The association of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and waist circumference in northern adults in Iran: A population based study

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) level and Waist Circumference (WC) in men and women among 25-65 years old people in the north of Iran.Material and methods: This was a cross-sectional and analytical research gender that carried out on the 1797 subjects (941 males and 856 females) between 25-65 years old using multistage cluster sampling technique. FBG was measured in the morning after a 12-hour fast and was determined by using laboratory kits (enzymatic methods) and spectrophotometry technique. Central obesity was defined based on World Health Organization criteria: waist circumference ≥102 cm and ≥88 cm in men and women, respectively. The SPSS.16 software was used for statistical analysis.Results: As whole, the mean of FBG in women (98.3 ± 40.1 mg/dl) was higher than in men (94.6 ± 32.2 mg/dl). Also, the mean of WC in men 4.5 cm was lower than in women. In men, the mean of FBG statistically differs between normal and central obese subjects both in 35-45 year-age group (P = 0.001) and in 45-55 year-age group (P = 0.042). As whole, in men, the FBG level increased up 2.82 mg/dl in each 10 cm of WC with the highest rate in 35-45 year-age group. In totally, in women, the FBG level increased up 3.48 mg/dl in each 10 cm of WC and in 25-35 year-age group and it was higher than in other age groups. In men, the regression coefficients were constant with age increasing while in women it was decreased. Constant trend in men and decreasing trend in women with age was shown between FBG and WC. The cut-off point of WC for detecting of diabetes obtained 89 cm and 107 cm in men and women, respectively.Conclusion: The positive correlation was seen between WC and FBG level and it was declined with age in women. Cut-off point for detecting of diabetes in men was less than in women. WC is useable as a predictor of type 2 diabetes mellitus risk among adults in the north of Iran. © 2014 Veghari et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

The Effect of Experience on Recognition of Mother’s Voice in Preterm Infants

Background: According to existing theories, supportive cares provided through specific kinds of stimuli affect the growth, development and neurobehavioral functioning of preterm infants. Some of the studies indicate that the fetal heart rate response to mother’s voice begins in the week 32 of pregnancy. However, the fact that whether preterm infant is able to recognize mother’s live voice from the voice of a stranger woman is unknown. Objectives: The present study aimed to compare the effects of mother’s voice and a stranger’s voice on the heart rate of preterm infants hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: In a clinical trial study, 66 preterm infants hospitalized in the NICU were randomly assigned into three groups of 22 (i.e. mother’s voice and stranger’s voice groups and a silent group). The infants’ heart rates were recorded by a monitoring system in all of the three groups each five minutes for 30 minutes overall (10 minutes before, during and after the intervention) in three consecutive days. Both one-way and repeated measures analysis of variance were used to analyze the data in terms of significant differences. Also, the chi-square test and analysis of variance were used to compare the demographic variables of the groups. Results: The heart rate of the infants in the mother’s voice group, stranger’s voice group and the silent group were 133.99 � 2.72, 134.26 � 2.43 and 137.94 � 2.92 per minutes, respectively (P > 0.588) and changed to 143.42 � 2.85, 133.22 � 2.15 and 138.28 � 2.21, respectively (P = 0.016). Moreover, the infants’ heart rates were respectively 136.87�3.38, 132.68�2.22 and 138.19�2.65 per minutes, 10 minutes after the intervention (P > 0.345). Conclusions: No significant difference was found between the mean heart rates of the three groups neither before, nor 10 minutes after the intervention. However, a significant difference was observed among the three groups during the intervention. Therefore, we can conclude that the preterm infants can recall and differentiate their mothers’ voice from the voice of a stranger. Then, an opportunity can be provided during the developmental care for the infants to hear their mothers’ voice

The Effect of Kangaroo Mother Care on Mental Health of Mothers with Premature Infants

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Mothers with premature infants experience high levels of psychological stress. Considering the importance of maternal mental health as a parent-child care provider, this study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Kangaroo Mother&amp;rsquo;s Care (KMC) of premature infant on mother&amp;rsquo;s mental health. METHODS: In this quasi-experimental study, 60 mothers with premature infants (less than 37 weeks pregnant) admitted to Ayatollah Rohani Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, were selected by non-random sampling method. They divided into two study groups marked as experimental group (n=30) and control group (n=30). Data were collected using the demographic questionnaire and General Health of Goldberg &amp; Hiller questionnaire. The 28-item questionnaire consisted of 4 sub-scales: physical symptoms, anxiety and sleep symptoms, social function, and depression symptoms. A score of over 22 indicates a symptom of the disease. In the intervention group, mothers spent at least 2 hours, 3 to 4 times a day for one week. The control group had the current process in the care. The questionnaire was completed at the beginning and one month after the admission of the newborn in both groups and the data were compared. FINDINGS: Finding showed that the overall mental health score in the intervention group before and after maternal care was (28.77±13.09) to (13.66±6.5) and in the control group (30.86±15.97) to (20.99±8.89) that this difference was significant (p<0.01). In relation to the scales in the intervention and control groups, respectively, the anxiety and sleep patterns (3.7±1.5 in contrast to 5.67±3.39), social function disorder (5.9±2.58 vs 7.21±2.2) Physical symptoms (2.13±1.88 vs. 5.2±3.31) had a significant difference between the two groups (p<0.05), but in the case of depressive symptoms (1.03±0.3) vs 2.7&amp;plusmn;2.31), this difference was not significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Regarding the results of this research, use of Kangaroo Mothers Care (KMC) for improve of premature infant on mother&amp;rsquo;s mental health is step for health family

Serum αFP Level in Cord Blood of Full Term Neonates Born in Babol City

BACKGROUNDANDOBJECTIVE: Serum alpha-fetoprotein (αFP) level is considered as a diagnostic marker is higher than normal in many congenital tumors such as germ cell, hepatoblastoma, as well as liver and metabolic diseases in neonates. Normal neonates also have a higher level of alpha-fetoprotein than others, so it is important to diagnose this interference. In valid sources, the normal serum alpha-fetoprotein level in infants is related to advanced countries, which may vary in our country. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein in the umbilical cord blood of term neonates born in Babol and to compare them in two genders. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 500 neonates (37-42 weeks) born in hospitals in Babol city where physical examination was normal. At birth, 5 ml of umbilical cord blood was taken and samples were sent to the lab for measurement of alpha-fetoprotein. Serum alpha-fetoprotein level was measured by ELISA method and was compared in two genders. FINDINGS: Mean serum a FP levels was 76.57±35.25 ng/ml (range 2.3-160) and it was significantly higher in males (80.54±36.95 vs. 73.69±33.73 ng/ml) which was statistically significant (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that the level of alpha-fetoprotein in neonates born in Babol is relatively high and also in males is more than females

The Mortality Rate in Children Aged 1-59 Months in Affiliated Healthcare Centers of Babol University of Medical Sciences Based on ICD10

Background and Objective: The mortality in children aged 1-59 months is one of the important indicators in assessing the general health status of a community. The death control system for children aged 1-59 months is used to record and review this indicator in Iran. This study was performed to investigate the mortality rate in children aged 1-59 months in affiliated healthcare centers of Babol University of Medical Sciences based on ICD10. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all cases of death in children aged 1-59 months registered in affiliated healthcare centers of Babol University of Medical Sciences in 2009-2020 were collected by referring to the reports recorded in the death control system for children aged 1-59 months. Then, information about the cause of death and the trends of mortality during the years 2009-2020 were reviewed. Findings: Out of a total of 303 cases of death in children aged 1-59 months, 179 cases (59.07%) were boys, the mean age of children was 13.08±15.12 months and with 175 cases (57.75%), the highest mortality rate was related to urban areas. The general trend of mortality was declining; from 41 cases in 2009 to 14 cases in 2020 (p≤0.001). Congenital and chromosomal abnormalities in 100 cases (34%), endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases in 56 cases (18.48%), nervous system diseases in 23 cases (7.59%) and cancers in 22 cases (7.26%) were respectively the most common causes of death. Conclusion: The results show a declining trend in the mortality of children aged 1-59 months

Association between time of neonatal discharge with mode of delivery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Early discharge requires the close follow-up of outpatients in the clinic or at home within 48 hours after discharge. Given the importance of follow-up after early discharge of infants and also lack of accurate statistics on the rate of early discharge in our country, this study aimed to determine the rate of early discharge of newborns in Babol-Clinic Hospital  from March 2013 to March 2014. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on all the neonates born in Babol Clinic Hospital in Mazandaran, Iran in 2013. Newborns were selected via census sampling. In addition, a questionnaire was used to collect the data on the length of hospital stay, mode of delivery, gender, birth weight, Apgar scores, gestational age, method of anesthesia, need for resuscitation, and maternal diseases for each infant. Early discharge and very early discharge were defined in newborns released before 48 and 24 hours after birth, respectively. Data analysis was performed in SPSS V.20 using T-test, Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, and Cox regression analysis, and P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. FINDINGS: In total, 2,562 infants born in Babol Clinic Hospital were enrolled in this study, 2,451 of whom (96%) were discharged before 48 hours, and 1,829 newborns (71.5%) were discharged before 24 hours after birth. In normal delivery method groups, 9 (4.25%) neonates routine discharged, 36 (16.98%) neonates early discharged and 167 (78.77%) neonates were very early discharged. Elective and emergency cesarean group, 68 (3.9%) neonates and 34 (5.62%) neonates normal discharge, 428 (24.53%) neonates and 158 (26.12%) neonates early discharged and 1 249 (71.58) neonates and 413(68.26%)  neonates were very early discharged respectively (p=0.02). 92% of deliveries were by Caesarean section and  8% were the normal vaginal delivery. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, almost all the neonates born in Babol Clinic Hospital had early or very early discharge, and only a few cases (4%) were hospitalized for more than 48 hours. Therefore implement of close follow-up or home visitis recommended