BackgroundCaregivers have a considerable role in caring and recovery of cancer patients. They may experience psychological problems such as depression, anxiety and decreases in quality of life (QOL). Present study aimed to explore depression and quality of life and their relationship among care givers of patients with breast cancer .MethodsIn this cross sectional study, enrolled 63 care givers of women with breast cancer attending IMKH hospital in Iran as outpatients during 2009–2010. In order to assess the QOL and depression, we used Caregiver QOL Index-Cancer (CQOL-C) and Beck Depression Inventory respectively.ResultsWe found depression has strong negative correlation with QOL and participants with depression were more likely to have a poorer overall QOL.ConclusionsDepression has some effects on QOL of breast cancer patients’ care givers. Assistance and giving information through education and intervention from healthcare professionals is the key of improve the ability of caregivers to enhance their QOL.

The aim of this study was to provide the first report of incidence of leptospirosis and to determine the epidemiology of this zoonotic disease in Mazandaran Province, North of Iran. In the period of one year, from April 2007 to April 2008, forty seven confirmed reports of human cases of leptospirosis was received by Mazandaran Health Centre from local hospitals and leptospirosis laboratory. The annual incidence rate for the total population was 1.6 per 100,000 person-year. The majority of cases were males (84.1%). The maximum number of cases was seen to occur between 40 and 59 years of age. Seasonal outbreak of leptospirosis was seen in summer (70.3%). Farmers (57.4%) more frequently affected by disease than other occupations. In conclusion, it is necessary for medical practitioner to pay attention to leptospirosis in farmers during summer season.

Background:Undiagnosed hearing loss can cause disorders in speech and language and delay in social and emotional development.Aim:This study aimed to screen for hearing loss in all newborns born in Babol city during 2009-2011.Subjects and Methods:Fifteen thousand one hundred and sixty-five newborns (49% [7430/15165] male and 51% [7735/15165] female) born during a 30-month period in Babol, underwent hearing screening by the otoacoustic emission (OAE) test at the age of 15 days. In infants referred at this stage, an auditory brainstem response (ABR) test was the next investigation. Data analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software Version 16 (Chicago, IL, USA, 16) through descriptive statistic method.Results:In the first screening stage, 10.8% (1648/15165) cases were referred to the second stage for further investigation. 9.4% (154/1648) were lost to follow-up from among the referred cases despite continuous contact and education about the importance of the problem. Among the participants in the second stage, 6.2% (92/1494) were referred to the third stage and underwent ABR and OAE testing. 14.1% (13/92) were lost at this stage. Of the remaining participants, 34.2% (27/79) were diagnosed with a hearing loss. Therefore, the incidence of hearing loss in this study was 1.8/1,000 newborns.Conclusion:Given the prevalence of hearing loss in this study, implementation of a universal newborn hearing screening program is recommended.

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Background and objectives Allergic diseases are among major pediatric issues as they are highly prevalent and chronic. Therefore, identification of factors contributing to allergic disease could play a significant role in prevention of these conditions. This study aimed at investigating the IgE level in newborn’s umbilical cord blood and its relationship with some maternal factors. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 101 mothers and their newborns in Babol, Iran 2016. The samples were selected using non-probability convenience sampling. Information including newborn sex, gravidity, history of allergy before and during pregnancy (asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, hives, food allergy, and drug allergy), family history of allergy among mothers, history of exposure to secondhand smoke and pets, and delivery techniques was recorded. The IgE levels in newborn umbilical cord blood and maternal serum were measured using an IgE kit and ELISA technique. Results The newborns included 53 females (52.5%) and 29 mothers had vaginal birth (28.7%). History of exposure to secondhand smoke was found in 15 samples (14.9%), and 18 participants reported exposure to pets (17.8%). The median IgE levels in newborns and their mothers were 0.41 and 98.6, respectively. In general, IgE level in all newborns was within the normal range, but, it was higher than normal in 15 mothers (14.9%). The IgE level was significantly higher in male newborns than that of the female newborns (p = 0.011). There were no significant differences in the IgE levels of mothers and their newborns on the basis of delivery technique and history of exposure to pets (p > 0.05). Conclusion In this study, the IgE level in all newborns was within the normal range, and sex was found to be an effective factor in IgE levels.

Background:Management of hyperbilirubinemia remains a challenge for neonatal medicine because of the risk of neurological complications related to the toxicity of severe hyperbilirubinemia.Objectives:The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of cord blood alkaline phosphatase level for predicting neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.Patients and Methods:Between October and December 2013 a total of 102 healthy term infants born to healthy mothers were studied. Cord blood samples were collected for measurement of alkaline Phosphatase levels immediately after birth. Neonates were followed-up for the emergence of jaundice. Newborns with clinical jaundice were recalled and serum bilirubin levels measured. Appropriate treatment based on serum bilirubin level was performed. Alkaline phosphatase levels between the non-jaundiced and jaundiced treated neonates were compared.Results:The incidence of severe jaundice that required treatment among followed-up neonates was 9.8%. The mean alkaline phosphatase level was 309.09 ± 82.51 IU/L in the non-jaundiced group and 367.80 ± 73.82 IU/L in the severely jaundiced group (P = 0.040). The cutoff value of 314 IU/L was associated with sensitivity 80% and specificity 63% for predicting neonatal hyperbilirubinemia requiring treatment.Conclusions:The cord blood alkaline phosphatase level can be used as a predictor of severe neonatal jaundice.

BackgroundModest cognitive impairment has been reported in adults with diabetes. Therefore, we aimed to compare memory impairments among two groups of patients with diabetes with different disease durations.This study included 120 patients treated at the diabetes clinic at Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ardebil, Iran, over 14 months (2009–2010). The patients were divided into two groups according to their disease duration as >5 years or <1 year (recently diagnosed). The two groups were approximately matched in terms of age and education. Memory impairments were examined using the Wechsler Memory Scale. Data are presented descriptively, and were compared between groups using multivariate analysis of variance.FindingOverall, there were no significant differences in total scores or individual subscales between the two groups. However, 59% of all patients had below-average scores on the Wechsler memory questionnaire.ConclusionBoth groups reported below-average scores on the Wechsler Memory Scale that were independent of disease duration. The present study agreed with the results of other studies showing impaired memory among patients with diabetes. The current findings require further investigation in longitudinal studies.

Background: The exact etiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has not yet been understood. Objectives:The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of hospitalization at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) independent of other variables such as preterm birth and low birth weight on the incidence of ADHD.