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Teenage pregnancies occur frequently in developing countries and are associated with social issues, including poverty, lower levels of health and educational attainment. Although frequent in European countries in the 20th century today, teenage pregnancies account for only 4% of first children. These pregnancies are usually unplanned and they are considered a vulnerability factor during the pregnancy and the postnatal period, both for the mother and the child. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the evolution of mothers and children of teenage pregnancies, several years after childbirth and to identify factors which may protect or increase the patient's vulnerability.We conducted a retrospective search in our patient database in order to identify all teenage pregnancies between 2010-2014 at CHU Brugmann Hospital. Outcome date data were obtained from the medical files. Mothers were contacted by phone and asked to complete our questionnaire which focused on maternal and paediatric care; and infant and child development after hospitalization.Out of the 342 patients identified, 84 patients were contactable and only 72 patients completed the full questionnaire. With only 4 patients originating from Belgium, our population was largely immigrant. Despite this, obstetrical, maternal and paediatric outcomes were remarkably favorable when compared to other published studies.Our study suggests that some migrant teenage mothers may have a dual advantage in terms of the wealth of a developed country in which have settled and the low social stigma related to their country of origin. More research needs to be done to further investigate this hypothesis.

It has been suggested that alcohol problems have a major impact in the workplace. It has long been recognized that misuse can have serious consequences for the productivity of workers. The extent of the problem is still an uncalculated cost. Few studies provide clear evidence of a cause, effect or relationship between substance abuse and workplace costs and valuable guidance to employers in evaluating the cost of substance abuse in their workplaces is missing.To estimate the awareness, policies and cost to employers of drinking in the workplace in Belgium and to illustrate the potential gains from drinking cessation provision. Costs vary with type of industry and policy in place; therefore, to estimate these costs, results from a survey were combined with evidence drawn from a review of literature.An Internet survey of 216 workplaces in Belgium, based on a stratified random sample of workplaces with 50 or more employees, was conducted in 2005. Further information was collected from 150 occupational physicians. Additional evidence was compiled from a review of the literature of drinking-related costs.216 General Directors or HR Directors completed a questionnaire related to awareness, policy and costs. 150 occupational physicians completed a questionnaire related to awareness and policy. Companies are unaware or underestimate alcohol misuse among their employees. At least 84% of companies have no education or information policy about substance abuse. Absenteeism, accidents and turnover account for 0.87% of the wage bill. Reduced productivity/ (presenteeism accounts for 2.8%. The construction industry, postal services, hospitality industry (hotel/restaurants and catering) and sanitation industry (collection, street cleaning) are the most problematic sectors.Awareness: many companies are totally unaware of the impact of substance abuse and those that are aware underestimate the problem. Sectors are heterogeneous; some are more problematic than others. Policy: although there is a link between policy and consumption, few companies have a clear substance abuse policy. Cost: reduced productivity is perceived as the most important cost.

Through effects of catecholamines upon the heart, blood vessels and platelets, sympathoadrenal hyperactivity contributes to the development of cardiovascular diseases in elderly depressed patients. To assess the cardiovascular effect of Citalopram in elderly depressed patients, data from an open multicenter study in Belgium and Luxembourg, in which a total of 811 patients were evaluated, was retrospectively analysed. Although the aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and safety of Citalopram, blood pressure and heart rate were also monitored.Patients included in the study were referred either by psychiatrists, geriatricians or general practitioners. Clinical assessment included ratings on the Hamilton Rating Depression Scale, the Clinical Global Impression Scale, the UKU Side effect rating scale and the assessment of side effects spontaneously reported.With few side effects, Citalopram significantly improves the clinical condition of elderly patients suffering from depressive symptoms. A series of repeated multivariate analyses of covariance were performed on heart rate and blood pressure controlling for the effect of age. Interestingly, a sustained decrease of these parameters was shown during the whole study period reaching significance for systolic blood pressure (p0.05). These effects were observed both in responding as well as non-responding patients, and were somewhat more marked in responders for heart rate (p=0.058).The slight but significant decrease in systolic blood pressure and heart rate suggests that citalopram may reduce sympathoadrenal hyperactivity and the related increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with depression.