Background and objectivesThe normal length of penis in preterm and term neonates is different among different nations, and is affected by various factors. The present study aimed to determine stretched penile length (SPL) values and cutoff level of micropenis in term and preterm Iranian neonates, for the first time.Materials and methodsAll male neonates born in two general hospitals of Tehran (Akbarabadi, and Rasoul hospitals), center of Iran, with gestational age of 28–42 weeks were included and their SPL and penile circumference (PC) were examined on the first 3 days after birth by the same physician. Birth weight (BW), and height, gestational age, type of delivery, mother’s age, twin/multiple pregnancy, drug, and medical history of mother during pregnancy were recorded and cutoff levels of two variables were calculated based on the collected variables for different gestational ages.ResultsAmong a total of 587 neonates, 203 neonates were born term and 384 preterm. Mean ± SD of neonates’ BW were 2,682.51 ± 739.30 (850–4800) gr. Mean ± SD of their SPL was 22.48 ± 3.34 mm; 25.92 ± 1.54 mm in term and 20.66 ± 2.50 mm in preterm infants (P = 0.001). Mean ± SD of PC was 6.71 ± 1.31 mm; 8.14 ± 0.48 in term and 5.96 ± 0.92 in preterm infants (P = 0.001). SPL and PC were significantly correlated with type of delivery, number of parity, gestational age, BW, and crown-heel length, head circumference (P < 0.001).ConclusionThis study suggested that SPL in male neonates was 22.48 mm and PC was 6.71 mm, both correlated with gestational age and BW. Due to the ethnical variety of this cutoff points and lack of an appropriate study in Iran, these cutoff points can be used by all physicians as a reference for Iranian newborns (term and preterm), in order to prevent misdiagnosis of micropenis and genital disorders.

Background:Considering the increasing trend of childhood obesity and subsequent burden of the disease in Iran and other countries and importance of early life intervention for achieving sustained effect on health of children and adolescents, this study aimed to investigate the effect of two different dose of folic acid on homocysteine (Hcy) level and insulin resistance of obese children.Materials and Methods:In this randomized, double-blind controlled clinical trial study, 60 obese and overweight children aged 5–12 years were enrolled. Selected obese children randomly allocated in two interventional (1 mg/day folic acid and 5 mg/day folic acid, for 8 weeks) and one control groups. Biochemical measurements including folic acid, Hcy, insulin and insulin resistance were measured between and within groups before and after trial.Results:In each group, 20 obese children were studied. The three groups were age and sex matched. After folic acid administration, mean of Hcy, insulin resistance and insulin decreased significantly in two groups which folic acid administrated with two different doses (P < 0.05). The reduction in studied biochemical variables was similar in two interventional groups (1 and 5 mg folic acid daily) (P > 0.05). Mean differences for Hcy, insulin resistance and insulin, in two intervention groups were significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.0001). Mean differences of Hcy, insulin resistance and insulin, in two intervention groups were not different significantly (P > 0.05).Conclusion:The findings of current trial showed that folic acid in two studied doses could be a safe and effective supplement for obese children to reduce Hcy level and insulin resistance, which consequently could prevent obesity-related complications including cardiovascular and metabolic disorders.

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B ackground: Endothelial dysfunction is considered as a fundamental and also preventable factor in the progression of vascular complications among type 1 diabetic patient. It occurs before the clinical manifestation of the mentioned complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of folic acid on endothelial function by measurements of adhesion molecules and von Willebrand factor (vWF) in patients with type 1 diabetes in Isfahan, Iran. Methods: This double blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial included type 1 diabetic patients aged 5-20 years old. Selected patients were randomized into two groups of A and B to receive folic acid 5 mg daily or placebo for 8 weeks. After a 2-week washout period, patients in the two groups were swapped to receive placebo or folic acid, respectively, for another 8 weeks. Blood and urine samples were taken to evaluate glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), folic acid, vWF, intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM), and microalbuminuria levels. Results of these measurements were compared in the two groups before and after folic acid and placebo administrations. Results: Fifty five type 1 diabetic patients aged 12.1 ± 3.4 years with diabetes duration of 3.9 ± 2.1 years were enrolled. Mean of folic acid level in the two studied groups was increased significantly (10.1 ± 3.8 vs. 21.2 ± 1.1in group A and 15.5 ± 1.9 vs. 19.9 ± 2.8 in group B, p < 0.05). Mean of VCAM and microalbuminuria was decreased significantly after folic acid administration in the two groups (p < 0.05). Mean of HbA1c, ICAM and vWF did not significantly change after folic acid administration in the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Folic acid administration decreased the level of endothelial dysfunction measured by adhesion molecules, especially VCAM and microalbuminuria. However, it did not significantly affect vWF. Further studies with larger sample size and long-term administration of folic acid are necessary for making precise decisions in this field.