Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu Olan 6 Yaşından Küçük Erkekler Çocuklarda Serum S100B Düzeylerinin Değerlendirilmesi: Psikiyatrik ve Biyokimyasal Perspektif

Aim: Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder. The S100 calcium binding protein B (S100B) is among the markers of astrocyte activation as well as brain damage. Herein, it was aimed to evaluate S100B levels to determine whether there is a relation with the severity of autism spectrum disorder and establish possible causes of different results among the studies in the literature from a psychiatric and biochemical perspective. Material and Methods: Twenty-five male children with autism spectrum disorder were included as the study group along with twenty-seven male children as the control group. The childhood autism rating scale and the autism behavior checklist were applied. Serum S100B protein levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The mean serum S100B level was 1008.61±171.34 pg/mL in the study group and 1060.14±182.83 pg/mL in the control group, and no statistically significant difference was found between the groups (p=0.300). Based on the childhood autism rating scale scores, 60% (n=15) of the children with autism spectrum disorder had severe autism, whereas 40% (n=10) had mild-to-moderate autism. There was no significant difference in terms of the serum S100B levels between the groups of autism spectrum disorder severity (p=0.935) or according to the autistic regression status (p=0.667). Conclusion: For S100B to be accepted as a reliable biomarker for autism spectrum disorder, more studies considering some factors with larger samples should be performed. Moreover, to understand the effect of biochemical methodology on the results, further studies are suggested on this subject

Parenting perceptions and experiences of healthcare professionals employed in contact tracing teams

The pandemic has mandated some healthcare workers to provide contact tracing services. The present study aimed to discuss the parenting perceptions and experiences of healthcare professionals assigned to contact tracing teams. We carried out this phenomenological study with 29 mothers and 26 fathers selected using purposive sampling techniques. We collected the data using a demographic information form and a parent interview form and analyzed them using the content analysis method. The results revealed that the parents attempted to balance the risks of their tasks with their parenting roles. Also, their perception of protecting their families was the basis of their efforts to protect themselves. Moreover, the social distance to family members revealed longing and intimacy expectations among the participants. The pandemic has significantly impacted families, which is exponentially dramatic for contact tracing teams as health workers. Therefore, it seems significant to carry out counseling work with such families

Evaluation of Serum S100B Levels in Male Children Younger than 6 Years Old with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Psychiatric and Biochemical Perspective

Aim: Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder. The S100 calcium binding protein B (S100B) is among the markers of astrocyte activation as well as brain damage. Herein, it was aimed to evaluate S100B levels to determine whether there is a relation with the severity of autism spectrum disorder and establish possible causes of different results among the studies in the literature from a psychiatric and biochemical perspective. Material and Methods: Twenty-five male children with autism spectrum disorder were included as the study group along with twenty-seven male children as the control group. The childhood autism rating scale and the autism behavior checklist were applied. Serum S100B protein levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The mean serum S100B level was 1008.61±171.34 pg/mL in the study group and 1060.14±182.83 pg/mL in the control group, and no statistically significant difference was found between the groups (p=0.300). Based on the childhood autism rating scale scores, 60% (n=15) of the children with autism spectrum disorder had severe autism, whereas 40% (n=10) had mild-to-moderate autism. There was no significant difference in terms of the serum S100B levels between the groups of autism spectrum disorder severity (p=0.935) or according to the autistic regression status (p=0.667). Conclusion: For S100B to be accepted as a reliable biomarker for autism spectrum disorder, more studies considering some factors with larger samples should be performed. Moreover, to understand the effect of biochemical methodology on the results, further studies are suggested on this subject