Background: The use of high-sensitive cardiac troponin T (hsTnT) in urine as a marker of cardiac damage in children has not yet been reported. Elimination of cardiac troponins is dependent on renal ...function; persistently increased serum hsTnT concentrations were observed among individuals with impaired renal function. The aim of this study was to investigate serum and urine hsTnT levels and its correlation in infants and children younger than 24 months of age after cardiac surgery. Methods: This study was conducted on 90 infants and children under 24 months of age who were divided into three groups. The experimental group consisted of patients with intracardiac surgery of ventricular septal defect (VSD), first control group consisted of infants with extracardiac formation of bidirectional cavopulmonary connection (BCPC), and the second control group consisted of healthy children. Troponin T values were determined in serum and urine at five time points: the first sample was taken on the day before cardiac surgery (measure 0) and the other four samples were taken after the surgery; immediately after (measure 1), on the first (measure 2), third (measure 3), and fifth postoperative day (measure 5). The first morning urine was sampled for determining the troponin T in the control group of healthy infants. Results: A positive correlation between troponin T values in serum and urine was found. Urine hsTnT measured preoperatively in children undergoing BCPC surgery was higher (median 7.3 IQR 6.6–13.3 ng/L) compared to children undergoing VSD surgery (median 6.5 IQR 4.4–8.9 ng/L) as well as to healthy population (median 5.5 IQR 5.1–6.7 ng/L). After logarithmic transformation, there was no statistically significant difference in urine hsTnT concentration between the groups at any point of measurement preoperatively or postoperatively. Statistically significant negative correlation was found between serum and urine hsTnT concentrations and glomerular filtration rate estimated by creatinine clearance. Patients who underwent surgical repair of VSD had significantly higher concentrations of troponin T in serum on the first three postoperative measurements compared to those who had BCPC surgery. Conclusions: According to the results of this study, renal function after cardiac surgery appears to have a major effect on the urinary hsTnT concentrations, and we cannot conclude that this is an appropriate marker for the assessment of postoperative myocardial damage in children. Nevertheless, more research is needed to reach a better understanding of the final elimination of cardiac troponins in children.
The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between women's age and risk of pregnancy-related complications. The study was a retrospective cohort analysis of the pregnancy-related ...complications and outcomes between two age groups of parturient women. Categorical data were expressed as absolute and relative frequencies. Statistical analysis was performed using chi square-test. The incidence of gestational diabetes was higher in the 40-47 age group as compared with the 20-24 age group. The rates of hypertension, preeclampsia, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and hypothyroidism did not differ between the two groups. The rates of labor induction, oxytocin use, vaginal delivery, and need for episiotomy were higher in younger age group. Dystocia and breech presentation as indications for cesarean section were more common among younger women. According to study results, the risk of gestational diabetes and rates of cesarean delivery increased with advanced maternal age. Key words: Maternal age; Pregnancy; Risk factors; Delivery
Ever since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic, uncertainty regarding clinical presentation and differences among various subpopulations exist. With more than 209,870,000 confirmed cases and more than ...4,400,000 deaths worldwide, we are facing the new era of health crisis which will undoubtedly impair global health, economic and social circumstances. In the past year, numerous genetic mutations which code SARS-CoV-2 proteins led to the occurrence of new viral strains, with higher transmission rates. Apart from the implementation of vaccination, the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on pregnancy outcome and maternal fetal transmission remains an important concern. Although neonates diagnosed with COVID-19 were mostly asymptomatic or presented with mild disease, the effect on early pregnancy is yet to be evident. While positive finding of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in some samples such as amniotic fluid, placental tissue, cord blood and breast milk exists, additional research should confirm its association with transplacental transmission.
The aim of the study was to explore the relationship between educational level, employment status and sexual activity after delivery. The study was conducted on 286 women with experience of vaginal ...delivery who completed the questionnaire about age, education, employment, and health status for themselves and partners. Time of the first intercourse and its frequency in the first year after childbirth was observed. Relationship between the variables observed was explored by using multiple linear regression. The mean pregnancy duration was 39 weeks. The mean age of participants was 29.9 (16 to 44) years. Most women had high education (n=170, 59.4%), 114 (39.9%) had secondary, and 2 (0.7%) had primary educational level. Although there were significant differences in the time of the first intercourse and maternal educational level (p=0.013872), partner’s employment status (p=0.007403) and maternal age (p= 0.01107), as well as differences in the frequency of intercourse in the first year following delivery and partner’s educational level (p=0.016929), multiple correlation coefficients indicated a very weak correlation. According to study results, the correlation of educational level, employment status and sexual activity after childbirth is weak.
Aim
Along with changes to the human physique recorded over the past decades in certain countries, there are also changes concerning the male-female birth ratio. The aim of this study was to establish ...the movement of male-female birth ratios and factors affecting the ratio.
Methods
This retrospective study was conducted in Zagreb, Croatia, in the period from 1985 to 2019 on a sample of 3804 newborns.
Results
In the 35-year period the ratio of boys and girls at birth did not change significantly. Girls had lower birth weight, and boys
had higher birth length. In the war period (1992-1994), a mild increase in the ratio of boys was noted, but not statistically significant. Father’s age in the last period examined (2007-2009) showed to be a statistically significant predictor of the child’s gender. Namely, the descendants of younger fathers were statistically significantly more frequently girls, while the descendants of older fathers were more frequently boys. Married mothers had higher percentage of male births (51.5%), and a lower percentage (47.1%) by unmarried mothers.
Conclusion
The changes in birth ratios are particularly pronounced in different age and socioeconomic groups of parents nowadays when the growth of living standards is accompanied by significant changes of the human physique.
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