Skin Findings in Newborns and Their Relationship with Maternal Factors: Observational Research

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous lesions are commonly seen in the newborn period and exhibit inconsistency from the skin lesions of an adult. OBJECTIVE: The present study was carried out with an aim to determine the frequency of physiologic and pathologic cutaneous findings in newborns. METHODS: Typically, 1234 newborns were included in this study. A questionnaire about maternal gestational history, maternal and family history was issued to the parents of each newborn. The presence of cutaneous lesions was recorded. RESULTS: Overall, 642 (52%) of the newborns were male and 592 (48%) were female. Typically, 831 newborns (67.3%) had at least one cutaneous lesion. The prevalence of genital hyperpigmentation and milia was significantly higher in males. In premature newborns, the pervasiveness of cutis marmorata and genital hyperpigmentation was found to be significantly higher. Caput succedaneum, transient neonatal pustular melanosis and cyanosis appeared predominantly in vaginally born infants. Erythema toxicum neonatorum was seen in infants, who were born by cesarean section. The predominance of Mongolian spots and erythema toxicum neonatorum were significantly higher in the newborns of the multiparous mothers; however, caput succedaneum was significantly higher in newborns of the primiparous mothers. CONCLUSION: A number of studies about neonatal dermatoses have been carried out involving different methods in various countries. We consider that our study may be useful in literature, as it has been carried out involving large number of maternal parameters.

The effect of serum and intrafollicular insulin resistance parameters and homocysteine levels of nonobese, nonhyperandrogenemic polycystic ovary syndrome patients on in vitro fertilization outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the serum and follicular fluid concentrations of insulin resistance parameters and homocysteine and their effect on IVF outcome in nonobese, nonhyperandrogenemic polycystic ovary syndrome patients. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Department of Infertility of Dr. Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Research and Education Hospital. PATIENT(S): Ninty-seven women underwent IVF. INTERVENTION(S): Subjects were categorized according to IVF indications: group 1 with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), group 2 with subfertile male partners, group 3 with unexplained infertiliy. Serum and follicular fluid parameters from the first follicle on the day of oocyte retrieval were analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Serum and follicular fluid insulin resistance parameters, homocysteine, sex hormone levels, and laboratory and clinical IVF outcome were studied. RESULT(S): Serum insulin, homeostasis model assessment estimate of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and homocysteine levels were significantly higher in subjects having PCOS. However, these significant differences in serum insulin resistance and homocysteine levels were not seen in the follicular microenvironment. There were no differences in clinical pregnancy rates between study groups. CONCLUSION(S): Despite elevated serum insulin, HOMA-IR, and homocysteine levels, and their effects on oocyte numbers and maturation in PCOS patients, there were no differences in follicular parameters and clinical pregnancy rates between hyperinsulinemic and hyperhomocysteinemic PCOS patients and the other two groups.

Tumor markers in mature cystic teratomas of the ovary.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of tumor markers in patients with ovarian mature cystic teratomas. METHOD: Retrospective study of 215 patients operated at Zekai Tahir Burak Women Health Education and Research Hospital between January 2001 and October 2006 was performed. RESULTS: The median age was 36 years (range 13-80). The mean tumor diameter was 7.7 +/- 4.6 cm (range 2-25). The mean serum CA 125 level was 26.2 +/- 29.9 U/mL (range 1.4-225, normal value <35), and the mean serum CA 19-9 level was 83.5 +/- 179.2 IU/mL (range 0.6-1,000; normal value <37). The elevated rate of CA 19-9, CA 125 was 39.6% (74/187) and 23.3% (50/215), respectively. The mean age of patients and the rate of bilaterality of tumors were similar in both patients with elevated CA19-9 and with normal CA 19-9 level (P > 0.05). The mean tumor size of patients with elevated CA 19-9 was greater than those with normal CA19-9 level (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Serum CA 19-9 has the highest positivity rate among other tumor markers in ovarian mature cystic teratomas. Elevated serum CA 19-9 levels are correlated with larger tumor size. But the diagnostic value of elevated CA 19-9 in patients with MCT would be poor if the test was used alone.