Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of childhood’s most common bacterial infections. The study aimed to determine the clinical symptoms, laboratory tests, risk factors, and etiology of different UTIs in children admitted to pediatric hospitals for three years. Methods: Patients with positive urine cultures diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis (APN) or cystitis (CYS) were analyzed for clinical symptoms, laboratory tests, risk factors, and etiology, depending on their age and sex. Results: We studied 948 children with UTIs (531 girls and 417 boys), with a median age of 12 (IQR 5–48 months). A total of 789 children had clinical symptoms; the main symptom was fever (63.4% of patients). Specific symptoms of UTIs were presented only in 16.3% of patients. Children with APN had shown significantly more frequent loss of appetite, vomiting, lethargy, seizures, and less frequent dysuria and haematuria than children with CYS. We found significantly higher median WBC, CRP, and leukocyturia in children with APN than with CYS. The risk factors of UTIs were presented in 46.6% of patients, of which 35.6% were children with APN and 61.7% with CYS. The main risk factor was CAKUT, more frequently diagnosed in children with CYS than APN, mainly in children <2 years. The most commonly isolated bacteria were Escherichia coli (74%). There was a higher percentage of urine samples with E. coli in girls than in boys. Other bacteria found were Klebsiella species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, and Enterococcus species. Conclusions: Patients with APN were younger and had higher inflammatory markers. Often, fever is the only symptom of UTI in children, and other clinical signs are usually non-specific. The most common UTI etiology is E. coli, regardless of the clinical presentation and risk factors.

The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak influenced general and mental health worldwide. The objective of this study was to assess the anxiety level during the COVID-19 pandemic among pregnant women and compare it between COVID-infected and non-infected groups. We prospectively assessed the daily routine and anxiety level using a bespoke questionnaire and GAD-7 scale validated for pregnant women. With logistic regression, we established possible risk factors of generalized anxiety disorder spectrum and main causes of concern. The dataset included 439 responders of our survey. Of which, 21% had COVID-19 infection during pregnancy; 38% were screened for possible generalized anxiety disorder and the proportion was higher in women who suffered from COVID-19 (48% vs. 35%, p = 0.03). Pre-pregnancy anxiety or depression diagnosis and intentional social contact avoidance increased the risk of anxiety (aOR 3.4 and 3.2). Fetal wellbeing was the main concern for 66% of the responders. The COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions substantially altered daily lives of pregnant women, exaggerating the prevalence of anxiety compared with the pre-COVID-19 studies (38% vs. 15%). COVID-19 infection during pregnancy was associated with increased levels of generalized anxiety scores. Patient-tailored psychological support should be a mainstay of comprehensive antenatal medical care in order to avoid anxiety- and stress-related complications.

Purpose: Late bacterial infections (LBIs) after esthetic facial augmentation using hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are relatively rare yet severe complications that are difficult to treat. No adequate treatment standards have hitherto been formulated. We have bridged this gap by formulating a treatment scheme based on the principles of treating foreign-body implantation-related infections and treating bacterial growth in the form of biofilm. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a comprehensive scheme for treating LBI complications after facial augmentation using cross-linked HA fillers. Methods: A total of 22 patients with LBI symptoms at a site of cross-linked HA injection underwent treatment and observation. The comprehensive treatment scheme formulated by Marusza and Netsvyetayeva (M&N scheme) comprised draining the lesion, dissolution of cross-linked HA with hyaluronidase, broad-spectrum antibiotic combination therapy, and use of probiotics. While 17 patients underwent the M&N scheme, the remaining five were treated with other schemes. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using Mann–Whitney U and χ2 nonparametric tests with SAS 9.4 software. Results: All 17 patients who underwent the M&N scheme experienced resolution of symptoms, with no recurrence of infection at the HA-injection sites. Conclusion: To treat LBI at a site of cross-linked HA administration, the principles applicable to infections resulting from implantation of a foreign body must be followed. The treatment period should be sufficiently long for complete resolution of symptoms. The efficacy of treatment is considered proven if 2 months have elapsed without recurrence since the symptoms resolved. The M&N scheme is recommended for use as the first therapeutic option for treating LBI related to soft-tissue fillers.

Reproductive health is a part of a comprehensive definition of complete physical, mental and social well-being. Sex education is an important aspect of public health. Ignorance, due to the lack of sex education leads to risky sexual behaviors. Methods: Our cross-sectional study was aimed at investigating a representative group of Polish women’s knowledge about the physiology of the menstrual cycle, contraceptive methods, infertility and cervical cancer prevention. The data were collected by face-to-face interviews and an anonymous electronic questionnaire. The study group involved 20,002 respondents. Most of the women were of reproductive age (mean 27.7), parous (60.8%), of higher education (71%) and living in large cities (> 500 k citizens, 36.8%). 62.2% of the women gave correct answers to at least 5 of 7 questions concerning the physiology of the menstrual cycle. Three factors had a significant influence on the number of correct answers: higher education (p = 0.0001), more frequent gynecological appointments (p = 0.0001) and living in a larger city (p = 0.002). Women of higher education level had more often used some form of contraceptive method previously (87% vs. 78.4%, p = 0.001), recommended natural family planning methods to their peers (18.4% vs. 15%, p = 0.001) and regularly attended gynecological appointments (85.7% vs. 78.8%, p = 0.001) when compared with those women with lower educational levels. The three most effective contraceptive methods identified by respondents were: oral contraceptives (71.1% answers), intrauterine devices (50.2%) and parenteral hormonal contraceptives (30.4%). The effectiveness of natural family planning was more often emphasized by women who had never used any contraceptives before (20.1% vs 6.7%). Most of the participants (80.8%) believed that in-vitro fertilization is an effective infertility treatment and should be reimbursed in Poland. Also, 95.2% of the respondents reported that they had undergone a Papanicolaou test within the past 3 years, but only 3% of these women were aware of all the risk factors for cervical cancer mentioned in our survey. It is very important to improve comprehensive reproductive health education in Poland, especially among women of lower educational levels and living in small centers. In future, educational programs and gynecologists should focus on implementing and improving these aforementioned issues.

A strict correlation between gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and preeclampsia (PE) has been shown in previous studies. This case-control observational study evaluates the influence of concomitant GDM on the severity of PE. Ninety-nine patients were included: thirty-eight with PE without GDM (group 1), fourteen with PE and concomitant GDM (group 2), and forty-seven with uncomplicated pregnancies (group 3). Adverse maternal/fetal and neonatal outcomes were registered. Patients underwent blood sample analysis of serum PlGF, sFlt-1, creatinine levels, and platelet count (PLT). The incidence of preterm birth, FGR, HELLP syndrome, and NICU admission was significantly higher in group 1 in comparison to groups 2 and 3, whereas RDS was diagnosed most often in group 2 in comparison to groups 1 and 3. All studied biochemical parameters differed between the control group and both PE groups; however, there were no differences between patients with PE with and without GDM. The presented study indicates that the coexistence of GDM may mitigate the course of PE. The lack of differences between patients with PE with and without GDM in serum levels of studied biomarkers may also confirm its usefulness in the diagnosis and management of PE in patients with coexisting GDM.