Relationship between the mode of delivery, morbidity and mortality in preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study, to evaluate the relationship between mode of delivery and preterm morbidities and mortality, who born ≤34 weeks of gestation within 1 year. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Babies were divided into two groups as who were born by cesarean section (CS) and vaginal delivery (VD) between March 2019 and March 2020. Infants born at ≤28 weeks were also analyzed. RESULTS: The rate of CS delivery was 76% (378) in the whole group and 73% (115) in the babies of ≤28 gestational weeks. The most common maternal factor causing CS was preeclampsia (25%). The antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) application rate was 30% (152) in the whole group and 30% (45) in infants of ≤28 weeks. Rate of babies with an Apgar score of <5 at 5th min, asphyxia, multiple organ failure, development of severe respiratory distress syndrome, severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and mortality were significantly increased in infants born VD (for all p < 0.05). Mortality was significantly higher when gestational age was ≤28 weeks, birth weight was ≤1500 g and ACS was not administered (p < 0.001 for all). CONCLUSION: Mortality, severe IVH, neonatal asphyxia and multiple organ failure were found to be higher in those who were born by VD. These findings suggest that these results were due to inadequate prenatal care and follow-up and lack of ACS.

Excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy in conjunction with mitomycin C in corneal macular and granular dystrophies.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the visual outcomes, recurrence patterns, safety, and efficacy of excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) in conjunction with mitomycin C (MMC) for corneal macular and granular diystrophies. METHODS: The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 included patients with macular corneal dystrophy (MCD) that caused superficial corneal plaque opacities, and Group 2 included patients with granular corneal dystrophy (GCD). Patients in both groups were pre-, peri-, and postoperatively evaluated. The groups were compared in terms of uncorrected visual acuity (VA), best spectacle-corrected VA, presence of mild or significant recurrence, and time of recurrence. RESULTS: Eighteen eyes (nine with MCD and nine with GCD) of 18 patients (10 men and eight women) were included. PTK was performed for each eye that was included in this study. The mean ablation amount was 117.8 ± 24.4 µm and 83.5 ± 45.7 µm in MCD and GCD, respectively, (p=0.18). The postoperative improvement of the mean VA was similar between the two groups before recurrences (p>0.43) and after recurrences (p>0.71). There were no statistically significant differences in the recurrence rate and the recurrence-free period for any recurrence type. CONCLUSION: PTK was an effective, safe, and minimally invasive procedure for patients with MCD and GCD. PTK in conjunction with MMC was similarly effective for both groups in terms of recurrence and visual outcomes.

Excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy in conjunction with mitomycin C in corneal macular and granular dystrophies / Ceratectomia fototerapêutica com excimer laser em conjunto com mitomicina C em distrofias granular e macular da córnea

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the visual outcomes, recurrence patterns, safety, and efficacy of excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) in conjunction with mitomycin C (MMC) for corneal macular and granular diystrophies. Methods: The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 included patients with macular corneal dystrophy (MCD) that caused superficial corneal plaque opacities, and Group 2 included patients with granular corneal dystrophy (GCD). Patients in both groups were pre-, peri-, and postoperatively evaluated. The groups were compared in terms of uncorrected visual acuity (VA), best spectacle-corrected VA, presence of mild or significant recurrence, and time of recurrence. Results: Eighteen eyes (nine with MCD and nine with GCD) of 18 patients (10 men and eight women) were included. PTK was performed for each eye that was included in this study. The mean ablation amount was 117.8 ± 24.4 µm and 83.5 ± 45.7 µm in MCD and GCD, respectively, (p=0.18). The postoperative improvement of the mean VA was similar between the two groups before recurrences (p>0.43) and after recurrences (p>0.71). There were no statistically significant differences in the recurrence rate and the recurrence-free period for any recurrence type. Conclusion: PTK was an effective, safe, and minimally invasive procedure for patients with MCD and GCD. PTK in conjunction with MMC was similarly effective for both groups in terms of recurrence and visual outcomes.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar os resultados visuais, padrões de recorrência, segurança e eficácia da ceratectomia fototerapêutica (PTK) por excimer laser em conjunto com mitomicina C (MMC) em distrofias macular e granular da córnea. Métodos: Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos. Grupo 1 incluiu pacientes com distrofia macular de córnea (MCD) que causaram opacidades superficiais corneanas em placa e o grupo 2 incluiu pacientes com distrofia corneana granular (GCD). Todos os pacientes em ambos os grupos foram avaliados no pré, per e pós-operatório. Os grupos foram comparados em termos de acuidade visual (VA) não corrigida, VA melhor corrigida por óculos, presença de recorrência leve ou significativa e o tempo de recorrência. Resultados: Dezoito olhos de 18 pacientes (10 homens e 8 mulheres) foram incluídos no estudo, 9 olhos com MCD e 9 olhos com GCD. Um procedimento de PTK foi realizado em cada olho incluídos neste estudo. A quantidade média de ablação foi 117,8 ± 24,4, 83,5 ± 45,7 µm de MCD e GCD, respectivamente, (p=0,18). A melhora pós-operatória da acuidade visual média foi semelhante entre os dois grupos antes de as recidivas (p>0,43) e após as recidivas (p>0,71). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa na taxa de recorrência ou do período livre de recorrência para qualquer tipo de recorrência. Conclusão: PTK foi um procedimento eficaz, seguro e minimamente invasivo para pacientes MCD e GCD. PTK em conjunto com MMC é igualmente eficaz para ambos os grupos em termos de recorrência e resultados visuais.

Autologous Serum Eye Drops Accelerate Epithelial Healing After LASEK.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of autologous serum on the rate of epithelial healing and clinical results after laser epithelial keratectomy (LASEK) for correction of myopia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty eyes of 15 patients received autologous serum drops (Study Group) while 30 eyes of 15 patients received conventional artificial tears (Control Group) after LASEK. LASEK was performed with 25-second application of 18% alcohol. Laser ablation was performed with the ESIRIS excimer laser (SCHWIND, Kleinostheim, Germany). Patients were seen daily until epithelial closure, and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Time to epithelial healing was the main outcome measure. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), manifest refraction, and haze were recorded. RESULTS: Preoperative myopic spherical equivalent refraction was -2.98 ± 1.13 diopters (D) in the study group and -2.65 ± 1.01 D in the control group (p = 0.264). The mean time to epithelial healing was about 1 day shorter in the eyes receiving autologous serum than the eyes receiving conventional treatment (2.78 ± 0.40 days versus 3.73 ± 0.58 days, respectively) (p = 0.001). All eyes achieved 20/25 or better UCVA at 6 months. Over 90% of eyes were within ±0.50 D of emmetropia at 12 months in both groups. No significant difference was noted in the incidence of haze. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous serum eye drops seem to accelerate epithelial healing after LASEK, which may shorten the duration of early postoperative discomfort by about 1 day.

Knowledge level of working and student nurses on cervical cancer and human papilloma virus vaccines.

PURPOSE: To determine knowledge levels of working and student nurses about cervical cancer and prophylactic cancer vaccines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed on 259 nursing students in the Department of Nursing and 137 nurses working in Health Research and Practice Center, approved to participate in the study between April-June 2012. The study was performed universally without selecting a sample. A questionnaire that was prepared for evaluating participants' knowledge and attitudes about human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine was distributed to the nurses and data obtained from the forms were transferred to SPSS 15.00 program and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: It was found that 54.8% of the student nurses were between 21-24 years old and 13.1% of working students were between 25-28 years old. When student nurses and working nurses were compared in terms of their knowledge about the causes of cervical cancer, their ideas about prevention from cervical cancer with HPV vaccine, their ideas about possible risks of HPV vaccine and conservation ratios of HPV vaccine, it was observed that there were no statistically significant differences (p>0.05). When student nurses and working nurses were compared in terms of the information-source about HPV, ways of HPV contamination, awareness about people who are susceptible to HPV contamination and age of HPV vaccination, it was determined that there was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It was found that all nurses had some knowledge about cervical cancer and HPV vaccine, but this was not sufficient. Therefore; it is recommended to use verbal, written and visual communication tools intensively in order to have topics on cervical cancer, early diagnosis and prevention in bachelor and master programs for nurses, to inform society about cervical cancer and HPV vaccine for public health and to teach precautions for its prevention.