Salivary Sex Steroid Levels in Infants and the Relation with Infantile Colic

Objective: The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis is active during minipuberty, the timing of which coincides with infantile colic. To the best of our knowledge, the relationship between these entities has not been previously investigated. Methods: Saliva samples were collected from 15- to 60-day-old term infants (n=139) between 9 am and 5 pm. Group 1 included infants with infantile colic (n=68, 54.4% female) while the remaining healthy infants constituted Group 2 (n=71, 47.9% female). Salivary levels of estradiol (Esal) in females and testosterone (Tsal) in males were measured by ELISA in duplicate. Results: The median (25th-75th centile) age and birth week for all infants were 33 (29-43) days and 39 (38.1-40) weeks, respectively. Levels of Tsal in males [Group 1, 73.35 (59.94-117.82) pg/mL vs Group 2, 77.66 (56.49-110.08) pg/mL, p=0.956] and Esal in females [Group 1, 3.91 (2.76-5.31) pg/mL vs Group 2, 4.03 (1.63-12.1) pg/mL, p=0.683] were similar. However, in subjects with infantile colic (Group 1), Esal and body mass index (BMI) standard deviation scores of females were slightly correlated (Group 1, rs= 0.393, p=0.016 vs. Group 2, rs= 0.308, p=0.076) and there was a significant correlation between the sampling time and Tsal in males (Group 1, rs= 0.469, p=0.009 vs. Group 2, rs= -0.005, p=0.976). Conclusion: Random salivary sex steroid levels were similar in infants with and without infantile colic. However, in subjects with infantile colic, Esal levels in females were positively correlated with BMI and Tsal levels were higher later in the day among males. Thus, sex steroid production may be altered during minipuberty in subjects with infantile colic.

Long-term posttraumatic stress disorder in mine workers after a coalmining disaster

Abstract Background A coalmine disaster has occurred in Turkey on 13 May 2014, which caused the death of 301 miners. Objective This study aimed to determine the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and the risk factors for PTSD among mine workers, 2 years after the coalmining disaster. Methods This was a cross-sectional survey conducted between June 2016 and July 2016 among mine workers who were the employees of either the mine where the accident occurred or three other mines in the same area. Sociodemographic data form and PTSD Symptom-Scale Self-Report (PSS-SR) were used to collect data. Results 672 mine workers participated in the study. At the time of the accident, 23.7% (n = 159) of them were in the mine where the accident occurred. The mean score on total PSS-SR was 4.27 (SD: ±4.49). Eighteen (2.7%) participants screened positive for PTSD. Logistic regression analysis revealed the significant risk factors for PTSD are: being single/divorced/widowed, having a chronic disease, having a family history of psychiatric illness and previously experiencing traumatic events more than one. Discussion Coalmining workers have considerably high prevalence rate of PTSD symptoms after a coalmining disaster. Assessing PTSD and associated risks is important for preventive mental health services.