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Abstract The knowledge of physical activity (PA) recommended for pregnant women and practical application of it has positive impact on the outcome. Nevertheless, it is estimated that in high-income countries over 40% of pregnant women are insufficiently physically active. One of the reasons is insufficient knowledge pregnant women have about allowed effort during pregnancy and both recommended and not recommended physical activities. Description of knowledge about physical activity the women have and distinguishing patterns of their knowledge is becoming an increasingly important issue. A common approach to handle survey data that reflect knowledge involves clustering methods or Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Nevertheless, new procedures of data analysis are still being sought. Using survey data collected by the Institute of Mother and Child Archetypal analysis has been applied to detect levels of knowledge reflected by answers given in a questionnaire and to derive patterns of knowledge contained in the data. Next, PHATE (Potential of Heat-diffusion for Affinity-based Trajectory Embedding) algorithm has been used to visualize the results and to get a deeper insight into the data structure. The results were compared with picture derived from PCA. Three archetypes representing three patterns of knowledge have been distinguished and described. The presentation of complex data in a low dimension was obtained with help of PHATE. The formations revealed by PHATE have been successfully described in terms of knowledge levels reflected by the survey. Finally, comparison of PHATE with PCA has been shown. Archetype analysis combined with PHATE provides novel opportunities in examining nonlinear structure of survey data and allows for visualization that captures complex relations in the data. PHATE has made it possible to distinguish sets of objects that have common features but were captured neither by Archetypal analysis nor PCA. Moreover, for our data, PHATE provides an image of data structure which is more detailed than interpretation of PCA.

Abstract Background The long-term consequences of prematurity are often not sufficiently recognized. To address this gap, a prospective cohort study, which is a continuation of the multicenter Polish study PREMATURITAS, was conducted, utilizing unique clinical data from 20 years ago. Objective The main goal was to evaluate lung function, detect any structural abnormalities using lung ultrasound, and assess psychological well-being in young adults born between 24 and 34 weeks of gestational age (GA). Additionally, the study aimed to investigate potential associations between perinatal risk factors and abnormalities observed in pulmonary function tests (PFTs) during adulthood. Methods The young survivors underwent a comprehensive set of PFTs, a lung ultrasound, along with the quality of life assessment. Information regarding the neonatal period and respiratory complications was obtained from the baseline data collected in the PREMATURITAS study. Results A total of 52 young adults, with a mean age of 21.6 years, underwent PFTs. They were divided into two groups based on GA: 24–28 weeks (n = 12) and 29–34 weeks (n = 40). The subgroup born more prematurely had significantly higher lung clearance index (LCI), compared to the other subgroup (p = 0.013). LCI ≥ 6.99 was more frequently observed in the more premature group (50% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.005), those who did not receive prenatal steroids (p = 0.020), with a diagnosis of Respiratory Distress Syndrome (p = 0.034), those who received surfactant (p = 0.026), and mechanically ventilated ≥ 7 days (p = 0.005). Additionally, elevated LCI was associated with the diagnosis of asthma (p = 0.010). Conclusions The findings suggest pulmonary effects due to prematurity persist into adulthood and their insult on small airway function. Regular follow-up evaluations of young survivors born preterm should include assessments of PFTs. Specifically, the use of LCI can provide valuable insights into long-term pulmonary impairment.

Worldwide neonatal screening for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a gold standard of active surveillance in newborns. Prompt diagnosis, subsequent timely treatment implementation, and proper dosage of levothyroxine (L-T4) are crucial for normal growth and development, especially of the central nervous system. However, overtreatment may have a potential negative impact on further neurodevelopment. We retrospectively analysed data of 99 newborns with CH diagnosis, referred to the Endocrinology Outpatient Clinic of the Institute of Mother and Child in Warsaw, Poland from the CH screening program from 2017 to 2021. We evaluated the diagnostic process and treatment up to the age of 3 years. We compared groups of children from the first and the second screening groups (FSG, SSG) in the neonatal screening with an evaluation of ultrasound examination (thyroid dysgenesis vs. gland in situ, GIS). The overtreatment and undertreatment risks were assessed and an analysis of the new TSH thresholds was performed. Treatment was implemented at a median of 9 days of life (3 – 27); 8 days (3 – 17) in FSG and 19 (6 – 27) in SSG. The dose of L-T4 differed between FSG and SSG at all three analysed time points (start of the therapy, 12 months, and 3 years) with significantly higher doses in FSG. The same was observed for the patients with thyroid dysgenesis vs. GIS. Screening TSH level was ≥ 28mIU/l in 91.7% of patients with thyroid dysgenesis in comparison to 74.0% of patients with GIS (p= 0.038). The optimally treated group (fT4 in the upper half of the reference range, according to the guidelines) was up to 58.0% of the children during the follow-up. The risk for overtreatment was present in 1/5 of the study group after 12 months and 1/4 after 3 years of L-T4 therapy. Analysis of new TSH thresholds showed an increased prevalence of mild hypothyroidism, GIS, and either euthyroid state or overtreatment while treating with lower L-T4 doses in comparison to the rest of the cohort. The study confirmed the general efficacy of the CH diagnostic pathway and the timely implemented L-T4 therapy. The suspected overtreatment after the first 12 months of L-T4 therapy requires consideration of the earlier diagnosis re-evaluation.

Pregnancy is a period in life in which women are willing to improve their lifestyle. Providing proper information for these women is crucial for their health and the health of their offspring. Clear information about weak points in their nutritional and weight gain knowledge is the first step for proper health care assistance. There are a few previous studies evaluating the nutritional and weight gain knowledge of pregnant women. In the few studies available, different approaches were taken and there was no wider discussion on the content of the questionnaires attempting to measure level of knowledge. The aim of this study, designed in a pilot fashion, was to test the adequacy of the questionnaire as a research instrument in a group of 139 pregnant Polish women. The developed instrument is a 33-item questionnaire comprising four domains: weight gain, importance of nutrients, quality and quantity of food intake. The results of this study indicate that the questionnaire is stable and internal consistency is acceptable (Cronbach's alpha > 0.7) for dimensions with more than four items. For dimensions with less than four items, internal consistency was poor (Cronbach's alpha < 0.7). The cumulative explained variance for domains weight gain, importance of nutrients, quantity and quality of food intake was 54.74%, 42.74%, 54.42% and 48.99% respectively. Results from validity, reliability and factor analysis indicate that the questionnaire is adequate for its purpose.

Scientists employing methods of genetic engineering have developed a new group of living organisms, termed ‘modified organisms’, which found application in, among others, medicine, the pharmaceutical industry and food distribution. The introduction of transgenic products to the food market resulted in them becoming a controversial topic, with their proponents and contestants. The presented study aims to systematize objective data on the potential benefits and risks resulting from the consumption of transgenic food. Genetic modifications of plants and animals are justified by the potential for improvement of the food situation worldwide, an increase in yield crops, an increase in the nutritional value of food, and the development of pharmaceutical preparations of proven clinical significance. In the opinions of critics, however, transgenic food may unfavourably affect the health of consumers. Therefore, particular attention was devoted to the short- and long-lasting undesirable effects, such as alimentary allergies, synthesis of toxic agents or resistance to antibiotics. Examples arguing for the justified character of genetic modifications and cases proving that their use can be dangerous are innumerable. In view of the presented facts, however, complex studies are indispensable which, in a reliable way, evaluate effects linked to the consumption of food produced with the application of genetic engineering techniques. Whether one backs up or negates transgenic products, the choice between traditional and non-conventional food remains to be decided exclusively by the consumers.

OBJECTIVE:Infants from multiple pregnancies have higher rates of preterm birth, stillbirth and neonatal death and differences in multiple birth rates (MBR) exist between countries. We aimed to describe differences in MBR in Europe and to investigate the impact of these differences on adverse perinatal outcomes at a population level. METHODS:We used national aggregate birth data on multiple pregnancies, maternal age, gestational age (GA), stillbirth and neonatal death collected in the Euro-Peristat project (29 countries in 2010, N = 5 074 643 births). We also used European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) data on assisted conception and single embryo transfer (SET). The impact of MBR on outcomes was studied using meta-analysis techniques with random-effects models to derive pooled risk ratios (pRR) overall and for four groups of country defined by their MBR. We computed population attributable risks (PAR) for these groups. RESULTS:In 2010, the average MBR was 16.8 per 1000 women giving birth, ranging from 9.1 (Romania) to 26.5 (Cyprus). Compared to singletons, multiples had a nine-fold increased risk (pRR 9.4, 95% Cl 9.1-9.8) of preterm birth (