Distal femoral epiphyses ossification center diameter and third trimester gestational age in Iranian population.

OBJECTIVE: The epiphyses ossification centers appear late in gestation, when traditional biometric measurements are the least accurate, and they can be useful in determining third trimesters gestational age. To evaluate fetal distal femoral epiphysis (DFE) size in various ages of gestation and establish a reference chart for Iranian population. MATERIALS & METHODS: DFE diameter was measured in 1300 normal singleton pregnancies, between 28 and 40 weeks. Mean diameter in each week of gestation was evaluated. RESULTS: The DFE is not visualized in 28 weeks' gestation. It appeared in a small proportion of the fetuses (5%) as early as the 29th week. DFE was detectable by ultrasonography increased dramatically to 56% at 33 weeks' reaching 94% at 36 weeks and 100% at 37 weeks gestation. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonographic visualization of the distal femoral epiphyses ossification center is a useful marker of fetal third trimesters gestational age.

Suicide epidemiology and characteristics among young Iranians at poison ward, Loghman-Hakim Hospital (1997-2007).

BACKGROUND: Suicide is a critical public health problem. In developing countries, the highest suicide rate is found in young adults with remarkable increasing rate. In this study, we have evaluated the epidemiology and characteristics of 8-16-year-old individuals who attempted suicideand were hospitalized in Loghman-Hakim Hospital, Tehran, Iran from 1997 to 2007. METHODS: A total of 6414 hospitalized patients, ages 8-16, who attempted suicide and were residents of Loghman-Hakim Hospital were investigated. We performed a retrospective chart review to study the characteristics of cases in a 10-year period by review of psychiatric and medical records. RESULTS: Out of 6414 patients, 22.6% were males, 5978 patients were 12-16 years old and the rest were aged 8-12 years. During the 10-year period, suicides showed a rising trend among adults, while in children no significant increase was detected. Communicative disorders were the most common underlying risk factors, particularly in females. One patient out of five cases had psychiatric disorders, of which adjustment disorders were the most predominant. A remarkable peak in suicides was observed in May and July, while winter had the highest suicide rate among seasons. CONCLUSIONS: Suicide due to drug overdose is higher in females than males in young population. This increasing trend is a psychiatric concern and should be resolved by improving mental and public health.

Swallowed opium packets: CT diagnosis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to report our experience in diagnosis of the opium body packers with CT scan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For 12 cases who confessed to opium packet ingestion, we did an abdominal and pelvic CT scan without contrast and evaluated the presence, number and location of opium packets and also measured the density of packets in Hounsfield unit (HU). RESULTS: Mean age of our cases was 28.2 +/- 5.9 years (ranging 17-35 years). Eleven (91.6%) patients were male and only one case was female. In all patients, the packets were visualized in gastrointestinal (GI) lumen by CT scan. The mean of minimum HU was 163.8 +/- 19.6 and its maximum was 205.3 +/- 32.8. We had mortality in an 18-year-old female due to opium overdose. CONCLUSION: CT scan could be a suitable imaging modality in identifying opium packets, similar to that reported for cocaine and heroin.