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Several complications during childhood is associated with nutritional status of infants at birth. Therefore, nutritional status of newborns must be evaluated properly after birth. Assessment of the nutritional status of neonates based on anthropometric and physical indices is simple and inexpensive without the need for advanced medical equipment. However, no previous studies have focused on the assessment methods of the nutritional status of infants via anthropometric and physical indices. This study aimed to review some of the key methods used to determine the nutritional status of neonates using anthropometric and physical indices. To date, most studies have focused on the diagnosis of fetal malnutrition [FM] and growth monitoring. In order to diagnose FM, researchers have used growth charts and Ponderal index [PI] based on anthropometric indices, as well as Clinical Assessment of Nutritional [CAN] Score based on physical features. Moreover, in order to assess the growth status of infants, growth charts were used. According to the findings of this study, standard intrauterine growth curves and the PI are common measurement tools in the diagnosis of FM. Furthermore, CAN score is widely used in the evaluation of the nutritional status of neonates. Given the differences in the physical features of term and preterm infants, this index should be adjusted for preterm neonates. Longitudinal growth charts are one of the most prominent methods used for monitoring of the growth patterns of infants
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Prognosis of small intestine Artesia, the most common agents causing intestinal obstruction in neonates, has improved in last decades. Some variable such as weight change, type of feeding, post operation oral feeding starting time, and adequacy of energy and protein intake can change patients clinical outcomes. We performed a retrospective study to evaluate all neonates with small intestinal Artesia who were admitted to pediatric intensive care unit [PICU], during 2002-2010 and followed-up their clinical outcomes over an 8-year period. We reviewed medical records of all patients with small intestinal atresia treated at Dr. Sheikh hospital in the between 2002 and 2010. Information of all patients were recorded, including demographic data, type and location of atresia, other problem or anomalies, being term or preterm, term of stay and length of hospitalization, weight change, type of feeding, post operation oral feeding starting time, and adequacy of energy and protein intake. 65 neonates presented with small intestinal atresia treated at Dr. Sheikh hospital during 2002-2010 entered our study. The age of neonates at admission time was median 3 days [1 day - 2 month]. The median weight at reception was 2.32 +/- 0.6 kg [ranged 0.75-3.85 kg]. The median of hospitalization period was 15 days. The mean amount of delivered calorie- protein and energy intake was significantly lower than the guidelines of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition [p<0.001]. We recommend full investigation of congenital anomalies and possible prevention of infections and its resultant sepsis in all infants with intestinal atresia, in order to reduce the risk of mortality in these infants
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Over a billion Muslims fast worldwide during Ramadan each year. This religious practice, contributes to their health as well as their spiritual growth. However, available evidence regarding the health benefits of Ramadan fasting is scarce and highly contentious. Although Islam exempts patients from fasting, many conceivably fast, and their clinical condition is prone to deteriorate due to persistent gap between current expert knowledge and conclusive strong evidence regarding the pathophysiologic and metabolic alterations of fasting. In this article, we summarize the results of initial studies regarding the effects of Ramadan fasting on some clinical conditions, alterations of body composition and clinically important outcomes of patients with previous history of cardiovascular disease, asthma or renal colic disease. Our studies have shed light on several outcomes in favor of Ramadan fasting, and encourage those afflicted to consult their physicians and follow medical and scientific recommendations. In this review we aimed to present relevant evidence, clarify future scope and provide suggestions for future investigations
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The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of Ramadan fasting on the level of sex hormones in girls between 9-13 years before age at menarche. This study was conducted on a sample of 58 subjects [age range: 9-13 years], who were divided into two groups of fasting [N=31] and non-fasting [N=27]. The levels of follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH], progesterone and estradiol were measured in all the subjects before and after Ramadan. Measurements were carried out three days before the start of Ramadan, and one day afterwards. In this study, FSH levels significantly increased in the non-fasting group [P=0.01], and the level of Dehydroepiandrostenedione [DHEA] had a significant decrease during the time of study in both groups [P=0.001, P=0.006]. In addition, serum levels of LH significantly increased in the non-fasting group after Ramadan [P=0.006], and estradiol significantly increased in both groups [P=0.008, P=0.004]. Given the similar changes in the levels of DHEA, progesterone and estradiol in both study groups, it could be concluded that fasting has no effects on these parameters, and the changes in LH and FSH levels could be due to other contributing factors
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Previous studies have indicated that Ramadan fasting has beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors, specially blood pressure and heart rate [1]. In the present study, the effect of Ramadan fasting on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate has been investigated. This prospective observational study was conducted on two groups of individuals. Six patients under hypertension treatment were allocated to the case group and 12 healthy individuals were selected as the control group. Twenty-four-hour blood pressure monitoring was carried out during four periods: prior to Ramadan, during the first ten days and the last ten days of Ramadan, and one month after it. All patients continued their medication, which was administered twice per day. Twenty-four-hour mean blood pressure, weight, body mass index [BMI], and waist circumference were compared among the groups. In the case group, there was a significant reduction in subjects' weight during the third period of the experiment; also, a significant improvement was observed in the heart rate during the second and third periods in the case group [P<0.05, t-test]. This study indicated a significant improvement in the subjects' heart rate over second and third periods of measurements; also, no high-risk variations in blood pressure or heart rate were observed among the subjects
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Advances in information technology and data collection methods have enabled high-speed collection and storage of huge amounts of data. Data mining can be used to derive laws fromlargedata volumes and their characteristics [1]. Similarly, fuzzy logic by facilitating the understanding of events is considered a suitable complement to scientific data mining. The present study used clustering to identify the independent characteristics of data. Related fuzzy sets, linguistic variables, and data classifications were defined, and the index was introduced based on the characteristics extracted from useful results. By considering the disease risk factors, the results were analyzed. Two factors contributing to the health improvement or deterioration were defined: 'age' and 'the appropriateness or inappropriateness between insulin level and blood sugar'. In addition, according to the results, fasting had a positive effect on fatty substances of the blood [cholesterol and triglycerides]. The results can help us determine whether or not an individual with a cardiovascular disease should fast in the month of Ramadan. However, due to variations in some features such as blood pressure throughout the day, there are uncertainties in some input data; therefore, the results could be far from reality. If it is possible to generate fuzzy data, then we can obtain more accurate results
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Ramadan is the holiest month in Islamic calendar and Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, and smoking from dawn to sunset, in which there are changes in quality of food and eating patterns. The purpose of this study was to know whether these changes provide nutritional needs, and supply all of necessary macronutrients for individuals in the month. A prospective observational study was performed during Ramadan of 1429 AH [September, 2008] in Mashhad, Iran. Among 335 subjects enrolled for the study, 266 subjects met inclusion criteria. We used a semi?quantitative 302?item food frequency questionnaire [FFQ] that was self?administered and assessed the subject's energy, macronutrient, and fiber intake over the previous three days. Dietary intake assessment was carried out one week before or after Ramadan and during the month. Data showed that the amount of energy intake and macronutrients increased significantly in women and men less than 35 years during Ramadan, and also we found a significant difference in protein intake between males and females less than 35 years old out of Ramadan time. This study revealed that there was a significant increase in intake of energy and macronutrients in men and women less than 35 years that was mainly due to high consumption of carbohydrate during this month. In this study there was no change in energy intake of participants over 35 years old
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Ramadan is the 9th Islamic lunar month during which Muslims avoid eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. The effect of Ramadan intermittent fasting on asthma control is controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Ramadan fasting on the spirometric variables and clinical symptoms on well-controlled asthmatic patients during Ramadan. A cohort study was conducted in Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi, Iran. Twenty-nine [19 females and 10 males] well-controlled asthmatic patients aged 47 [12] years completed the study. The average duration of fasting was 26.5 days. Assessment of spirometric variables [daily peak expiratory flow, peak expiratory flow variability, peak expiratory flow home monitoring] as well as asthma clinical symptoms including dyspnea, cough, wheezing, and chest tightness were carried out. No significant changes in clinical symptoms were reported in asthmatic patients at the end of Ramadan fasting. Among spirometric variables, only peak expiratory flow improved after Ramadan [p<0.05]. There was a reduction in the mean peak expiratory flow variability from 13% at the first week of fasting to 10% at the fourth week [p<0.05]. In well-controlled asthmatic patients, Ramadan fasting resulted in improvement in peak expiratory flow and peak expiratory flow variability
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Muslims fast from dawn to dusk during Ramadan. The effects of prolonged food deprivation on endocrine hormones have been studied in healthy adults but no previous study has investigated this effect on children. This study aimed to evaluate the feasible changes in serum level of thyroxin [T3], tetraiodothyronin [T4], thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] and body composition in pre-menarche girls. This cohort study was performed through Ramadan 2012. We enrolled fifty-eight 9-13 years old girls [weight 34.20 +/- 7.96 kg, height 142.01 +/- 7.76 cm] in two groups from [31 and 27 in fasted and non-fasted groups, respectively] prior to Ramadan until afterwards. Weight and height of the subjects were measured using standard methods, and then Body Mass Index [BMI] was calculated. Body composition was measured using Bio Impedance Analyzer [BIA] method. Serum concentrations of T3, T4 and TSH hormones were measured by Radio Immunoassay [RIA]. Paired t-test was used to compare result of each group before and after Ramadan. Independent t-test was used to compare two groups together. Tanner intervention variable was controlled by generalized linear models intervening test. SPSS.11 software was used for data analysis. Ramadan fasting induces a significant decrease in BMI and weight on fasted group [P=0.005, P=0.044, respectively] while a significant increase was observed in non-fasted group [P<0.001]. Although, T3 decreased significantly by fasting [P<0.001], it remained in the normal range. Hence, T4 decreased and TSH increased slightly in both groups. According to our findings, despite a significant reduction of T3 in fasting group, variation in thyroid hormones level remained in the normal range during Ramadan fasting
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Each year, over a billion Muslims fast worldwide during the month of Ramadan. Through this religious practice, not only will one have spiritual growth, but can improve his/her diet, which is of pivotal importance in this month. Conversely, the available evidence regarding the health benefits of Ramadan fasting is scarce and highly contentious. Although Islam exempts patients from fasting, many of them fast conceivably and their clinical condition is prone to deteriorate. This is due to the persistent gap between current expert knowledge and conclusive, strong evidence regarding the pathophysiologic and metabolic alterations by fasting, and the consensus that healthcare professionals should reach, in order to manage various patient groups during this month. In this review, we summarize the results of our initial studies regarding the effects of Ramadan fasting on some clinical conditions including alterations of body composition. We also go through the important clinical results of patients who have had previous history of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma and renal colic. Our studies have presented some evidence in favor of Ramadan fasting and encourage those with mentioned diseases to consult their physicians and follow medical and scientific recommendations. We attempt to present some relevant evidence clarify future scopes in this area of study, and provide suggestions for future investigations