An Evaluation of Obstetric Characteristics and Contraceptive Use Among Refugee Women.

Background This study aimed to assess the obstetric characteristics of refugee women and evaluate their knowledge and usage of contraception methods. Methodology This retrospective, cross-sectional study included 400 married refugee women aged 18-49 years who presented to the Foreigners Outpatient Clinic between 2018 and 2020. In the Foreigners Outpatient Clinic, a health worker filled in a 23-question form for all refugee women to obtain their obstetric history and information regarding contraception methods. The 23-item form comprised 11 questions about the sociodemographic characteristics of refugee women, seven questions about their obstetric history, and five questions about their knowledge and attitudes about contraception methods. Statistical analyses were performed using the data obtained from these forms filed in the outpatient clinic. Descriptive data were presented as frequency, percentage distribution, mean, and standard deviation. Results The average age of the participants was 31.36 ± 8.36 years, with 52.8% of the participants being Afghan women. Overall, 70% of participants were either only literate, learned to read and write without ever going to school, or were primary school graduates. Moreover, 61.1% of refugee women aged ≤18 years at the time of first birth were Somali, Sudanese, and Saudi Arabian nationals, significantly outnumbering other refugee women (p = 0.03). The rate of having ≥three children among Pakistani participants was 90.0%, which was statistically significantly higher (p = 0.04). The proportion of Afghan women who received counseling on family planning was lower (p = 0.04). There was no statistically significant difference between refugee women's knowledge of using a contraception method (p = 0.09). As a contraception method, the most significant use of injection was by refugee women from Somalia, Sudan, and Saudi Arabia (p = 0.03); tubal ligation was used by Afghan women (p = 0.01); and implanted by Pakistani women (p = 0.01). No difference was found in the use of condoms, pills, and intrauterine devices. Conclusions On evaluating the obstetric characteristics of refugee women, it was determined that the number of pregnancies and the rate of giving first birth at the age of 18 and under were high. On the other hand, there was no difference between refugee women regarding condom and pill use; however, it was observed that the rate of using these methods at some point in their lives was high. Hence, it can be concluded that immigration seriously affects women's reproductive health, makes it difficult to obtain protection methods, and paves the way for having unplanned and large numbers of children.

Blood and faecal lead levels in children with various functional gastrointestinal disorders.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate the blood lead levels (BLLs) and faecal lead levels (FLLs) in children with various functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) and compare them with controls. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and two children with FGIDs defined by the Rome IV criteria, aged 4-18 years, and one hundred and two sex matched healthy children were enrolled in the study. Children with FGIDs were divided into three subgroups as functional constipation (FC) (n = 36), functional abdominal pain (FAP) (n = 36) and functional nausea (FN) (n = 30). The lead levels were measured using atomic absorption spectrometer. RESULTS: The median BLLs in the FGIDs group was significantly higher than in controls (5.12 and 1.77 µg/dL, respectively). The BLLs were above 5 µg/dL in 51,9% of children with FGIDs. There was statistically significant difference in BLLs between FC subgroup and the other subgroups (FAP and FN) (p = 0.003, p < 0.001 respectively). The FLLs in the FGIDs group was significantly higher than in controls (28.08 and 0.01 µg/g, respectively). There was no significant difference in FLLs between FC subgroup and the other subgroups (p = 0.992, p = 0.989 respectively). No significant relation found between BLLs and FLLs of the FGIDs group (p = 0.123). CONCLUSION: This study revealed that children with FGIDs had higher BLLs and FLLs than controls and also more than half of children with FGIDs had BLLs ≥5 µg/dL which is considered as toxic level. These results might revive the question of whether or not clinicians need to evaluate routine BLLs in children with FGIDs.

Niveles séricos y fecales de plomo en niños con distintos trastornos digestivos funcionales / Blood and faecal lead levels in children with various functional gastrointestinal disorders

Introducción: El objetivo del estudio fue determinar los niveles séricos y fecales de plomo en niños con distintos trastornos digestivos funcionales (TDF) en comparación con controles sanos. Pacientes y métodos: La muestra incluyó a 102 niños de 4-18 años con TDF definidos mediante los criterios de Roma IV y a 102 controles sanos emparejados por edad y sexo. Los niños con TDF se dividieron en 3 subgrupos: estreñimiento funcional (EF) (n=36), dolor abdominal funcional (DAF) (n=36) y náuseas funcionales (NF) (n=30). Los niveles de plomo se midieron mediante espectrometría de absorción atómica. Resultados: El nivel de plomo en sangre (NPS) mediano fue significativamente mayor en niños con TDF en comparación con controles (5,12 vs. 1,77μg/dl). Los NPS superaron los 5μg/dl en el 51,9% del grupo TDF. Se observó una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en los NPS entre el subgrupo con EF y los otros 2subgrupos (DAF y NF) (p=0,003 y p<0,001, respectivamente). Los niveles de plomo en heces (NPH) fueron significativamente mayores en niños con TDF en comparación con controles (28,08 vs. 0,01μg/g). No hubo diferencias significativas en los NPH entre el subgrupo de EF y los otros subgrupos (p=0,992 y p=0,989). No se encontró una correlación significativa entre los NPS y los NPH en niños con TDF (p=0,123). Conclusión: El presente estudio demostró que los niveles séricos y fecales de plomo eran superiores en niños con TDF en comparación con controles y que más de la mitad de los niños con TDF tenían NPS ≥ 5μg/dl, que se consideran tóxicos. A la vista de estos resultados, cabe replantearse si los clínicos han de determinar los NPS de manera rutinaria en niños con TDF.(AU)

Introduction: To investigate the blood lead levels (BLLs) and faecal lead levels (FLLs) in children with various functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) and compare them with controls. Patients and methods: One hundred and 2children with FGIDs defined by the Rome IV criteria, aged 4 -18 years, and one hundred and 2sex matched healthy children were enrolled in the study. Children with FGIDs were divided into 3subgroups as functional constipation (FC) (n=36), functional abdominal pain (FAP) (n=36) and functional náusea (FN) (n=30). The lead levels were measured using atomic absorption spectrometer. Results: The median BLLs in the FGIDs group was significantly higher than in controls (5.12 and 1.77μg/dL, respectively). The BLLs were above 5μg/dL in 51,9% of children with FGIDs. There was statistically significant difference in BLLs between FC subgroup and the other subgroups (FAP and FN) (P=.003, P<.001 respectively). The FLLs in the FGIDs group was significantly higher than in controls (28.08 and 0.01μg/g, respectively). There was no significant difference in FLLs between FC subgroup and the other subgroups (P=.992, P=.989 respectively). No significant relation found between BLLs and FLLs of the FGIDs group (P =.123). Conclusion: This study revealed that children with FGIDs had higher BLLs and FLLs than controls and also more than half of children with FGIDs had BLLs ≥5μg/dL which is toxic level. These results might revive the question of whether or not clinician need to evaluate routine BLLs in children with FGIDs.(AU)

Blood and Stool Arsenic Levels Are Decisive for Diagnosing Children's Functional Gastrointestinal Disease (FGD).

Pediatric gastroenteritis is a potentially fatal disease that accounts for 10% of childhood deaths. The main risk is environmental factors and nutrition. Arsenic (As) is commonly found in the earth's crust. As is an essential element that can form many organic compounds. In children, it causes diarrhea, gums, tongue lesions, diabetes, conjunctivitis, ocular opacity, and impaired immune response. It also causes low growth, mental retardation, and neurological problems. It is also known as the cause of many cancers that originate at an early age. Regionally, there is an iron and steel industry for almost a century. According to the Rome IV criteria, the blood and stools of 50 children aged 6-18 years, male and female, living in our province with functional gastrointestinal disease (FGD), were screened for As, and compared with the Healthy group (control) of 30 children. The results were evaluated with the Mann-Whitney Rank Sum Test. When blood and stool As values in males were compared with control samples, a high level of significance (p = 0.001) was found between both blood and stool As values in sick males and the control group (p < 0.005). In females, blood and stool As median values were also highly significant when compared with the control group (p = 0.001). According to these data, when the sick children (children with male and female gender) are compared with the healthy ones, the difference is highly significant (p < 0.005). High blood As levels in children indicate environmental pollution. It can be said that blood As levels are high as a result of food, water, and inhaler exposure. The presence of a high level of significant difference in stool means that the amount of As is high in the foods consumed daily. High levels of As are in blood and stools; It was evaluated that FGD could be the cause of nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and colic. The increase in blood and stool As values due to environmental pollution is an important reason for FGD. For diseases of uncertain cause (such as FGD) resulting from chronic As exposure, blood and especially stool As values are more significant than urinary As levels. In conclusion, As a diagnostic criterion, it was concluded that blood and stool As values are an important marker in children with functional abdominal pain with other metals.

[Blood and faecal lead levels in children with various functional gastrointestinal disorders]. / Niveles séricos y fecales de plomo en niños con distintos trastornos digestivos funcionales.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate the blood lead levels (BLLs) and faecal lead levels (FLLs) in children with various functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) and compare them with controls. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and 2children with FGIDs defined by the Rome IV criteria, aged 4 -18 years, and one hundred and 2sex matched healthy children were enrolled in the study. Children with FGIDs were divided into 3subgroups as functional constipation (FC) (n=36), functional abdominal pain (FAP) (n=36) and functional náusea (FN) (n=30). The lead levels were measured using atomic absorption spectrometer. RESULTS: The median BLLs in the FGIDs group was significantly higher than in controls (5.12 and 1.77µg/dL, respectively). The BLLs were above 5µg/dL in 51,9% of children with FGIDs. There was statistically significant difference in BLLs between FC subgroup and the other subgroups (FAP and FN) (P=.003, P<.001 respectively). The FLLs in the FGIDs group was significantly higher than in controls (28.08 and 0.01µg/g, respectively). There was no significant difference in FLLs between FC subgroup and the other subgroups (P=.992, P=.989 respectively). No significant relation found between BLLs and FLLs of the FGIDs group (P =.123). CONCLUSION: This study revealed that children with FGIDs had higher BLLs and FLLs than controls and also more than half of children with FGIDs had BLLs ≥5µg/dL which is toxic level. These results might revive the question of whether or not clinician need to evaluate routine BLLs in children with FGIDs.

Plasma glutamine and cystine are decreased and negatively correlated with endomysial antibody in children with celiac disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Glutamine is a nonessential amino acid which improves intestinal mucosal regeneration and absorption. Glutathione is a vital molecule for antioxidant reactions and is synthesized from cystine. The first aim of the study is to measure the plasma glutamine and cystine in children with celiac disease (CD) and compare them with controls. The second aim of this study is to investigate whether these amino acids are correlated with endomysial antibody (EMA) or not. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Fifty children with CD were compared to 50 healthy, age, and sex matched normal children as control. Plasma glutamine and cystine levels of the children were measured by using tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Plasma glutamine (808 vs 870 µmol/L) and cystine (19 vs 48.5 µmol/L) were significantly lower in the celiac group than the controls (p<0.05). The levels of plasma glutamine (797 vs 928 µmol/L, n=42) and cystine (18 vs 31.5 µmol/L, n=8) were lower (p<0.05) in the EMA-positive than the EMA-negative celiac patients. We could not find any statistically significance between EMA-negative celiac patients and controls for the plasma glutamine (928 vs 870 µmol/L) and cystine (31.5 vs 48.5 µmol/L) (p>0.05). Serum EMA was negatively correlated with plasma cystine (r=-0,321, p=0.023), glutamine (r=-0.413, p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicated that plasma glutamine and cystine were significantly lower in the celiac children than the controls. Also, these amino acids were negatively correlated with EMA.

AMINO ACID LEVELS IN CHILDREN WITH CELIAC DISEASE.

BACKGROUND & AIM: plasma amino acid levels may show differences in regard to physiological changes, diet and diseases. The aim of the study is to measure the amino acid levels in children with celiac disease and compare them with the controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS: sixty-two children with classic celiac disease and 62 age and sex matched healthy control were enrolled in this study. Plasma amino acid levels of the children were measured by using tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: celiac children had significant lower plasma levels of citrülline, glutamine and cystine than control (p.

Antecedentes y objetivo: los niveles de aminoácidos en plasma pueden mostrar diferencias en lo que se refiere a los cambios fisiológicos, la dieta y las enfermedades. El objetivo del estudio es medir los niveles de aminoácidos en los niños con enfermedad celíaca y compararlos con los controles. Material y métodos: en este estudio se inscribieron 62 niños con enfermedad celíaca clásica emparejados por edad y sexo con 62 controles sanos. Los niveles de aminoácidos en plasma de los niños se midieron utilizando la espectrometría de masas. Resultados: los niños celíacos tenían niveles significativamente inferiores plasmáticos de citrulina, glutamina y cistina que el grupo control (p < 0,05). Alanina, asparagina, ácido glutámico, hidroxiprolina, isoleucina, leucina, fenilalanina, prolina, serina, treonina y valina fueron significativamente mayores en los niños celíacos que en los controles (p < 0,05). Por otro lado, no hubo ninguna diferencia significativa en los niveles de arginina, argininosuccinato, ácido aspártico, glicina, homocisteína, lisina, hidroxilisina, metionina, ornitina, triptófano, tirosina, histidina entre los niños celíacos y los controles sanos (p > 0,05). Conclusiones: este estudio mostró que los niveles de aminoácidos en plasma pueden ser variables en la enfermedad celíaca. Se necesitan estudios con un tamaño mayor para conocer si los ensayos de aminoácidos en plasma ayudan a reflejar la lesión de la mucosa intestinal y para el seguimiento de la compatibilidad de la dieta libre de gluten en los pacientes celíacos.

Amino acid levels in children with celiac disease / Niveles de aminoácidos en niños con enfermedad celíaca

Background & aim: plasma amino acid levels may show differences in regard to physiological changes, diet and diseases. The aim of the study is to measure the amino acid levels in children with celiac disease and compare them with the controls. Material and methods: sixty-two children with classic celiac disease and 62 age and sex matched healthy control were enrolled in this study. Plasma amino acid levels of the children were measured by using tandem mass spectrometry. Results: celiac children had significant lower plasma levels of citrülline, glutamine and cystine than control (p0.05). Conclusions: this study indicated that plasma amino acid levels can be variable in the celiac disease. Further studies with a large number size are needed whether plasma amino acids assays help to reflect of the intestinal mucosal damage and for following compatibility of gluten free diet in the celiac patients (AU)

Antecedentes y objetivo: los niveles de aminoácidos en plasma pueden mostrar diferencias en lo que se refiere a los cambios fisiológicos, la dieta y las enfermedades. El objetivo del estudio es medir los niveles de aminoácidos en los niños con enfermedad celíaca y compararlos con los controles. Material y métodos: en este estudio se inscribieron 62 niños con enfermedad celíaca clásica emparejados por edad y sexo con 62 controles sanos. Los niveles de aminoácidos en plasma de los niños se midieron utilizando la espectrometría de masas. Resultados: los niños celíacos tenían niveles significativamente inferiores plasmáticos de citrulina, glutamina y cistina que el grupo control (p0,05). Conclusiones: este estudio mostró que los niveles de aminoácidos en plasma pueden ser variables en la enfermedad celíaca. Se necesitan estudios con un tamaño mayor para conocer si los ensayos de aminoácidos en plasma ayudan a reflejar la lesión de la mucosa intestinal y para el seguimiento de la compatibilidad de la dieta libre de gluten en los pacientes celíacos (AU)