Oral health related quality of life in pregnant and post partum women in two social network domains; predominantly home-based and work-based networks

Background  

Individuals connected to supportive social networks have better general and oral health quality of life. The objective of this study was to assess whether there were differences in oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) between women connected to either predominantly home-based and work-based social networks.     

CNS tumours in south-western Finland: high location, high incidence

The Department of Paediatrics at the University Central Hospital of Turku, Finland has 130 000 children under 17 y of age within its catchment area. We collected all 103 cases of newly diagnosed CNS tumours from the 15-y period of 1981–95. The incidence was 5. 3: 100 000, a figure twofold those usually presented. During the period 1981 -85 the incidence was lower (4) than during the subsequent 5-y periods (5. 7 and 6. 2). There were no statistical differences between the incidences of the supra- vs infratentorial brain tumours. Optic glioma was unusually common (17%, CI 13. 9–20%).     

Influence of topical application of chlorhexidine on chronic gingivitis and gingival wound healing in the dog

Abstract— The present study examines the effect of topically applied chlorhexidine gluconate on chronically inflamed gingiva and standardized gingival wounds. Five beagle dogs were fed a soft "gingivitis inducing" diet for a period of 5 months. Subsequently, a 2 % chlorhexidine solution was applied daily for 42 days to the left molars, premolars, and canines of three dogs, the corresponding teeth in the right quadrants serving as controls. The degree of gingivitis, plaque, gingival exudation, and number of crevicular leukocytes were assessed on days 0, 11, 28, 35, and 42. The healing after gingival biopsy was studied in two dogs using the same parameters on days 0, 4, 7, 14, 28, and 42. In one of the dogs chlorhexidine was applied daily to the teeth and gingiva; the other dog had saline treatment. Biopsies for histologic examination were obtained at the beginning and the end of the experiment. From these criteria, it was shown that one daily topical application of 2 % chlorhexidine gluconate to the teeth and gingiva of the dog removes plaque and resolbes a well-established chronic gingivitis. It is concluded that in the dog it is passible through topical applications of chlorhexidine to establish and maintain a plaque- and gingivitis-free dentition.     

Number and timing of antenatal HIV testing: Evidence from a community-based study in Northern Vietnam

Background  

HIV testing for pregnant women is an important component for the success of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT). A lack of antenatal HIV testing results in loss of benefits for HIV-infected mothers and their children. However, the provision of unnecessary repeat tests at a very late stage of pregnancy will reduce the beneficial effects of PMTCT and impose unnecessary costs for the individual woman as well as the health system. This study aims to assess the number and timing of antenatal HIV testing in a low-income setting where PMTCT programmes have been scaled up to reach first level health facilities.     

Iron supplement in pregnancy and development of gestational diabetes—a randomised placebo-controlled trial

Objective  To test the hypothesis that iron supplement from early pregnancy would increase the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
Design  Randomised placebo-controlled trial.
Setting  A university teaching hospital in Hong Kong.
Population  One thousand one hundred sixty-four women with singleton pregnancy at less than 16 weeks of gestation with haemoglobin (Hb) level between 8 and 14 g/dl and no pre-existing diabetes or haemoglobinopathies.
Methods  Women were randomly allocated to receive 60 mg of iron supplement daily ( n = 565) or placebo ( n = 599). Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) were performed at 28 and 36 weeks. Women were followed up until delivery.
Outcome measures  The primary outcome was development of GDM at 28 weeks. The secondary outcomes were 2-hour post-OGTT glucose levels, development of GDM at 36 weeks and delivery and infant outcomes.
Results  There was no significant difference in the incidence of GDM in the iron supplement and placebo groups at 28 weeks (OR: 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.7–1.53 at 90% power) or 36 weeks. Maternal Hb and ferritin levels were higher in the iron supplement group at delivery ( P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). Elective caesarean section rate was lower in the iron supplement group (OR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.37–0.89). Infant birthweight was heavier ( P = 0.001), and there were fewer small-for-gestational-age babies in the iron supplement group (OR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.24–0.85).
Conclusion  Iron supplement from early pregnancy does not increase the risk of GDM. It may have benefits in terms of pregnancy outcomes.