The effect of maternal anemia on anthropometric measurements of newborns

Objectives: To evaluate the relation between maternal prenatal hemoglobin concentration and neonatal anthropometric measurements

Hypospadias in Istanbul: Incidence and risk factors

Background: The aim of the present prospective study was to determine the incidence of hypospadias in newborns in one of the busiest teaching hospitals of Istanbul, and to investigate the risk factors

Abdominal mass in a neonate: Hepatoblastoma

A term neonate born to a 37 year old mother was admitted to our Neonatology Unit because of jaundice and abdominal distention. Gastrointestinal examination revealed abdominal distention and a palpable abdominal mass in right upper quadrant. After the initial radiological studies, it was clear that the mass originated from liver. At postnatal 15th day alfa-feto protein was found to be 60.500 ng/ml(normal level (2 week-1 month):9.452 +/- 12.610 ng/ml). While due to relatively high frequency in infancy and the type of contrast material enhancement in imaging studies suggested an infantile hemangioendothelioma (IHE), heterogenous nature of the lesion and high AFP levels were consistent with a hepatoblastoma (HB). Since accurate diagnosis could not be achieved by radiological studies a liver biopsy is performed. After the pathological examination of the tru-cut liver biopsy specimen, histomorphological and immunohistochemical findings were consistent with the epithelial component of an embryonal type hepatoblastoma

Increasing Low Birth Weight Rates: Deliveries in a Tertiary Hospital in Istanbul

Objective: Prevalence of low birth weight deliveries may vary across different environments. The necessity of determination of regional data prompted this study. Methods: Information of all deliveries from January 2004 to December 2008 was obtained from delivery registry records retrospectively. Initial data including birth weight, vital status, sex, maternal age and mode of delivery were recorded using medical files. The frequency of low birth weight, very low birth weight, extremely low birth weight and stillbirth deliveries were determined. Findings: Among 19,533 total births, there were 450 (23.04 per 1000) stillbirths. Low birth weight rate was 10.61%. A significant increase in yearly distribution of low birth weight deliveries was observed (P<0.001). Very low birth weight and extremely low birth weight delivery rates were 3.14% and 1.58% respectively. Among 2073 low birth weight infants, 333 (16.06%) were stillbirths. The stillbirth delivery rate and the birth of a female infant among low birth weight deliveries were significantly higher than infants with birth weight =2500g (P<0.001, OR=28.37), (P<0.001) retrospectively. There was no statistical difference between low birth weight and maternal age. The rate of cesarean section among low birth weight infants was 49.4%. Conclusion: High low birth weight and stillbirth rates, as well as the increase in low birth weight deliveries over the past five years in this study are striking. For reduction of increased low birth weight rates, appropriate intervention methods should be initiated

The effect of taurine treatment on oxidative stress in experimental liver fibrosis

Oxidative stress is important in pathogenesis of liver fibrosis, which is the result of deposition of excessive ECM proteins produced by activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production decreases collagen accumulation in liver. We investigated the benefits of antioxidant therapy in liver fibrosis and its association with HSC apoptosis. Forty-five male Spraque-Dawley rats were subdivided into three groups. Group I was treated with CCl4 plus taurine, Group II with CCl4 plus saline, and Group III with saline for 12 weeks. Erythrocyte and liver malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, Glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx) activities, and serum and liver TIMP-1 and MMP-13 levels were measured. Histopathological examinations were performed. Activated and total HSCs were quantified immunohistochemically. Apoptotic HSCs were detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining. Taurine decreased histopathological injury scores and oxidative stress parameters significantly. The number of activated HSCs was significantly higher in taurine untreated group (P < 0.001). Serum and tissue MMP-13 levels were significantly higher and TIMP-1 levels were significantly lower in taurine-treated group (P < 0.003 and P < 0.001, respectively). The number of apoptotic activated hepatic stellate cells was significantly higher with taurine treatment (P < 0.001). Preventing the production of reactive oxygen species is effective in inhibiting fibrogenesis in experimental rat model. Inhibitory activity of this agent on HSCs' activation, apoptosis, and further fibrogenic events should be clearly identified. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Comparison of the effects of hyperbaric oxygen and normobaric oxygen on sepsis in rats

Introduction: Several studies have been done on sepsis and many therapeutic agents have been developed. All agents were tested on animals prior to trials in humans. In this study, our aim was to investigate the healing effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and normobaric oxygen (NBO) due to pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress parameters, and the advantages of each other in an experimental model of sepsis. Material and methods: The rats were randomized into four groups: (1) Sham group (n = 10), intraperitoneal salineinjected group; (2) Control group (n = 10), which were only treated with CEF after induction of sepsis; (3) HBO group (n = 10), treated with HBO after sepsis induction; (4) NBO group (n= 10), treated with NBO after sepsis induction. In all groups, serum TNF- and #945;, as well as parameters of oxidative stress such as glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde levels in the lung tissue, were measured. Results: Our study revealed that treatment with HBO and NBO significantly cured the increased oxidative stress and tissue membrane injury following E.coli induced experimental sepsis (p=0,001). Overall, the NBO and HBO treatments were similar. However, the HBO treatment was more efficient than the NBO treatment with respect to the TNF- and #945; levels (p=0,001). Conclusion: HBO or NBO should be used as an agent for the adjuvant treatment of sepsis. It can be concluded that applying HBO therapy as an adjuvant will be more useful for the patients meeting the criteria of sepsis. Advanced studies are required to understand the mechanism of treatment and to investigate the usability and efficiency. [Arch Clin Exp Surg 2016; 5(1.000): 7-12

Outcome of Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Units due to Influenza-Related Severe Acute Respiratory Illness in 2017-2018 Flu Season: A Multicenter Study from Turkey

Background: Influenza can cause severe acute respiratory illness (SARI), which occurs as local outbreaks or seasonal epidemics with high intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality rates. Mortality is mainly due to SARI. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of patients admitted to ICU due to influenza-related SARI in 2017-2018 flu season in Turkey. Methods: A retrospective multicenter study was conducted in 13 ICUs with a total of 216 beds from 6 cities in Turkey. All adult patients (over 18 years) admitted to the ICUs in 2017-2018 flu season (between September 1, 2017, and April 30, 2018) because of SARI and with a positive nasopharyngeal swab for influenza were included in the study. Results: A total of 123 cases were included in the study. The mean age of patients was 64.5 +/- 17.5 years, and 66 (53.7%) patients were older than 65 years. The ICU mortality was 33.9%, and hospital mortality was 35.6%. Invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), acute kidney injury (AKI), hematologic malignancy, and >65 years of age were the factors affecting mortality in influenza. Conclusion: SARI due to influenza carries a high mortality rate, and IMV, AKI, presence of hematologic malignancy, and older age are independent risk factors for mortality