Comparison of maternal and neonatal serum leptin levels in preeclampsia and normal pregnancy

Leptin is a protein product of obesity gene and is synthesized mainly by adipose tissue. The aim of this study was to determine maternal and neonatal serum leptin levels in term preeclamptic and normal pregnancies. This cross sectional study was performed on 37 preeclamptic and 40 normotensive term pregnant women without other disease. Serum level of leptin was measured in all of pregnant mothers and after delivery, their neonates. This study was performed in Babol Yahyanejad Hospital from March 2006 to December 2006. Infants with preeclamptic mothers had significantly lower leptin level than control group [p=0.02]. There was no significant difference in serum leptin levels between normal and preeclamptic women [p=0.749]. According to the results, it would be concluded that leptin level in infants of preeclamptic mothers is lower than infants of normal mothers. This can only confirm the diagnosis of disease after birth but it cannot predict the preeclampsia

[Correlation between abnormal glucose challenge test and pregnancy outcomes]

Gestational diabetes is the most common metabolic disorder in pregnancy. Glucose Challenge Test [GCT] is done for all pregnant women during the 24th to 28th weeks of gestation. If the GCT value is more than 130 mg/dl a Glucose Tolerance Test [GTT] is asked and if GTT is impaired, gestational diabetes mellitus [GDM] is diagnosed and she will receive treatment accordingly. Some studies have illustrated that impaired GCT can cause unfavorable pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine the pregnancy outcome in pregnant women with abnormal GCTs. This study was done on all pregnant women attending Babol Shahid Yahyanezhad Hospital for prenatal care during 1999 to 2009. GCT was done for all the participants during the 24th to 28th weeks of gestation. Pregnancy outcomes of 225 pregnant women with abnormal GCTs and normal GTTs were compared with those of 225 pregnant women with normal GCTs as the controls. The individuals were compared for pregnancy outcomes such as macrosomia, premature rupture of membranes [PROM] and the need for a cesarean section [C/S]. The average birth weight of the neonates were 3.5 +/- 0.5 kg and 3.3 +/- 0.4 kg [p<0.001] in the cases and controls, respectively. Twenty-five neonates in the case group [12.1%] and eight neonates in the control group [3.6%] had macrosomia [p=0.003]. Frequency of PROM was 17.85% [40] in the cases and 8.9% [20] in the controls [p=0.008]. The cases had a higher frequency for preeclampsia 4.4% [10] than the controls 1.8% [4], [p=0.17]. and pregnancy in the cases lead to a greater number of Cesarean sections, 42.2% [95] in comparison to the controls, 28% [63], [p<0.001]. Prevalence of macrosomia, PROM and C/S were higher in pregnant women with abnormal GCTs. Due to the aforementioned unfavorable conditions that bear the risk of a poor perinatal outcome, early diagnosis and proper follow up of women with GDM is suggested during the prenatal period

Correlation between umbilical cord pH and apgar score in high-risk pregnancy

The Apgar score as a proven useful tool fro rapid assessment of the neonate is often poorly correlated with other indicators of intrapartum neonatal well-being. This study was carried out to determine the correlation between umbilical cord pH and Apgar score in high-risk pregnancies. This is a prospective cross-sectional, analytic study performed on 96 mother-fetal pairs during 2004-2005 at Shahid Yahyanejad Hospital, which is affiliated to Babol University of Medical Sciences. Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes after birth was taken and an umbilical cord blood gas analysis was done immediately after birth in both groups. Mothers came with a labor pain and were divided into high-risk and low risk if they have had any perinatal risk factors. Other data like gestational age, birth weight, need for resuscitation and admission to the newborn ward or neonatal intensive care unit was gathered by a questionnaire for comparison between the two groups. P-value less than 0.05 was considered being significant. The gestational age and birth weight were the same in high-risk and low risk mothers. Mean umbilical artery blood pH in high-risk mothers was significantly lower than in low risk mothers [P =0.004]. Mean apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes were significantly lower in high-risk mothers than in low risk mothers [P<0.05]. According to the Kendal correlation coefficient there was no significant correlation between Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes and umbilical cord pH in low risk group [r=0.212, P=0.1]. But in high-risk group there was significant correlation between Apgar score at 1[st] and 5[th] minute and the umbilical cord ph [r=0.01, P=0.036 and r=0.176, P=0.146, respectively]. Combination of Apgar score and umbilical cord pH measurement in high-risk pregnant mother could better detect jeopardized baby

[Birth intervals and associated factors in multi-para women residing in Babol, northern Iran]

Birth spacing has become a main strategy within health promotion programs for mothers and their children during the past two recent decades in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The present study was aimed to determine the patterns and factors associated with birth intervals in Multi-Para women residing in Babol. We conducted a cross-sectional study with samples consisting of 500 Multi-Para women, who were referred to the hospital and the Health Center for delivery in Babol, Northern Iran, during 2007. The data was collected using a designed questionnaire, including birth intervals between index child and prior, demographic and fertility variables, such as maternal education, maternal age at birth of index child, sex before index child, still birth, child status before index child, parity, duration of breast feeding, residence area, contraception methods, and attending family planning clinic. The data was analyzed using the logistic regression model. The mean [SD] of birth intervals was 61 +/- 25.7 months. Birth interval in 3.8% of mothers was less than 2 years and 41.7% of mothers had 4 to 6 years, while 28% had >/= 6 years. In the majority of women, [76.8%] pregnancies were from 20 to 34 years of age. In spite, pregnancy was observed in 22.4% cases in age 35 or over, while 0.8% of pregnancies were in the age range less than 20 years. Maternal age, duration of breast feeding, child sex before index child, still birth, history of infant mortality before index child, type of contraception, attending family planning clinics and parity showed a significant relation with birth intervals. Maternal age, parity, duration of breastfeeding, still birth, history of infant mortality, attending family planning clinics and using modern contraceptive methods are shown to be determinants of birth intervals. Although our findings indicated that in the majority of Multi-Para women, birth intervals was within the accepted range previously recommended by the Ministry of Health in Iran, over a quarter of women had birth intervals of >/= 6 years. Due to increasing maternal age associated with high risk pregnancies [aged > 35years] by long birth intervals, it is necessary to revise educational programs for prevention of long birth intervals, that would induce the subsequent pregnancies in becoming high risk