The Effect of Kangaroo Care on Paternal Attachment: A Randomized Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: During the first interaction between the father and the infant, touch can be very important especially father-infant skin-to-skin contact. Few studies have focused on the effect of kangaroo care (KC) on paternal attachment. PURPOSE: This randomized controlled study was conducted to determine the effect of KC on paternal attachment. METHODS: A total of 90 fathers of healthy newborns, including 45 in the intervention group and 45 in the control group who met the inclusion criteria, were included randomly in the study. Data were collected using the Introductory Information Form at study admission and the Father-Infant Attachment Scale (FIAS) at 3 months of age. T test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean FIAS scores for the intervention group (I) were higher than for the control group (C) (I: 80.57 ± 13.70; C: 56.76 ± 13.23) ( P < .05). Patience and tolerance (I: 13.70 ± 1.18; C: 11.57 ± 2.30), pleasure in interaction (I: 29.50 ± 2.86; C: 17.13 ± 5.93), and love and pride (I: 37.37 ± 2.85; C: 28.06 ± 5.82) mean scores for FIAS subdimensions in the intervention group were also higher than in the control group ( P < .05). IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH: Findings of this study demonstrate that KC has the potential to increase paternal attachment. Healthcare providers should provide discharge education for fathers on KC to increase father-infant attachment. There is a need for studies with larger samples in different cultures on the factors related to parents that affect father-infant attachment and evidence-based practices that increase attachment.

Effect of Tea Tree Oil and Coconut Oil on Nipple Crack Formation in the Early Postpartum Period.

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of tea tree oil and coconut oil applied to the nipples during the early postpartum period on nipple crack formation. Methods: This randomized controlled experimental research included a total of 90 women in the research sample abiding by the research criteria, with 30 each in the intervention groups (coconut oil or tea tree oil application) and 30 in the control group. Women in the intervention groups applied coconut oil or tea tree oil to the nipples on the 3rd, 7th, and 10th days postpartum, whereas the control group did not have any intervention. Data in the research were collected with the Descriptive Information Form for Mothers, Early Postpartum Period Breast Problem Assessment Form, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Analysis of data used the chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Friedman's test. Results: Mean age of women participating in the research was 28.23 ± 5.21 years. The differences between the groups applying coconut oil and tea tree oil on the 3rd, 7th, and 10th days postpartum and the control group were significant in terms of incidence of nipple cracks. In addition, the difference in mean VAS points for nipple pain in the groups using coconut oil and tea tree oil and the control group was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusions: According to the research findings, coconut oil and tea tree oil were determined to reduce nipple crack formation and nipple pain. It is recommended to increase the use of coconut oil and tea tree oil related to breast problems in nursing care during the postpartum period. Clinical Trials Registration Number: NCT05456438.

Is there a role for kisspeptin in pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome?

AIM: To investigate association of kisspeptin levels in infertile women with different ovarian reserve patterns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective cross-sectional study, 157 participants were recruited. The women were divided into three groups: (i) adequate ovarian reserve (AOR) (n = 57), (ii) high ovarian reserve (PCOS) (n = 60), (iii) diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) (n = 40). Weight, height, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio (WHR) were measured. The blood samples were analyzed for estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), total testosterone (TT), 17-hydroxy progesterone (17OHP), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), antimullerian hormone (AMH), kisspeptin measurements. RESULTS: FSH concentration was higher and AMH concentration was lower in DOR group (p < .001, p < .001, respectively). The mean LH, TT and DHEAS levels were higher in PCOS group (p = .001, p < .00 and p = .003, respectively). The 17OHP level did not differ among the groups (p = .15). Women with PCOS possessed the highest kisspeptin level (p = .01). The kisspeptin level was negatively correlated with FSH level (r = -0.18, p = .02) and positively correlated with TT and DHEAS levels (r = 0.17, p = .02 and r = 0.23, p = .003, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Women with PCOS had increased serum kisspeptin levels. Kisspeptin concentrations were negatively correlated with serum FSH and positively correlated with serum TT and DHEAS levels.

The effects of umbilical cord entanglement upon labor management and fetal health: retrospective case control study.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study aimed at determining prognostic factors that paved the way for umbilical cord entanglement (UCE) and the effects of UCE upon labor management and fetal health. METHODS: Sixty women who gave term birth with head presentation and received UCE diagnosis following birth composed the case group while another 60 women with the same characteristics who were selected with randomized sampling method and who did not develop UCE comprised the control group. The data obtained were processed with SPSS 22.0 statistical program. T test was used for comparing demographic and obstetric data and mean birth weight of babies in the case group and control group. For comparing data on active labor management and fetal health, numbers, percentages and chi-square test were used. Also for comparing values <5, Fisher's chi-square test was employed. RESULTS: Emergent cesarean delivery (case: 58.3.0%; control: 21.7%), vacuum assisted vaginal delivery (case: 20.0%; control: 3.3%), forceps assisted vaginal delivery (case: 8.3%; control: 1.7%), fetal distress (case: 60.0%; control: 25.0%), amniotic fluid meconium (case: 58.3%; control: 21.7%), APGAR score less than 7 at the 1st minute (case: 58.3%; control: 21.7%) and APGAR score less than 7 at the 5th minute were higher in the women in the case group than the women in the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: UCE increased rates of interventional birth, emergent cesarean delivery, vacuum assisted vaginal delivery, forceps assisted vaginal delivery, amniotic fluid meconium and fetal distress.

Hyperemesis gravidarum affects maternal sanity, thyroid hormones and fetal health: a prospective case control study.

PURPOSE: Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a condition of severe nausea or vomiting accompanied by various complications during pregnancy. In the present study, we aimed to demonstrate the effects of HG on mother and fetus health. METHODS: Control and case group were arranged from 50 healthy pregnant women and 50 pregnant women with HG. Information about the participant women was gathered with data collection form and Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) and State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) were administered to the women. Following an abortion or delivery, the data about birth complications and neonatal health were collected. All laboratory results (blood count, thyroid hormones, electrolyte values and biochemical parameters) were gathered from the laboratory information system used in the hospital. RESULTS: It was found that in the case group, mean postpartum weight, serum hemoglobin, hematocrit and thyroid stimulant hormone levels were lower than control group (p < 0.01). Conversely, case group women have higher T3 and T4 levels than control group (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of intrauterine growth retardation, low birth weight and abortion but it was observed that women with HG had often delivered prematurely. The mean scores of BDI and SAI in the case group were higher than those of control group. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that HG may have adverse effects on both mother and baby's health. Pregnant women with HG should be provided with training and consultancy services and be closely monitored in terms of anemia and thyroid hormones.