The relationship between growth indices at birth and developmental status in infants aged 6 to 18 months

Background: Developmental and behavioral disorders are the most prevalent problems in children after infection and trauma. Growth and development are influenced by genetic, social and environmental factors that incept of the early life of the fetal and neonatal periods. Due to the importance of the development in children, this study was conducted to determine the relationship between growth indices at birth and developmental status in infancy. Methods: This case-control study investigated 6 to 18 months old infants, who referred to comprehensive health centers affiliated to Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Iran, from August to December 2017. The sample size in this study was 200 infants and the participants were evaluated in two groups of 100 subjects (developmental delay and normal development). Anthropometric indices at birth were collected from healthcare records, and developmental status was measured using the ages and stages questionnaire (ASQ). The developmental status of the children was measured in five domains, i.e., motor (gross and fine motor skills), problem-solving, personal-social skills and communication. A significance level was considered statistically <0.05. Results: The mean age of the infants in the developmental delay group was 12.63&plusmn;1.72 months and the mean age of the infants in control group was 12.68&plusmn;1.69 months and 45.6% of children in the developmental delay group were female and 54.4% of children in the developmental delay group were male. The most prevalence developmental delay in case group was in the area of personal-social domain (26.9%) and the lowest prevalence developmental delay in the area of the gross motor (12.7%). No correlation was found between head circumference (P= 0.32) and height at birth (P= 0.11) and developmental status. However, there was a significant relationship between developmental delay in the area of the communication (P= 0.04) and gross motor (P= 0.02) with birth weight. Pearson correlation indicate a correlation between developmental delay in the area of the gross motor and birth weight (P= 0.01). Conclusion: It seems that birth weight was a factor that is associated with developmental delay. In this study low birth weight correlated with developmental delay in communication and gross motor aspects of ASQ

Mental health and primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review

Several factors including demographic, reproductive, lifestyle, psychological and social factors can affect incidence and severity of primary dysmenorrhea. This study aimed to systematically review the psychological risk factors associated with primary dysmenorrhea. Embase, ISI web of knowledge, ProQuest, Science Direct, Scopus and PubMed central were searched using keywords related to risk factors and primary dysmenorrhea. Observational studies, published in English after 2000, focusing solely on psychological factors affecting primary dysmenorrhea were included. The search process retrieved 11,928 potential related articles. Thirty three articles met inclusion criteria and were assessed for final synthesis. The STROBE checklist was used to quality assessment of studies. Results of study showed that few studies had investigated relationship between dysmenorrhea and most psychological disorders. Most studies have investigated the relationship between dysmenorrhea and depression, anxiety, stress, alcohol abuse and somatic disorders. So, further studies are needed to investigate relation between most psychological disorders with primary dysmenorrhea. Significant relationship between some mental health components such as depression, anxiety and stress with primary dysmenorrhea shows the importance of psychological assessment before the choice of therapeutic methods. Also, the feasibility of designing and evaluating the effectiveness of the use of psychotherapy interventions for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea as alternative therapies can be considered

Analysis of Biofilm-Related Genes and Antifungal Susceptibility Pattern of Vaginal Candida albicans and Non-Candida albicans Species

Background. Vulvovaginal candidiasis caused by Candida species is a prevalent fungal infection among women. It is believed that the pathogenesis of Candida species is linked with the production of biofilm which is considered a virulence factor for this organism. The aim of this study was molecular identification, antifungal susceptibility, biomass quantification of biofilm, and detection of virulence markers of Candida species. Methods. We investigated the molecular identification of 70 vaginal isolates of Candida species, antifungal resistance to amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole according to CLSI M27-A3 and M27-S4, biofilm formation, and frequency analysis of biofilm-related ALS1, ALS3, and HWP1 genes. Results. Our findings showed that the most common yeast isolated from vaginal discharge was C. albicans (67%), followed by the non-Candida albicans species (33%). All C. albicans complex isolates were confirmed as C. albicans by HWP-PCR, and all isolates of the C. glabrata complex were revealed to be C. glabrata sensu stricto using the multiplex PCR method. FLC resistance was observed in 23.4% of C. albicans and 7.7% of C. glabrata. The resistance rate to ITC was found in 10.6% of C. albicans. The frequency of ALS1, ALS3, and HWP1 genes among Candida species was 67.1%, 80%, and 81.4%, respectively. Biofilm formation was observed in 54.3% of Candida species, and the highest frequency detected as a virulence factor was for the ALS3 gene (97.3%) in biofilm-forming species. Discussion. Our results showed the importance of molecular epidemiology studies, investigating antifungal susceptibility profiles, and understanding the role of biofilm-related virulence markers in the pathogenesis of Candida strains

Analysis of Biofilm-Related Genes and Antifungal Susceptibility Pattern of Vaginal Candida albicans and Non-Candida albicans Species

Background. Vulvovaginal candidiasis caused by Candida species is a prevalent fungal infection among women. It is believed that the pathogenesis of Candida species is linked with the production of biofilm which is considered a virulence factor for this organism. The aim of this study was molecular identification, antifungal susceptibility, biomass quantification of biofilm, and detection of virulence markers of Candida species. Methods. We investigated the molecular identification of 70 vaginal isolates of Candida species, antifungal resistance to amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole according to CLSI M27- A3 and M27-S4, biofilm formation, and frequency analysis of biofilm-related ALS1, ALS3, and HWP1 genes. Results. Our findings showed that the most common yeast isolated from vaginal discharge was C. albicans (67%), followed by the non- Candida albicans species (33%). All C. albicans complex isolates were confirmed as C. albicans by HWP-PCR, and all isolates of the C. glabrata complex were revealed to be C. glabrata sensu stricto using the multiplex PCR method. FLC resistance was observed in 23.4% of C. albicans and 7.7% of C. glabrata. The resistance rate to ITC was found in 10.6% of C. albicans. The frequency of ALS1, ALS3, and HWP1 genes among Candida species was 67.1%, 80%, and 81.4%, respectively. Biofilm formation was observed in 54.3% of Candida species, and the highest frequency detected as a virulence factor was for the ALS3 gene (97.3%) in biofilm-forming species. Discussion. Our results showed the importance of molecular epidemiology studies, investigating antifungal susceptibility profiles, and understanding the role of biofilm-related virulence markers in the pathogenesis of Candida strains

Relationship Between Gender and Development Status in Children

Objective Developmental and behavioral problems are the most prevalent problem in pediatrics after infection and trauma. These problems can be affected by numerous factors. A range of factors is involved in behavior and development problems. Developmental problems have a massive impact on children&rsquo;s health and eventually have broader scale effect on society. Because of the necessity for more and different follow-ups in children with developmental disorders in the early years of lifetime, determination of effective factors is essential in any society. Therefore, the current study was conducted with a purpose to determine the relationship between gender and developmental status in children. Materials & Methods This is a descriptive design study, performed in 12-month-old children (n=250) who were referred to health services centers affiliated to Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in 2012. Sampling was performed using a multistage method. The data gathering tool included information form and Age and Stages Questionnaire for measuring developmental status. Once parental consent was obtained, the developmental status of the children was measured in five areas, i.e., motor (gross and fine motor skills), problem-solving, personal-social skills and communication. Age and Stages Questionnaire consists of 19 questionnaires at the age of 4-60 &ndash;month old with the aim of separating inactive children from further developmental studies of healthy children. Completion of the questionnaire takes 10 to 15 minutes, and it takes about one minute to score. The validity and reliability of the Age and Stages Questionnaire have been reported in various previous studies. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 18. In this study, statistical analyses were performed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Logistic regression model was used to determine the relationship between gender and developmental status. A P value of ˂0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The prevalence of developmental delay was 22.4 % (CI 95%: 17&ndash;28) in children and the highest prevalence was in the area of communication (8%; CI 95%: 5&ndash;11) and the lowest was in the area of problem-solving (2%; CI 95%; 0&ndash;4). 39 boys (69.6%) were in the group of developmental delay, and 102 boys (52.6%) were in normal developmental group. To check the status of development difference between groups were used chi-square test showed a significant difference between the two groups. Therefore, developmental delay is significantly higher in boys (P=0.02). By importing the variable studied in the logistic regression model, the male gender variable (P=0.055, OR=0.52) had a significant relationship with a developmental delay of children. Children with suspected developmental disorders in evolution children with normal development, chance of developmental delay in boys 0.52 times more than girls. The other variables (age, education, and occupation of parents, previous history of abortion, type of delivery, parity, spacing between births, weight and head circumference at birth and 12 months of age) did not show a significant relationship with developmental delay.&nbsp; Conclusion The leading causes of developmental disabilities remain unknown. It seems that gender is one of the causes of developmental delay. In this study, male gender was a factor that is associated with developmental delay. According to the incidence of developmental delay and its effect on society, it is essential that health professionals, with family, and community, monitor the development of children. Identifying the children at risk as soon as possible for diagnosis, earlier intervention, and reduced problems is essential in the future. Further studies are required to confirm the results

Assesse the Health literacy in Multiple Sclerosis patients

Background and objective: Health literacy is one of the major determinants of health and is one of the important factors in chronic diseases such as MS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Health Literacy Association with health behaviors and health care utilization. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study in which 100 patients with multiple sclerosis diseases selected by the convenience sampling in Qazvin hospital. Respondents completed the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine, revised (REALM-R) and the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) instrument. For statistical analysis, we used logistic and ordinal regression and Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. Results: Mean age of the subjects was 33/43&plusmn;8/53 years. On the NVS, 63% of respondents had a high likelihood of inadequate literacy and 26% had borderline health literacy and 11% had adequate health literacy. On the Realm-r, 7% had inadequate literacy and 93% had adequate health literacy, Using logistic regression the frequency of alcohol consumption and using cigarette (p<0/05) and level of education (p-value=0/045) were associated with higher odds of having inadequately health literacy as assessed by the Realm-r. There was a significant correlation between Realm-r health literacy (p value=0/007) and NVS (p-value=0/005) with visits to the emergency room (ER), and hospitalizations in the last 6 months. Conclusion: Based on the results of the current study it is necessary to pay more attention to the health literacy level of the affected people and promote it in health programs and health promotion. Paper Type: Research Article

Correlation between anemia during delivery and developmental delay

AbstractIntroduction:  Because of the necessity for more and different follow-ups in children with developmental disorders in the early years of lifetime, determination of effective factors during pregnancy is important in any society. This study was performed to reveal a correlation of anemia in mothers during childbirth with developmental status of 12-month infants.Materials and Methods:  This study was performed through designing descriptive correlation on 250 mothers and their 12-month infants who visited to health services centers affiliated to Qazvin University of Medical Sciences and Health-Treatment Services in 1390 in multistage sampling method. Data collection tool included informational forms, Ages and Stages Questionnaire, as well as infant anthropometric measurements were taken by the researcher with the meter and scale. Thereafter, the data was statistically analyzed with Software SPSS16 and Chi-square, Independent T, Mann-Whitney and Logistic regression tests.Results:  The results showed that the average age of mothers in developmental delay group was 28.39±5.17and in natural developmental group was 27.68±5.15. The most frequency of mothers had primary school education and homemaker. 66.7% out of all infants in anemic group and 55% in non-anemic group are boys. Prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia in the studied society was 12% and prevalence of developmental delay of children was 22.4%.Anemia had a significant correlation with developmental status of infants and its communicational domain (p&lt;0.05). In the logistics model, hemoglobin showed significant correlation withdevelopmental status of infants (p=0.02 and OR=0.31). Also the male gender had a value close to significance level (p=0.55 and OR=0.052). Other variables had no correlations. Conclusion:  There is probability that occurrence of infants’ developmental delay is as a result of anemia because iron is necessary for development of central nervous system.Keywords: Anemia, Ages and Stage Questionnaire, Developmental del