Comparison of honey and phenytoin (PHT) cream effects on intensity of pain and episiotomy wound healing in nulliparous women

Background This study investigates and compares the effect of phenytoin and honey cream on intensity of pain and episiotomy wound healing in nulliparous women. Methods This research was conducted by double-blinded randomized clinical trial method on 120 nulliparous women in three groups of phenytoin, honey and placebo. After delivery and episiotomy, mothers used a knuckle of the prescribed creams on their episiotomy area, every night until 10-night. Evaluation of wound healing using REEDA scale and pain intensity with numerical rating scale of pain took place within the first 24 h and after 7 and 14 days of delivery. Results Results showed significant differences between healing scores of the three groups for the seventh day after delivery. Healing score in the honey group was lower than that in placebo group. On the fourteenth day after delivery, the healing scores showed no significant differences between the three groups. Measuring pain intensity did not show any significant difference in the three groups after 7 and 14 days of delivery. Conclusions Both honey and phenytoin led to episiotomy wound healing; however, honey caused the wound healing better than the phenytoin. Honey and phenytoin did not reduce episiotomy pain.

Clinical and haemodynamic risk factors associated with discrepancies in lower limb length with capillary malformations: data from the national paediatric French cohort CONAPE

BACKGROUND

Genetics discoveries have allowed for a better understanding of capillary malformations (CMs) associated with overgrowth syndrome. However, molecular analyses are still not easy to perform or interpret. Other analytical methods are needed.

OBJECTIVES

To identify clinical and haemodynamic factors associated with leg length discrepancy (LLD) in children with CMs of the lower limbs.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the multicentre French national cohort CONAPE (COhorte Nationale d'enfants atteints d'Angiome Plan de membrE inférieur), from children aged 2-12 years old with CMs of the lower limbs. Clinical characteristics were prospectively collected. Haemodynamic factors were measured by an sonographer who calculated the arterial blood flow (ABF) in both lower limbs. An ABF difference ≥ 50% between the two lower limbs was considered relevant. LLD ≥ 2% was determined by the same radiologist on centralized radiographs.

RESULTS

We analysed data at baseline for 96 children. The mean ± SD age was 5·6 ± 3·1 years; 49 (51%) were male; and 14 (15%) showed LLD. In total, 32 patients (33%) had venous anomalies, 13 (14%) lymphatic anomalies and in one child a diagnosis of Parkes Weber syndrome was made. Only an increased circumference above the knee was more frequent with than without LLD (43% vs. 13%, P = 0·02). In all, 10/79 patients (13%) showed a difference in ABF ≥ 50%: four had LLD. The frequency of differences in ABF ≥ 50% was greater with than without LLD [33% (n = 4/12) vs. 9% (n = 6/67), P = 0·04].

CONCLUSIONS

ABF measured by Duplex ultrasonography is a simple, low-cost and noninvasive complementary examination for help in detecting LLD, with a difference of ≥ 50% possibly associated.

The effects of vitamin D plus calcium supplementation on metabolic profiles, biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress and pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women at risk for pre-eclampsia

BACKGROUND

The present study was designed to examine the effects of vitamin D plus calcium administration on metabolic profiles and pregnancy outcomes among women at risk for pre-eclampsia.

METHODS

In a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 60 women at risk for pre-eclampsia were randomised to take either 50 000 IU vitamin D3 every 2 weeks plus 1000 mg day(-1) calcium supplements (as calcium carbonate) (n = 30) or to receive placebos at the same times (n = 30) from 20 to 32 weeks of gestation. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and 12 weeks after intervention to determine related variables. Newborn anthropometric measurements were determined.

RESULTS

Taking combined cholecalciferol and calcium supplements, compared to placebo, led to significant reductions in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) [mean (SD)] [-5.7 (5.5) versus -0.6 (12.6) mg dL(-1) , P = 0.04], serum insulin concentrations [-2.8 (6.0) versus +7.7 (9.8) μIU mL(-1) , P < 0.001], homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance [-0.8 (1.3) versus +1.6 (2.2), P < 0.001], homeostatic model assessment-beta cell function [-8.2 (25.8) versus +32.6 (41.3, P < 0.001] and a significant rise in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index score [+0.02 (0.02) versus -0.02 (0.02, P < 0.001]. Additionally, pregnant women who received cholecalciferol plus calcium supplements had increased serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol [+4.6 (8.3) versus -2.9 (7.7) mg dL(-1) , P = 0.001] and plasma total glutathione (GSH) concentrations [+23.4 (124.0) versus -94.8 (130.2) μm, P = 0.001] compared to placebo. However, after adjustment for the baseline levels, maternal age and baseline body mass index, the effects on FPG levels (P = 0.13) and systolic blood pressure (P = 0.13) disappeared.

CONCLUSIONS

Vitamin D plus calcium administration for 12 weeks had beneficial effects on glycaemic status, HDL-cholesterol, GSH and blood pressure among women at risk for pre-eclampsia.

Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Unexplained Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

<p><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> Recurrent spontaneous abortion is a serious problem in pregnancy, which affects between 2 and 5% of women of reproductive age. This study was designed to examine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the occurrence of unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA).</p><p><strong>METHODS:</strong> A double-blind randomized and controlled clinical trial was performed on 80 patients with URSA. They were treated with vaginal progesterone (400 IU/day) after confirmation of pregnancy and received vitamin D and placebo in two intervention (n=40) and control groups (n=40), respectively. The incidence of abortion and the serum levels of IL-23 were examined within 20 weeks of gestation.</p><p><strong>RESULTS:</strong> The levels of vitamin D3 prior to the start of the study were equal to 11.65±3.76 ng/ml and 11.53±2.39 ng/ml (p=0.86) in the intervention and control groups, respectively, which were decreased to 13.21±3.47 ng/ml and 11.08±2.76 ng/ml (p=0.004) at the end of the study, when the mean serum levels of IL-23 were equal to 18.4±3.78 pg/ml and 23.16±4.74 pg/ml in the two groups (p &lt;0.004). The frequency of abortion in the control and intervention groups was equal to 5 (12.8%) and 13 (34.2%), respectively (p=0.03, OR=3.53, 95% CI= 1.12-11.2).</p><p><strong>CONCLUSIONS:</strong> Vitamin D3 leads to decreased serum levels of IL-23 and incidence of abortion among women with URSA.</p>