A prospective study of serum concentrations of leptin, homocysteine and insulin resistance in children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome

Aim: To measure serum leptin, homocysteine concentrations and insulin resistance in active and remission stages of children with nephrotic syndrome (NS) and to investigate their role in NS pathogenesis. Methods: A total of 70 children were included in the study, 40 patients who had been diagnosed with NS and 30 healthy patients were control. Changes in plasma concentration of the serum homocysteine, leptin, and insulin were measured and compared with the other parameters in the groups. Results: Serum leptin concentrations in active phase were lower than the remission phase (1.48 ± 0.09 ng/dl, 1.84 ± 1.64 ng/ml, p<0.05). Also, serum homocysteine concentrations in NS group during the active phase were lower than the remission phase and the control group (6.45±2.54 ng/dl, 9.35±2.99 ng/ml, 7.76± 1.97 ng/ml, p<0.05). The serum fasting insulin concentrations and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values of remission phase were significantly higher than those of active phase (p<0.05). A positive relationship was found between the homocysteine concentrations and the body mass index of the patient; whereas, a negative relationship was detected between erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and the LDL-cholesterol concentrations (p<0.05). ESR was found as the only factor associated with lower concentrations of homocysteine during the active phase (r:-0.592, p<0.05).  Conclusion: In this study, we demonstrated that serum leptin and homocysteine concentrations decreased in active phase and increased in remission phase in children with NS.  Insulin resistance could also develop as a result of steroid use in a short period of time in these patients

Hypercalciuria in children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis

Objective: The aim of this study was to measure the 24 h urinary calcium content in children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) and compare with those in healthy children to investigate whether there is any relation with enuresis and hypercalciuria

Early-Onset Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsy With Dystonia Mapping to 16pter-p13.3

The authors present three patients from a consanguineous family afflicted with novel recessive myoclonic epilepsy characterized by very early onset and a steadily progressive course. The onset is in early infancy, and death occurs in the first decade. In addition to various types of myoclonic seizures, episodic phenomena such as dystonias, postictal enduring hemipareses, autonomic involvements, and periods of obtundation and lethargy were also observed. Developmental and neurological retardation, coupled with systemic infections, leads to a full deterioration. The authors designated the disease progressive myoclonic epilepsy with dystonia (PMED). A genome scan for the family and subsequent fine mapping localized the gene responsible for the disease to the most telomeric 6.73 mega base pairs at the p-terminus of chromosome 16, with a maximum multipoint logarithm-of-odds score of 7.83 and a maximum two-point score of 4.25. A candidate gene was analyzed for mutations in patients, but no mutation was found

The Role of Serum Vitamin D Level on Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Children

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of serum 25 (OH) vitamin D levels on the clinical aspect of acute lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in children

The Role of Serum Vitamin D Level on Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Children

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of serum 25 (OH) vitamin D levels on the clinical aspect of acute lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in children

The quality of life of mothers of children with monosymptomatic enuresis nocturna

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) on the quality of life of the mothers

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Middle School Children and Evaluation of Components of Metabolic Syndrome

Objectives:This study was designed to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in Turkish children and to examine the relationship between MS components in this age group

An Unusual Association of Pyoderma Gangrenosum with Henoch-Schonlein Purpura in a Child

Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is a systemic vasculitis affecting small vessels. Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an uncommon, non-infectious, neutrophilic dermatosis. A sixteen-year-old boy was admitted to our clinic with arthralgia, palpable purpuric rush and a wound on the left lower extremity. Dermatological examination revealed an ulcer 3x3 cm in diameter covered with necrotic material and surrounded by a bluish ring. The lesion was found to be clinically compatible with pyoderma gangrenosum. Histological examination of the biopsy material taken from the purpuric rush was compatible with leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Direct immunofluorescence showed IgA class antibody and C3 deposition within the dermal capillaries. These findings were suggestive of HSP. We report a case of HSP with PG like ulcer. To the best of our knowledge, only one adult case of HSP with PG has been reported so far