Comparison of spermiograms of infertile men before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been interest in the impact of both SARS-CoV-2 infection and pandemic-induced social restrictions on male reproductive health. This study aimed to evaluate the spermiogram values of men who presented for infertility during the pandemic compared with the previous 2 years. METHODS: Patients who presented to a urology outpatient clinic for the first time due to infertility were included. The patients' age, semen volume, and spermiogram results were recorded. Based on the presentation date, the patients were divided into prepandemic group 1 (March 2018-February 2019), prepandemic group 2 (March 2019-February 2020), and pandemic group (March 2020-February 2021) for comparison. RESULTS: A total of 594 patients were included. There was no significant difference between the three groups in terms of the number of patients who presented for infertility (207, 190, and 197 patients, respectively; p=0.691). The mean age was 36.6±7.2 in the prepandemic group 1, 35.5±7.1 in the prepandemic group 2, and 33.1±6.3 in the pandemic group. Patients who presented during the pandemic were significantly younger (p<0.001). There were no differences between the groups in terms of semen volume (p=0.910) or rates of normospermia and pathological spermiogram findings (p=0.222). CONCLUSIONS: In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no significant difference in the number of patients who presented for infertility or in their spermiogram results compared with 2018 and 2019. However, it is noteworthy that the patients were significantly younger during the pandemic than in the previous 2 years.

Enterocolitis necrosante: análisis retrospectivo de 1428 recién nacidos prematuros en una unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales de nivel III durante un período de cuatro años / Developing necrotizing enterocolitis: retrospective analysis of 1428 preterm infants at a level-III neonatal intensive care unit over a four years period

Objetivo. Investigar la frecuencia de la enterocolitis necrosante (ECN) en prematuros y evaluar los factores de riesgo asociados con su aparición y progresión a perforación intestinal.Métodos. Cohorte retrospectiva de prematuros hospitalizados entre 2015 y 2018. Las características perinatales, clínicas, nutricionales y de laboratorio se analizaron con SPSS-23, y los factores de riesgo mediante una regresión logística.Resultados. En 1428 neonatos, la tasa de ECN fue del 18,28 %. La concepción por reproducción asistida, la cesárea y los corticoesteroides posnatales se asociaron con ECN (OR: 4,056; IC del 95 %: 2,810-5,854; OR: 1,961; IC del 95 %: 1,321-2,910; OR: 6,422; IC del 95 %: 4,327-9,530). El momento de la primera alimentación enteral se asoció con ECN, pero no con perforación intestinal (p < 0,001; p = 0,604). De 261 pacientes con ECN, 47 (18 %) tuvieron perforación intestinal. El momento de la primera alimentación enteral y el ductus persistente con repercusión hemodinámica fueron factores predisponentes para ECN, y el puntaje de Apgar bajo al minuto 5 para perforación intestinal. (OR: 6,515; IC del 95 %: 5,011-8,470; OR: 4,715; IC del 95 %: 2,717-8,183; OR: 2,748; IC del 95 %: 1,100-6,866). La mortalidad fue del 9 %. La ECN aumentó el riesgo de mortalidad 2,192 veces (IC del 95 %: 1,469-3,271); en perforación intestinal, el riesgo aumentó 11,527 veces (IC del 95 %: 6,293-21,115).Conclusión. El conducto arterial persistente y el retraso en la primera nutrición enteral fueron factores predisponentes para ECN, y el puntaje de Apgar bajo al minuto 5 para perforación intestinal.

Aim. To investigate NEC frequency in premature infants and assess risk factors associated with disease-onset and progression to intestinal perforation.Methods. Retrospective cohort in preterm neonates hospitalized between 2015 and 2018. Perinatal characteristics, clinical features, nutritional data and laboratory outcome were analyzed using SPSS-23 statistical package. Logistic regression was performed to analyze associated risk factors.Results. In 1428 neonates, the rate of developing NEC was 18.28 %. Conception with assisted reproductive technology, cesearean section and postnatal-steroids were associated with NEC (OR: 4.056, 95 % CI: 2.810-5.854, OR: 1.961, 95 % CI: 1.321-2.910, OR: 6.422; 95 % CI: 4.327-9.530).Timing of first enteral feeding was associated to developing NEC, but not to intestinal perforation (p < 0.001, p = 0.604). Forty-seven of 261 NEC patients (18 %) have developed intestinal perforation. Antenatal steroids showed to reduce severe consequences (p = 0.001). Timing of first enteral feeding and hemodynamically significant PDA were predisposing factors for NEC and low 5-minutes Apgar score for intestinal perforation. (OR: 6.515; 95 % CI: 5.011-8.470; OR: 4.715; 95 % CI: 2.717-8.183; OR: 2.748; 95 % CI: 1.100-6.866).Mortality was 9 %. Developing NEC increased risk of mortality by 2.192 times (95 % CI: 1.469-3.271); in intestinal perforation, mortality risk increased to 11.527 (95 % CI: 6.293-21.115).Conclusion. NEC frequency was 18.28 %. Intestinal perforation occurred in 18 % of NEC patients. PDA and delay in first enteral nutrition were predisposing factors for acquiring NEC and low 5-minutes Apgar scores for intestinal perforation