Maternal Serum Iron and Zinc Levels and Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes, a metabolic disturbance in pregnancy has many predisposing factors such as maternal age, history of gestational diabetes, familial history of diabetes, and obesity. There have been many studies performed all over the world to recognize more risk factors for gestational diabetes in order to better control it. Micronutrients such as iron and zinc status in the body are good examples in this regard. The studies have shown that despite the increased need for iron during pregnancy, if there is an iron overload in body, it may predispose the mother to gestational diabetes; but there has been no significant relationship observed between body zinc status and gestational diabetes occurrence. Thus, medical practitioners should consider checking the iron status of pregnant women before giving iron supplements to them

Sexual and reproductive health aspects in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: An integrative review

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women worldwide, affecting their sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Objective: This integrative review aimed to identify SRH aspects in women with PCOS by consolidating the findings from previous studies. Materials and Methods: The present integrative review was conducted through an electronic systematic review search of 1052 manuscripts published from April 2000 to March 2020 using PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Embase, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, Science Direct, Ovid, and the Cochrane Library. After at least 2 researchers evaluated the articles based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 27 papers were accepted. The data were analyzed by thematic analysis. Results: 9 main themes of SRH were obtained: 1) the impact of PCOS-related complications on reproductive health; 2) the lifelong effect of PCOS on reproductive patterns; 3) PCOS and adverse reproductive and pregnancy outcomes; 4) women’s need for understanding complications; 5) the financial burden of the disease; 6) women’s life experiences and quality of life; 7) sexual disorders; 8) psychological concerns and issues; and 9) femininity feelings and roles. Conclusion: We were able to identify and categorize various aspects of SRH needs for women with PCOS. These categories can facilitate a more comprehensive assessment of SRH, including previously neglected areas. We suggest that these aspects should be considered in the health plans of women with PCOS. Key words: Polycystic ovary syndrome, Reproductive health, Sexual health, Wome

How self efficacy impacts on young women' risky sexual behavior? A qualitative study

Introduction: Risky sexual behaviors are great threat for youth' physical and social health. Because of global epidemy of sexual transmitted disease, sexual self efficacy has an important role in the area of risky sexual behaviors and safe sex. This study was designed to "explore the role of young women' self efficacy on risky sexual behavior. Method: In this qualitative inquiry, we recruited 75 young women aged 18-35. Data was collected using focus group discussions (7) and individual interviews (12). We employed content analysis to analyze the data (Graneheim and Lundman's approach). We used multiple data collection methods, maximum variation sampling, and external check to enhance dependability and credibility of data. Results: The result of the present study was categorized into three subcategories:"inability to end relationship", "inability to have a proper decision", and "inability to reject sexual relation". Some participants who had sexual experience expressed that they did not able to say "no" in response to their sexual offer. Some others reported that they did not have appropriate performance regarding to selecting boy friend. Some participants stated that they did not able to end friendship when they did not tend to continue. Conclusion: The result shoed that participants do not have sufficient self efficacy to manage their cross sex interactions. Results of the present study can be useful to plan preventive strategies regarding to young girls' risky sexual behaviors. Keywords: young girls, risky sexual behaviors, self efficac

Relationships between Maternal Copper and Iron Serum Levels with Pregnancy Outcomes and Relationship between their Maternal and Cord Levels

Background & Aim: This study aimed to assess the relationships between iron and copper levels in maternal and cord serums together and with pregnancy outcomes. Methods & Materials: An Analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 370 pregnant women in labor and their neonates in Maryam, Akbarabadi and Imam hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Copper concentrations were measured using the standard atomic absorption spectrophotometer method and Iron concentrations were measured by a kit through RA 1000 method. Data were collected using a questionnaire and were analyzed using Spearman correlation, Chi- square and Logistic regression tests. Results: The mean copper concentrations in the maternal and cord bloods at delivery were 114.52±37.4, 22.4±11.6 (μg/dl), respectively. The Iron levels were 119.2±64, 164.3±65.3 (μg/dl), respectively. Of all the mothers, 54.3% had copper deficiency, 1.1% Iron deficiency and of all the newborns, 44.7% had copper deficiency and 3.5% Iron deficiency. The Spearman Correlation analysis showed significant positive correlations between concentrations of each element in maternal serum with cord serum and also between maternal iron with maternal copper, and maternal iron with cord copper. The Chi-square analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between maternal copper deficiency and gestational hypertension (P<0.001). There were no significant relationships between these trace element levels at delivery with premature rupture of membranes and preterm labor. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant negative relationship between maternal copper levels and gestational hypertension (odds: 0.98, 95%CI: 0.97-0.99). Conclusion: Maternal copper deficiency was rather high in the participants of the study (54.3%), and was related to incidence of gestational hypertension. These findings illustrated importance of trace elements during pregnancy. Providing suitable dietary recommendations and giving supplements during pregnancy can help to decrease maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity

The effect of omega 3 fatty acid supplementation on premenstrual syndrome and health-related quality of life: a randomized clinical trial

Introduction: Most reproductive aged women suffer from somatic and mental disorders prior to menstruation. This study investigated whether omega-3 supplement improved premenstrual symptoms and health-related quality of life among reproductive aged women. Methods: A multi-center, balanced (1:1), placebo-controlled, parallel-group randomized clinical trial was conducted in an urban academic institution. A sample consisting of 95 Iranian women aged 20–35 years who were suffering from premenstrual symptoms were randomly allocated into two groups. The treatment consisted of omega-3 supplement containing 1 g fish oil. Placebo was free of oil. The premenstrual symptoms’ screening tool and 12-item short form health survey questionnaire were used for data collection. Results: No statistically significant differences in the baseline characteristics of the groups were reported. Most premenstrual symptoms and their interference with daily activities were significantly reduced over the follow-up period. The mean score of overeating in the omega-3 supplement group and insomnia in the placebo group showed no difference between the groups. The longer use of omega-3 supplement provides improvement of premenstrual symptoms and activities. The mean scores of physical and mental components of quality of life were significantly improved in the omega-3 supplement and placebo groups. Discussion: The treatment of premenstrual symptoms using omega-3 supplement reduced symptoms and ameliorated women’s quality of life

Relationship between Maternal Hemoglobin Concentration in the Second Trimester of Pregnancy and Neonatal Anthropometric Indices

Introduction: Anthropometric measurements provide useful references for the care of newborns. This would ultimately lead to identifying at risk newborns and help better management. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between second trimester maternal hemoglobin values and neonatal anthropometric indices. Methods: A prospective study was performed on 150 pregnant females at 24 to 28 weeks of gestation, undergoing hemoglobin status test, in Tehran, during years 2013 to 2014. Hemoglobin concentrations in second trimesters and all anthropometric indices of the newborns (birth weight, length, and head circumference) were recorded. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, linear regression analysis and One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Data were analyzed with SPSS v21 and P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: No correlation was found between neonatal indices and second trimester hemoglobin concentrations. When the effect of independent factors on neonatal anthropometric indices was investigated, it was determined that birth week, parity and history of low birth weight were the factors of most influence (P < 0.05). The infants of females with hemoglobin higher than 13.6 g/dl on the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy had lower anthropometric indices, yet this was not significant. Conclusions: According to our study, there was no significant relationship between mother's hemoglobin concentration during the second trimester of pregnancy and neonatal anthropometric indices

The effect of mother and newborn early skin-to-skin contact on initiation of breastfeeding, newborn temperature and duration of third stage of labor

Abstract Background Mother and newborn skin-to-skin contact (SSC) after birth brings about numerous protective effects; however, it is an intervention that is underutilized in Iraq where a globally considerable rate of maternal and child death has been reported. The present study was conducted in order to assess the effects of SCC on initiation of breastfeeding, newborn temperature, and duration of the third stage of labor. Methods A quasi-experimental study was conducted on 108 healthy women and their neonates (56 in the intervention group who received SSC and 52 in the routine care group) at Hawler maternity teaching hospital of Erbil, Iraq from February to May, 2017. Data were collected via structured interviews and the LATCH scale to document breastfeeding sessions. Results The mean age of the mothers in the SSC and routine care groups were 26.29 ± 6.13 (M ± SD) and 26.02 ± 5.94 (M ± SD) respectively. Based on the LATCH scores, 48% of mothers who received SSC and 46% with routine care had successful breastfeeding. Newborns who received SSC initiated breastfeeding within 2.41 ± 1.38 (M ± SD) minutes after birth; however, newborns who received routine care started breastfeeding in 5.48 ± 5.7 (M ± SD) minutes. Duration of the third stage of labor in mothers who practiced SSC after birth was 6 ± 1.7 min, compared to 8.02 ± 3.6 min for mothers who were provided with routine care (p <  0.001). Moreover, the prevalence of hypothermia in the newborns who received SSC and routine care was 2 and 42% respectively. Results remained unchanged after using regression modelling to adjust for potential factors and background characteristics. Conclusion Skin-to-skin contact provides an appropriate and affordable yet high quality alternative to technology. It is easily implemented, even in small hospitals of very low-income countries, and has the potential to save newborns’ and mothers’ lives. It is necessary to prioritize training of health providers to implement essential newborn care including SSC. Community engagement is also needed to ensure that all women and their families understand the benefits of SSC and early initiation of breastfeeding. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03548389

Free androgen index (FAI)’s relations with oxidative stress and insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract This study aimed to determine the levels of the free androgen index (FAI) and its association with oxidative stress and insulin resistance (IR) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This cross-sectional study was performed on 160 women aged 18–45 years, visiting gynecology clinics of Urmia in northwestern Iran during 2020–2021 who were diagnosed with PCOS and exhibited one of the four phenotypes of PCOS. All the participants underwent clinical examinations, paraclinical tests, and ultrasounds. FAI cut-off point was considered to be 5%. The significance level was set at < 0.05. Among the 160 participants, the prevalence of the four phenotypes was as follows: phenotype A: 51.9%, phenotype B: 23.1%, phenotype C: 13.1%, and phenotype D: 11.9%. High FAI was detected in 30 participants (18.75%). Additionally, It was found that phenotype C had the highest FAI levels among the PCOS phenotypes, with a significant difference between phenotypes A and C (p value = 0.03). IR was observed in 119 (74.4%) of the participants, and the median (interquartile range: IQR) of malondialdehyde (MDA) levels among the participants was 0.64 (0.86) μM/L. In linear regression, the PCOS phenotype (standard beta = 0.198, p-value = 0.008), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels (standard beta = 0.213, p-value = 0.004), and MDA levels (standard beta = 0.266, p-value < 0.001) were significantly related to the FAI level, but the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was not statistically associated with FAI. Thus, in this study, PCOS phenotypes and MDA levels (an indicator of stress oxidative) were significantly related to FAI, but HOMA-IR (the indicator of IR) was not associated with it