Effect of dexamethasone on frequency of respiratory distress syndrome among preterm newborns in Ahvaz Imam Khomeini Hospital

One of the most important disorders in preterm infants is lung immaturity which can lead to respiratory failure after birth. This condition is known as neonatal respiratory distress syndrome [RDS].The purpose of this study was to evaluate the RDS frequency in preterm neonates and the effect of antenatal dexamethasone in preventing this condition. This study was a retrospective random descriptive cross sectional clinical trial. Two hundred and thirty mothers who suffered from preterm labor and were admitted in Ahvaz Imam Khomeini hospital from 2006 to 2007 were included. Sixty nine mothers received 6 mg dexamethasone every 12 hours [maximum 4 doses] during pregnancy. Control group [166 cases], did not receive dexamethasone. The information, including the number of affected infants, and the effect of dexamethasone in the prevention of RDS were extracted from patients' files. xChi-square and Pierson Correlation Coefficient tests were used for data analysis. SPSS [17] was used for statistical analysis. Out of the 69 mothers who received dexamethasone, 21 [30.4%] newborns developed RDS, while 66 [41%] ones in the control group suffered from it [P= 0.012]. Dexamethasone is effective in the prevention of RDS in premature infants. Our study showed that the use of dexamethasone was beneficial in preventing this condition

[Mean duration of pregnancy in spontaneous deliveries in Ahwaz university affiliated hospital in 2007]

Accurate knowledge about gestational age is very important in taking decision for pregnancy management and termination. According to Naegele's rule the length of pregnancy is 280 days after LMP and according to studies performed in Harvard University, duration of pregnancy in nullipare and multipare women has been respectively 288 and 283 days and according to a study performed in Oxford University it is influenced by factors such as age, parity, some illnesses and personal habits. In this retrospective study, all laboring women admitted in Ahwaz Medical University Hospitals in 2007 including 689 nulliparas and 774 multiparas with true labor pain and reliable LMP were studied for pregnancy duration. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. Mean duration of pregnancy was 273.17, 274.31 and 273.77 days in nulliparas, multiparas and overall respectively. Parity has no significant association with pregnancy duration. According to the sonography below 26 weeks duration of pregnancy is calculated 270.07 days which had no significant relationship with LMP. According to this study parity has no effect on pregnancy duration. Mean pregnancy duration was shorter comapared to Naegele's rule and Harvard University studies

[Study on the efficacy of oral prednisolone therapy among hospitalized women with hyperemesis gravidarum in Ahvaz Jundishapur university's hospitals]

Hyperemesis gravidarum [HEG] is a debilitating illness affecting 0.3- 2% of pregnant women. It is characterized by continuous vomiting, dehydration, ketosis and muscle weakness. Conservative measures are not effective in severe cases. In these conditions, prednisolone therapy has been used, but yet there is no consensus on the therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of prednisolone therapy in control of symptoms in women with HEG. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on women with HEG who were admitted at Ahvaz University's hospitals from April 2006 to March 2008. Initially, they were divided in two [Prednisolone and placebo] groups. The prednisolone group was administered oral daily prednisolone [20 mg bid] until improved, and then tapered off over a few weeks, while the control group was given a placebo [multivitamin] with the same manner. All women also received promethazine, metoclopramide, intravenous fluids with electrolytes and vitamin supplements [B1, B6]. Finally, 54 women in two groups [steroid: 28, placebo: 26] were analyzed. The mean age in both groups at admission was about 22 years. The mean gestational age at randomization was 10.7 [ +/- 2.3] weeks in the prednisolone group and 8.4 [ +/- 1.7] weeks in the placebo group. Among prednisolone group only 10 [35.71%] women versus 15 [57.68%] women in the placebo group needed hospital cares for women more than one week [P= 0.18]. Severe vomiting was seen only in 4 [14%] patients in the prednisolone group compared with 12 [46%] in the placebo group [P=0.01]. Nineteen women [73%] in the placebo, compared with 12[50%] in the prednisolone group, were readmitted for hyperemesis [P=0.03]. After one week, ptyalism was seen in 6 [6/12] in the prednisolone group versus in one [1/4] in placebo group [P=0.59]. Prednisolone therapy is useful in resolution of symptoms in women with hyperemesis gravidarum. Further study with a larger size is recommended