Jamileh Malakouti; Azizeh Farshbaf Khalili; Atefeh Kamrani
Volume 19, Issue 6 , June 2017, , Pages 1-10
Abstract
Background: Striae Gravidarum is a physiological skin change that many females experience during pregnancy and causes stress and concerns about their beauty, self-esteem and other psychological problems, by irritation and even ulcers in the affected areas.Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate ...
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Background: Striae Gravidarum is a physiological skin change that many females experience during pregnancy and causes stress and concerns about their beauty, self-esteem and other psychological problems, by irritation and even ulcers in the affected areas.Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the effect of sesame, sweet almond, and sesame and sweet almond oil on prevention of striae (primary outcome) in primiparous females.Methods: This triple-blind randomized controlled clinical trial was done on 200 18 to 35-year-old primiparous females at five governmental health clinics affiliated to Arak University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The subjects were allocated to three intervention groups and one control group by four and eight block randomization and allocation ratio of 1:1:1:1. The strategy used for analyzing data was intention to treat analysis. The intervention groups and control group received 1cc sesame, 1cc sweet almond and sesame oil, 1cc sweet almond oil, and 1cc Placebo, respectively, two times (1 mL twice daily without massaging the abdomen) for 20 weeks. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis and binary logistic regression were used to analyze data.Results: Striae at 35 to 38 weeks of pregnancy were observed in 59.2%, 16.7%, 14% and 82% of participants in sweet almond, sesame, sesame & sweet almond oil and control groups, respectively (P < 0.001). The occurrence risk of striae was significantly decreased in the sesame (adjusted OR = 0.04, CI = 0.01 to 0.13), sweet almond (0.27, 0.10 to 0.72), and sesame & sweet almond oil (adjusted OR= 0.03, CI = 0.01 to 0.10) groups, compared with the control group. Abdominal itching was significantly different (P < 0.001) among consumers of sweet almond (65.3%), sesame (10.5%), sesame & sweet almond oil (44%), and control group (78%).Conclusions: The sesame oil, sweet almond oil and their combination was effective in reducing the occurrence of abdominal steriae and its itching.
Mahnaz Shahnazi; Azizeh Farshbaf Khalili; Shiva Azimi
Volume 19, Issue 3 , March 2017, , Pages 1-9
Abstract
Background: Preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM) prior to 37 weeks’ gestation is among the most common obstetrics problems, which is associated with prenatal mortality and several maternal and neonatal complications. History of PPROM is a risk factor for recurrence. Zinc has an important ...
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Background: Preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM) prior to 37 weeks’ gestation is among the most common obstetrics problems, which is associated with prenatal mortality and several maternal and neonatal complications. History of PPROM is a risk factor for recurrence. Zinc has an important effect on the strength of membranes by affecting collagen [tensile] strength - a substance with immunity mechanism and antioxidant properties.Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of zinc supplement on the prevention of PPROM and improvement of some pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with a history of PPROM during the second trimester and the early third trimester. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial, 108 healthy pregnant women (at gestational age of 16 - 30 weeks) with a history of PPROM and singleton pregnancy were selected by convenience sampling method in the Midwifery Clinic of Shahid Akbarabadi hospital in Tehran, Iran, between 2014 and 2015. They were then divided into two groups of placebo and zinc sulfate tablet (40 mg) recipient using randomized block design. In total, 92 subjects completed the study. The frequency of PPROM was regarded as the primary outcome, and frequency of PROM, average gestational age at birth, average birth weight, and average head circumference were considered as the secondary outcomes. The statistical analysis was based on intent-to-treat principle.Results: There was no between-groups difference in terms of demographic and pregnancy specifications. Results showed no significant between-groups (zinc versus placebo recipient) difference (P > 0.05) in terms of the frequency of preterm pregnancy (22% versus 33.3%), frequency of PPROM (4.9% versus 11.8%), frequency of PROM (14.6% versus 17.6%), average birth weight (3192.17 g versus 3080.52 g), average gestational age at birth (38.2 weeks versus 37.2 weeks), and average head circumference at birth (34.63 cm versus 34.81 cm).Conclusions: According to the results, daily intake of zinc sulfate (40 mg) by pregnant women with a history of PPROM does not contribute to the prevention of PPROM and PROM and improvement of average gestational age at birth and anthropometric measurements.
