 [11] vs 8.7 [4]] [P=0.006]. Mean serum ferritin level in Epo group was lower than in control group although statically not significant [238 [78.59] vs 340 [166.51]] [P=0.4]. There was no significant difference in Hb and Hct between the two groups [P=0.3]. Oral administration of rEpo increased significantly serum Epo and reticulocytes count [stimulated erythropoiesis] but did not increase Hb and Hct in preterm infants