Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) fruit syrup for gastroesophageal reflux disease in children: A double-blind randomized clinical trial.

This double-blind study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of a syrup made from Myrtus communis L. fruit on children with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Children aged 1-7 years old, diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), were randomly allocated to either intervention group (omeprazole and "myrtle fruit syrup") or control group (omeprazole and placebo syrup). GERD symptom questionnaire for young children (GSQ-YC) was filled out for each patient at zeroth and eighth week, and also 4 weeks after cessation of intervention. No statistically significant difference between two groups in terms of GERD score was reported neither in 8th nor in 12th week assessments. During the 4 weeks of the drug-free period, patients in myrtle group did not experience a large shift in GERD score, while patients in placebo syrup group experienced an increase of as much as 19.4. However, this difference was not statistically significant, although it could be significant clinically. For achieving more conclusive results, more studies are needed. The symptom "refusal to eat" in the intervention group was less than in placebo group after 8 weeks (p = .018) and at the end of the study (p = .042). So myrtle fruit syrup may be considered for children with low appetite.

The relation of maternal blood arsenic to anemia during pregnancy.

To clarify the relationship of prenatal arsenic exposure to hemoglobin concentrations and anemia during pregnancy, a longitudinal study was conducted of 364 participants during early pregnancy from October 2006 to March 2011 in Tehran, Iran. Maternal whole blood (taken between 8-12 and 20-24 weeks of gestation, and at delivery) and umbilical cord blood samples were collected for arsenic measurement. The mean concentration of maternal blood arsenic in the first trimester of pregnancy was significantly lower in anemic women compared with non-anemic participants (mean ± SD: 12.4 ± 3.4 versus 14.8 ± 4.0 µg/L, respectively, p < 0.001). Maternal whole blood arsenic levels in the first and third trimesters were significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with hemoglobin concentrations measured throughout gestation (r = 0.312, 0.424, and 0.183). Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that increased maternal blood arsenic levels in the first trimester were significantly negatively associated to anemia during pregnancy (OR = 0.85, CI: 0.77-0.94, p < 0.01). The present study showed that prenatal blood arsenic exposure was not a risk factor for the occurrence of anemia.

Prenatal blood lead levels and Birth Weight: a Meta-analysis study.

Purpose: Lead, a known toxic metal, causes several adverse reproductive effects, including low birth weight. Fortunately, the exposure level has sharply decreased during the recent decades, but a definitive safe level did not introduce for pregnant women yet. The current meta-analysis study aimed to conduct a quantitative estimation of maternal and umbilical cord blood lead effects on birth weight. Methods: Two researchers have independently searched the scientific literature for retrieving related studies using the PRISMA criteria for data extraction. Twenty-one full-text articles were selected from primary 5006 titles, limited by the English language and published between 1991 and 2020 on humans. Results: The pooled mean of maternal and umbilical cord blood lead levels were 6.85 µg/dL (95% CI: 3.36-10.34) and 5.41 µg/dL (95%CI: 3.43-7.40), respectively. The correlation coefficient analysis showed a significant inverse association between the mean maternal blood lead level and birth weight, which was confirmed by Fisher Z-Transformation analysis (-0.374, 95% CI: -0.382, -0.365, p < 0.01). In addition, a significantly lower birth weight (∆: 229 gr, p < 0.05) was found in the relatively high level of maternal blood lead than in low-level exposure (> 5 µg/dL vs. ≤ 5 µg/dL, respectively). Conclusion: In short, the present study findings suggest an increasing maternal blood lead levels could be a potential risk factor for reducing birth weight. Thus, pregnant women should avoid lead exposure, as much as possible. Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40201-022-00843-w.

The effect of oral probiotics on glycated haemoglobin levels in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus - a randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Proper control of blood glucose in children with type 1 diabetes has a direct effect on their metabolism and quality of life by reducing the risk of complications. The use of probiotics may have a beneficial effect on glucose levels. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral consumption of probiotics on glycosylated haemoglobin in children with type 1 diabetes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial, 52 children with type 1 diabetes were studied. We created 2 groups of 26 individuals each. The probiotic group received a daily probiotic capsule for 90 days, in addition to routine insulin therapy. The control group received only insulin therapy. Blood samples were taken to measure HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, and lipid profiles at the beginning and end of the trial. RESULTS: The study showed that HbA1c was high in both groups, but this increase was lower in the probiotic group than in the control group. This difference was not statistically significant. The mean level of fasting plasma glucose in the probiotic group was significantly reduced compared to the control group (p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of our study, consumption of oral probiotics has no significant effect on HbA1c levels in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Evaluation of the risk of malnutrition in hospitalized children by PYMS, STAMP, and STRONGkids tools and comparison with their anthropometric indices: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is a determining factor of pediatric mortality and morbidity, especially in low and middle-income countries. Hospitalized children are at a higher risk of malnutrition. Several malnutrition screening tools have been used, among which STAMP, PYMS, and STRONGkids are valid tools with high sensitivity and specificity. The aim of this study was to compare these screening tools to find the best ones in identifying the risk of malnutrition in hospitalized children. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study performed on hospitalized children aged 1 to 16 years. The questionnaires of PYMS, STAMP, STRONGkids malnutrition risk assessment tools were filled. The weight for height and BMI for age Z-scores were calculated. The data were analyzed by SPSS. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive values of the risk scores based on weight for height and BMI for age Z-scores were calculated. RESULTS: Ninety-three patients with a mean age of 5.53 ± 3.9 years were included. The frequency of malnutrition was reported as 26% and 39% according to weight for height and BMI for age Z-scores, respectively. A significant relationship was found between PYMS and Weight for height Z-score (P-value < 0.001), and BMI for age Z-score (P-value < 0.001). Moreover, STRONGkids was found to be associated with weight for height Z-score (P-value: 0.017). CONCLUSION: The PYMS is a practical and beneficial tool in early identifying the risk of severe malnutrition in hospitalized patients. It is a suitable method for patients in our settings.

Blood lead at currently acceptable levels may cause preterm labour.

OBJECTIVES: Although occupational and environmental exposures to lead have been dramatically reduced in recent decades, adverse pregnancy outcomes have been observed at 'acceptable' levels of blood lead concentrations (≤ 10 µg/dl). METHODOLOGY: Blood samples were collected from 348 singleton pregnant women, aged 16-35 years, during the first trimester of pregnancy (8-12 weeks) for lead measurement by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Subjects were followed up and divided into two groups (preterm and full-term deliveries) according to duration of gestation. RESULTS: The average (range) and geometric means of blood lead levels were 3.8 (1.0-20.5) and 3.5 µg/dl, respectively. Blood lead level was significantly (p<0.05) higher in mothers who delivered preterm babies than in those who delivered full-term babies (mean±SD: 4.46±1.86 and 3.43±1.22 µg/dl, respectively). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that a 1 unit increase in blood lead levels led to an increased risk of preterm birth (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.84). CONCLUSION: Adverse pregnancy outcomes may occur at blood lead concentrations below the current acceptable level.

Environmental carbon monoxide related to pregnancy hypertension.

Carbon monoxide pollution frequently occurs due to auto exhaust, industrial emissions, and/or cigarette smoke. Exogenous and endogenous carbon monoxide affects blood pressure; however, the relation of carbon monoxide exposure to pregnancy hypertension has not been systematically examined. For the present study the authors recruited a total of 2,707 apparently healthy, non-obese, non-smoking mothers, aged between 15 and 40 years, who had singleton births, and who lived within two miles of the selected air monitoring stations in Tehran, Iran, to study the relation of ambient carbon monoxide to pregnancy hypertension (>140 mmHg systolic and/or >90 mmHg diastolic after the 20th week of gestation). A relatively small but statistically significant elevation in mean postpartum diastolic blood pressure (mean ± SD, 69.5 ± 9.8 mmHg) was observed in the mothers' who were exposed to relatively high ambient carbon monoxide (mean = 14.1 ppm) compared to mothers exposed to lower carbon monoxide (mean = 1.8 ppm) concentrations (mean ± SD, 68.0 ± 8.3 mmHg, p < 0.01). The authors found twice the rate of pregnancy hypertension in the relatively higher carbon monoxide exposed mothers than the mothers with lower exposure (adjusted odds ratio = 2.02, 95% CI 1.35-3.03). Findings of the present study suggest that high level ambient carbon monoxide exposure is associated with pregnancy hypertension.

Status of occupational health and safety in Iran.

In recent decades, Iran has had a steadily growing economy with an annual rate of 6% on average. The country's economy is dominantly influenced by oil and natural gas production and related industries like petrochemicals and fertilizers. There are two million job units and sixteen million employees. The occupational health and safety (OHS) system is mainly regulated by two bodies: the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, responsible for occupational health services and legislations; and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, which undertakes the enactment and enforcement of occupational safety legal issues. Inspectorates in each ministry carry out regular health and safety monitoring according to the OHS legislations. The most common occupational health disorders are musculoskeletal problems, respiratory diseases, noise induced hearing loss, and occupational injuries. Because the OHS is a complex system with overlapping responsibilities among the co-responders, its improvement needs well-organized collaboration among Iranian universities, industries, and governmental agencies, and reliable basic data. The present study takes a glance at the situation and activities of the Iranian OHS system.

Prenatal blood levels of some toxic metals and the risk of spontaneous abortion.

High-level toxic metal exposure has become rare in the recent years. Although, it has not known whether relatively lower exposure may adversely affect human reproductive system. Spontaneous abortion (SA) is a serious reproductive problem, which, in many cases, the cause(s) is not clearly understood. To assess the relationship between prenatal blood level of metals and SA risk, we compared blood concentration of some heavy metals in samples taken from mothers recruited in Tehran Environment and Neurodevelopmental Defects (TEND) study conducted on apparently healthy pregnant women in Tehran, Iran who subsequently experienced spontaneous abortion with mothers who their pregnancy ended to live births. During early gestation, 206 women were enrolled to the survey and followed up till fetal abortion or baby deliveries occur. Blood metal concentrations were measured using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. The mean blood levels of lead, antimony, and nickel were higher in SA than ongoing pregnancy; however, this difference was not statistically significant. When adjusted for covariates, the logistic regression analysis showed significant association between maternal age and the risk of SA in all models. Among toxic metals only antimony had a noticeable positive relation with the risk of SA (OR: 1.65, 95% CI:1.08-2.52, P value: 0.02). Pearson's correlation coefficient showed significant (P < 0.05) positive correlations among prenatal blood metals levels, except for nickel. Although the present study failed to provide strong evidence for the effects of toxic metals on the occurrence of SA at the relatively low-levels, these metals should be avoided in women who plan pregnancy and/or during the early stages of gestation to prevent the chance of adverse effects.

Early pregnancy blood lead and spontaneous abortion.

Although evidence tends to suggest that high levels of lead exposure increase the risk of spontaneous abortion, we do not yet know whether moderate- to low-level exposure elevates risk. Among 351 women (aged 16 to 35 years, with single pregnancies) who were registered for a longitudinal study, 15 (4.3%) women experienced spontaneous abortion after the 12th week of gestation and before the 20th week. We collected participants' blood samples during the first trimester of pregnancy (8-12 weeks) for lead measurement by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Mean ± standard deviation of blood lead was 3.8 ± 2.0 µg/dl (range 1.0-20.5 µg/dl) with a geometric mean of 3.5 µg/dl. Mean blood lead concentrations did not differ significantly between spontaneous abortion cases and ongoing pregnancies (3.51 ± 1.42 and 3.83 ± 1.99 µg/dl, respectively). The findings suggest that in apparently healthy women, low blood lead levels (mean < 5 µg/dl) measured in early pregnancy may not be a risk factor for spontaneous abortion.

Hair Metal Levels and Childhood Weight Gain.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to toxic metals remains a public health problem with lifelong impacts on childhood growth and development. We aimed to investigate metals effects on preschool children's anthropometric variables. METHODS: The study was conducted in Tehran, Iran, from Jul 2013 to Mar 2016. We measured scalp hair metal concentrations (lead, cadmium, arsenic, zinc, manganese, and cobalt), using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, in 207 preschool children's (36 to 72 months old). RESULTS: A significant negative correlation between children's hair lead levels and children's weight was found (r= -0.178, P<0.05). Linear regression analysis confirmed the relationship when adjusted for the confounders, including children's age, sex, height, family income, and maternal education (ß= -0.191; t= -3.426, P< 0.01). The ANOVA analysis showed a significant (P<0.01) difference between hair lead level and children's weight-for-age percentiles. Totally and separately, in almost all weight percentiles, hair lead levels were higher in girls than boys. CONCLUSION: The present study on Iranian children showed the current levels of lead exposure might negatively influence on children growth, with higher risk for girls than boys.

Tehran environmental and neurodevelopmental disorders (TEND) cohort study: Phase I, feasibility assessment.

PURPOSE: To advance knowledge about childhood neurodevelopmental disorders and study their environmental determinants, we conducted a study in Tehran, Iran to assess the feasibility of prospective birth cohort study. METHODS: We evaluated participation of pregnant women, feasibility of sampling biological material, and health care services availability in Tehran in four steps: (1) first trimester of pregnancy; (2) third trimester of pregnancy; (3) at delivery; and (4) two to three months after delivery. We collected related data through questionnaires, also various biological samples were obtained from mothers (blood, urine, milk and nails-hands and feet) and newborns (umbilical cord blood, meconium, and urine samples) from February 2016 to October 2017. RESULTS: overall 838 eligible pregnant women were approached. The participation rate was 206(25%) in our study and about 185(90%) of subjects were recruited in hospitals. Out of 206 participants in the first trimester, blood, urine, hand nail, and foot nail samples were collected from 206(100%),193(93%), 205(99%), and 205(99%), respectively. These values dropped to 65(54%), 83(69%), 84(70%), and 84(70%) for the remaining participants 120(58%) in the third trimester, respectively. Also, we gathered milk samples from 125(60%) of mothers at two to three months after delivery. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that hospitals were better places for recruitment of subjects in a birth cohort in Tehran. We further concluded that birth cohort study recruitment can be improved by choosing appropriate gestational ages. Obtaining the newborn's urine, meconium, and umbilical cord blood were challenging procedures and require good collaboration between hospital staff and researchers.

Blood manganese concentrations and intrauterine growth restriction.

To assess the relationship between blood concentrations of manganese (Mn) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), Mn levels in the umbilical cord blood (UCB) and the mother whole blood (MWB) samples were measured in apparently healthy mothers and their newborns. Measurement was conducted by an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Manganese concentrations in MWB were significantly lower (p<0.01) in IUGR cases than in appropriate for gestational age (AGA) cases (mean+/-S.D.; 16.7+/-4.8 and 19.1+/-5.9 microg/l, respectively). Conversely, UCB concentrations of Mn were significantly higher (p<0.05) in IUGR newborns than AGA newborns (44.7+/-19.1 and 38.2+/-13.1 microg/l, respectively). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated significant relationships of the mother whole blood and the umbilical cord blood concentrations of Mn in IUGR cases (OR=0.868, 1.044, respectively). The study suggests that manganese concentrations in MWB and UCB might induce different effects on birth weight in healthy mothers. Because intrauterine growth restriction is a multi-factorial problem, further epidemiological and clinical studies on larger numbers of subjects are needed to confirm the findings in the present study.

[Effects of Trace Environmental Chemicals on Child Health-Lead as an Example].

The low birthrate and aging population of Japan are entering a serious phase. As measures against the declining birthrate, improvement of the environment is promoted to support childbirth and child-rearing, but even if the birthrate increases in the future, it will take time before the effect is observed as an increase in the population. As the number of children and young people is decreasing, in order to maintain a wealthy and sustainable society, we should create an environment wherein each child can grow healthily and demonstrate sufficient abilities in participating in society. The authors have been studying the influence of exposure to environmental chemical substances on the development of children. Lead is especially considered to impair neurological development even at low concentrations of exposure. In this paper, using lead as an example, we discuss risk assessment and countermeasures for the health effects of trace chemical substances on a society with a declining birthrate. Substances that show neurotoxicity increase social costs even at low concentrations of exposure. To preserve and promote social vitality in Japan despite the declining birthrate and aging population, it is essential that measures are taken on the basis of scientifically reasonable cost/benefit assessment. For this purpose, we think that it is necessary to analyze costs and benefits in addition to the risk assessment of low concentrations of chemical substances.

Prenatal mercury exposure and birth weight.

Adverse effects of prenatal mercury exposure on pregnancy outcomes remain a public health concern. We assessed the relationship between prenatal mercury exposure and newborn anthropometric characteristics in 334 mother-child pairs from the early stages of pregnancy to delivery in Tokyo, Japan, between December 2010 and October 2012. We found a negative correlation between blood mercury levels during the first and second trimesters of gestation and birth weight (r = -0.134 and -0.119, respectively; p < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis confirmed the relationship between first-trimester maternal blood mercury levels and birth weight when adjusted for independent variables (ß = -0.170, t = -2.762; p = 0.006). Mean mercury levels in umbilical cord blood were twice as high as maternal blood levels (10.15 ±â€¯7.74 and 4.97 ±â€¯3.25 µg/L, respectively; r = 0.974, p < 0.001). Our findings suggest that pregnant women and women of reproductive age should avoid mercury exposure, even at low levels, because of its potentially adverse effects on fetal development.

Effects of Hair Metals on Body Weight in Iranian Children Aged 20 to 36 Months.

BACKGROUND: Although the level of exposure to many toxic metals decreased recently, the adverse effects of these metals on children's growth and development remain a serious public health issue. METHODS: The present study was conducted in three teaching hospitals affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences (Tehran, Iran) from Sep 2012 to Mar 2013. To study the relationship between metals and childhood growth, concentrations of zinc and several potentially toxic metals (lead, cadmium, antimony, cobalt, and molybdenum) were measured in scalp hair for 174 children, aged 20 to 36 months. RESULTS: The hair concentrations of cobalt were significantly (P<0.05) higher in children at the lower percentile of weight than in higher-weight children (0.026 ± 0.04 vs. 0.015 ± 0.01 µg/g, respectively). Hair contents of lead, cobalt, and antimony were significantly higher (P<0.05) in girls than in boys (8.08 ± 8.7 vs. 4.92 ± 5.6 µg/g for lead, 0.026 ± 0.03 vs. 0.16 ± 0.02 µg/g for cobalt, and 0.188 ± 0.29 vs. 0.102 ± 0.12 µg/g for antimony). There were also significant correlations between lead and other metals in the children's hair. CONCLUSION: Gender may play a significant role in absorption and/or accumulation of metals. It should be considered when we study metal toxicity in children.

Increased prenatal blood manganese may induce gestational blood pressure.

OBJECTIVE: Pregnancy hypertension is the most common gestational complication and poses a critical risk for mother and fetus. Whether environmental factors may play an important role in disease occurrence is not fully determined. METHODS: To investigate the effects of prenatal manganese (Mn) exposure on gestational blood pressure, 386 women were examined. RESULTS: Early pregnancy blood Mn was significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with blood pressure through gestation. A significant association between odds of pre-hypertension with blood Mn was shown (OR:1.150, 95% CI:1.052-1.258). CONCLUSION: The current study results might suggest the blood Mn level during early stage of pregnancy as a potential risk factor for increasing the risk of gestational blood pressure.

Relationship between maternal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) elevation during pregnancy and low birth weight: a longitudinal study of apparently healthy urban Japanese women at very low risk.

OBJECTIVE: Thyroid hormones cross the placenta and promote fetal development and growth. The present study investigated whether an increase in maternal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration between the first and third trimesters is a determinant of birth weight during normal pregnancy. METHODS: Maternal thyroid hormones and TSH were longitudinally measured at 12, 25, and 36weeks of pregnancy in 163 healthy pregnant women. Low birth weight (LBW) was defined as less than 2500g. ∆TSH12-36W was calculated as the difference in TSH concentrations between 12 and 36weeks of pregnancy. RESULTS: Of the 163 neonates, 10 (6.1%) were LBW neonates. Free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine levels were similar at all gestational ages in the normal birth weight (Normal) and LBW groups. However, the median ∆TSH12-36W value was higher in the LBW than the Normal group (1.67 vs. 0.54mIU/L, P=0.008). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that ∆TSH12-36 was inversely correlated with birth weight (ß=-0.179, P=0.008). CONCLUSION: An increase in maternal TSH concentration between the first and third trimesters is an independent determinant of birth weight in normal pregnancy.

Relationship between increased blood lead and pregnancy hypertension in women without occupational lead exposure in Tehran, Iran.

This study was conducted to assess the relationship between blood lead levels and pregnancy-induced hypertension. Participants were 110 pregnant women, of whom 55 were hypertensive, 27 +/- 5.6 yr of age (mean +/- standard deviation) (range = 17-40 yr); the other 55 women were age- and gravidity-matched normotensive controls. Participants were selected on the basis of their medical history and the results of a questionnaire-based interview. Subjects were at gestational ages 37 +/- 2.5 wk (range = 30-41 wk) and were not occupationally exposed to lead. Blood samples were collected within 24 hr after delivery, and blood lead levels were measured. For the hypertensive cases, blood lead levels were 5.7 +/- 2 microg/dl (range = 2.2-12.6 microg/dl [0.27 +/- 0.10 micromol/l; range = 0.11-0.60 micromol/l]), which were significantly higher than those of the control group (i.e., 4.8 +/- 1.9 microg/dl; range = 1.9-10.6 microg/dl [0.23 +/- 0.09 micromol/l; range = 0.09-0.51 micromol/l]). There were no significant differences in blood lead concentrations among hypertensive subjects with proteinuria (n = 30) and those without proteinuria (n = 25). Results of this study indicated that low-level lead exposure may be a risk factor for pregnancy hypertension.