Ülfet Vatansever

The protective role of melatonin in experimental hypoxic brain damage.

Background : It is known that oxygen‐derived free radicals play an important role in the pathogenesis of brain injury. Melatonin is a powerful scavenger of the oxygen free radicals. In this study, the protective effect of melatonin against the damage inflicted by reactive oxygen species during brain hypoxia was investigated in newborn rats using biochemical parameters.

Proficiency and knowledge gained and retained by pediatric residents after neonatal resuscitation course

Background: In previous studies the efficacy of the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) was evaluated, demonstrating good retention of knowledge in the participants. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the knowledge and proficiency that pediatric residents gained and retained following NRP and to determine the necessity and timing of the refresher courses.

Comparison of temporal artery, mid‐forehead skin and axillary temperature recordings in preterm infants <1500 g of birthweight*

Aim:  Preterm infants are prone to temperature maintenance problems due to immature thermoregulatory mechanism and relatively large body surface area. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the performance of a new non‐invasive infrared thermometer applied to the mid‐forehead and temporal artery in comparison with axillary temperature recordings by mercury‐in‐glass thermometer, and to determine the discomfort caused by these procedures in preterm infants on incubator care.

Etiology of neonatal gastric perforations: review of 10 years' experience.

Background: Neonatal gastric perforation (NGP) is a rare event and its etiology is still controversial. Although it has previously been described as spontaneous, recently some risk factors have been reported to be associated with the development of NGP including prematurity and nasal ventilation. The purpose of the present paper was to report and discuss etiology, clinical features, and outcome of the authors’ NGP cases over a 10 year period.

Indoor airborne fungal spores and home characteristics in asthmatic children from Edirne region of Turkey

Abstract Background The contribution of indoor fungal exposure to childhood asthma is not completely clear Objective To investigate airborne fungal flora within the homes of asthmatic and control children, and to assess the influence of housing characteristics regarding indoor fungi Methods Forty-seven atopic asthmatic and 23 nonatopic control children were studied. Allergen sensitivity was determined by skin prick tests. A thorough assessment, using a questionnaire and inspection surveys, was carried out. Home visits were made between October 2000 and February 2001. Samples of airborne fungal spores were collected from four rooms by the “open Petri dish” method. Indoor temperature and humidity were measured Results The total indoor fungal colony counts from the living rooms and bedrooms were significantly higher in the asthma group than in controls (p = .012 and p = .003, respectively). The most commonly isolated genus was Cladosporium. Twelve of the asthmatic patients (25.53 %) were found to be sensitive to fungal allergens. The factors found to be associated with indoor fungal growth in logistic regression were visible fungal patches in the bathrooms [(odds ratio (OR) = 5.75; 95 % CI 1.19 to 27.70)], and the age of the house [OR = 4.24; 95% CI 1.34 to 13.45]. Total fungal colony numbers did not correlate with indoor temperature or humidity Conclusion Fungal colony numbers were higher in the homes of asthmatic children than in those of controls. Therefore, indoor fungal exposure may contribute to childhood asthma. Bathrooms were the main source of fungal propagules. Old houses were more prone to fungal growth

Nucleated red blood cell counts and erythropoietin levels in high‐risk neonates

Background : The presence of increased numbers of nucleated red blood cells (NRBC) and increased levels of erythropoietin (EPO) in the circulation of neonates has been associated with states of relative hypoxia. The aim of this study is to assess the pattern of NRBC counts and EPO levels in a group of high‐risk neonates under stress conditions and determine the short‐term outcome for these babies by using these parameters.

Ochrobactrum anthropi bacteremia in a preterm infant with meconium peritonitis

Ochrobactrum anthropi is a non-fermenting gram-negative rod that was identified as a pathogenic microorganism during the past decade. O. anthropi is extensively distributed in the environment, and has been found in hospital and environmental water sources. O. anthropi infection is rare in childhood. We report a case of O. anthropi bacteremia in a preterm infant with a peritoneal lavage catheter and meconium peritonitis.

Thrombocytopenia: an important indicator for the application of partial exchange transfusion in polycythemic newborn infants?

Abstract Background: The conventional therapeutic approach in polycythemic newborn infants is to apply partial exchange transfusion (PET) when hematocrit value exceeds 70% or when the infant develops symptoms with the exception of plethora.

A premature infant with h-type tracheoesophageal fistula demonstrated by scintigraphic technique.

Purpose: Congenital tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) without esophageal atresia is commonly known as “H” type. This is extremely rare in infants. The rarity of the condition, its nonspecific symptomatology, and limitations in its demonstration by contrast radiology and endoscopy contribute to delays between first presentation and confirmation of the diagnosis. Our aim was to demonstrate a congenital H-type tracheoesophageal fistula by using Tc-99m sulfur colloid scintigraphy. Materials and Methods: A case report. Results: A preterm female infant was born by cesarean section at 34 weeks gestation. After many attempts of feeding, she developed apnea, resolving spontaneously, peroral cyanosis, pallor, hypersalivation, and abdominal distension, even when she was being fed by an orogastric tube. With this complex symptomatology, she was suspected to have an H-type TEF. Because of prematurity and recurrent respiratory problems of the infant and the high risk of aspiration of contrast material during a cineradiographic procedure, and also because of the invasive nature of the endoscopic procedure as well as the requirement of general anesthesia, the diagnosis was made by using Tc-99m sulfur colloid scintigraphy and confirmed at operation. Conclusion: Demonstrating a congenital H-type tracheoesophageal fistula by using radionuclide imaging is an easily applicable technique.

Dietary Intakes of Adolescents Living in Edirne, Turkey

Objective: To assess the dietary intakes of the adolescents in the area of Edirne, Turkey. Design: Cross-sectional, prospective, epidemiological study. Settings and Subjects: Our study group consists of 1944 adolescents aged between 12 to 17 years; 940 females and 1004 males. Interventions: Three-day self-reported food records were collected from the subjects and evaluated by a nutrient database program. Reported nutrient intake data were analyzed for gender differences. Minitab statistical program was used to compare nutritional data of subjects. Results: Energy, calcium, magnesium, folic acid, vitamins A, E, thiamine, and fiber intakes of whole adolescents, and also iron intakes of female adolescents were most likely to be inadequate compared with the recommendations. Iron, calcium, folic acid, thiamine, and fiber intakes were below two thirds of RDA/DRI in a large proportion of the adolescents. The intakes of protein, riboflavin, vitamin C, phosphorus and zinc were found to be adequate in a large percentage of the subjects. Forty eight percent of females and 60.1 % of males were below 2/3 of the RDA for energy. Conclusion: Pediatricians and dietitians should train the adolescents living in our region and our country on practical strategies for making healthy food choices rich in nutrient content relative to energy value to ensure intakes that approach the recommendations.