These findings implicate a role for MIP in the maturation of the CNS and evoke a hypothesis regarding the regulation of inositol phosphate biosynthesis in brain development.

Background: Congenital hydrocephalus, an important cause of neurologic morbidity and mortality in children, is a medical condition characterized by an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. It can be caused by abnormal brain development, obstruction of the cerebral aqueduct flow, Chiari malformations, and Dandy-Walker malformation. The prevalence of congenital hydrocephalus is 2.2 to 18 per 10,000 live births. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of congenital hydrocephalus among livebirths in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (HKJ). Methods: Clinical data were collected from medical records of all livebirths with congenital hydrocephalus born at Al Bashir Hospital, Amman/The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in 2004-2005 and 2008-2011. Descriptive analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS 20). Results: The prevalence of hydrocephalus was 0.092% with a relative predominance among males. Conclusion: The study concluded that the prevalence of congenital hydrocephalus is comparable to that of developed countries. The efforts made by the Ministry of Health seem to have paid off. More research on stillbirths is recommended

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Background: As a medicinal herb, Equisetum ramossisemum has been utilized for centuries as a diuretic and has been recommended for different disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the maternal toxicity of aerial parts of Equisetum ramosissimum extract on pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods: Females were mated and the coupling time was recorded at gestation day 0– E0. Four experimental groups I, II, III, and IV, received daily gavage doses of 0 mg, 500 mg, 250 mg, and 125 mg/kg, respectively, of Equisetum ramosissimum extract. Pregnant rats were observed for mortality and toxicological effects during daily treatment. On day E20, samples of blood were withdrawn from the retro-orbital sinus under light ether anaesthesia for haematological and clinical chemistry examinations. Results: Data analyses detected significant differences in biochemical and haematological parameters between the control group and other groups receiving extract. Conclusion: This study constitutes a first approach to defining adverse effects of using Equisetum ramosissimum as a medicinal plant during pregnancy. Daily gavage doses of Equisetum ramosissimum extract produced significant differences in biochemical and haematological parameters in pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats as compared to the control group.