[ comparison of atracurium and lidocaine for decreasing succinylcholine induced fasciculation, myalgia and serum potassium change in patients during induction of anesthesia]

In the patients at risk of aspiration, it is necessary to induce general anesthesia and intubate their trachea as rapid sequence. Succinylcholine is the only neuromascular blocker with short onset and ultrashort acting effect, therefore choice of drug is in rapid sequence induction of anesthesia. This drug has many advantages, including low cost, short onset, short duration of action, and profound muscle relaxation with no need to reversal of muscle relaxation. The most important side effects of this drug are fasciculation, postoperative myalgia and rise in serum potassium. We compared lidocaine with atracurium in preventing these side effects. The patients aged 20-50 years, in class one or two physical status [ASA], were randomly assigned either to group A or group B. Those in group A were given atracurium [0.05 mg/kg], 3 minutes before succinylcholine. Those in group B received lidocaine [1.5 mg/kg], 30 seconds before succinylcholine at induction of anesthesia. All patients in both groups received sodium thiopental [4 mg/kg] and succinylcholine 1.5 mg/kg at induction of anesthesia. We evaluated and recorded fasciculation and myalgia in two days after operation. We also measured serum potassium before induction and 5 minutes after succinylcholine injection. In order to control of post-operative pain, we used intravenous morphine or acetaminophen as either oral or suppository. 160 patients were studied. The occurrence and severity of fasciculation were the same in two groups [p>0.05]. There were less myalgia in group B in comparison with group A, one and two days after operation [p<0.05]. There were no significant changes in serum potassium in two groups. Lidocaine is as effective as atracurium in decreasing the occurrence and severity of fasciculation, following succinylcholine injection at induction of anesthesia. Lidocaine is more effective than atracurium in decreasing the occurrence and severity of myalgia

Assessment of anthropometric status of adolescents in public guidance schools in East Tehran, 2006

Adolescence is a critical period of growth and development. Inadequate nutrition during adolescence may increase the incidence of non-communicable diseases in adulthood. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of underweight, at-risk-of overweight, overweight, and stunting in adolescents, as part of a project entitled "Nutrition and health education intervention program to improve the school buffets and nutritional behaviors of guidance school students". A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out on 780 students from 12 public guidance schools in East Tehran. Schools were chosen based on their population size and students' gender in north, south, east, west and central areas of the zone 4. Samples were selected using the systematical random method in each grade. A questionnaire was completed about demographic characteristics for each subject. Weight and height were measured and body mass index [BMI] was calculated. The Percentiles of underweight [/= 95[th]] were determined, and stunting was calculated based on height for age [