Background/Objectives: Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous substances that interfere with hormone regulation, leading to adverse health outcomes. Despite the wide use of EDCs in daily products like plastics, personal care items, and food packaging, public awareness remains low. Pregnant women and new mothers are particularly vulnerable, as exposure to EDCs during early life stages can have long-term health impacts. This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study aimed to assess the awareness of EDCs among pregnant women and new mothers at a maternity hospital. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital between January and August 2022. A questionnaire based on the Mutualités Libres/AIM 2020 survey was used to assess awareness of EDCs among pregnant and postpartum women. The original survey was adapted culturally and linguistically for the Turkish population through translation and expert review. The questionnaire included sections on sociodemographics, habits, knowledge, information sources, healthcare, readiness for change, expectations, and attitudes. Results: The results showed that 59.2% of participants were unfamiliar with EDCs, and many lacked awareness of the associated health risks, including cancers, infertility, and developmental disorders in children. A significant portion of respondents had never heard of bisphenol A (BPA) or phthalates, while awareness of parabens was relatively higher. Conclusions: The study concluded that increasing awareness of EDCs is essential for fostering informed avoidance behaviors, especially in vulnerable populations like pregnant women and new mothers. Public health campaigns and healthcare provider involvement are crucial for enhancing awareness and reducing the health risks associated with EDCs.

Background: Preeclampsia remains among the leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the macronutrient content of colostrum in mothers with preeclampsia. Materials and Methods: Women who delivered by cesarean section at ≤37 weeks of gestation were included in the study. Fresh colostrum samples were collected by manual expression on postpartum days 2 and 4 and were analyzed using a mid-infrared human milk analyzer. Demographic characteristics of the patients were recorded. The protein, fat, carbohydrate, and energy composition of the milk samples were compared between mothers with and without preeclampsia. Results: A total of 58 colostrum samples (25 preeclampsia, 33 nonpreeclampsia) were analyzed. The median gestational age of the infants was similar in both groups (32 versus 33 weeks; p > 0.05). There were also no differences between the groups in terms of maternal age, maternal body mass index, maternal weight gain during pregnancy, and infant gender. Median protein, fat, and carbohydrate levels in the colostrum of the preeclamptic mothers were 2.2, 2.1, and 6.3 g/dL, respectively, compared with 1.8, 2.4, and 6.2 g/dL in the nonpreeclamptic mothers, respectively. Although the colostrum of preeclamptic mothers had higher protein content and lower fat content, the difference was not statistically significant. Carbohydrate and energy contents were similar in both groups. Conclusions: The presence of preeclampsia does not cause a significant change in the macronutrient composition of mother's milk. Analyses of micronutrients at different lactation stages in larger samples are needed.

Objective: Breast milk is the best nutrient for newborns due to its rich dietary content, immunological factors, ease of accessibility, and affordability. Given the fact that adolescent birth rate in Turkey is high, this study examines the effects of adolescent motherhood with regard to macronutrient contents in breast milk. Study Design: We collected colostrum samples from mothers staying at our hospital. Gestational ages were ≥37 weeks. Demographic characteristics of the patients were registered. The MIRIS (Mid-Infrared Human Milk Analyzer) device was operated to analyze breast milk, adopting a spectroscopy method for measurements. Protein, fat, carbohydrate, and energy levels of the hindmilk samples were measured; thus, study groups were compared. Results: The study included 224 mothers, of whom 49 were adolescents and 125 were adults. Maternal weight and maternal body mass index, weight gain during pregnancy, mode of delivery and gestational age, as well as birth weight and gender of the infants were similar. As breast milk contents were compared, we found out that fat content levels in the colostrum of adolescent mothers were significantly higher, with respect to the other group. Protein and carbohydrate levels were lower in adolescents, even if they were not statistically significant. There was no difference between the groups in terms of energy levels. Conclusion: Adolescent motherhood may have negative influences on infant welfare. However, in terms of breast milk content quality, adult mothers are not superior to adolescents.

Background/aim: The prediction of adverse conditions in the preterm neonatal brain might be improved by cerebral monitoring using combined measures of cerebral function, including oxygenation and blood flow parameters. To perform the consecutive measurements of the resistive index (RI) from the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) within the first week of life and to evaluate the association of these measurements with cerebral oxygen saturation (Csat) detected by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Materials and methods: This prospective cohort study enrolled very preterm infants, <32 weeks of gestational age, admitted to a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit. Csat levels were continuously monitored using NIRS for 72 h after birth. ACA RI measurements were obtained on the first, third, and seventh days of life by using transcranial Doppler ultrasound. These measurements were also compared between infants with and without unfavorable outcomes, including severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and early mortality. Results: A total of 96 preterm infants with Csat and ACA RI measurements were analyzed. Age at birth was 28.3 ± 1.9 weeks and birth weight was 1090 ± 305 g. The mean Csat of the infants was 77.1% ± 8.2% during the first 72 h of life. Mean ACA RI values were 0.76 ± 0.10, 0.75 ± 0.08, and 0.77 ± 0.08 on the first, third, and seventh days of life, respectively. RI on the first day of life was significantly higher in infants delivered by cesarian section than in those delivered vaginally (0.77 vs. 0.69; p = 0.017). Infants who died earlier had significantly higher ACA RI values on the first day than infants who survived beyond the first 7 postnatal days (0.83 vs. 0.76; p < 0.001). Conclusions: There was no association between ACA RI and Csat in the early period of life. ACA RI values on the first postnatal day might be significant for predicting early mortality in very preterm infants.

Breastfeeding is universally recognized as the optimal method of infant feeding, as well as preventing various adverse conditions for the mother-baby dyad. Despite the established importance of breastfeeding, achieving breastfeeding success still remains a difficult challenge influenced by clinical, psychological, social, and systemic factors. This chapter explores the concept of breastfeeding success: (1) from initiation rates to exclusivity and duration; (2) maternal satisfaction, health, and infant conditions; (3) psychosocial influences such as family support and cultural attitudes; and (4) the critical role of health systems, policy frameworks, and community-based interventions in promoting breastfeeding continuity. Strategies to enhance breastfeeding outcomes and common barriers encountered by mothers are highlighted. A multidimensional, integrated approach is necessary to improve global breastfeeding success rates.