Clinical Findings of Functional and Secondary Constipation in Children

Objective: We aimed to evaluate clinical features and follow-up data of children with functional and secondary constipation. Methods: Hospital records of 335 constipated children were evaluated. Children were divided into 2 groups as functional and secondary, and were compared with regard to clinical and anthropometric data. Findings: Of 335 children (M/F 167/168, mean age 4.3±3.5 years) 91% had functional constipation (group 1). Family history of constipation was significantly higher in group 1. Malnutrition was found in 18% of group 1, 56% in group 2 (p<0.001). Conclusion: If a constipated child has a family history of constipation but does not have failure to thrive and constipation begins at an older age, functional constipation is more probable

Fatty liver in childhood

Fatty liver is a growing health problem worldwide. It might evolve to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, cirrhosis and cause hepatocellular carcinoma. This disease, which has increased because of eating habits, changes in food content and lifestyle, affffects people from childhood. The most important risk factors are obesity and insulin resistance. Besides these factors, gender, ethnicity, genetic predisposition and some medical problems are also important. Cirrhosis in children is rare but is reported. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has no specific symptoms or signs but should be considered in obese children. NAFLD does not have a proven treatment. Weight loss with family based treatments is the most acceptable management. Exercise and an applicable diet with low glycemic index and appropriate calorie intake are preferred. Drugs are promising but not sufficient in children for today. © 2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited

Fatty liver in childhood

Fatty liver is a growing health problem worldwide. It might evolve to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, cirrhosis and cause hepatocellular carcinoma. This disease, which has increased because of eating habits, changes in food content and lifestyle, affects people from childhood. The most important risk factors are obesity and insulin resistance. Besides these factors, gender, ethnicity, genetic predisposition and some medical problems are also important. Cirrhosis in children is rare but is reported. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has no specific symptoms or signs but should be considered in obese children. NAFLD does not have a proven treatment. Weight loss with family based treatments is the most acceptable management. Exercise and an applicable diet with low glycemic index and appropriate calorie intake are preferred. Drugs are promising but not sufficient in children for today

α-defensin expression in the gastric tissue of children with helicobacter pylori-associated chronic gastritis: An immunohistochemical study

In this study, we evaluated the expression of α-defensin and its correlation with histological criteria in children with and without Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis. Forty-five children were included. Immunohistochemical staining was performed and the relationship between α-defensin immunoscoring and H pylori status and histological criteria was evaluated. Expression of α-defensin was significantly higher in the H pylori-positive group (P < 0.001) and it was significantly associated with higher grades of chronic inflammation and neutrophil density (P < 0.001 for both). Our data show that α-defensin expression is increased in H pylori infection in childhood and is associated with inflammatory tissue damage. © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc

Growth in familial Mediterranean fever: Effect of attack rate, genotype and colchicine treatment

We evaluated the effect Of attack frequency, homozygosity for the M694V mutation and colchicine treatment on growth in children with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Prepubertal patients with FMF (19 M, 14 F) were evaluated retrospectively for height SDS, weight SDS and body mass index (BMI) before and after 46.2 +/- 39.8 months of colchicine therapy. Pretreatment attack frequency and acute phase markers at diagnosis were also recorded. While acute phase markers were not correlated to anthropometric variables, attack rate was negatively, albeit insignificantly, correlated to height and weight SDS. Height SDS did not change, while BMI showed a slight but significant increase during colchicine therapy (16.2 +/- 2.6 to 17.3 +/- 3.1 kg/m(2), p = 0.035). Homozygosity for M694V did not affect time from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis, anthropometric variables and acute phase markers. In conclusion, pre-treatment attack rate and anthropometric development correlated negatively. Colchicine therapy improved BMI slightly, but significantly. Homozygosity for M694V had no effect on anthropometric development

Atopy frequency in children with gastroesophageal resux

Objective: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may be secondary to infectious, allergic, neurological, systemic and metabolic diseases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the frequency of atopy in children that is followed-up in our hospital with GERD

The relation of serum ghrelin, leptin and insulin levels to the growth patterns and feeding characteristics in breast-fed versus formula-fed infants

Yis U, ozturk Y, Sisman AR, Uysal S, Soylu OB, Buyukgebiz B. The relation of serum ghrelin, leptin and insulin levels to the growth patterns and feeding characteristics in breast-fed versus formula-fed infants. Mirk J Pediatr 2010; 52: 35-41

Vitamin D Dependent Rickets Type I: Two Cases Report

Rickets is a group of diseases characterized by reduced mineralization of bone matrix in growing children. Although the most common cause is nutritional vitamin D deficiency, it may also appear as the result of hereditary diseases. Vitamin D-dependent rickets type I arises due to an autosomal recessive disturbance in renal 1 a-hydroxylase enzyme which converts 25(OH)D to 1,25(OH)2D. This condition is also called as pseudovitamin D deficiency. 25(OH)D level is normal but 1,25(OH) 2D level low. In this study, clinical and laboratory features of two cases aged 15 months and 2 years who were brought to Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic with different complaints and diagnosed with vitamin D-dependent rickets type I are presented and discussed

Predictors of renal scar in children with urinary infection and vesicoureteral reflux

We evaluated the predictors of renal scar in children with urinary tract infections (UTIs) having primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Data of patients who were examined by dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy between 1995 and 2005 were evaluated retrospectively. Gender, age, reflux grade, presence/development of scarring, breakthrough UTIs, and resolution of reflux, were recorded. The relation of gender, age and VUR grade to preformed scarring and the relation of gender, age, VUR grade, presence of preformed scarring, number of breakthrough UTIs and reflux resolution to new scarring were assessed. There were 138 patients [male/female (M/F) 53/85]. Multivariate analysis showed that male gender [odds ratio (OR) 2.5], age >= 27 months in girls (OR 4.2) and grades IV-V reflux (OR 12.4) were independent indicators of renal scarring. On the other hand, only the presence of previous renal scarring was found to be an independent indicator for the development of new renal scar (OR 13.4). In conclusion, while the most predictive variables for the presence of renal scarring among children presenting with a UTI were male gender, age >= 27 months in girls, and grades IV-V reflux, the best predictor of new scar formation was presence of previous renal scarring

Vitamin D Dependent Rickets Type I: Two Cases Report

Rickets is a group of diseases characterized by reduced mineralization of bone matrix in growing children. Although the most common cause is nutritional vitamin D deficiency, it may also appear as the result of hereditary diseases. Vitamin D-dependent rickets type I arises due to an autosomal recessive disturbance in renal 1 a-hydroxylase enzyme which converts 25(OH)D to 1,25(OH)2D. This condition is also called as pseudovitamin D deficiency. 25(OH)D level is normal but 1,25(OH) 2D level low. In this study, clinical and laboratory features of two cases aged 15 months and 2 years who were brought to Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic with different complaints and diagnosed with vitamin D-dependent rickets type I are presented and discussed