Influence of smoking on human milk tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 levels at postpartum seventh day

WOS: 000271811000011PubMed: 19438832Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of maternal smoking during pregnancy on human milk interleukin-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 levels at the postpartum seventh day. Methods: Forty-four mothers (age range: 21-34 years) were enrolled in the study. Mothers were interviewed and classified according to their smoking status into one of two groups: the smoking mothers (n = 21) and the nonsmoking mothers (n = 23). Results: There were no significant differences between study groups with respect to human milk interleukin-1 beta (P = 0.12) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 levels (P = 0.83). However, TNF-alpha levels were found to be significantly lower in the smoking mothers compared with the controls (P = 0.002). Conclusion: This study shows that maternal smoking during pregnancy affects the levels of TNF-alpha in milk. The protective effect of human milk against infections seems to be impaired in smoking mothers

Transcutaneous measurement of hyperbilirubinaemia: comparison of the minolta jaundice meter and the Ingram icterometer

The effectiveness of two different non-invasive transcutaneous bilirubin measurement devices was compared with serum bilirubin levels in 96 healthy newborns. Transcutaneous measurements were obtained with the Minolta Air Shields jaundice meter and the Ingram icterometer and serum bilirubin levels were determined by a direct spectrophotometric method (Bilitron 444). A linear correlation existed between serum bilirubin values and the readings on both the Minolta jaundice meter (r= 0.83) and the Ingram icterometer (r = 0.78). The Kappa coefficient was 0.66. The sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values were 100%, 56%, 33% and 100% for the Minolta jaundice meter and 100%, 48%, 29% and 100% for the Ingram icterometer, respectively. The high sensitivity and negative predictive value of both devices render them suitable for screening neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia. However, because of its low cost, the Ingram icterometer is preferable to the more complex and expensive Minolta jaundice meter, especially in countries with a high birth rate, such as Turkey

A sample of paediatric residents' loneliness-anxiety-depression-burnout and job satisfaction with probable affecting factors

Objective: To assess levels of anxiety, depression, loneliness, burnout and job satisfaction among paediatric Residents, and how they influence each other. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at Necmettin Erbakan University, Meram, and Konya Meram Education and Research Hospital, Turkey from January to June 2011, and comprised paediatric Residents and their counterparts from other departments who formed the control group. While maintaining confidentiality, a questionnaire was used to collect data that had elements of the University of California, Los Angeles, Loneliness Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory and Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire. SPSS version 13 was used for statistical analysis. Results: Overall there were 74 Residents in the study; 43(58%) working with the paediatrics department, and 31(42%) in the control group. Overall mean age was 27.60+/-2.25 years. Residents who were not satisfied with the city they were living in, with their professional career and who would not choose the same career given a second chance were feeling more lonely and had higher loneliness scores (p<0.05). In contrast, anxiety among female Residents who were unsatisfied with their professional career and working conditions was significantly high (p<0.05). Positive correlation was detected between the burnout levels of Residents and their anxiety, depression and loneliness scores (r=0.74; r=0.65; r=0.36). In terms of intrinsic, extrinsic and total job satisfaction, there was an obvious negative correlation (r=-0.57; r=-0.54; r=-0.61). Conclusion: Working conditions and professional liability were the main factors affecting the Residents. Informed decision and career willingness may help them feel better

Incidence and severity of retinopathy of prematurity in Turkey

Background: The purpose of this study was to estimate the current incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and the need for treatment in preterm infants in Turkey. Methods: The study included preterm infants who had been screened for ROP between 2011 and 2013 in 49 neonatal intensive care units. Infants with birth weight (BW) ≤1500 g or ≤32 weeks' gestational age and those with BW >1500 g or >32 weeks' GA with an unstable clinical course were included. The incidence of any ROP or severe ROP and treatment modalities were determined. Results: The study population included 15 745 preterm infants: 11 803 (75%) with GA ≤32 weeks, and 3942 (25%) with GA >32 weeks. Overall, 30% were found to have any stage of ROP, and 5% had severe ROP. Severe ROP was diagnosed in 8.2% of infants with BW ≤1500 g and 0.6% of infants with BW >1500 g. Of all infants diagnosed with ROP, 16.5% needed laser photocoagulation, and 20 patients born at >32 weeks' GA required this treatment modality. Vitroretinal surgery was performed in 28 infants with severe ROP: 23 with GA ≤28 weeks and 5 with GA 29-32 weeks. Conclusions: The findings of our study have the important implication that more mature babies are at risk of severe ROP requiring treatment. An effective programme for detecting and treating ROP should be established in Turkey

An observational, multicenter, registry-based cohort study of Turkish Neonatal Society in neonates with Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy

BACKGROUND: Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a significant cause of mortality and short- and long-term morbidities. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) has been shown to be the standard care for HIE of infants ≥36 weeks gestational age (GA), as it has been demonstrated to reduce the rates of mortality, and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. This study aims to determine the incidence of HIE in our country, to assess the TH management in infants with HIE, and present short-term outcomes of these infants. METHODS: The Turkish Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Online Registry database was established for this multicenter, prospective, observational, nationally-based cohort study to evaluate the data of infants born at ≥34 weeks GA who displayed evidence of neonatal encephalopathy (NE) between March, 2020 and April 2022. RESULTS: The incidence of HIE among infants born at ≥36 weeks GA (n = 965) was 2.13 per 1000 live births (517:242440), and accounting for 1.55% (965:62062) of all neonatal intensive care unit admissions. The rates of mild, moderate and severe HİE were 25.5% (n = 246), 58.9% (n = 568), and 15.6% (n = 151), respectively. Infants with severe HIE had higher rates of abnormal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and mortality (p6 h) (p>0.05). TH was administered to 85 (34.5%) infants with mild HIE, and of those born of 34-35 weeks of GA, 67.4% (n = 31) received TH. A total of 58 (6%) deaths were reported with a higher mortality rate in infants born at 34-35 weeks of GA (OR 3.941, 95% Cl 1.446-10.7422, p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: The incidence of HIE remained similar over time with a reduction in mortality rate. The timing of TH initiation, whether <3 or 3-6 h, did not result in lower occurrences of brain lesions on MRI or mortality. An increasing number of infants with mild HIE and late preterm infants with HIE are receiving TH; however, the indications for TH require further clarification. Longer follow-up studies are necessary for this vulnerable population