Tehran University Medical Journal

The complicated relation of iron homeostasis and helicobacter pylori infection in the pediatric population: a review article

Heshmat Shahi

Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common chronic bacterial infections worldwide, with acquisition often occurring in childhood. While its role in the pathology of gastroduodenal diseases in adults is well-established, its impact on the pediatric population presents a unique set of clinical and pathophysiological challenges. This comprehensive review examines the complex and bidirectional relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and host iron metabolism in pediatric and infant populations. For this review, the PubMed database was utilized for studies published from April 1979 through December 2024. Studies based on English language were included using the MESH terms "Helicobacter pylori," "iron," and "ferritin." According to the inclusion criteria, studies related to H. pylori infection and iron condition in patients under 18 years old were selected. Articles such as review articles, case reports, letters to the editor, and animal or in vitro studies were excluded. The main aim of this study was to illuminate the critical role of iron as an essential micronutrient and factor for both the host and the pathogen, examining the multifaceted mechanisms involved in H. pylori-induced iron homeostasis disruption in children.

The findings indicate a multifaceted relationship: virulent Helicobacter pylori strains are significantly and inversely associated with true body iron stores, leading to Iron deficiency anemia (IDA). However, chronic inflammatory states can paradoxically elevate ferritin levels, masking underlying iron deficiency. Complex interaction between bacterial infection, host inflammatory responses, and iron deficiency is an important factor influencing both the severity of the damage caused by this bacterial infection and its chronicity in the pediatric population. Identification and comprehensive understanding of these complex mechanisms is of great importance for the effective management of iron deficiency anemia in children with H. pylori infection. Considering, increase in the incidence of H. pylori infection in childhood, it is essential that H. pylori infection be evaluation in children with unknown reasons IDA. Finally, screening methods for H. pylori infection in children is recommended, as this could improve long-term health outcomes.

Substance abuse in pregnant mothers in Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Mahboobe Gholami

Background: Maternal substance abuse during pregnancy is a significant global public health concern, affecting approximately 10% of pregnant women worldwide and leading to serious adverse outcomes for both mother and fetus. Given Iran’s geographical location and its role as a transit route for narcotics, the prevalence of substance abuse, particularly opium and its derivatives, is notably higher than in many other countries. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the prevalence of substance abuse and the most commonly used substances (including opium, heroin, crystal methamphetamine, methadone, amphetamines, and cigarettes) among pregnant Iranian women from 2000 to 2024.
Methods: A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SID, and Iranmedex for articles published between January 2000 and January 2024. Studies investigating the prevalence of substance abuse in pregnant Iranian women were included. Case studies, reviews, letters to the editor, and studies without quantitative data were excluded. Two researchers independently extracted data. Extracted information included: author name, year of publication, province/city, sample size, mean age of participants, type of substance used, and incidence or prevalence rate. Data were analyzed using a random-effects model, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I² index.
Results: Out of 127 identified articles, 22 were included in the meta-analysis. The overall estimated prevalence of substance abuse among pregnant Iranian women was 3.3% (CI 95%: 2.4-4.5), with high heterogeneity (I²=83%). The most prevalent substances were opium (1.7%), cigarettes (1.3%), methadone (0.5%), heroin (0.3%), crystal methamphetamine (0.2%), amphetamines/methamphetamines (0.1%), cannabis (0.4%), and alcohol (0.2%). Polydrug use was reported at 0.7%. A rising trend in substance abuse prevalence was observed, increasing from 2.1% in 2000-2009 to 3.8% in 2015-2024. A temporal trend analysis of the incidence of substance abuse showed that the incidence of substance abuse in Iranian pregnant women increased from 2.1% in 2000-2009 to 3.8% in 2015-2024. Sensitivity and publication bias analyses showed that the exclusion of low-quality studies did not significantly affect the results. The funnel plot indicated a low probability of publication bias.
Conclusion: Substance abuse among pregnant Iranian women remains a serious challenge, necessitating broader preventive and therapeutic interventions.

Keywords: neonatal withdrawal syndrome, opium, pregnancy, substance abuse.

Effect of different levels of positive end-expiratory pressure on respiratory performance and hemodynamic parameters in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized double-blind clinical trial

Mehrdad Malekshoar

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard for treating gallbladder diseases; however, it is associated with physiological challenges from pneumoperitoneum and specific patient positioning. Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) may mitigate these effects, but the optimal level remains uncertain. This study compared the impact of three PEEP levels on respiratory performance and hemodynamic stability during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Methods: This randomized double-blind clinical trial was conducted at Shahid Mohammadi Hospital, Bandar Abbas, Iran, from August 2023 to February 2024. A total of 75 adult patients aged 18-70 years with ASA class I-II scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were assigned to three groups (n=25 each): PEEP 0 cmH₂O (control), PEEP 5 cmH₂O, and PEEP 7 cmH₂O. Standardized general anesthesia and mechanical ventilation with tidal volumes of 6-8 mL/kg were applied. Hemodynamic variables (mean arterial pressure, heart rate) and respiratory parameters (SpO₂, EtCO₂) were recorded before intubation, during intubation, and at 15, 30, and 60 minutes post-intubation, as well as in the recovery room. Arterial blood gas analysis was performed 30 minutes after intubation. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and chi-square tests with a significance level of 0.05.
Results: The mean age of patients was 41.89±11.39 years, and baseline demographic variables showed no significant differences among groups. Oxygen saturation remained above 94% across all time points without intergroup differences. EtCO₂ values differed significantly at 30 minutes (P=0.04) and 60 minutes (P=0.01), with the highest levels observed in the PEEP 7 group and the lowest in the PEEP 5 group. Although mean arterial pressure and heart rate did not show statistically significant variation among groups, the PEEP 7 group demonstrated the smallest postoperative decline in blood pressure.
Conclusion: A PEEP level of 5 cmH₂O offers the most favorable balance between maintaining oxygenation, supporting effective ventilation, and preserving hemodynamic stability during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This level can be recommended as a safe and optimal ventilation strategy.

Changes in quality of life, clinical symptoms of the pelvic floor and sexual function of patients one year after pelvic prolapse surgery - a before-and-after study

Hedieh Bonakdarchian

Background: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a condition resulting from weakness or damage to the muscles, ligaments, and other supporting structures of the vagina, and it exposes affected women to reduced quality of life and sexual function. The present study examined the symptoms, sexual function, and quality of life of women one year after repair of pelvic organ prolapse.
Methods: This study was a prospective cohort before-after study that was conducted on 200 married women with pelvic prolapse grade 1-4 (POP-Q) in the age group of 47-75 years who underwent reconstructive surgery (anterior and posterior colporrhaphy) in Shahid Beheshti and Al-Zahra hospitals in Isfahan between October 2022 and March 2024. The data collection tools were three questionnaires: Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Pelvic Discomfort (PFDI-20) and Quality of Life (SF-36) which were completed before surgery and one year after surgery. Stata software version 17 was used to analyze the data. To compare the scores before and after, paired t-test or Wilcoxon statistical tests were used, to compare the severity of patients' clinical symptoms based on the levels before and after surgery, the symmetry/Bowker test was used, and to compare the status of the sexual function index (impairment/no impairment) before and after surgery, the McNemar test was used and the significance level was considered to be P<0.05.
Results: The mean age of the study participants was 59.5±12.6 years. The majority of the women (157 individuals; 78.5%) were housewives. The mean number of pregnancies was 4.3±2.1, and the mean number of live births was 3.75±1.89. All women included in the study were postmenopausal. The severity of clinical symptoms, sexual dysfunction index status, and median quality of life score were significant between before and after the intervention. The severity of clinical symptoms, the status of the sexual dysfunction index, and the median quality of life score showed significant differences before and after the intervention.
Conclusion: Pelvic prolapse surgery can significantly improve the quality of life and sexual function of patients one year after surgery, in addition to correcting the anatomical structure.

The comparison of blood loss in cesarean section undergoing general anesthesia and spinal anesthesia

Mohammad Hasan Damshenas

Background: In general anesthesia, anesthetic agents are administered by inhalation or intravenously, leading to loss of consciousness, immobility, analgesia, and amnesia. In spinal anesthesia, injection of a local anesthetic into the intrathecal space causes sensory and motor block. The aim of this study was to compare the volume of bleeding during cesarean section under general anesthesia and spinal anesthesia.
Methods: This study is a cross-sectional prospective study. The gauzes used were weighed before the operation and bloody gauzes were weighed after the operation. The difference between the weight of bloody and dry gauzes was recorded as the volume of bleeding. This volume was then added to the volume of blood in the suction chamber and the final bleeding volume was estimated.
Results: 70 patients who were candidates for cesarean section were included in the study. The mean age of the patients included in the study was 24.82±4.98 and their mean weight was 77.11±8.97. The mean hemoglobin in the spinal anesthesia group was 91.12±39. Volume of bleeding during cesarean section by spinal anesthesia was significantly less than general anesthesia (P=0.001). Also, the visual estimation of bleeding in spinal anesthesia was significantly lower than general anesthesia (P<0.001). In this study, there was no significant difference between heart rate, systolic and diastolic pressure before and during surgery, and the first- and fifth-minute Apgar scores between the two groups of general and spinal anesthesia.
Conclusion: We found in this study that the volume of bleeding during cesarean section under spinal anesthesia is less than general anesthesia. It is suggested that in future studies, other methods of estimating bleeding such as postoperative hemoglobin reduction, dilution method, atomic absorption spectroscopy and photometry be used. Also, a comparison should be made between the three groups of general, spinal and epidural anesthesia, and the volume of bleeding in each should be checked and the best anesthesia method should be selected for cesarean section.

Precise placement of southern endotracheal tube using fiberoptic laryngoscopy in elective surgeries under general anesthesia

Background: The Southern endotracheal tube facilitates surgical access and reduces the risk of tube torsion. Fiberoptic laryngoscopy also improves the accuracy and safety of intubation. Accordingly, the present study aimed to determine the precise placement of the Southern endotracheal tube using fiberoptic laryngoscopy in elective surgeries under general anesthesia.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical prospective study was conducted between April 2025 and July 2025 at Al-Zahra and Ayatollah Kashani Centers of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Sampling was performed using a convenience method, and the sample size was estimated at 100 patients (candidates for elective head, face, and nasal surgeries), considering possible dropouts. Data were collected using a checklist and analyzed with SPSS version 27.
Results: In this study, the demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients showed that the mean age was 38.88±15.92 years, and 53% were male, and 47% were female. The results indicated that body mass index, neck circumference, and the distance from the tip of the endotracheal tube to the anterior teeth differed significantly between male and female patients (P<0.05). Specifically, Body Mass Index (BMI) was significantly higher in females, neck circumference was significantly greater in males, and the distance from the tube tip to the anterior teeth was longer in males. Additionally, BMI, the distance from the carina to the anterior teeth, and the distance from the endotracheal tube to the carina showed significant differences among different age groups (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that the depth and placement of the endotracheal tube are influenced by factors such as BMI. These findings are consistent with previous studies emphasizing the importance of individual assessment to optimize airway management. Overall, fiberoptic-guided intubation should be considered the gold standard for achieving accurate tube positioning, minimizing the risk of airway complications, and improving intraoperative safety. It is suggested that future studies focus on developing predictive models for optimal tube depth based on demographic and anatomical variables, and on evaluating the impact of these strategies on postoperative outcomes.

Pattern of antibiotic resistance in bacterial infections of cutaneous leishmaniasis wounds

Behnaz Deihim

Background: Leishmaniasis is one of the most significant parasitic diseases and is susceptible to secondary bacterial infections, which can result in increased inflammation, delayed tissue repair, and increased drug resistance. Given the importance of this phenomenon, the present study was designed to identify bacterial agents and determine their antibiotic resistance patterns in lesions of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in Dezful, Iran, from May 2022 to December 2022 among 173 patients with suspected cutaneous leishmaniasis. In addition to sampling skin lesions for the diagnosis of leishmaniasis, wound exudates were collected using sterile swabs and cultured on blood agar and MacConkey agar plates. Bacteria were identified by Gram staining and biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns were determined by disk diffusion, according to the CLSI 2024 guidelines. SPSS version 20 software was used for data analysis. In Staphylococcus aureus isolates, methicillin resistance was determined using a cefoxitin disk (30 μg), and vancomycin resistance was determined by broth microdilution. In vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus isolates, a vancomycin disk (30 μg) was used. In Enterobacteriaceae, the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) phenotype was performed using ceftazidime (30 μg) and the ceftazidime/clavulanic acid combination disk (30/10 μg).
Results: Cutaneous leishmaniasis was detected in 65.3% of cases, of which 46 cases (26.6%) had secondary bacterial infection. Staphylococcus aureus (67.4%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (13%) were the most common isolates. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was detected in 13 cases, accounting for 41.9% of the isolates. The frequency of Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus aureus among leishmaniasis patients was 38.7%, but all isolates were susceptible to vancomycin and teicoplanin. Two ESBL-producing Escherichia coli were isolated from leishmaniasis foot ulcers. Leg and back wounds were more frequently involved in bacterial infection (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Inappropriate environmental conditions and lack of treatment facilities play an important role in the occurrence and exacerbation of infectious leishmaniasis lesions. An integrated treatment approach and medical staff training can improve disease control and wound healing.

A 30-year trends of autism incidence in Iranian children under 5 years: a brief report

Roghayeh Torkpour

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) represents one of the most significant neurodevelopmental disorders in early childhood, where early diagnosis, particularly in children under five years of age, is crucial for effective interventions. Although global autism incidence has risen due to improved awareness, enhanced screening programs, and broader diagnostic criteria, epidemiological data from middle-income countries like Iran remain limited, especially for children under five. This study aimed to examine autism incidence trends among Iranian children under five from 1990 to 2021, stratified by sex and province.
Methods: This ecological study was conducted from October 2024 to March 2025, analyzing data extracted from the Global burden of disease (GBD) database (1990-2021). Age-specific incidence data for children under five were obtained by sex and province. Incidence rates per 100,000 population were calculated for gender and provincial comparisons. Joinpoint regression analysis assessed annual trends and identified significant inflection points. Heat maps illustrated geographical distributions, while trend graphs stratified by sex and province were generated using GraphPad Prism.
Results: The incidence rate of autism in children under five gradually increased from 1990 to 2005, followed by a sharp rise between 2005 and 2009, reaching its peak during this period. A subsequent decline was observed from 2009 to 2021. The male-to-female ratio remained consistently stable at approximately 3:1 throughout the study period and across all provinces. Notable provincial disparities were observed, with border provinces exhibiting greater fluctuations compared to central regions.
Conclusion: In contrast to the continuous global increase, autism incidence among Iranian children under five demonstrated an initial rise followed by a sustained decline after 2009. This trend may be attributed to declining birth rates, demographic shifts, evolving diagnostic criteria, improved prenatal care, and persistent challenges in early screening and case registration, alongside regional disparities in access to diagnostic services. These findings emphasize the need for enhanced early-screening programs, equitable resource distribution, and evidence-based child mental health policies in Iran.

General anesthesia in a patient with dermatomyositis: a case report

Reza Sahraei

Background: Dermatomyositis is a rare inflammatory muscle disease with systemic manifestations, in which muscle weakness, dysphagia, and pulmonary and cardiac involvement are common problems. The aim of this report is to examine the challenges and management of general anesthesia in a patient with dermatomyositis with the rare complication of buried bumper syndrome after PEG placement and gallbladder surgery.
Case Presentation: A 53-year-old male patient was referred to the operating room of Seyed al-Shohada Hospital in Jahrom for gallbladder stone surgery due to abdominal pain in April-May 2024. The patient had presented to the hospital approximately one month prior with complaints of myalgia and progressive lower limb weakness. He subsequently developed severe dysphagia. Based on clinical and paraclinical evaluations, a diagnosis of dermatomyositis was ultimately made and confirmed. Due to the swallowing difficulty, a Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube was placed for him. His treatment regimen included high-dose corticosteroid pulse therapy and Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). One month later, the patient was readmitted with acute abdominal pain. Imaging studies revealed multiple gallstones, leading to a referral to a general surgeon for operative management. Additionally, a complication related to the PEG tube, known as Buried Bumper Syndrome, was considered as a potential cause of the abdominal pain. Given the patient's history of dermatomyositis and swallowing disorder, a comprehensive re-evaluation was performed in the operating room. Cricoid pressure (Sellick maneuver) was applied to prevent aspiration. The surgery was successfully completed, and the patient remained hemodynamically stable throughout the procedure.
Conclusion: General anesthesia in patients with dermatomyositis requires careful preoperative evaluation, continuous muscle and hemodynamic monitoring, selection of appropriate doses of muscle relaxants, and use of stress doses of steroids. In addition, attention to specific complications such as buried bumper syndrome after PEG and proper airway management and prevention of aspiration are of particular importance. The present report emphasizes that multifaceted and planned management can lead to successful outcomes in these patients.

Epidural initiation time based on fetal head position criteria in painless labor: a letter to editor

Reza Payami