An Overview on Child Health Care in Turkey.

The general health status of the Turkish people has improved significantly in recent years. Improvements in the health status of the child population followed the introduction of health reforms, such as the Health Transformation Program. Presently, Turkey is undergoing further important changes concerning its medical system.

Hepatitis B virus vaccination in children with steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome: immunogenicity and safety?

We investigated the efficacy and safety of Hepatitis B vaccine (HBVac) in steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) children. 41 patients with SSNS and 30 controls were vaccinated with HBVac(Engerix B(®)). Patients were divided into 3 subgroups:full dose steroid users, alternate-day steroid users and steroid non-users.

Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test.

Objective: Helicobacter pylori ( H.pylori ) infection is usually acquired in early childhood. Invasive techniques used for diagnosis of H.

Hepatitis B vaccination in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Objectives: To evaluate the responsiveness of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) to hepatitis B vaccination and to determine the most useful vaccination schedule.

Methods: 39 children with JIA were enrolled in the study; all were in remission and negative to serological testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg). The control group consisted of 41 healthy children.

Clinical spectrum of acute abdominal pain in Turkish pediatric patients: a prospective study.

Background: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence, associated symptoms, and clinical outcomes of children with acute abdominal pain who had been admitted to an emergency department.

Methods: Children aged between 2 and 16 years who presented to the emergency department of Cerrahpaşa Medical School, Istanbul University between July 2001 and August 2002 with acute abdominal pain were enrolled in this study. A questionnaire was completed each patient admitted to our pediatric emergency unit for acute abdominal pain.

Management of portal hypertension in children: a retrospective study with long-term follow-up.

Objectives: Data regarding the management of the portal hypertensive haemorrhage in the paediatric patients have yielded conflicting results. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of beta-blocker (propranolol) alone, sclerotherapy alone and beta-blocker + sclerotherapy combination in the management of portal hypertension in the paediatric population.

Methods: Medical information was retrieved from the records of 62 children with portal hypertension who were under treatment during at least two years of follow-up period.

The role of nitric oxide in pediatric patients with portal hypertension.

The hyperdynamic circulation of cirrhosis and portal hypertension has been postulated to be due to the vasodilatory effects of nitric oxide. However, there have been conflicting results in adults and no studies in children. We aimed to measure the nitric oxide level in serum of pediatric patients with portal hypertension with and without cirrhosis, in order to assess its role in the development of hemodynamic changes.

Human leukocyte antigens in Turkish pediatric celiac patients.

With the aim to determine the frequency of human leukocyte antigen phenotypes of celiac disease in Turkey, thirty celiac patients fulfilling the European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition criteria were included in the study. The mean age of the study population was 5.8 +/- 4.

[Hennekam syndrome].

Unlabelled: Hennekam syndrome is a disorder comprising intestinal lymphangiectasia, facial anomalies and moderate mental retardation. Eight cases have been previously reported.

Case Report: A 17-month-old girl was admitted to hospital for peripheral edema.

A case of vertical transmission of hepatitis A virus infection.

We present a case of hepatitis A infection in a 2.5-month-old male who became icteric after 18 d of birth. The diagnosis of hepatitis A was made by compatible clinical symptoms, laboratory results and liver biopsy showing evidence of hepatitis, and confirmed by detection of anti-HAV IgM antibodies.

Normal gastric histology in Helicobacter pylori-infected children.

Background: In adults, Helicobacter pylori infection is always associated with gastritis or ulcer. However, very active gastritis and ulcers are rarely seen in children. The aim of the present work was to study the relationships between H.

Haemoperfusion in Amanita phalloides poisoning.

Amanita phalloides is responsible for about 90 per cent of all fatal cases of mushroom intoxication. The amatoxins, the main toxic component of these fungi, are responsible for gastro-intestinal symptoms as well as hepatic and renal failure. Three brothers with Amanita phalloides poisoning were admitted with gastro-intestinal symptoms beginning 12 h after ingestion.

Persistent vacuoles in leukocytes: familial Jordans anomaly.

Multiple persistent vacuoles were seen in the neutrophils, monocytes and eosinophils of a 9 year old boy and his 10 year old sister. The siblings were both asymptomatic. In the bone marrow, the cytoplasmic vacuoles were also present in the promyelocytes, myelocytes and metamyelocytes, but not in the myeloblasts and they tended to be single and large in immature cells.

[Treatment of chronic viral hepatitis B in children with moderate doses of alpha interferon].

Aim: The alpha interferon treatment criteria have not been established in children with chronic hepatitis B. We report the results of a prospective study.

Methods: Between 1988-1992 14 children (2 girls and 12 boys) with chronic hepatitis B received 3 million U/m2 of interferon alpha three times a week for 6 months.

Prognostic value of esophageal manometry in antireflux surgery in childhood.

To assess the predictive value of preoperative esophageal manometric study in the outcome of antireflux surgery, 14 children with severe gastroesophageal reflux (GER) who underwent surgery were studied retrospectively. Five patients had neuromuscular disease; one had been operated on for esophageal atresia. After extended (> 20 h) esophageal pH monitoring and/or barium swallow study, all patients underwent preoperative manometric study.