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Introduction: An association between depression and altered immunity has been suggested by a number of studies but has not been consistently demonstrated .The effect of maternal depression response on fetal immune system have not been investigated. Thus in this study we evaluated the effects of depression on some parameters of innate and humoral immune system of pregnant women and their infants. Materials and Methods: 62 pregnant women (including 32 depressed and 30 healthy) and their infants in Taleghani hospital of Arak in 2004 were included in this study. All depressed mothers had a diagnosis of depression by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and clinical interview based on DSM-IV system. The level of immunoglobulins and components were evaluated by single radial immunosdiffusion (SRID) method of Mancini. Leukocyte and lymphocyte counts were determined by Hycel (an automated cell counter) and for more accurancy were also evaluated by manual method. Statistical analysis was performed using K-S, Mann-Withney, One way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis and Pearson tests. P<0/05 was considered significant. Results: Serum IgM level and serum C4 level of infants of mothers with depression were significantly lower than infants of healthy mothers. Lymphocyte number and percentage in infants of depressed mothers was also significantly higher than infants of healthy mothers. The mean cord/maternal blood ratio of IgG in infants of depressed mothers was also significantly lower than infants of healthy mothers. Serum IgG level of depressed mother was significantly higher than other mothers. Conclusion: Fetal impact of stress and depression during pregnancy is just beginning to be understood and research in this area is developing. Our results indicated that maternal depression adversely affects the development and function of fetal immune system. These results are in agreement with the immunological findings of preterm and LBW infants.

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Background: Infantile colic is a behavioral syndrome characterized by severe crying without a specific cause in healthy under three-month-old infants. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of infant massage and rocking on the duration and frequency of crying time in colicky infants. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial involved 100 infants 1-2 weeks of age with colic who referred to Amir Kabir Hospital, Arak, Iran, in 2010. The infants were randomly assigned to massage group (n=50) and rocking group (n=50). In the massage group, mothers were recommended to massage their child three times a day for 7 days. In the rocking group, mothers were recommended to rock their child during crying every day for 7 days. In both groups, mothers recorded infant crying durations during one week in a checklist. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. Results: The mean difference of total crying times and durations were 8.34 and 4.12 during the first day and 4.26 time/day and 1.32 hour/day during the last day in the massage group, whereas in the rocking group, these values were 7.50 and 2.42 in the first day and 6.94 and 2.14 hour/day in the last day, respectively. The means of crying times and durations in the massage group were more than those of the rocking group (p<0.001). Conclusion: Infant massage can reduce the duration of crying in colicky infants and it can enhance the relationship between mother and child and their relaxation

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Background: Conjunctivitis is a common cause of reference to pediatrician and general hospitals. The common method of treatment is prescription of antibiotics however, there are concerns over the development of antibiotics resistance and their adverse effects. Therefore, this study was done to compare the effects of boiled water as supplementary treatment and antibiotics on the severity of infants' conjunctivitis. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, 110 infants referring to the Pediatric Clinic of Amir Kabir Hospital in Arak were randomly allocated to 2 groups. The first group (intervention) received boiled water together with ophthalmic erythromycin ointment 1% and sulfastamid ophthalmic solution 10% four times a day and the second group (control) just received antibiotics. Severity of infants conjunctivitis on the first, third, and seventh days of treatment were compared between the two groups using SPSS software. Results: On the 3rd day, 18.2% of the infants in the intervention group and 9.1% of the infants in the antibiotics group were cured which did not indicate a significant difference (p=0.44). On the 7th day, the recovery rate was promoted to 32.7% and 34.5% in the intervention and control groups, respectively (p>0.05). Mild severity cases were 58.2% in the intervention and 45.5% in the control groups (p>0.05) while moderate severity cases of conjunctivitis were 9.1% and 20% in the intervention and control groups, respectively (p>0.05). Conclusion: Although the number of infants who were cured was more in the boiled water group with antibiotics group and the intensity and duration of their disease were less than the control group, these differences were not statistically significant.

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Background and Aim: Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) is a common problem in premature neonates, especially in neonate’s low birth weight (LBW). This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of oral and intravenous ibuprofen in the management of PDA.
Methods & Materials: We enrolled 40 low birth weight neonates (gestational age <37 weeks) with PDA into semi-experimental study. the LBW neonates received ibuprofen as an initial dose of 10 mg/kg, followed by 5 mg/kg at 24 and 48 hours later. The exclusion criteria were congenital chromosome anomalies, congenital heart disease, asphyxia, sepsis. The PDA was initially confirmed by echocardiography. Treatment efficacy was evaluated by echocardiography after the treatment.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1396.265).
Results: Of the total participants 37.5% (female 25) were girls. Gestational age ranges from 29 to 36 weeks. The average birth weight was 1639±616 gr and the minimum of weight 750 gr. the mean gestational age was 30.4±4.0 weeks. After the first dose of ibuprofen, closure of PDA was observed in 32 patients (80%), PDA closed in eight patients (20%) with to repeat course ibuprofen. There was no significant relationship between the frequency of ibuprofen use with gestational age (P=0.06), birth weight (P=0.08), type of delivery (P=0.068) and multiple births (P=0.061).
Conclusion: Most LBW neonate with PDA responded to using the first course of ibuprofen. extremely, all LBW infants responded to the second course. it seems that ibuprofen is as effective as ibuprofen for PDA closure even in LBW infants.