Ulker Ones

Sonographic assessment of ceftriaxone-associated biliary pseudolithiasis in children

Ceftriaxone is a widely used third‐generation cephalosporin. In this prospective study, we used sonography to investigate the incidence and outcome of biliary complications in children receiving ceftriaxone therapy.

Prevalence of childhood asthma in Istanbul, Turkey

ÖneşÜ. Sapan N, Somer A, Dişçi R, Salman N, Güler N, Yalçm I. Prevalence of childhood asthma in Istanbul, Turkey.

Rising trend of asthma prevalence among Turkish schoolchildren (ISAAC phases I and III)

Background:  Asthma is a common chronic illness in childhood. The aim of the study was to examine time trends in the prevalence of asthma using the ISAAC questionnaire in 6‐ to 12‐year‐old schoolchildren in Istanbul and factors affecting asthma prevalence.

Atopy patch testing in children with asthma and rhinitis symptoms allergic to house dust mite.

The atopy patch test (APT) is generally used to assess immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated sensitization to allergens in patients with atopic dermatitis, but its diagnostic role in children with respiratory allergy is still controversial. The aim of the study was to evaluate APT with house dust mite (HDM) in children with asthma and rhinitis symptoms allergic to HDM and its relevance to skin prick test (SPT) diameters and specific IgE levels. The study population consisted of 33 children, aged 8–16 yr (median: 12 yr) with asthma and 30 children with allergic rhinitis in the same age range (median: 11 yr). All patients had positive SPT results and high serum specific IgE levels for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus APT was performed on back skin of all patients with 200 index of reactivity (IR)/ml of D. pteronyssinus allergen extracts in petrolatum (Stallerpatch) and evaluated at 72 h. Of 63 patients, 16 (25%) showed a positive patch test result. APT with HDM showed 30% (10/33) positivity among the patients with asthma and 20% (6/30) positivity among the patients with allergic rhinitis. APT presented no significant correlation with age, SPT diameter, serum total and specific IgE levels for D. pteronyssinus, nasal provocation test or pulmonary function test results. Patch testing with HDM may partly identify mite sensitive children with respiratory allergy. Positive APT results may imply that delayed hypersensitivity reactions play a role in children with asthma and rhinitis allergic to HDM.

Childhood asthma perception in Turkey under real-life environment (CAPTURE) study

Successful management of asthma requires good communication between patients and the healthcare team. The background and expectations of a patient inevitably influence the success of any partnership. A questionnaire‐based survey was performed to obtain data on the perception of the impact of asthma in daily life among children (age‐range 6–14 years) and adolescents (age‐range 15–20 years). A total of 756 patients (384 children, 372 adolescents) were randomly selected from 11 Turkish cities and interviewed face‐to‐face. Of the total study population, 71.3% received regular follow‐up and 75.9% currently took asthma medication. Almost 50% reported that asthma affected their lives significantly. Even though half of the patients had symptoms at least once a week, one‐third were not receiving regular prophylactic treatment. Exercise produced asthma symptoms in 45.5% of children and 27.4% of adolescents. The finding that asthma continues to be a major health problem clearly indicates an urgent need for further management programs in Turkey.

Netherton syndrome: report of identical twins presenting with severe atopic dermatitis

We report the cases of 4-year-old identical twin sisters who presented with severe atopic dermatitis with intractable skin manifestations and multiple food allergies. Netherton syndrome (NS) (OMIM 256500) was suspected due to very high serum IgE levels, growth retardation, severe food allergies and typical hair finding (trichorrhexis invaginata). A definite diagnosis was made by genetic analysis. Our cases are unique in being the first identical twins with NS diagnosed by a novel mutation in the SPINK5 gene. NS should be considered in differential diagnosis in children who have generalized erythema with intractable eczematous lesions and elevated levels of IgE.

Computed tomography bronchography in a child with a bronchial carcinoid tumor

Bronchial carcinoid tumor is a low grade malignancy arising from neuroendocrine cells of bronchial mucosa. They account for 1–5% of lung malignancies in all age groups. 1,2 Clinical signs and symptoms are generated by the increasing size of an intraluminary tumor with the secretion of vasoactive amines and distant metastases. In this report, we present a case of intrabronchial carcinoid tumor with diagnostic difficulty, in whom computed tomography bronchography (CT bronchography) was favored as a better approach.

Serum levels of Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) in wheezy infants

Objective: Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is the most pleiotropic member of the interleukin-6 family of cytokines. It utilises a receptor that consists of the LIF receptor β and gp130 and this receptor complex is also used by ciliary neurotrophic growth factor (CNTF), oncostatin M, cardiotrophin1 (CT1) and cardiotrophin-like cytokine (CLC). Evidence is emerging that LIF may play an important role in airway inflammation. Recurrent wheezing is one of the commonest problems of early childhood and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most frequent cause of wheezy episodes.

Prevalence of atopic eczema and the relating factors of eczema among 6-7 Yr-old schoolchildren in Denizli, Turkey

Abstract Rationale To assess the prevalence of eczema and the contribution of various risk factors in 6-7 yr-old schoolchildren in Denizli, Turkey. Methods A total of 3000 children aged 6-7 years in 26 primary schools in different regions of central Denizli were surveyed via the Turkish translated ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire completed by the parents to establish the incidence and the relating risk factors of eczema. Comparisons between groups were performed with the chi-square test. The results obtained for each doctor-diagnosed atopic eczema were presented as odd ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI). The statistical analysis was made with the SPSS program. Results A total of 2467 of the questionnaires were completed, an overall response rate of 82.23%. The prevalence of chronic itch rash ever, chronic rash in the past year, doctor-diagnosed eczema were 11.3%, 8.2%, 2.8%, respectively. Family history of atopy, food allergy, mother smoking, smoking during pregnancy, adenoidectomy, attending to day-care center, history of measles and/or pertussis were significant risk factors for eczema. Conclusions Family history of atopy was the most prominent risk factor for eczema. Mother smoking, smoking during pregnancy, adenoidectomy also affect the prevalence of eczema.

Prevalence of mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in asthmatic children in Istanbul, Turkey.

Clinical asthmatic exacerbation has been associated with infectious agents. The role of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in bronchial asthma an important cause of respiratory infections in children is still unclear. Different rates of M. pneumoniae infections in asthmatic children according to geographical distributions have been reported in various studies but there is inadequate data from Turkey. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of M. pneumoniae infections in asthmatic children in our community. (excerpt)