THE EFFECTS OF ZINC SUPPLEMENTATION TO CHINESE RURAL PREGNANT WOMEN AND THEIR PREGNANCY OUTCOME

Objective: TO assess the effects of zinc supplementation to Chinese rural pregnant with cereal-based diet and their pregnancy outcome. Methods A total of 156 women were given randomly in double blind 5mg/d (group A, GPA, n=37),10mg/d (group B, GPB, n=40), 30mg (group C, GpC, n = 39) Of zinc supplement or placebo (group D, GpD, n = 40 ) starting from, the first visit at the prenatal clinic (average 9-week gestation ) till the delivery. Results Mean dietary zinc intake of these women was about 10mg/d, and more than 65% of dietary zinc were taken from cereals, grains and vegetables. Serum zinc concentrations at 25-and 32-gestation in GpC and in the umbilical cord blood of their babies at birth significantly increased. Infants in GpC had a significantly heavier birth weight (283. 079, P = 0. 016 ) and larger head circumference(0. 63cm, P = 0. 035) than infants in GpD. The incidence of low birth weight, preterm and intrauterine growth retardation infants was significantly reduced in GpC. As compared to GpD (38. 34 ± 1. 34 weeks), the duration of gestation in GpD(39. 12± 1. 11 weeks) was prolonged (P= 0. 032). Serum zinc concentration at 25-weeks gestation was negatively correlated with duration of gestation (P = 0. 009 ). Apgar score of the infants in GpC was significantly higher than that in GpD, and serum zinc concentration at 32-weeks gestation was positively associated with infant Apgar score (P = 0. 015 ). Conclusion Zinc supplementation in 30mg/d to Chinese rural women during pregnancy could significantly improve their pregnancy outcome. Both 5mg/d and 10mg/d of zinc supplementation had no detected benefits to them.

Point-of-care ultrasound versus radiology department pelvic ultrasound on emergency department length of stay

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to compare the time to overall length of stay(LOS) for patients who underwent point-of-care ultrasound(POCUS) versus radiology department ultrasound(RDUS).METHODS: This was a prospective study on a convenience sample of patients who required pelvic ultrasound imaging as part of their emergency department(ED) assessment.RESULTS: We enrolled a total of 194 patients who were on average 32 years-old. Ninety-eight(51%) patients were pregnant(<20 weeks). Time to completion of RDUS was 66 minutes longer than POCUS(95%CI 60–73, P<0.01). Patients randomized to the RDUS arm experienced a 120 minute longer ED length of stay(LOS)(95%CI 66–173, P<0.01)CONCLUSION: In patients who require pelvic ultrasound as part of their diagnostic evaluation, POCUS resulted in a signifi cant decrease in time to ultrasound and ED LOS.