Aim This study aimed to investigate the cause of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in neonates from singleton pregnancies with preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM) between 24+0 and 36+6 weeks by using regression analysis for various factors. Methods In 175 singleton pregnancies with pPROM, 95 cases of RDS (54,29%) were diagnosed. In all cases the following information was collected: latency period of PROM, gestational age at birth, Umbilical Artery Pulsatility Index (UA PI), Middle Cerebral Artery Pulsatility Index (MCA PI), fetal distress, antenatal steroids use, delivery type, pregnancy hypertension disease, gestational glucose intolerance or diabetes, neonatal laboratory parameters, gender, weight, Apgar score, and other neonatal complications. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the effect of variables on RDS. Results The results of logistic regression analysis showed that the following variables are closely correlated with RDS: female gender (OR=0.52; 95%CI:0.28-0,97), antenatal steroids use (OR=0,46; 95%CI:0,34-0,64), abnormal UA PI and MCA PI (OR=2.96; 95%CI:1,43-6,12) (OR=2.05; 95%CI:1,07-3,95), fetal distress (OR=2.33; 95%CI:1,16-4,71), maternal HGB (OR=0.69; 95%CI:0,5-0,96), and neonatal RBC, HGB (OR=0.32; 95%CI:0,19-0,55) (OR=0.75; 95%CI:0,65-0,88). Conclusions The main RDS risk factors in premature neonates are gender, abnormal fetoplacental circulation, and fetal distress. The laboratory parameters such as lower RBC and HGB count are observed in infants with RDS.

This article has been peer reviewed and published immediately upon acceptance.It is an open access article, which means that it can be downloaded, printed, and distributed freely, provided the work is properly cited. Articles in "Ginekologia Polska" are listed in PubMed.

Aim: Dignity therapy is a short-term, individualized, patient-focused form of therapy reducing stress and helping both the patient and his family appreciate the end-of-life situation. The present study describes the impact of dignity therapy on an advanced cancer patient within a Polish hospital setting. Methods: MH. Chochinov's dignity therapy protocol was applied. A session was conducted during which an interview with the patient was recorded; subsequently subjected to a statistical analysis. The competent judges' approach was used to effectively preclude subjective interpretation of the patient's statement by an investigator. The judges' appraisal was then checked for concordance (W Kendall). The patient was also asked to complete a survey questionnaire designed to assess the therapeutic effectiveness of dignity therapy in the intervention. Results: The patient indicated that family epitomized the most crucial values. He also highlighted other issues, i.e. his work and life's passion -playing the drums. The survey questionnaire indicated that by far the greatest benefit consisted in an overall improvement of his mental well-being (4.67). Benefits for the family followed (4), including his hope for recovering family ties (4). An unexpected therapeutic effect consisted in re-establishing a broken relationship with his daughters. Conclusions: Dignity therapy proved effective not only as a method of enhancing the patient's own sense of dignity in the face of impending death but also tangibly instrumental in overcoming a dramatic communication break within a family.

This article has been peer reviewed and published immediately upon acceptance.It is an open access article, which means that it can be downloaded, printed, and distributed freely, provided the work is properly cited. Articles in "Ginekologia Polska" are listed in PubMed.