Complications of Varicella in Healthy Children

WOS: 00036936620001

Systemic Scleroderma in Childhood: A Case Report

WOS: 000345820700011Juvenile systemic scleroderma is a rare chronic multi-system connective tissue disease in childhood. Although rare in children, it is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Juvenile systemic scleroderma is one of the most severe rheumatologic conditions diagnosed in children. In this article, we report a six-year-old boy diagnosed with scleroderma

Comparison of Vesikari and Clark scales regarding the definition of severe rotavirus gastroenteritis in children

WOS: 000354612900009PubMed ID: 25715939Background: Two clinical severity scales, the Vesikari scale and the Clark scale, are commonly used to assess the efficacy of rotavirus vaccines. The results obtained using the two severity scales differ significantly and hamper comparisons. The aim of this study was to compare the Clark and Vesikari scales and to determine whether modified classifications would provide a better correlation between the two scales. Methods: The severity of rotavirus gastroenteritis was assessed for each child using both the Vesikari and Clark scales. To make a statistical comparison between the two scales, the classifications were modified. Results: In total, 200 children with rotavirus gastroenteritis were evaluated. Of these, 57% were classified as severe by the Vesikari scale, and only 1.5% by the Clark scale (p = 16), provided a better correlation between the two severity scales, but still did not achieve a good level of agreement. Conclusions: The Clark and Vesikari scales differ significantly in the definition of severe gastroenteritis. Even the attempts at reclassifying the scales did not achieve a good correlation

Varicella seroprevalence in Turkish population in Cyprus

WOS: 000246789600018PubMed ID: 17465984Aim: This study was conducted to determine the age-specific seroprevalence of varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection in Turkish population in Cyprus. Methods: A total of 600 unvaccinated individuals aged 1-30 years were selected for the study with cluster sampling. Information on socio-demographic characteristics was gathered for each participant and, anti-VZV antibodies were assayed by using enzyme immune assay. Results: Of the 578 assayed samples, 486 (84.1%) were seropositive. Varicella seroprevalence increased sharply with age from 25% for the 2-3 year olds to 55, 78 and 85% for 4-5, 6-7 and 8-9 year olds, respectively. More than 90% of individuals > 16 years of age were seropositive. Varicella seroprevalence was higher in large families with five and more members (91.2%) than in small families with four or fewer members (80.2%). Conclusion: The majority of varicella-zoster virus infections occur during preschool period and at the first years of schooling. Therefore, routine varicella vaccination of children would be logical in Northern Cyprus, as is currently recommended by the European Working Group on Varicella