Prolidase as a marker of fibrogenesis in idiopathic primary ovarian insufficiency.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the serumlevel of prolidase,which isa marker of fibrogenic activity, in women with idiopathic primary ovarian insufficiency (POI). STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective case-control study. Serum prolidase level was compared between the study group including 68 women with POI and control group including 65 normally menstruating women. Serum proline and hydroxyproline levels were also compared. Correlation analyses were performed between the prolidase level and POI related parameters including estradiol (E), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) levels, and presence of POI family history. RESULTS: Serum prolidase and proline level were significantly increased in women with the diagnosis of POI compared to the control group (1082.57 (147.53) vs 981.13 (223.26) U/L, 233.30 (83.16) vs 218.94 (82.59) µmol/L, respectively). Prolidase level found to have significant correlations with AMH, E, FSH levels, and presence of POI family history (r = -0.49, p = 0.001; r = -0.39, p = 0.001; r = 0.42, p = 0.001; r = 0.22, p = 0.01; respectively). In receiver operating characteristics analysis, prolidase was shown to be a discriminative factor for POI at 1031.14 U/L cut-off value with 75 % sensitivity and 65 % specificity. Thearea under curve was 0.71 [(95 % CI: 0.62-0.79), p = 0.001]. CONCLUSION: The current study revealed increased prolidase level in women withPOI. Serum prolidase level was also negatively correlated with the serum AMH level. Considering the present findings,prolidase may be a candidate molecule in assessment of POI cases.

Serum levels of kynurenine in pregnancies with fetal growth restriction and oligohydramnios.

OBJECTIVES: Kynurinine (KYN) and its metabolites, which are released during the metabolism of tryptophan, an essential amino acid, have many important functions, such as cellular energy production, regulation of vascular tone, and regulation of the immune system. In this study, we aimed to detect serum KYN levels, which may be an indicator of KYN pathway activity, in idiopathic fetal growth restriction (FGR) and oligohydramnios cases whose pathophysiology is known to be affected by multiple factors, such as placental hypoperfusion, immune dysregulation, and maternal nutrition disorder, and to investigate their relationship with these common obstetric complications. METHODS: This cross-sectional case-control study was carried out in the antenatal outpatient clinics of Ankara City Hospital between July and December 2021. While the study group consisted of pregnant women with idiopathic isolated FGR and oligohydramnios, the control group consisted of low-risk patients who did not have any problems. The clinical features of the patients, such as age, body mass indexes, and gestational week, were recorded by measuring basic laboratory parameters and serum KYN levels. RESULTS: A total of 110 patients were included in this study. The patients were divided into three groups: FGR, oligohydramnios, and the control group. There was no significant difference between the patients' ages, weeks of gestation, or body mass indexes. Serum KYN level was calculated as 57.8 ± 13.4 pg/mL in IUGR, 75.3 ± 10.8 pg/mL in oligohydramnios and 95.1 ± 13.3 pg/mL in the control group (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum KYN levels were lower in pregnant women complicated with FGR and oligohydramnios more prominently in pregnant women diagnosed with FGR than in normal pregnancies. The results suggest that KYN plays an important role in either the etiopathogenesis or the response to these two obstetric pathologies.

Effect of Maternal Subclinical Hypothyroidism on Congenital Hypothyroidism Screening Results: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the results of congenital hypothyroidism screening (CHS) in neonates born to women with subclinical hypothyroidism (SHT) during pregnancy and to identify maternal and neonatal characteristics associated with recall rate in CHS. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study included nonrefugee pregnant women and newborn pairs who underwent thyroid function tests during prenatal follow-up between 2014 and 2017 and had neonatal CHS records. The women were evaluated overall and divided into euthyroidism (ET) and SHT groups according to their thyroid function tests. The groups were compared in terms of CHS results. Neonates with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels <5.5 mIU/L were considered "normal," while those with values ≥5.5 mIU/L were "recall." RESULTS: The antenatal thyroid function data of a total of 22,383 pregnant women were analyzed. Of these, 71.6% were ET and 16.3% were diagnosed as SHT. Overall, the recall rate accounted for 5.34% of all CHS results and the recall rate was higher in the SHT group (7.10%) compared with the ET group (5.54%; p = 0.001). Being low birth weight (LBW) or large for gestation age (LGA), maternal TSH above the 97.5th percentile, and cesarean delivery increased the risk of recall in CHS (p ˂ 0.05). CONCLUSION: The recall rate was higher among the neonates of mothers with SHT. Being LBW or LGA, maternal TSH above the 97.5th percentile and cesarean delivery increased the risk of recall in CHS. KEY POINTS: · SHT is the most common form of hypothyroidism in pregnancy.. · TSH elevation is higher among the neonates of mothers with SHT.. · Being LBW or LGA, and cesarean delivery also increase the risk of TSH elevation in infants..

Early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding: Factors influencing the attitudes of mothers who gave birth in a baby-friendly hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the initation time of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding rates, and complementary feeding practices during the first six months of life among mothers who gave birth in a baby-friendly hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 350 mothers. Demographic characteristics, obstetric history and information about breastfeeding initiation were collected at the hospital. Information about factors affecting breastfeeding duration and feeding practices of the infants were obtained at the end of six months. RESULTS: Some 97.4% of the mothers initiated breastfeeding, 60.1% within the first hour. Exclusive breastfeeding was maintained for six months in 38.9%. Low education levels of mother/father, random breastfeeding, rare breastfeeding at night, nipple problems, bottle/pacifier use, and lack of social support were found associated with early cessation. Planned pregnancy [odds ratio (OR=2.02)] and vaginal delivery (OR=0.3) were found as the most important factors in early initiation, whereas antepartum breastfeeding education (OR=7.17) was the most important factor for exclusive breastfeeding duration in the logistic analysis. More than half (61.1%) of the infants were partially/bottle fed for six months; the most common reason was the belief that breast milk was insufficient. CONCLUSION: Efforts to encourage mothers and society to breastfeed exclusively should be made as part of a primary public health strategy to prevent early cessation of breastfeeding.