Prenatal exposure to ambient air pollution and risk of fetal overgrowth: Systematic review of cohort studies.

OBJECTIVES: Fetal overgrowth has detrimental effects on both the mother and the fetus. The global issue of ambient air pollution has been found to contribute to fetal overgrowth through various pathways. This study aimed to identify the association between prenatal exposure to ambient air pollution and the risk of fetal overgrowth. METHODS: We identified articles between January 2013 and February 2024 by searching the Web of Sciences(WoS), PubMed, Proquest, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle Ottawa scale. This review was provided based on the PRISMA guideline and registered with PROSPERO, "CRD42023488936". RESULTS: The search generated 1719 studies, of which 22 cohort studies were included involving 3,480,041 participants. Results on the effects of air pollutants on fetal overgrowth are inconsistent because they vary in population and geographic region. But in general, the results indicate that prenatal exposure to air pollutants, specifically PM2.5, NO2, and SO2, is linked to a higher likelihood of fetal overgrowth(macrosomia and large for gestational age). Nevertheless, the relationship between CO and O3 pollution and fetal overgrowth remains uncertain. Furthermore, PM10 has a limited effect on fetal overgrowth. It is essential to consider the time that reproductive-age women are exposed to air pollution. Exposure to air pollutants before conception and throughout pregnancy has a substantial impact on the fetus's vulnerability to overgrowth. CONCLUSIONS: Fetal overgrowth has implications for the health of both mother and fetus. fetal overgrowth can cause cardiovascular diseases, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other diseases in adulthood, so it is considered an important issue for the health of the future generation. Contrary to popular belief that air pollution leads to intrauterine growth restriction and low birth weight, this study highlights that one of the adverse consequences of air pollution is macrosomia or LGA during pregnancy. Therefore governments must focus on implementing initiatives that aim to reduce pregnant women's exposure to ambient air pollution to ensure the health of future generations.

Evaluation of the serum zinc level in patients with vitiligo.

INTRODUCTION: Vitiligo is an acquired, idiopathic disorder characterized by circumscribed depigmented macules and patches, which affects approximately 0.1-2% of the general population worldwide. Zinc is an essential trace element that is necessary for growth and development at all stages of life. Some studies have reported an association between serum zinc levels and vitiligo. AIM: To measure the serum zinc level in patients with vitiligo compared to healthy subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred patients with vitiligo and 100 healthy controls were referred to our clinic. The two groups were matched for age and sex. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used to measure serum zinc levels. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. RESULTS: The mean serum level of zinc in vitiligo patients and controls was 80.11 ±17.10 µg/dl and 96.10 ±16.16 µg/dl, respectively. The serum zinc level in patients with vitiligo was significantly lower than in healthy controls (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study revealed a significant association between vitiligo and serum zinc levels. A relative decrease in the serum zinc level in vitiligo patients can highlight the role of zinc in the pathogenesis of vitiligo, and large-scale studies need to be conducted to confirm these findings and assess the effect of oral zinc supplements in patients with low zinc levels.

Relationship between Helicobacter pylori and idiopathic chronic urticaria: effectiveness of Helicobacter pylori eradication.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic urticaria (CU) is defined as the presence of urticaria on most days of the week for a period of 6 weeks or longer. Some studies have reported an association between CU and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. AIM: To determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection using the stool antigen test in patients with idiopathic CU and to investigate the infected patients with CU following eradication of H. pylori. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred patients with idiopathic CU and 100 healthy controls were referred to our clinic between May 2012 and June 2013 and were tested for H. pylori antigen. The patients infected with H. pylori received quadruple therapy for 2 weeks. To assess eradication efficacy, a repeated H. pylori stool antigen test was performed in each patient 6 weeks after the end of anti-H. pylori therapy. The effectiveness of eradication therapy on CU was assessed 3 months after treatment. RESULTS: Thirty-six percent patients with idiopathic CU were infected with H. pylori while 23% of the controls were infected. Response to eradication therapy was evident in 33 (91.67%) patients in whom H. pylori was eradicated while 3 (8.33%) patients showed no response despite eradication of H. pylori. Clinical follow-up of 33 successfully treated patients 3 months later revealed complete remission of urticaria in 54.5%, partial remission in 18.2%, and no improvement in 27.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study suggest that H. pylori infection should be included in diagnostic workup of patients with no response to habitual treatment for CU or symptomatic gastrointestinal patients. For the diagnosis of H. pylori infection, one should consider the costs and accessibility of the population to the HpSA(®) stool antigen test and Urea breath test (UBT).