Vildan Ertekin

Prevalence of orthorexia among medical students in Erzurum, Turkey

Orthorexia is a new term about eating behavior disorder and consists of pathologic obsession for biologically pure foods, free of herbicides, pesticides, and other artificial substances. It is not an independent diagnostic category, but it has some similarities with other eating disorders. This study was conducted to examine the orthorexia among 878 medical students. Of 878 students, 464 (52.8%) were male and 359 (40.9%) were female. The mean age, height, weight, and body mass index were 21.3 +/- 2.1 years, 171.0 +/- 8.5 cm, 65.6 +/- 12.3 kg, 22.4 +/- 2.99, respectively. The rates of the ORTO-11 scores between 0 and 15 was 1.9%; between 16 and 30, 57.5%; and between 31 and higher, 21.1%. There were 17 students with a score of 0 to 15. The mean score for the ORTO-11 test was 27. There were statistically significant differences between age, sex, and smoking habit of the students. In the male students, there was a statistically significantly higher tendency for orthorexia (P = .001), and there was a statistically significant difference between the age groups for tendency for orthorexia (P = .025). In logistic regression analysis, age, sex, Eating Attitude Test-40 (EAT-40), and height affected the ORTO-11 scores.

Familial Mediterranean fever in a childhood population in eastern Turkey

Abstract Background : Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by recurrent attacks of inflammation of serosal membranes. Amyloidosis is the most severe complication of the disease The aim of this study was to explore the magnitude of the FMF problem and to describe clinical phenotypic and genotypic profile in the childhood population in Eastern Turkey.

Fecal calprotectin concentration in celiac disease.

Goals We aimed to determine fecal calprotectin (FC) concentration and its relation with histopathologic findings of children with celiac disease (CD) and to observe the probable alterations under gluten-free diet (GFD). Background As FC is regarded as a marker of inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, we hypothesized that it might be increased in untreated CD. Study The study included 29 newly diagnosed patients with CD (mean age: 6.6±0.6 y) and sex and age-matched 10 healthy children. All of the children with CD admitted to the hospital were classical form who has chronic diarrhea and failure to thrive. The degree of mucosal damage was graded according to the modified Marsh criteria. FC concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method on admission and after 1 year of GFD. Results Mean FC concentration of children with CD on admission and of healthy children were 13.40±8.5 and 4.3±3.3 mg/L, respectively (P=0.004). FC concentration under GFD was 4.6±2.7 mg/L and there was a significant statistical difference between untreated patients and those under GFD for 1 year (P=0.001). There was no statistical difference between FC concentration of those under GFD and healthy children (P=0.8). Mean FC concentrations of children with total-villous atrophy and partial-villous atrophy were significantly different (13.8±9.3 mg/L vs. 3.7±1.8 mg/L, P=0.005). Conclusions It was found that FC concentration is increased in childhood CD, related to the severity of histopathologic findings and responsive to GFD. The pathogenetic mechanism by which FC is increased in CD should be investigated in further studies.

Amitraz poisoning in children: Retrospective analysis of 21 cases

The clinical and laboratory findings of 21 children with amitraz poisoning were evaluated retrospectively. Poisoning route, signs and symptoms of poisoning, duration of hospitalization and outcome were recorded. The mean age was 3.5 ± 1.9 years and the ratio of males to females was 1.63. In all cases poisoning was via the oral route. The time from ingestion to onset of symptoms was 30–180 min. Drowsiness (100%) and loss of consciousness (100%) were the most common clinical findings, followed by vomiting (61.9%). Hypotension was observed in 66.7% of cases, bradycardia in 61.9%, respiratory depression in 42.9%, hypothermia in 9.3%, and 14.3% had generalized seizures responsive to diazepam. Hyperglycaemia and glycosuria were detected in 47.6% and 38.1% of cases, respectively. Minimally elevated transaminases and alkaline phosphatase levels were detected in 23.8% of cases. All patients recovered completely and were discharged within 1.0–5.2 days (mean, 2.1 ± 1.1).

Opsoclonus-Myoclonus Syndrome Attributable to Hepatitis C Infection

Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome is a rare neurologic disorder characterized by multidirectional chaotic eye movements, myoclonus in the limbs, and ataxia. We present a 9-year-old boy with opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome associated with hepatitis C infection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome associated with hepatitis C infection.

Seroepidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection in children living in eastern Turkey.

Background : The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori is higher in developing countries, with most infections occurring in childhood. Because the prevalence in eastern Turkey has not been previously reported, we carried out an investigation to detect the prevalence of H. pylori infection in a large city center in this region.

Serum ghrelin levels in children with celiac disease.

Objectives Ghrelin, a gastrointestinal hormone, has effects on nutrient intake and growth. Because celiac disease (CD) has intestinal histopathologic alterations and subsequent malnutrition and/or growth failure, we hypothesized that there would be alterations in serum ghrelin levels of those patients. In this study, we aimed to determine serum ghrelin levels in childhood CD, to observe probable alterations under gluten-free diet (GFD), and to see whether there is a relationship between ghrelin levels and the presentation of the disease and/or diet compliance. Methods Thirty-six children with CD and 10 healthy children were included. Serum fasting ghrelin level was measured using radioimmunoassay method. After 6 months under GFD, sera of 19 patients were retested for ghrelin level. Results Mean serum ghrelin levels in children with CD and in controls were 478.2±154.6 and 108.3±49.1 pg/mL, respectively (P<0.001). Serum ghrelin level was not different in different clinical presentations. Ghrelin was negatively correlated with body mass index, both in healthy children and in children with CD on admission (P<0.01). Ghrelin level was lower after 6 months under GFDcompared with the level detected on admission (P<0.001), but was still higher compared with that of healthy children (P<0.001). Strict diet compliance lowered ghrelin level, although not statistically. Conclusions Ghrelin is increased in childhood CD and is responsive to GFD. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanism underlying its action in CD.

Sero-epidemiology of hepatitis B infection in an urban paediatric population in Turkey

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) seroprevalence rate is known to be 25-60% in Turkey with the highest prevalence in the east and south-east. There are insufficient data on sero-epidemiology of HBV infection in children living in East Turkey. The objective of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of HBV infection in 6-17 year olds living in the largest city in East Turkey, and to correlate the serological results with epidemiological data. A total of 1091 serum samples were tested for hepatititis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs) and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The overall seroprevalence rate was 9.7% and was correlated with age (P = 0.011). No statistical difference was detected between subjects with or without risk factors (P = 0.77). The seroprevalence of HBsAg was 1.8%, and it was higher in children with a low socio-economic status (P = 0.047). The educational status of the parents and sibling size did not affect the rate of total seroprevalence or HBsAg seroprevalence. Although we found that the HBV seroprevalence rate in East Turkey was not as high as reported previously, we emphasize the importance of screening children in order to identify asymptomatic patients in Turkey until HBV infection is entirely eradicated with vaccination programmes.

Bone mineral density of children with Wilson disease: efficacy of penicillamine and zinc therapy.

Objectives Osteoporosis accompanying chronic liver disease is well known; however, the exact prevalence is unknown. No data on bone mineral density (BMD) of children with Wilson disease (WD) have been published so far. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of osteoporosis in childhood WD and to observe the probable positive effects of penicillamine and zinc therapy on osteoporosis. Methods Thirty-one children with newly diagnosed WD and sex and age-matched 16 healthy children were included. Mean age was 9.0±3.2 years (2 to 16 y). Bone mineral content (BMC) and BMD were measured on admission and in 13 cases they were reassessed after 1 year of treatment with penicillamine and zinc. Results Mean BMD, BMC, and Z scores of the patients were significantly lower than those of healthy children: 0.52±0.09 versus 0.72±0.09 (P=0.001), 19.27±13.01 versus 29.67±14.23 (P=0.009), and −2.33±1.28 versus −0.12±0.31 (P=0.001), respectively. The prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in children with WD was found as 22.6% and 67.7%, respectively. BMD and BMC levels were higher in children with neurologic involvement. The severity of the disease had no effect on the mentioned parameters. One year under treatment with penicillamine and zinc did not significantly alter the mentioned parameters. Conclusions In this first study investigating the prevalence of osteoporosis in children with WD, we found an extremely high prevalence. Because of nonbeneficial effect of routine treatment of WD on osteoporosis, we emphasize the necessity of screening of bone mineralization and additional therapeutic approach for those children.

Breast-feeding duration and childhood acute leukemia and lymphomas in a sample of Turkish children.

Objectives: Whether breast-feeding is associated with decreased incidence of the lymphoid malignancies in children is uncertain. We evaluated childhood acute leukemia and lymphoma in relation to duration of breast-feeding. Methods: We investigated this issue in a case-control study comprising 137 patients, aged 1 to 16 years, with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma, in addition to 146 controls matched for age and sex. Results: The median duration of breast-feeding among patients was shorter than that of controls (10 vs 12 months). Patients with ALL and AML had shorter mean breast-feeding duration compared with healthy children (P = 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). The shortest mean breast-feeding duration was noted in the children with AML. Breast-feeding for a duration of 0 to 6 months, when compared with feeding of longer than 6 months, was associated with increased odds ratios (ORs) for ALL [OR = 2.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.17-5.10], AML (OR = 6.67, 95% CI = 1.32-33.69), Hodgkin lymphoma (OR = 3.33, 95% CI = 0.60-18.54), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (OR = 1.90, 95% CI = 0.68-5.34) and overall (OR = 2.54, 95% CI = 1.51-4.26). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that breast-feeding of more than 6 months is protective against childhood lymphoid malignancies, especially for AML and ALL. JPGN 42:568-572, 2006.