Growth, tolerance and safety outcomes with use of an extensively hydrolyzed casein-based formula in infants with cow’s milk protein allergy

ObjectiveTo evaluate growth, tolerance and safety outcomes with use of an extensively hydrolyzed casein-based formula (eHCF) in infants with cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA).MethodsA total of 226 infants (mean ± SD age: 106.5 ± 39.5 days, 52.7% were girls) with CMPA who received eHCF comprising at least half of the daily dietary intake were included. Data on anthropometrics [weight for age (WFA), length for age (LFA) and weight for length (WFL) z-scores] were recorded at baseline (visit 1), while data on infant feeding and stool records, anthropometrics and Infant Feeding and Stool Patterns and Formula Satisfaction Questionnaires were recorded at visit 2 (on Days 15 ± 5) and visit 3 (on Days 30 ± 5).ResultsFrom baseline to visit 2 and visit 3, WFA z-scores (from −0.60 ± 1.13 to −0.54 ± 1.09 at visit 2, and to −0.44 ± 1.05 at visit 3, p < 0.001) and WFL z-scores (from −0.80 ± 1.30 to −0.71 ± 1.22 at visit 2, and to −0.64 ± 1.13 at visit 3, p = 0.002) were significantly increased. At least half of infants never experienced irritability or feeding refusal (55.7%) and spit-up after feeding (50.2%). The majority of mothers were satisfied with the study formula (93.2%), and wished to continue using it (92.2%).ConclusionsIn conclusion, eHCF was well-accepted and tolerated by an intended use population of infants  ≤ 6 months of age with CMPA and enabled adequate volume consumption and improved growth indices within 30 days of utilization alongside a favorable gastrointestinal tolerance and a high level of parental satisfaction

Evaluation of nutritional status in pediatric intensive care unit patients: the results of a multicenter, prospective study in Turkey

IntroductionMalnutrition is defined as a pathological condition arising from deficient or imbalanced intake of nutritional elements. Factors such as increasing metabolic demands during the disease course in the hospitalized patients and inadequate calorie intake increase the risk of malnutrition. The aim of the present study is to evaluate nutritional status of patients admitted to pediatric intensive care units (PICU) in Turkey, examine the effect of nutrition on the treatment process and draw attention to the need for regulating nutritional support of patients while continuing existing therapies.Material and MethodIn this prospective multicenter study, the data was collected over a period of one month from PICUs participating in the PICU Nutrition Study Group in Turkey. Anthropometric data of the patients, calorie intake, 90-day mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, length of hospital stay and length of stay in intensive care unit were recorded and the relationship between these parameters was examined.ResultsOf the 614 patients included in the study, malnutrition was detected in 45.4% of the patients. Enteral feeding was initiated in 40.6% (n = 249) of the patients at day one upon admission to the intensive care unit. In the first 48 h, 86.82% (n = 533) of the patients achieved the target calorie intake, and 81.65% (n = 307) of the 376 patients remaining in the intensive care unit achieved the target calorie intake at the end of one week. The risk of mortality decreased with increasing upper mid-arm circumference and triceps skin fold thickness Z-score (OR = 0.871/0.894; p = 0.027/0.024). The risk of mortality was 2.723 times higher in patients who did not achieve the target calorie intake at first 48 h (p = 0.006) and the risk was 3.829 times higher in patients who did not achieve the target calorie intake at the end of one week (p = 0.001). The risk of mortality decreased with increasing triceps skin fold thickness Z-score (OR = 0.894; p = 0.024).ConclusionTimely and appropriate nutritional support in critically ill patients favorably affects the clinical course. The results of the present study suggest that mortality rate is higher in patients who fail to achieve the target calorie intake at first 48 h and day seven of admission to the intensive care unit. The risk of mortality decreases with increasing triceps skin fold thickness Z-score

Infantile type Sandhoff disease with striking brain MRI findings and a novel mutation

BACKGROUND: Sandhoff disease is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by β-hexosaminidase deficiency in which the ganglioside GM2 and other glycolipids accumulate intracellularly within lysosomes. This process results in progressive motor neuron manifestations, death from respiratory failure and infections in infantiles. CASE REPORT: This report presents a 22-month-old girl with infantile type Sandhoff disease that was hospitalized for generalized seizures and psychomotor retardation. She was diagnosed with a genetically proven novel mutation and by demonstrating it's specific imaging findings. CONCLUSIONS: Determination of spesific changes in neuroimaging which are initial findings for GM2 gangliosidosis is important from the point of diagnosis and follow-up in infants suspected of having a neurodegenerative disease

Turkish family with Dysequilibrium syndrome with a novel mutation in the VLDLR gene.

Background: A very few diseases are reported caused due to cerebellar hypoplasia and neuronal migration defects like pachygyria. Cerebellar Ataxia, mental retardation, and Dysequilibrium Syndrome 1 (DES) (OMIM # 224050) are one among such group of diseases. DES is caused due to a homozygous mutation in the VLDLR gene involved majorly in neuronal migration. Case Presentation: Two members (siblings) from a Turkish family presented with neuromotor developmental delay, moderate learning disability, delayed psychosocial development and strabismus complaints. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed as consanguinity existed between the parents and specific pre-diagnosis could not provide a satisfactory conclusion for the patients. WES revealed a homozygote novel mutation in the VLDLR gene. Conclusion: Evaluation of WES data resembled a process of finding a needle in a haystack; therefore, the present study recommended clinical information and anamnesis to be very important in understanding and interpreting the WES result. [JBCGenetics 2019; 2(1.000): 77-80

Inner Ear Involvement in Children with Familial Mediterranean Fever

OBJECTIVE: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most common and best understood disease of hereditary periodic fever syndromes. Various degrees of sensorineural hearing loss can be seen in the progression of some hereditary periodic fever syndromes. There are very limited and controversial studies in the literature with regard to hearing loss in patients diagnosed with FMF. We aimed to evaluate cochlear function in children with FMF. MATERIALS and METHODS: Forty-nine patients diagnosed with FMF and 49 age- and sex-matched controls were included in the study. All of the children had undergone a routine ear-nose-throat examination. Patients with pathological findings in the otologic examination or a history of recurrent otitis media; using proven ototoxic drugs; or having an abnormal tympanometry finding were excluded from the study. Following audiologic evaluation, tympanometry and distortion product otoacoustic emissions testing were conducted on all subjects. Pure-tone and high-frequency audiometry were carried out on 40 subjects from both groups who could cooperate in the testing. RESULTS: Hearing thresholds of FMF patients were found to be increased at all frequencies (250 to 16,000) (p<0.001). The difference between the hearing thresholds of the two groups could be seen more prominently at higher frequencies, and despite a statistically significant difference, the hearing thresholds of the two groups were within the normal range of tonal audiometry frequencies. In the otoacoustic emission evaluation, the distortion products and signal/noise ratio of children with FMF were lower in the tested frequencies from 1000 to 4000 Hz (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that FMF disease may cause hearing loss in children with FMF. Hearing loss in children with familial Mediterranean fever has been observed, showing increased hearing thresholds at all frequencies in audiometry, together with decreased distortion products and signal: noise ratios, demonstrated by distortion product otoacoustic emissions testing. We think this might be due to cochlear involvement. Regular follow-up of auditory function in FMF children may be helpful for determining early possible hearing loss

ROTAVIRUS AND ADENOVIRUS IN CHILDREN WITH ACUTE GASTROENTERITIS AND THE MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY OF ROTAVIRUS

Conclusion: Regarding the high frequency of rotavirus infection, continuous monitoring is needed in gastroenteritis prevention programs for treatment and to provide information about the occurrence of new rotavirus strains

Two different homozygous mutations in two Turkish siblings: DGUOK and HPS5

Background: Genetic disorders are enormously diverse both in terms of genotype and phenotype. Each case requires a careful and cautious investigation. Case Presentation: In this paper, we report two siblings who were admitted to our clinic with various symptoms. The older one, a 13-year old boy, presented with mental retardation, lack of speech, autistic behavior, and selfmutilation. And the younger one, a 6-month old girl, presented with growth retardation, dysmorphic face, and strabismus. We used next generation sequencing for our definitive diagnoses and followed a path from genotype to phenotype. Conclusion: We found homozygous changes in DGUOK (NM_080916.2 c.566T&gt;G) and HPS5 (NM_181507.1 c.219G&gt;A) genes in the siblings. In the literature review, we did not find any article that investigates two different autosomal recessive disorders in two siblings. On this aspect, we present a different approach. [JBCGenetics 2020; 3(1.000): 41-44

Mortality risk factors among critically ill children with MIS-C in PICUs: a multicenter study

Background: This study evaluated of clinical characteristics, outcomes, and mortality risk factors of a severe multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children admitted to a the pediatric intensive care unit. Methods: A retrospective multicenter cohort study was conducted between March 2020 and April 2021 at 41 PICUs in Turkey. The study population comprised 322 children diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome. Results: The organ systems most commonly involved were the cardiovascular and hematological systems. Intravenous immunoglobulin was used in 294 (91.3%) patients and corticosteroids in 266 (82.6%). Seventy-five (23.3%) children received therapeutic plasma exchange treatment. Patients with a longer duration of the PICU stay had more frequent respiratory, hematological, or renal involvement, and also had higher D-dimer, CK-MB, and procalcitonin levels. A total of 16 patients died, with mortality higher in patients with renal, respiratory, or neurological involvement, with severe cardiac impairment or shock. The non-surviving group also had higher leukocyte counts, lactate and ferritin levels, and a need for mechanical ventilation. Conclusions: In cases of MIS-C, high levels of D-dimer and CK-MB are associated with a longer duration of PICU stay. Non-survival correlates with elevated leukocyte counts and lactate and ferritin levels. We were unable to show any positive effect of therapeutic plasma exchange therapy on mortality. Impact: MIS-C is a life-threatening condition.Patients need to be followed up in the intensive care unit.Early detection of factors associated with mortality can improve outcomes.Determining the factors associated with mortality and length of stay will help clinicians in patient management.High D-dimer and CK-MB levels were associated with longer PICU stay, and higher leukocyte counts, ferritin and lactate levels, and mechanical ventilation were associated with mortality in MIS-C patients.We were unable to show any positive effect of therapeutic plasma exchange therapy on mortality