Evaluation of the Blood Level of Adiponectin in Pregnant Adolescents / Avaliação dos níveis séricos de adiponectina em gestantes adolescentes

Abstract Objective To evaluate serum levels of adiponectin in pregnant adolescents between 30 and 36 weeks of gestation. Method: A prospective cross-sectional study enrolled 67 normal pregnant women between 30 and 36 weeks of gestation and eutrophic (body mass index [BMI]: 18.5-25 kg/m2), of which 36 were adolescents (< 20 years old) and 31 adults (≥ 20 years old). Serum adiponectin levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The t-student or Mann-Whitney tests were used for intergroup comparison. Results Pregnant adolescents showed significantly higher serum adiponectin concentrations comparedwith pregnant adults (p=0.04). No differences were observed in adiponectin levels in younger pregnant adolescents (< 16 years old) compared with older pregnant adolescents (≥ 16 years old). Adiponectin values were divided into 3 subgroups:<3,000 ng/mL, between 3,000 and 5,000 ng/mL, and>5,000 ng/mL. Birthweight was significantly higher in women>5,000 ng/mL when compared with<3,000 ng/mL in the adolescent group. No association between pregestational adiponectin levels and BMI, gestational weight gain, and gestational age was observed; however, there was a positive relation with birthweight (p=0.0239). Conclusion Serum adiponectin values in pregnant adolescents between 30 and 36 weeks of gestation were higher compared with pregnant adults; however, no differences between younger and older pregnant adolescents were observed.

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar os níveis séricos de adiponectina em gestantes adolescentes entre 30 e 36 semanas de gestação. Métodos Estudo prospectivo e transversal incluindo 67 gestantes normais entre 30 a 36 semanas e eutróficas (índice de massa corporal [IMC]: 18,5-25 kg/m2), sendo 36 adolescentes (< 20 anos) e 31 adultas (≥ 20 anos). Os níveis séricos de adiponectina foram avaliados por teste imunoenzimático (ELISA, na sigla em inglês). Para a comparação entre os grupos, utilizou-se os testes t-Student ou Mann-Whitney. Resultados As gestantes adolescentes apresentaram significativamente maiores concentrações séricas de adiponectina do que as adultas (p=0,04). Não houve diferenças nos níveis de adiponectina quando comparadas as gestantes adolescentes precoces (< 16 anos) às tardias (≥ 16 anos). Os valores de adiponectina foram subdivididos em3 grupos:<3.000 ng/mL, entre 3.000 e 5.000 ng/mL e>5.000 ng/mL. O peso do recém-nascido foi significantemente maior nas mulheres com>5.000 ng/mL, quando comparadas as com<3.000 ng/mL no grupo das adolescentes. Não foi observada associação entre os níveis de adiponectina e o IMC pré-gestacional, ganho de peso gestacional e a idade gestacional, porém houve relação positiva com o peso do recém-nascido (p=0,0239). Conclusão Os valores séricos de adiponectina em gestantes adolescentes entre 30 e 36 semanas de gestação foram maiores do que os das gestantes adultas; contudo, sem diferenças entre gestantes adolescentes precoces e tardias.

Levantamento de problemas comportamentais/emocionais em um ambulatório para adolescentes / Survey of behavioral/emotional problems in an adolescent outpatient service / Estudio de problemas conductuales/emocionales en una clínica para adolescentes

This study's objective was to identify the main behavioral and emotional problems perceived by adolescents attending an outpatient service. A total of 320 adolescents were included in the study. The respondents were not undergoing psychotherapy and self-applied the Youth Self Report in the ambulatory's waiting room. The main problem reported was Anxious/Depressed. Male adolescents obtained higher scores for Social Problems and lower scores for Delinquent Behavior, while females obtained lower scores for Somatic Complaints and higher scores for the Anxious/Depressed scale. Social Problems were associated with the initial phase of adolescence. In terms of incidence, less than one quarter of the adolescents presented problems, suggesting that adolescence is not a period of turbulence. Some adolescents require a more detailed evaluation because they reported behaviors indicative of mental disorders. We conclude that there is a need for mental health workers to integrate the health staff providing care to adolescents.

El objetivo del estudio fue identificar los problemas comportamentales y emocionales notados en adolescentes que frecuentan una clínica de salud. Participaron 320 adolescentes, que no estaban en psicoterapia y que respondieron, en la sala de espera, de una clínica de salud, al Youth Self Report. El principal problema relatado fue Ansiedad/Depresión. Los niños obtuvieron calificaciones más altas en Problemas Sociales y más bajas en Comportamiento Delincuente; las niñas se presentaron con menos problemas en el grupo Problemas Somáticos y con más problemas en Ansiedad/Depresión. En lo referente al rango de edad, se observó que Problemas Sociales estuvieron asociados al inicio de la adolescencia. En lo referente a la incidencia, menos de un cuarto de los adolescentes se presentaron con problemas, sugiriendo que la adolescencia no es un periodo de turbulencia. Se observó que algunos adolescentes necesitan una evaluación más detallada, pues relataron comportamientos indicativos de trastornos mentales. Se concluye que existe la necesidad de que profesionales de salud mental integren el equipo de salud que atiende a adolescentes.