Red Cell Distribution Width to Platelet Count Ratio Reference Intervals in Premature Infants Beyond the First Week of Life.

Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a parameter of complete blood count (CBC). The RDW to platelet count ratio (RPR) is a new index that has been shown to reflect the severity of inflammation. We aim to determine the reference interval (RI) of RPR for premature newborns.

Evaluation of Oxidative Stress by Dynamic Thiol/Disulfide Homeostasis and Ischemia-Modified Albumin Levels in Children with β-Thalassemia Major.

Objective: β-thalassemia major (β-TM) is a hemoglobinopathy characterized by reduced or absent β-globin production. A balance remains between the production of free radicals and suppression of increased levels of reactive oxygen species by the antioxidant system. This study aimed to examine thiol/disulfide homeostasis (TDH) and serum ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels to evaluate the oxidant/antioxidant balance in healthy children and persons with β-TM receiving and not receiving chelation therapy.

The frequency of synovitis and calcium pyrophosphate deposition with ultrasound is increased in transfusion-dependent beta-thalassaemia patients: effect of iron accumulation?

Objectives: To determine the frequency of synovitis and calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPDD) with ultrasound (US) in the wrists of transfusion dependant (TD) beta-thalassaemia patients and to investigate the associated factors with these pathologies.

Methods: Eighty-seven beta-thalassaemia patients (46 thalassaemia major and 41 thalassaemia minor patients) were grouped into two as TD and transfusion non-dependent (TND)-thalassaemia patients. Under bilateral wrist US the presence of synovial hypertrophy (SH), power Doppler signal (PD) combined synovitis (SH+PD), tenosynovitis, and triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFC)-cartilage calcification (CC) were examined.

Evaluation of thiol/disulfide hemostasis and serum Ischemia modified albumin as oxidative stress biomarkers in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: Relationship with major organ involvement and disease activity.

Objectives: We aimed to compare thiol/disulfide hemostasis and serum ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels, which are indicators of oxidative stress (OS), in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with the healthy control (HC) group and to evaluate the relationship of these parameters with disease activity and major organ involvement.

Material-methods: Eighty-four SLE patients and 96 HCs were included in this study. The disease activity of SLE patients was calculated using The Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K).

Mean Platelet Volume and Mean Platelet Volume/Platelet Count Ratio Are Predictors of Late-Onset Sepsis in Preterm Infants: A Case-Control Study.

Our aim was to assess mean platelet volume (MPV) and mean platelet volume to platelet count ratio (MPR) in the setting of late-onset sepsis (LOS) and their association with the type of bacteria causing LOS. The MPV and MPR levels were obtained at the onset of LOS and then assessed in intra/inter group analyses in preterm infants. Overall, 136 preterm infants were enrolled.

Effects of iron deficiency anemia on peripapillary and macular vessel density determined using optical coherence tomography angiography on children.

Purpose: To evaluate retinal vascular parameters by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) in iron deficiency anemia (IDA).

Methods: Thirty-two patients with IDA (study group) and 30 healthy children (control group) were enrolled in the study. All subjects underwent a complete ocular examination.

Optical coherence tomography angiography findings in young β-thalassemia patients.

Purpose: The purpose was to evaluate retinal vascular parameters by optical coherence tomography angiography in β-thalassemia major patients.

Methods: Thirty-three patients with β-thalassemia major (study group) and 29 healthy children (control group) were enrolled in the study. All subjects underwent a complete ocular examination.

Useful Platelet Indices for the Diagnosis and Follow-Up of Patent Ductus Arteriosus.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the utility of early postnatal platelet indices in the prediction of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) and its response to pharmacological treatment in preterm infants.

Study Design: The medical records of 971 infants with gestational age < 30 weeks and birth weight < 1,500 g were analyzed retrospectively. Infants with hsPDA comprised the study group and those without hsPDA comprised the control group.

Deferasirox in children with transfusion-dependent thalassemia or sickle cell anemia: A large cohort real-life experience from Turkey (REACH-THEM).

Objectives: To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of deferasirox therapy in a large observational cohort of children with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) and sickle cell anemia (SCA) in Turkey.

Methods: This was a multicenter, prospective cohort study including TDT and SCA patients aged 2-18 years with iron overload (≥100 mL/kg of pRBC or a serum ferritin [SF] level >1000 μg/L) receiving deferasirox. Patients were followed for up to 3 years according to standard practice.

Assessment of the results of a three-year program for National Standardization and Quality Improvement of Medical Laboratories on Drug of Abuse Testing by the Ministry of Health in Turkey.

The aim of this study is to assess the results of inspections in the last three years of drug abuse testing in medical laboratories according to the latest regulations in Turkey. The on-site inspections of medical laboratories for drugs abuse testing performed in Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment Centers during 2014-2016 are described, and laboratory processes and performance evaluated. The performance of 35 laboratories in 2014, 62 laboratories in 2015, and 94 laboratories in 2016 were scored as the sum of the scores for all answers on the inspection form.

Increased vitamin B levels in children with zinc deficiency.

Additional nutritional deficiencies may accompany zinc deficiency. We determined the vitamin B levels in patients with zinc (Zn) deficiency. This retrospective study enrolled 256 patients age 6 months to 16 years (176 females and 80 males) in whom Zn levels in hair samples were measured concurrently with serum vitamin B and ferritin levels.