[Umbilical artery doppler velocimetry indices in fetuses with single umbilical arteries]

Backgrounds and Objectives: Doppler waveform analysis of the umbilical artery is a powerful tool to evaluate probable pregnancy risks. So far, huge amounts of data on fetuses with three-vessel umbilical cords have been collected. Our objective was to evaluate the value of umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry in fetuses with single umbilical arteries. In this respect, two evaluation indices of the Pulsatility Index and the Systolic/Diastolic Ratio were considered

Materials and Methods: Fetuses between 16 and 40 week gestational age were studied. A set of information was obtained from 50 cases with single umbilical arteries. Data were analyzed using chi-square [chi[2]] test. P-values less than 0.05 was considered significant

Results: The Systolic/Diastolic Ratio in the umbilical artery was abnormal in 29 fetuses [58%] and normal in 21 fetuses [42%]. Pulsatility Index in the umbilical artery was abnormal in 28 fetuses [56%] and normal in 22 fetuses [44%]. Fetuses with abnormal Doppler waveform analysis in their umbilical arteries were significantly more likely to be growth restricted [38%] and to more have complex malformations [18%] than those with normal Doppler waveform analysis

Conclusion: Fetuses with single umbilical arteries and abnormal umbilical Doppler velocimetry had a significantly increased risk of adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes compared with those with single umbilical arteries but normal Doppler studies. When the fetus with isolated umbilical artery is the only observed fetus anomaly and the results of Doppler velocimetry are normal, it might be suggested that the risk of disorder in fetus is so low

effect of supplemental iron elimination on pregnancy outcome

To assess the effect of eliminating supplemental iron on pregnancy outcome. A clinical trial was conducted at Alzahra hospital from 2007 to 2009. Nine hundred sixty healthy women at first trimester of pregnancy with Hb>12 gr/dl and BP<140/90 mmHg were randomized into receiving daily one multivitamin+30 mg elemental iron or multivation + placebo tablet from 13 weeks of pregnancy. Iron parameters were analyzed at the 1st trimester and before delivery by using ELISA. Monthly Hb and Hct checkup was performed for placebo group and whom with Hb < 10.5 gr/dl at the end of 2nd trimester or Hb < 11 at 3rd trimester, excluded from the study. Finally 410 women in iron group and 372 in placebo group accomplished the study. The mean weight gain of mothers in iron group was significantly greater than placebo group. [11.57kg vs. 11.09kg, p=0.018]. Iron parameters at delivery time decreased, in two groups and were meaningful in placebo group. Neonatal complications were not significantly different between groups. The rate of preterm labor, IUGR, PROM, placental abruption, gestational diabetes and preeclampsia were not significantly different between groups except for pregnancy induced hypertension [6.7% in iron group vs. 3.4 in placebo group, p=0.04]. Considering iron is a possible source of producing free radicals which has ability of oxidative damage, it is recommended that in iron-replete non anemic women at beginning of pregnancy especially who are at high risk for hypertension, iron should not be prescribed until Hb falls below normal level

History of fertility and coronary artery disease in Iranian women older than 50 years old

Coronary artery disease [CAD] is a leading cause of mortality and disability in Iranian population. In this study, the association between parity and the presence of CAD in women more than 50years old age has been investigated in case [100 female patients with documented angiography-defined CAD] and control [320 female subjects with normal echocardiogram] group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that number of pregnancies and hysterectomy with ovarectomy was independent risk factors associated with CAD in this study