Possible role of TORCH agents in congenital malformations in Gorgan, northern Islamic Republic of Iran

This descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out to explore the frequency of contamination with TORCH agents in neonates with congenital malformations in a referral centre in Gorgan city, Islamic Republic of Iran. Blood samples were taken from 64 neonates and their mothers over a 20-month period in 2003-04. Serologic tests showed that 4/64 infants born with congenital malformations [6%] had positive IgM antibody titres for Toxoplasma gondii [2 cases], rubella virus [1 case] and cytomegalovirus [1 case]. IgM was positive in 9/63 mothers [14%], also for T. gondii [3 cases], rubella virus [3 cases] and cytomegalovirus [3 cases]. No cases of herpes simplex virus type II or Treponema pallidum were found

Facial cleft and associated anomalies: incidence among infants at a Jordanian medical centre

To estimate incidence of cleft lip and cleft palate among Jordanian infants and to identify associated anomalies, we carried out a prospective, hospital-based study over a 5-year period, January 2000-January 2005. The total number of liveborn infants was 25 440, 60 of whom [2.4/1000] had facial clefts: 20 [33%] with cleft lip, 15 [25%] with cleft palate and 25 [42%] with both. Congenital heart disease was the commonest associated anomaly [47%] identified, followed by skeletal abnormalities [13%]. Renal anomalies were found in 10% of cases. The high prevalence of congenital heart disease may justify routine echocardiography screening. The high consanguineous marriage rate may be a contributing factor to the high incidence of cleft anomalies