Epidemic adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis possibly related to ophthalmological procedures in a neonatal intensive care unit: lessons from an outbreak.

Purpose: Epidemic adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis can spread rapidly among preterm infants who frequently undergo ophthalmological examination. Here we present our experience on a nosocomial outbreak that affected 8 nursery staff members and 26 premature infants. We focus on the presentation and progress of the outbreak, the diagnosis of the disease and the measures taken for its control.

A novel KIF11 mutation in a Turkish patient with microcephaly, lymphedema, and chorioretinal dysplasia from a consanguineous family.

Microcephaly-lymphedema-chorioretinal dysplasia (MLCRD) syndrome is a rare syndrome that was first described in 1992. Characteristic craniofacial features include severe microcephaly, upslanting palpebral fissures, prominent ears, a broad nose, and a long philtrum with a pointed chin. Recently, mutations in KIF11 have been demonstrated to cause dominantly inherited MLCRD syndrome.

Comparison of oral and intravenous Ibuprofen for medical closure of patent ductus arteriosus: which one is better?

Objective: Intravenous ibuprofen is an expensive drug that is being used currently for treating and preventing patent ductus arteriosus. Although oral ibuprofen is much cheaper, there is limited data published about its safety and efficacy. The aim of this study was to compare two forms of ibuprofen in terms of safety and efficacy in closure of patent ductus arteriosus.

Evaluation of adhesion molecules CD64, CD11b and CD62L in neutrophils and monocytes of peripheral blood for early diagnosis of neonatal infection.

Background: This study was undertaken to assess the value of neutrophils CD11b, CD64, and CD62L for the early diagnosis of neonatal infection.

Methods: Eighty-four neonates who were followed up for a suspected neonatal infection were included in this study. They were assigned into an infection group (n=49) and a non-infection group (n=35).

One-year experience in the retinopathy of prematurity: frequency and risk factors, short-term results and follow-up.

Aim: As a result of the increase in premature births and the advances in neonatal intensive care, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) remains one of the most important causes of childhood blindness worldwide. The main factors in the development of ROP are gestational age, birth weight and oxygen therapy. ROP continues to gain importance due to the increasing survival rates of more immature babies.

Monocyte HLA-DR expression as predictor of poor outcome in neonates with late onset neonatal sepsis.

Objectives: Down regulation of HLA-DR expression on monocytes has been reported in adult sepsis. The aims of this study were, first to evaluate monocyte HLA-DR expression in late onset neonatal infection and second to investigate the prognostic value of monocyte HLA-DR expression at onset of symptoms for the final outcome.

Methods: Peripheral blood samples were taken from neonates, who were classified into three groups: late onset neonatal sepsis group (n=40); non-infective disorders group (n=24) and the control group (n=25).

The effects of topical iodine containing antiseptics on thyroidal status of preterm versus term babies.

Objective: To determine the effect of iodine containing antiseptics on thyroid function for the first 3 weeks in non-very-low-birth weight preterm and term babies, and to evaluate their thyroid function and behavioral status 7 years later.

Methods: Cohort I (between the years 1997-1998) was studied in 57 preterm (30-35 weeks) and 29 term newborns, 7 years later cohort II (in the year 2005) was created from same 28 preterm and 18 term infants at Behcet Uz Children's Hospital, Izmir, Turkey. Serum thyrotropin, triiodothyronine, total and free thyroxine were measured on the first, seventh, and twenty-first days (cohort I), and at the age of 7 (cohort II).

Role of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphisms in children with sepsis and septic shock.

Background: Sepsis is characterized by a systemic inflammatory response. Its development and outcome are associated with host defense, pathogenicity of the microorganism and genetic polymorphisms. Genetic polymorphisms of the immune system genes have been shown to have a close relationship with the clinical outcomes of sepsis.

Assessment of myocardial involvement using cardiac troponin-I and echocardiography in rheumatic carditis in Izmir, Turkey.

Background: Acute rheumatic carditis is still a major problem in developing countries. Cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) has been identified as a sensitive and specific marker in the diagnosis of myocarditis in children and adults.

Methods: A prospective study was performed using Doppler echocardiography and cTnI in order to detect myocardial involvement in 26 consecutive patients with acute rheumatic valvular disease.

Association between mannose binding lectin polymorphisms and predisposition to bacterial meningitis.

The aim of this study was to examine the presence of any association between mannose binding lectin (MBL) gene variants and bacterial meningitis. Codon 54 (B allele) and codon 57 (C allele) polymorphisms in exon 1 of the MBL gene were investigated in 50 healthy controls and 31 patients diagnosed as purulent meningitis. Codon 57 polymorphism was not found in our patient and control groups.

Properdin deficiency in a boy with fulminant meningococcal septic shock.

Unlabelled: Bacterial meningitis is a rare presentation for congenital immunodeficiency, but meningococcal invasive diseases and meningitis have been associated with late complement component deficiencies and properdin deficiency. A 5-y-old boy of non-consanguineous parents was admitted to our hospital with meningococcal septic shock. He had previously been suffering from recurrent respiratory infections.

Fulminant amoebiasis in a child with recurrent multiple amoebic liver abscesses and pleuropulmonary complications.

A 5-year-old boy with recurrent liver abscesses and pleural empyema, presumed to be amoebic, is described. Despite surgical drainage of the liver and thoracic wall combined with metronidazole and chloroquine, he died 7 weeks after admission.

Late-onset distal polyneuropathy due to acute organophosphate intoxication case report.

Intoxications due to organophosphate insecticides are common in our country, since agriculture has an important place. Besides the well known acute cholinergic toxicity, these compounds may cause late-onset distal polyneuropathy occurring two to three weeks after the acute exposure. An eight-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl admitted to the hospital with gait disturbances.