Alcohol consumption during pregnancy by women from southern Brazil: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Some maternal characteristics are related to alcohol intake during pregnancy, which irreversibly compromises the maternal-fetal binomial integrity. OBJECTIVES: To identify the frequency, impact, and factors associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional study was performed at the Hospital Materno Infantil Presidente Vargas (HMIPV) in Porto Alegre/RS between March and December 2016. METHODS: A structured questionnaire was administered along with a medical records review. They refer to the maternal sociodemographic and gestational status, alcohol consumption patterns, and characteristics of the fetus/newborn. In the statistical analysis, P values < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: The frequency of alcohol intake was 37.3%; this was characterized by the consumption of fermented beverages (89.3%), especially during the first trimester (79.6%). Risky consumption (high and/or early) occurred for 30.2% of participants. Risk factors associated with maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy were tobacco use (P < 0.001) and abortion attempt (P = 0.023). Living with a partner (P = 0.002) and planning pregnancy (P = 0.009) were protective factors. Risky consumption was related to all of the aforementioned variables as well as threatened abortion (P = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol intake during pregnancy is common and affects nearly one-third of pregnant women. Knowledge of the population at risk and protective factors is essential for the development of campaigns that seek to reduce consumption and, therefore, its consequences for the mother and fetus.

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy by women from southern Brazil: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Some maternal characteristics are related to alcohol intake during pregnancy, which irreversibly compromises the maternal-fetal binomial integrity. OBJECTIVES: To identify the frequency, impact, and factors associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional study was performed at the Hospital Materno Infantil Presidente Vargas (HMIPV) in Porto Alegre/RS between March and December 2016. METHODS: A structured questionnaire was administered along with a medical records review. They refer to the maternal sociodemographic and gestational status, alcohol consumption patterns, and characteristics of the fetus/newborn. In the statistical analysis, P values < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: The frequency of alcohol intake was 37.3%; this was characterized by the consumption of fermented beverages (89.3%), especially during the first trimester (79.6%). Risky consumption (high and/or early) occurred for 30.2% of participants. Risk factors associated with maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy were tobacco use (P < 0.001) and abortion attempt (P = 0.023). Living with a partner (P = 0.002) and planning pregnancy (P = 0.009) were protective factors. Risky consumption was related to all of the aforementioned variables as well as threatened abortion (P = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol intake during pregnancy is common and affects nearly one-third of pregnant women. Knowledge of the population at risk and protective factors is essential for the development of campaigns that seek to reduce consumption and, therefore, its consequences for the mother and fetus.

Risk factors and characteristics of the birth of patients with craniofacial microsomia, a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Craniofacial microsomia (CM) is characterized by changes in the first and second branchial arches. It is a clinical condition whose etiology is still uncertain, but studies have shown that genetic, nutritional, and environmental factors can result in disorders of blastogenesis of the branchial arches. This study evaluates gestational aspects, focusing on possible risk factors associated with CM. METHODS: This is a case-control study conducted with patients monitored at a medical genetics service and compared to a control group of patients without evidence of malformations, born in a mother and child hospital, both located in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil. Mothers' data were obtained using questionnaires and by reviewing medical records. The sample consisted of 43 patients with CM (cases) and 129 patients without evidence of malformations (controls), paired by sex, totaling three controls for each case. Data analysis was performed using the two-tailed Fisher's exact test, Pearson's chi-square test, and the t-test. RESULTS: We identified several factors associated with the development of CM, including the use of abortion methods by the mothers of these babies (p = .001), maternal diabetes (p = .009), advanced maternal age (p = .035), and a history of vaginal bleeding (p < .001). Furthermore, these patients exhibited a tendency to be born prematurely (p = .027), with low birth weight (p = .007), and lower Apgar scores (p = .003) when compared to healthy infants. Using a multivariate model, the use of abortion methods (p = .003) and vaginal bleeding (p = .032) remained independently associated with craniofacial microsomia. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified several risk factors for the development of CM, including a propensity for premature birth, low birth weight, and respiratory difficulties. Additionally, women of advanced maternal age and/or those who used abortion methods and/or have diabetes have a higher risk of giving birth to a baby with CM. This information can be valuable in clinical practice, especially for the prevention of future cases.

Chromosomal abnormalities detected by karyotyping among patients with secondary amenorrhea: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Chromosomal abnormalities (CAs) have been described in patients with secondary amenorrhea (SA). However, studies on this association are scarce. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the frequency and types of CAs detected by karyotyping in patients with SA. DESIGN AND SETTING: This retrospective study was performed in a reference clinical genetic service in South Brazil. METHODS: Data were obtained from the medical records of patients with SA who were evaluated between 1975 and 2022. Fisher's bicaudate exact test and Student's t-test were used, and P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Among 43 patients with SA, 14 (32.6%) had CAs, namely del (Xq) (n = 3), 45,X (n = 2), 46,X,r(X)/45,X (n = 2), 46,XX/45,X (n = 1), 46,X,i(q10)/45,X (n = 1), 47,XXX (n = 1), 46,XX/47,XXX (n = 1), 46,XX/47,XX,+mar (n = 1), 45,XX,trob(13;14)(q10;q10)/46,XXX,trob(13;14)(q10;q10) (n = 1), and 46,XX,t(2;21)(q23;q11.2) (n = 1). Additional findings were observed mostly among patients with CA compared with those without CA (P = 0.0021). No difference in the mean age was observed between the patients with SA with or without CAs (P = 0.268025). CONCLUSIONS: CAs are common among patients with SA, especially those with short stature and additional findings. They are predominantly structural, involve the X chromosome in a mosaic, and are compatible with the Turner syndrome. Patients with SA, even if isolated, may have CAs, particularly del (Xq) and triple X.

Chromosomal abnormalities detected by karyotyping among patients with secondary amenorrhea: a retrospective study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Chromosomal abnormalities (CAs) have been described in patients with secondary amenorrhea (SA). However, studies on this association are scarce. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the frequency and types of CAs detected by karyotyping in patients with SA. DESIGN AND SETTING: This retrospective study was performed in a reference clinical genetic service in South Brazil. METHODS: Data were obtained from the medical records of patients with SA who were evaluated between 1975 and 2022. Fisher's bicaudate exact test and Student's t-test were used, and P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Among 43 patients with SA, 14 (32.6%) had CAs, namely del (Xq) (n = 3), 45,X (n = 2), 46,X,r(X)/45,X (n = 2), 46,XX/45,X (n = 1), 46,X,i(q10)/45,X (n = 1), 47,XXX (n = 1), 46,XX/47,XXX (n = 1), 46,XX/47,XX,+mar (n = 1), 45,XX,trob(13;14)(q10;q10)/46,XXX,trob(13;14)(q10;q10) (n = 1), and 46,XX,t(2;21)(q23;q11.2) (n = 1). Additional findings were observed mostly among patients with CA compared with those without CA (P = 0.0021). No difference in the mean age was observed between the patients with SA with or without CAs (P = 0.268025). CONCLUSIONS: CAs are common among patients with SA, especially those with short stature and additional findings. They are predominantly structural, involve the X chromosome in a mosaic, and are compatible with the Turner syndrome. Patients with SA, even if isolated, may have CAs, particularly del (Xq) and triple X.

Clinical and cytogenetic characteristics of patients diagnosed with Turner syndrome in a clinical genetics service: cross-sectional retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Turner syndrome (TS) is a rare genetic disease. Understanding its clinical findings contributes to better management of clinical conditions. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical and karyotypic characteristics of patients diagnosed with TS at two reference services for clinical genetics in southern Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective cross-sectional study conducted in two clinical genetics services in Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil. METHODS: The sample consisted of 59 patients with TS diagnosed from 1993 to 2019. A review of their medical records was performed and a standard protocol was filled out. RESULTS: The average age of the patients at diagnosis was 15.9 years, and 40.7% were over 13 years old. The largest proportion of them (42.4%) had been referred from an endocrinology department and their constitution was 45,X (40.7%). The most common clinical findings were short stature (85.7%), hypoplastic/ hyperconvex nails (61.2%), low posterior hairline (52.1%) and cubitus valgus (45.8%). There was no difference regarding the presence of short stature (P = 0.5943), number of dysmorphia (P = 0.143), anatomical regions affected and malformations identified through imaging examinations (P = 1.0000), regarding the presence or absence of 45,X constitution. Only 6% of the patients had used growth hormone and 43%, estrogen. CONCLUSION: We found that, in general, patients with TS were being diagnosed late. This has important implications for their treatment. In addition, only a small proportion of the patients were undergoing further examination or evaluation, which appeared to be leading to underdiagnosis of many abnormalities.

Clinical and cytogenetic characteristics of patients diagnosed with Turner syndrome in a clinical genetics service: cross-sectional retrospective study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Turner syndrome (TS) is a rare genetic disease. Understanding its clinical findings contributes to better management of clinical conditions. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical and karyotypic characteristics of patients diagnosed with TS at two reference services for clinical genetics in southern Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective cross-sectional study conducted in two clinical genetics services in Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil. METHODS: The sample consisted of 59 patients with TS diagnosed from 1993 to 2019. A review of their medical records was performed and a standard protocol was filled out. RESULTS: The average age of the patients at diagnosis was 15.9 years, and 40.7% were over 13 years old. The largest proportion of them (42.4%) had been referred from an endocrinology department and their constitution was 45,X (40.7%). The most common clinical findings were short stature (85.7%), hypoplastic/ hyperconvex nails (61.2%), low posterior hairline (52.1%) and cubitus valgus (45.8%). There was no difference regarding the presence of short stature (P = 0.5943), number of dysmorphia (P = 0.143), anatomical regions affected and malformations identified through imaging examinations (P = 1.0000), regarding the presence or absence of 45,X constitution. Only 6% of the patients had used growth hormone and 43%, estrogen. CONCLUSION: We found that, in general, patients with TS were being diagnosed late. This has important implications for their treatment. In addition, only a small proportion of the patients were undergoing further examination or evaluation, which appeared to be leading to underdiagnosis of many abnormalities.

HLA-G 14 bp In/Del and +3142 C/G genotypes are differentially expressed between patients with grade IV gliomas and controls.

Aim: Human Leukocyte Antigen-G (HLA-G) is a non-classical class I molecule that is involved in maternal-fetal immunotolerance. In cancer, this molecule contributes to the tumor escape. The aim of this study was to evaluate the 14 bp In/Del and +3142 C > G polymorphisms of the HLA-G 3' UTR and its relation with plasma and tissue HLA-G expression in patients with grade IV (high-grade) and grade I/II (low-grade) gliomas and controls.Patients and methods: Peripheral blood and tumor biopsies were collected from 85 patients with gliomas and blood samples from 94 controls. Polymorphisms were analyzed from blood DNA. Soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) was measured by ELISA in plasma of the subjects and the tissue expression by immunohistochemistry on patient's tissue.Results: Higher levels of sHLA-G were observed in grade IV gliomas patients than in controls (p < 0.0001). In grade IV patients, the heterozygous 14pb In/Del, +3142 C/G genotypes and Del/C*In/G haplotype were associated with higher sHLA-G levels (p < 0.0001) when compared with controls. GBM patients were stratified into high and low sHLA-G expression and an association was found between +3142 C allele and high sHLA-G plasmatic levels (p = 0.0095). Tissue HLA-G immunolabel was higher in high-grade than low-grade gliomas (p = 0.0033).Conclusion: This was the first study evaluating HLA-G 3' UTR polymorphisms and expression in patients with gliomas. The 14 bp In/Del and +3142 C/G genotypes and haplotypes showed high influence over sHLA-G expression, suggesting a heterozygous advantage in the tumor context and may contribute to a worse prognosis in glioma patients.

Diagnósticos de enfermagem na síndrome de Turner / Nursing diagnoses in Turner syndrome

A síndrome de Turner é uma doença genética rara e possui repercussão importante na assistência em saúde destas pacientes. Apesar da ST não ser incomum, ainda existem lacunas na literatura acerca da assistência de enfermagem. O objetivo do trabalho foi inferir diagnósticos de enfermagem a partir das condições clínicas apresentadas pelas pacientes com síndrome de Turner (ST), conforme a taxonomia II NANDA-I. Trata-se de um estudo transversal e retrospectivo, de abordagem quantitativa. A amostra foi constituída por 59 pacientes com ST, diagnosticadas no período de 1993 a 2019. Os dados foram extraídos dos seus prontuários e submetidos à inferência diagnóstica pautados na taxonomia II NANDA-I. O julgamento clínico ocorreu com as principais dismorfias descritas entre as pacientes. No que tange aos resultados, a constituição cromossômica mais frequente foi a monossomia do cromossomo X (40,7%) e a média de idade do diagnóstico das pacientes foi de 15,9 anos (variou de 1 mês a 34 anos). As principais dismorfias descritas foram: baixa estatura, cúbito valgo, pectus excavatum e palato ogival. Os diagnósticos inferidos para a população estudada foram isolamento social, mobilidade física prejudicada, deglutição prejudicada, baixa autoestima situacional e padrão respiratório ineficaz. Concluiu-se que a proposição de diagnósticos de enfermagem possibilita qualificar a assistência destas pacientes, a partir de evidências no cuidado à pacientes com doenças raras.

Turner's syndrome (TS) is a rare genetic disease and has an important impact on the health care of these patients. Although TS is not uncommon, there are still gaps in the literature about nursing care. The objective of the study was to infer nursing diagnoses from the clinical conditions presented by patients with Turner syndrome, according to NANDA-I taxonomy II. This is a cross-sectional and retrospective study, with a quantitative approach. The sample consisted of 59 patients with TS, diagnosed from 1993 to 2019. The data were extracted from their medical records and submitted to diagnostic inference based on the NANDA-I taxonomy II. The clinical judgment occurred with the main dysmorphias described among the patients. Regarding the results, the most common chromosomal constitution was X chromosome monosomy (40.7%) and the mean age of the patients at diagnosis was 15.9 years (ranged from 1 month to 34 years). The main dysmorphias described were: short stature, ulna valgus, pectus excavatum, and ogival palate. The diagnoses inferred for the studied population were social isolation, impaired physical mobility, impaired swallowing, low situational self-esteem, and ineffective breathing patterns. It was concluded that the proposal of nursing diagnoses makes it possible improve the assistance of these patients, based on evidence in the care of patients with rare diseases.

Periconceptional folic acid supplementation in Southern Brazil: Why are not we doing it right?

Several countries, as Brazil, have public policies for periconceptional folic acid supplementation (FAS) in order to prevent unfavorable outcomes. Our aim was to evaluate the FAS situation in a public reference hospital from Southern Brazil. This study included all mothers who had children born at the Hospital Materno Infantil Presidente Vargas, RS, Brazil, in a 1-year period. Data collection was conducted through interviews with application of a clinical protocol and analysis of the patients' records. FAS was defined as the use of folic acid in any period of the periconceptional period, irrespective of the duration and amount. We also classified those mothers who correctly followed the national recommendation proposed by the Health Ministry of Brazil. The sample consisted of 765 mothers evaluated soon after childbirth. Their ages ranged from 12 to 45 years (mean 25.2 years). The overall level of FAS was 51.5%, and the use according to the national recommendation occurred in only 1.6%. Factors associated with non-FAS consisted of lower maternal age (p = .009) and maternal schooling (p = .023), higher number of pregnancies (p = .003), fewer prenatal visits (p = .050) and later prenatal care onset (p = .037). Periconceptional FAS in our midst seems to be very far from the ideal goal. Susceptible groups appeared to be mothers who were younger, less educated, multiparous, and had inadequate prenatal care. We believe that efforts of education and awareness should be especially targeted for these groups. These recommendations should also be strengthened among those who prescribe the FAS.

Risk of Malignancy in Thyroid Nodules Using the American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System in the NIFTP Era.

Recently, the American College of Radiology (ACR) proposed a Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) for thyroid nodules based on ultrasonographic features. It is important to validate this classification in different centres. The present study evaluated the risk of malignancy in solid nodules>1 cm using ACR TI-RADS. The risk of malignancy was defined including noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) and after its exclusion from malignant tumours. For the present study, the original images were revised, and each nodule was assigned to one of the TI-RADS levels proposed for solid nodules: TR3, TR4, or TR5. This risk of malignancy was significantly different for the three levels: 1.7%, 11.2%, and 60.6% for TR3, TR4, and TR5, respectively, when NIFTP was included, and 0.6%, 7.9%, and 60.2% for TR3, TR4, and TR5, respectively, when NIFTP was excluded from malignant tumours. The nodules corresponding to NIFTP were classified according to ACR as TR3 in 28.5% of cases, TR4 in 67.8%, and TR5 in only 3.5%. The nodules corresponding to cancer were classified according to ACR as TR3 in only 2.3% of cases, TR4 in 27%, and TR5 in 70.5%. In conclusion, this study shows the validity of the ACR TI-RADS for solid thyroid nodules, even after the exclusion of NIFTP from malignant tumours.

Ultrasonography Classification of the American Thyroid Association for Predicting Malignancy in Thyroid Nodules >1cm with Indeterminate Cytology: A Prospective Study.

The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the ultrasonography classification of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) for predicting malignancy in thyroid nodules >1 cm with indication for fine-needle aspiration (FNA) whose cytology was indeterminate. Additionally, the combination of the ATA classification with Doppler analysis was evaluated. All patients with thyroid nodules >1 cm were eligible. Each nodule was assigned to one of the ATA categories. Exclusively or predominantly intranodular vascularity was considered suspicious. One hundred and thirty-seven patients with 143 nodules underwent FNA and those with indeterminate cytology (Bethesda category III or IV) were selected. All patients were referred for surgery. Among the 143 nodules evaluated, 92 were benign, 33 were malignant, 13 were noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasms with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP), and 5 were tumors of uncertain malignant potential (TUMP). The rate of malignancy, including NIFTP and TUMP in this definition, was 80%, 42.8%, 13%, 10%, and 23% for nodules with a high suspicion, intermediate suspicion, low suspicion, very low suspicion, and undefined ultrasonographic pattern, respectively. Considering NIFPT and TUMP as benign, these rates were 72%, 22.4%, 4.3%, 0%, and 15.4%, respectively. The addition of Doppler analysis did not significantly improve the prediction of malignancy obtained with the ATA classification alone. The results of this prospective study show the usefulness of the ATA ultrasonographic classification for predicting malignancy specifically in thyroid nodules >1 cm with indeterminate cytology. The ATA category of the nodule should influence the decision for follow-up, molecular tests, or surgery.

A case of disseminated sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis.

This paper presents a case of disseminated sporotrichosis in a 13-year-old female, originating from a rural area in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The patient was hospitalized in Santa Casa hospital of Belo Horizonte, with hyporexia, prostration, fever and disseminated ulcerative lesions, besides anemia, leucopenia and sepsis of probable cutaneous focus. The patient was admitted without proven immunosuppression. She was diagnosed with cutaneous-disseminated sporotrichosis. The drug therapy chosen was itraconazole during 12 months, leading to important clinical improvement and healing of cutaneous lesions.

Synchronous triple squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

BACKGROUND: Synchronous multiple primary malignancies of the esophagus and other organs are relatively unusual, but only five articles have published two synchronous cancers, both in the esophagus. This is the first published case of a triple esophageal carcinoma. CASE REPORT: A 43-year-old man was referred to our hospital with severe progressive dysphagia and epigastric pain for almost one year. Endoscopy and imaging exams revealed three tumors located in upper, middle and lower esophagus. The upper and middle esophageal cancers were irresectable, and the patient was treated with radio- and chemotherapy. He survived 11 months after the diagnosis and died due to severe undernutrition and bilateral pneumonia. CONCLUSION: In presence of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, propedeutics should be carefully performed in order to verify the occurrence of other synchronous tumors in the esophagus and other organs, mainly head and neck and bronchial regions.