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The amount of stainable Iron in the bone marrow is frequently used as a means of assessing Iron stores. In our study marrow Iron assessed in needle biopsy sections and simultaneously obtained aspirated smears from 75 patients. Significantly different amounts of stainable Iron were observed in needle biopsy and aspirated smears in 53.3% of the specimen. The usual difference consisted of significantly less stainable Iron in needle biopsy sections as compared to the aspirated smears (49.3%). In according to this study, in comparison of needle biopsy section to aspirated smears (As a golden test), sensitivity and specificity were 88 and 64 percent, respectively. Also, positive and negative predictive values were 56.5 and 91%, respectively. It can be appreciated that marrow assessment of Iron content may be associated with distinct differences between the needle biopsy specimens, and the aspirated smears, and could lead to diagnostic error, although, with some limitations and cautions biopsy specimen can be used for Iron assessment.

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Background and Objective: Destructive effects of thyroid diseases in pregnancy and fetal frowth is well established subclinical autoimmune thyroid diseases can double the rate of preterm labor, abortion and postpartum thyroiditis. This study was done to compare thyroid function and autoimmunity derangment in goiterous and non-goiterous pregnant women. Materials and Methods: This case – control study was done on 100 healthy and 100 goiterous pregnant women in Dezyani hospital located in Gorgan, Northern Iran during 2005. Five mililiter of blood sample was obtained from each subject to measure thyroid hormones concentration including T3/ T4/ TSH/ T3 RUP and thyroid autoantibodies (Anti Tg/Anti TPO). Thyroid hormone and auto antibodies were measured using IRMA and ELISA techniques. Results: Thyroid volume was enlargel twice and tripl of its orginal size in 34% and 66% goitrious pregnant women respectively. Mean serum TSH in cases and controls were 1.81+/-1.33 microU/ml and 1.84+/-1.4 microU/ml respectively. The mean of Anti TPO and Anti Tg in cases were 373.91+-197.36 U/ml and 248.80+-70.59 U/ml respectively. The same indecs for controls were 79.52+-63.99 U/ml and 248.80+-70.59 U/ml respectively. In pregnant women with goiter 36% had high Anti TPO and 9% had high Anti Tg, but in control group 16% and 4% of controls had elevated Anti TPO and Anti Tg, respectively. Conclusion: According to thyroid function tests there were elevation of antibody in 20% of the healthy subjects and 45% of the goiterous subjects, therefore it is advisable to measure thyriod function tests accompanied with thyriod antibodies in all pergnant women either with or without goiter in order to prevent feto-maternal disorders.

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Background and Objective: The prevalence of hepatitis B infection is increasing worldwide. The main way to prevent hepatitis B transmission to newborns can be through accurate detection of HBsAg positive pregnant women and implementation of standard protocol for their infants. Therefore, this study carried out to determine the frequency of HBsAg in pregnant women in Gorgan, Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was done on 1553 pregnant women whom attended to Dezyani hospital in Gorgan, North of Iran during 2008-09. Blood samples were taken and tested for HBsAg and HBeAg using ELISA method. Results: HBsAg was found positive in 15 (1%) pregnant women. However, HBeAg were negative in all cases. Seven of these cases (46.7%) were not diagnosed before admission to the hospital for delivery and therefore had not received any immunoprophylaxis or HBIG treatment for their newborns. In contrary, six mothers and their newborns received immunoprophylaxis due to falsely diagnosed HBsAg seropositive. Conclusion: This study showed that the current protocols for dealing with HBsAg seropositivity and case finding among pregnant women in this region should be thoroughly revised. Furthermore, it is suggested that pregnant women during third trimester should be screened for HBsAg.