Vitamin D Levels in Children With Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis

Background: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is one of the most prevalent oral mucosa diseases and the etiology is unclear. As a potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating agent, vitamin D can significantly affect oral cavity homeostasis. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has been conducted in pediatric population on the potential role of vitamin D in recurrent aphthous stomatitis to date. The aim of the present study is to determine the vitamin D status in recurrent aphthous stomatitis in children. Methods: This study is conducted retrospectively. Seventy-two patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis and 70 age-matched healthy controls included in the study. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured in all patients using enzyme immunoassay. Results: Serum vitamin D levels were 16.4 (8.6) ng/mL in patient group and 23.1 (11.5) ng/mL in healthy controls. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of serum vitamin D levels (P= .002). There was no significant correlation between serum vitamin D levels and the severity of the recurrent aphthous stomatitis (r= 0.54,P= .76). Conclusions: Our study showed a significant difference in vitamin D levels between patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis and the healthy control group. We also found no correlation between vitamin D status and the severity of the disease

Assessment of sleep in children with periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis syndrome

Background. Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome is the most common cause of periodic fever in childhood. This study aimed to investigate sleep patterns and possible factors that are associated with sleep disturbances among children with PFAPA syndrome. Methods. Sixty-two patients with PFAPA and 68 age and sex matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Patients who had an attack during the former 2 weeks were not included. Demographic and anthropometric data, duration of fever episodes, laboratory results, and clinical manifestations of patients were recorded. The Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire was administered. Results. The total sleep scores of patients with PFAPA were significantly higher than the control group (49.6 +/- 10.7 vs. 38.3 +/- 7.5, p = 0.002 ). Children with PFAPA had significantly higher scores regarding sleep-onset delay, sleep anxiety and night wakening (p=0.003, p=0.007, and p=0.014, respectively). Total sleep durations were similar between children with PFAPA and the control group. There was a significant positive correlation between the total sleep score and disease duration (r=0.425, p=0.002). Also there was a significant positive correlation between disease duration and sleep onset delay (r=0.561, p<0.001) and night wakening (r=0.327, p=0.003). Conclusion. This study showed for the first time that patients with PFAPA have significantly disturbed sleep when compared to otherwise normal children. This study emphasized the need to assess sleep problems in children with PFAP

Çocuklarda obezitenin endotel fonksiyonu ve subklinik ateroskleroz üzerine etkisi]

We aimed to measure flow-mediated dilation (FMD), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), and to evaluate the effects of waist circumference (WC), and body mass index Z (BMI-Z) score on these parameters in obese children. This case-control cross-sectional study included 70 obese and 40 non-obese children aged 7-14 years who presented with various complaints and had no concomitant diseases. FMD and cIMT were measured in all subjects and correlated with anthropometric and biochemical factors. WC, BMI-Z score, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), triglyceride (TG) and insulin concentrations, and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) index were significantly higher, whereas high density lipoprotein (HDL) -cholesterol concentration was significantly lower in the obese than in the non-obese group. FMD values were significantly lower, whereas cIMT values were significantly higher in obese than in non-obese subjects. FMD negatively correlated with WC, BMI-Z score, serum insulin level, HOMA, systolic BP, triglyceride but positively with HDL-cholesterol. cIMT positively correlated with WC, BMI-Z score, serum insulin level, HOMA, systolic BP, triglyceride but negatively with HDL-cholesterol. Increased WC, BMI-Z score, serum insulin level, HOMA, systolic BP, triglyceride and decreased HDL-cholesterol in obese children contribute to endothelial dysfunction and early subclinical atherosclerosis compared to their normal weight peers

Correlation between transient tachypnea of the newborn and wheezing attack

Background: Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) is the most common cause of respiratory distress in newborns. Although associated with some morbidity, it is generally believed that once TTN resolves, there is no further increased risk for respiratory disease. However, in limited studies frequency of wheezing attacks is found to be increased in patients who had TTN diagnosis during the newborn period, in comparison to patients who had no respiratory problem. Thus, the question arises as to whether TTN is an innocent disease. Methods: This study was done retrospectively. We recorded the demographic characteristics of 103 infants born between 17 October 2003 and 17 October 2004 at Zeynep Kamil Hospital and hospitalized because of TTN in the neonatal intensive care unit. In the second phase, we telephoned the parents of the 103 infants and asked about wheezing attacks. A total of 103 other infants, born during the same period, with no health problems during the newborn period, were included in the study as the control group and the same procedures were applied to them. Results: The rate of wheezing attack among patients with TTN diagnosis was found to be significantly higher than that in patients who had no TTN diagnosis (P < 0.01). TTN was found to be an independent risk factor for wheezing attack (OR, 2.378; 95% CI, 1.20-4.70). Conclusion: In conclusion, we established that TTN is an independent risk factor for wheezing. In addition we also hypothesized that genetic and environmental interactions synergistically predisposed these children for future wheezing

Bisphenol A as a risk factor for allergic rhinitis in children

Aim: Bisphenol-A (BPA) is an endocrine disrupting compound and may exacerbate or induce allergic diseases. To the best of our knowledge, there is little evidence regarding the effects of BPA exposure on allergic rhinitis (AR) in children. In the present study, we sought to examine whether exposure to BPA in children is associated with AR. Methods: This study was designed as a case controlled clinical study. 140 children diagnosed as allergic rhinitis and 140 healthy children as control group were recruited. BPA, interleukin-4, interleukin-13, total IgE and interferon-gamma levels were determined. Skin prick tests were performed in patient group. Total nasal symptom score and ARIA classification were used to predict disease severity. Results: Serum IL-4, IgE and BPA levels of children with allergic rhinitis were found to be significantly higher than the control group. BPA and IL-4 levels were significantly higher in moderate to severe-persistent group. There was a positive correlation between total nasal symptom scores and Bisphenol A levels in children with allergic rhinitis. Conclusions: The present study is the first to observe statistically significant relationship between BPA concentrations and allergic rhinitis in children. Also increased levels of BPA are associated with disease severity.Namik Kemal University Scientific Research Projects FundingNamik Kemal University [NKU.BAP.02, 18.159]The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This study was supported by Namik Kemal University Scientific Research Projects Funding [NKU.BAP.02.GA.18.159]

Increased Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Endothelial Cell-Specific Molecule-1 (Endocan) Levels in Obese Children

Obesity in children appears to be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases later in life. Early development of insulin resistance (IR) may lead to endothelial dysfunction and increased carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) even in childhood. We compared endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 (endocan) levels in pediatric obese patients with those in healthy controls to determine whether endocan could be used as a biological marker of complications caused by endothelial damage. In 80 obese pubertal children (44 males [M] and 36 females [F], mean age: 12.8 +/- 2.5 years), anthropometric measurements, cIMT, endocan levels, and IR indices (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR]) were evaluated and compared with 80 healthy pubertal patients (42M/38F, mean age: 12.3 +/- 3.2 years). High-resolution ultrasound was used to measure the cIMT. Obese children had higher levels of endocan compared with the controls (P < .001). Fasting insulin levels and HOMA-IR were also higher in obese children (P < .001 for both). In addition, obese children had an increased cIMT (P < .001). In obese children, there was a significant correlation between cIMT and HOMA-IR (beta = -1.314, P = .002) and between cIMT and endocan (beta = .483, P = .004). Measuring cIMT and endocan levels (noninvasive investigations) in obese children, together with early preventive measures, could significantly decrease morbidity and mortality in adulthood

infection and vaccination status of children aged 6 months-12 years: Time for mass vaccination

Objective: This study was designed to determine the current age-related hepatitis A virus (HAV) seroprevalance, vaccination status of children and to evaluate the epidemiological shift in HAV serostatus living in Tekirda?, which is located in Thrace region, the European part of Turkey. Methods: Children 6 months-12 years of age with simple health problems were included. Blood samples were studied for HAV IgM and IgG collectively. A questionnaire addressing several characteristics of subjects was administered to obtain basic descriptive data on HAV epidemiology. Vaccination status of the children was recorded according to the immunization cards. Findings: The overall anti-HAV IgM and anti-HAV IgG prevalance in children aged 6 months - 12 years was 3.3% and 25.4% respectively. Maximum hepatitis A IgM positivity was in the 7-12 years age group 4.8% (n= 12; P<0.001) and maximum hepatitis A IgG positivity in the same age group was 34% (n=85; P<0.001). HAV vaccination rate among patients aged more than 2 years was 11.03%. HAV IgG seroprevalance was higher in children of low monthly income families (36.1%, n=78; P<0.001) than in the intermediate (17%, n=31) and high income families (11.1%, n=6). Conclusion: These results indicate a shift in Hepatitis A seroprevalance when compared with the previous studies. As HAV infection in childhood is decreasing, the pool of susceptible adolescents and young adults is increasing. Introduction of hepatitis A vaccination into the national immunization schedule of Turkey should be considered. © 2013 by Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, All rights reserved

Normal ve polikistik over sendromlutürk bayanlarda overyan volüm]

Aim: We aimed to investigate possibility of different ovarian volume threshold and to study diagnostic thresholds for polycystic ovary in Turkish women, since the literature on this subject is very limited. Material and Method: Clinical study carried out Namik Kemal University School of Medicine, Tekirdag, Turkey. This case-control study included 132 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), diagnosed according to Rotterdam criteria and 75 controls. Comparison of ovarian volumes between PCOS patients and control group. Results: We found a mean ovarian volume of 9.44 +/- 4.3 cm3 in PCOS cases and 7.63 +/- 3.66 cm3 in control cases. The area under curve (AUC) for mean ovarian volume (MOV) was 0.633. The analysis showed that setting the threshold of MOV at 8.2 cm3 offered the best compromise between specificity (61.3%) and sensitivity (53.8%). Discussion: Optimum threshold of ovarian volume to distinguish the PCOS from normal women and the mean ovarian volume in Turkish PCOS patients remain beneath the criteria by Rotterdam

Asti{dotless}mli{dotless} çocuklarda tedavi sonrasi{dotless} total IgE, CRP ve tam kan sayi{dotless}m parametrelerinin de?erlendirilmesi]

Objective: We aimed to study if inhaled corticosteroid and inhaled beta 2 agonist treatment to 2-18 years old children with asthma resulted in recovery in serum total IgE, CRP, and whole blood count levels and/or to evaluate the effect of treatment in comparison to healthy children. Methods: Data regarding pre and post treatment serum total IgE, CRP, and hemogram levels of 2-18 years old, 99 children with asthma, who received inhaled corticosteroid and inhaled beta 2 agonist treatment and who applied to Nami{dotless}k Kemal University Research and Practice Hospital Pediatrics Clinic, were obtained through file scanning. Data regarding demographics and serum total IgE, CRP and hemogram levels of 99 healthy children in control group were also obtained through file scanning. Results: In children with asthma, levels of serum total IgE, lymphocyte, eosinophil and basophil counts and percentages were significantly increased compared to healthy controls, and they were significantly decreased after treatment to the levels of healthy controls. Serum CRP levels, neutrophil counts and percentages were significantly decreased compared to healthy controls, and they were significantly increased after treatment. Conclusions: Inhaled steroid and beta 2 antagonist treatment to children with asthma resulted in recovery in levels of IgE, CRP, and some whole blood count parameters through decreasing inflammation with its anti-inflammatory effect

Does Low Birth Weight Affect P-Wave and QT Dispersion in Childhood?

BackgroundThe aim of our study is to investigate the effects of low birth weight (LBW) on atrial conduction and ventricular repolarization in children by using P-wave dispersion (Pw-d) and QT dispersion (QT-d) analyses. These effects have not yet been studied in detail in LBW children. MethodsFifty LBW children and 70 normal birth weight (NBW) children were enrolled in this cross-sectional controlled study. The Pw-d and QT-d of the LBW and NBW children were investigated. Independent Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and (2) test were performed to compare these two groups. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to investigate whether there was a relationship between P-wave indices, QT derivatives, anthropometric and clinical features, and echocardiographic parameters. ResultsAge, gender, body mass index, waist circumferences, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and echocardiographic measurements were similar between the LBW group and the NBW group (all P values > 0.05). The following findings were recorded for the LBW and NBW groups, respectively: the Pw-d (30 [10-50] ms vs 30 [10-50] ms, P = 0.977), QT-d (20 [10-50] ms vs 30 [15-50] ms, P = 0.561), and QTc-d (26 [14-54] ms vs 33 [17-62] ms, P = 0.866). No significant difference was found in Pw-d, QT-d, and QTc-d in comparison between the groups (all P values > 0.05). Pw-d was related to left atrial diameter and QTc-d was associated with left ventricle mass index even though they were within the normal range. ConclusionCompared with the NBW group, no significant difference was found in both atrial conduction and ventricular repolarization features in LBW children