Serum kisspeptin levels in deep-infiltrating, ovarian, and superficial endometriosis: A prospective observational study.

The diagnosis of endometriosis may delay for many years due to non-deterministic symptoms and avoiding surgical interventions. Kisspeptins are hormones that interact with endometrial tissue to limit invasions during placentation and various cancers and are suggested to be also associated with endometriosis. This study evaluated if serum kisspeptin levels are associated with the invasion depth in endometriosis. Forty patients between 18 and 45 years of age and admitted to a tertiary-care Obstetrics and Gynecology Department between 2020 and 2021 with a diagnosis of endometriosis, and 40 patients without endometrioma were included in the study. Demographic, obstetric, clinical, and biochemical characteristics were evaluated in patients with superficial (SE) and deep infiltrating (DIE) endometriosis and healthy controls. Twenty patients (50%) had SE, 14 (35%) had DIE, and 22 (55%) had endometrioma in the patient group. Fertility rates were higher among controls, but similar between patients with SE and DIE. CA125 levels were significantly higher in the DIE group. SE and DIE groups had similar kisspeptin values, significantly higher than controls. CA125 and kisspeptin levels were not correlated in study groups. Serum kisspeptin levels were significantly different between endometriosis patients and healthy controls. However, kisspeptin levels were unable to differentiate endometriosis severity. Our results suggest that kisspeptins might play a role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, which needs further assessment in more comprehensive studies.

Breastfeeding Education in a Newly Organized Lactation Consultation Clinic: An Evaluation of Its Effects on the Improvement of Maternal Attitudes to Breastfeeding.

OBJECTIVE: Breastfeeding is the principal feeding source in the first years of life. Its targeted rates are not achieved properly, globally. Multifactorial reasons have been reported, but the effect of the facilities in the hospitals including lactation consultation clinics have rarely been discussed. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of breastfeeding education in a first officially organized clinic. This may further help authorities make any necessary interferences and improve public health strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, interventional study was performed in 100 mothers who were given breastfeeding education and was compared with 100 mothers without education. All of the mothers were interviewed to assess breastfeeding attitudes after 6 months. RESULTS: The study group demonstrated higher exclusive breastfeeding rates than controls (76% and 28%, respectively). Having an education was the most significant factor affecting exclusive breastfeeding duration (P < .05). Complementary feeding, bottles, and pacifiers were introduced significantly earlier in the control group (P < .05) There was a negative association between breastfeeding duration and both bottle and pacifier use (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Lactation consultation at a breastfeeding clinic improved the breastfeeding rate. Extending this project to maternity and children's hospitals will help to achieve the desired national targets in exclusive breastfeeding.