Diagnostic value of fingerprint patterns: an explorative study on beta-thalassemia diagnosis.

Rapid diagnosis of major beta thalassemia along with certain preventive measures is of utmost significance. The present study aims to compare the fingerprints in Major beta thalassemic patients (67) and in their parents (76 with minor thalassemia) with the normal fingerprints of control group (144). A forensic medical examiner determined fingerprint types of arch, loop, whorl and other types.

Effect of timing of umbilical cord clamp on newborns' iron status and its relation to delivery type.

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the hematological effects of umbilical cord clamp timing and delivery type in term infants 48 hours after birth in Imam Hossein Hospital, Tehran, Iran.

Method: From Oct 2007 - March 2008, 100 mother-infant eligible pairs were selected and divided by cord clamp timing (< or =15 s and >15 s) for hematologic value determination between the two groups. Data analysis was performed with SPSS for Windows statistical package (version 13).