Özlem Durmaz Süoğlu

Association of Helicobacter pylori infection with gastroduodenal disease, epidemiologic factors and iron-deficiency anemia in Turkish children undergoing endoscopy, and impact on growth.

Background: The purpose of the present paper was to investigate the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and clinical symptomatology, breast‐feeding and socioeconomic level. The relationship between H. pylori and iron‐deficiency anemia (IDA) and the effect of H. pylori infection on growth were also investigated.

Does interferon and ribavirin combination therapy increase the rate of treatment response in children with hepatitis C

Background Interferon-&agr; was the first accepted treatment of chronic hepatitis C. In recent years, adding ribavirin has produced better response rates in adult patients than monotherapy with interferon-&agr;. Whether adding ribavirin also improves treatment results in pediatric patients remains unclear. Methods Twelve patients were given 3 million U/m2 subcutaneous interferon-&agr; three times weekly and 15 mg/kg oral ribavirin daily, and 10 patients were given only 3 million U/m2 subcutaneous interferon-&agr; three times weekly for a total of 12 months. Results The dropout rate was 22.8% (25% for patients receiving combination treatment versus 20% for those receiving monotherapy). At the end of treatment, viral clearance was achieved in 50% of the patients who received combination treatment versus 30% of those who received monotherapy. After 12 months of posttreatment follow-up, sustained response rates were 30% and 41.7%, respectively. Of those who responded to treatment, 66.7% had received ribavirin whereas 37.5% of nonresponders had received ribavirin therapy. Conclusion Adding ribavirin to interferon treatment improved end-of-treatment response rates in children with chronic hepatitis C. Tolerance of treatment was similar to tolerance of monotherapy. However, studies of greater numbers of pediatric patients with longer follow-up periods are necessary to determine prolonged sustained response.

Is there a relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and erosive reflux disease in children

Aim:  The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and erosive reflux disease in children.

CagA positivity and its association with gastroduodenal disease in Turkish children undergoing endoscopic investigation

BackgroundCytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) product is a bacterial virulence factor contributing to the pathogenicity of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection in humans. Host factors, which vary in different countries, interact with bacterial factors to determine the disease state. Our objective was to investigate the frequency of CagA-positive HP strains and evaluate the contribution of CagA positivity to symptoms and development of mucosal lesions in HP-infected Turkish children.MethodsWe conducted a prospective clinical trial in 240 consecutive Turkish children undergoing endoscopy (110 girls, 130 boys; mean age, 8.7 ± 4.3 years). HP infection was diagnosed on the basis of a positive rapid urease test and histology of the mucosal specimens. HP IgG and CagA IgG antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in HP-positive children.ResultsThe HP positivity rate was 50.4% in our study group (51 girls, 70 boys; mean age, 9.9 ± 3.9 years). CagA was positive in 74.4%. HP infection was less common in children with vomiting (25.9%, P < 0.05). CagA positivity was not associated with any clinical symptom. HP positivity was higher in children with duodenal ulcer (80% vs. 49.1%, P = 0.05); while CagA positivity was similar. Antral nodularity was strongly associated with HP positivity and CagA positivity (30.6% vs. 3.4% and 36.7% vs. 12.9%, respectively, P < 0.05). A negative association between CagA positivity and esophagitis was observed (20% vs. 76.7%, P < 0.05).ConclusionsCagA positivity is common in HP-infected Turkish children. Esophageal lesions are less common in children infected with CagA-positive strains. Although HP is associated with duodenal ulcer disease, CagA positivity does not seem to contribute to development of ulcers in children in our series.

Long-term outcome after sclerotherapy with or without a beta-blocker for variceal bleeding in children.

Background : Esophageal variceal bleedingis a life‐threatening complication of portal hypertension. Optimal treatmentfor the prophylaxis of variceal rebleeding in children has not yetbeen determined. In the present study, we aimed to compare the long‐termefficacy of endoscopic sclerotherapy with or without oral beta‐blockertherapy in the secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding.

Transient complete atrioventricular block during liver transplantation.

Abstract:  Intraoperative dysrhythmias commonly occur in the surgical management of congenital heart diseases. It may also be seen in other surgical procedures. The initiating factors for an arrhythmia during surgery is usually a transient insult such as hypoxemia, cardiac ischemia, catecholamine excess, electrolyte abnormality and acidosis. CAVB is a life‐threatening dysrhythmia in all ages. We herein report a case of transient CAVB in a 30‐month‐old boy during living‐related liver transplantation for bile duct paucity‐associated liver cirrhosis. Moreover, we discuss the probable etiology and treatment of CAVB in liver transplantation.