Objective: To assess the effects of gum chewing on postoperative bowel function after cesarean section. Material and Methods: Women who underwent cesarean section were randomized to either a gum-chewing group (n = 74) or a non-gum-chewing group (n = 76). The two groups were compared with respect to the return of bowel activity, postoperative analgesic and antiemetic drug requirement and postoperative hospital stay. Results: Bowel sounds appeared in a significantly shorter duration of time in the study group, the mean being 5.9 h as compared to 6.7 h in the control group (p < 0.01). The first passage of flatus postoperatively was 22.4 h in the gum-chewing group and 31 h in the control group (p < 0.001). The total length of hospital stay was shorter in the gum-chewing group (2.1 days) than in the control group (2.3 days), but it was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Postoperative analgesic requirement in both groups was similar, but the postoperative antiemetic need in the gum-chewing group was lower than in the control group (p < 0.01). Conclusion: On the basis of the tolerability and results on bowel function, gum chewing provides a simple method for early recovery of bowel function after cesarean section.

NST has anxiogenic effects on mothers and listening to music during the test has positive impact on both maternal and fetal parameters but it is an open question whether maternal anxiety during pregnancy may affect fetal accelerations to such an extent that it could influence clinical judgments.

Background/Aims: Visfatin is a novel adipokine with insulinomimetic properties that increases in diabetes. However, for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) there are conflicting reports. Recent studies have reported a positive association of serum ferritin concentrations with insulin resistance. Thus, we assessed serum levels of visfatin in pregnant women with varying degrees of glucose tolerance and investigated the possible interaction of visfatin with parameters of iron metabolism. Methods: Visfatin levels were measured at 24-28 weeks of gestation in 88 women who were divided into three groups according to their response to a 50-gram glucose challenge test and a 100-gram oral glucose tolerance test: control group (n = 28), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) group (n = 30) and GDM group (n = 30). Results: Visfatin levels were significantly higher in the GDM and IGT group than in control (p < 0.001 for GDM vs. control, and p = 0.004 for IGT vs. control). Serum visfatin was significantly associated with serum ferritin, insulin, age, gravidity, and body mass index. In a linear regression model, the covariates explained only 17% of variability of serum visfatin concentration. Body mass index (p < 0.001) contributed independently to visfatin variance. Conclusion: Serum visfatin concentration is significantly higher in GDM and is correlated with ferritin levels.

Background/Aims: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with reproductive and metabolic abnormalities and carries a number of cardiovascular risk factors. Low-grade chronic inflammation has been thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and PCOS patients have an increased rate of subclinical inflammation. In the present study, considering the major role that hepcidin plays in the regulation of iron metabolism and as an inflammatory marker, we investigated hepcidin in PCOS patients and its role in predicting cardiovascular disease (CVD) development. Methods: Forty patients with PCOS and 40 age- and body mass index-matched healthy controls were included in the study. Iron metabolites, insulin resistance (IR), inflammatory markers and hepcidin levels were analyzed. Results: IR parameters, inflammatory markers, iron parameters and hepcidin levels were similar between the PCOS and control groups. While the inflammatory markers were significantly high in the overweight and obese PCOS subgroup, the hepcidin levels were also high but this elevation was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Obesity is the principle mechanism of chronic inflammation and IR in PCOS patients. C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 should be used to predict and follow the risk of CVD development in PCOS cases. Hepcidin may be used as an additional marker in the follow-up of PCOS patients in the future.

No abstract