Risk factors for neurologic sequelae in children and adolescents with hemophilia after intracranial hemorrhage.

Background: Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is reportedly rare but has high morbidity and mortality risk in persons with hemophilia. Although the risk factors that facilitate bleeding are known, the factors affecting the sequelae are not well known.

Objectives: We planned to investigate the risk factors for neurologic sequelae in children and adolescents with hemophilia suffering from ICH.

COVID-19 disease in children and adolescents following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A report from the Turkish pediatric bone marrow transplantation study group.

Background: Data on the risk factors and outcomes for pediatric patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are limited.

Objectives: The study aimed to analyze the clinical signs, risk factors, and outcomes for ICU admission and mortality in a large pediatric cohort who underwent allogeneic HSCT prior to COVID-19 infection.

Method: In this nationwide study, we retrospectively reviewed the data of 184 pediatric HSCT recipients who had COVID-19 between March 2020 and August 2022.

Thalassemia-free and graft-versus-host-free survival: outcomes of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for thalassemia major, Turkish experience.

We report the national data on the outcomes of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for thalassemia major (TM) patients in Turkey on behalf of the Turkish Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation Group. We retrospectively enrolled 1469 patients with TM who underwent their first HSCT between 1988 and 2020 in 25 pediatric centers in Turkey. The median follow-up duration and transplant ages were 62 months and 7 years, respectively; 113 patients had chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) and the cGVHD rate was 8.

Efficacy and Safety of Iron Chelation Therapy After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Pediatric Thalassemia Patients: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Background: Studies on the increased body iron load in patients with thalassemia major have thoroughly demonstrated the problems caused by iron overload. In patients who undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) as curative therapy, iron overload continues long after transplantation. There are few pediatric studies on chelation therapy in the posttransplant period.

Analysis of DUX4 Expression in Bone Marrow and Re-Discussion of DUX4 Function in the Health and Disease.

Objective: DUX4 is an embryonic transcription factor (TF) later silenced in somatic tissues, while active in germline testis cells. Re-expression in somatic cells has been revealed to be present in pathologic conditions such as dystrophy, leukemia, and other cancer types. Embryonic cells, cancer cells and testis cells that show DUX4 expression are pluri-multipotent cells.

Can peripheral blood monocyte percentage and lymphocyte monocyte ratio at diagnosis predict survival in pediatric neuroblastoma patients?

Background: Previous studies have shown that the immune system plays a critical role in cancer pathogenesis. The lymphocyte monocyte ratio (LMR) and monocyte percentage (MP) have been found to be prognostic factors in various types of adult cancers. But studies about pediatric tumors are scarce and to our knowledge, there are no studies evaluating the immune system effect in pediatric neuroblastoma patients.

Incidence of BKV in the urine and blood samples of pediatric patients undergoing HSCT.

The aims were to investigate the incidence of BKV infection and the presence of HC in pediatric patients undergoing HSCT. Twenty-four children patients (M/F: 17/7) undergoing HSCT in a single center over a period of 1 year were included in the study. The presence of BKV DNA was determined by quantitative real-time PCR in plasma and urine samples at the following times: before transplantation, twice a week until engraftment time, and weekly for + 100 days.

Retrospective Evaluation of Relationship Between Iron Overload and Transplantation Complications in Pediatric Patient Who Underwent Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation Due to Acute Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome.

Background: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a curative therapy option for hematologic malignancies. Iron overload is common in this patient group and can impact short-term and long-term nonrelapse mortality.

Study Design: Retrospective observational cohort study.

Meeting Report: The Equality Project on Endocrine Complications in Thalassemia: Selected Highlights from the First Turkish Congress, Antalya, 10th-11th December 2018.

Major difficulties reported by endocrinologists /pediatricians/ hematologists in the care of thalassemic patients with endocrine complications were: lack of facilities, correct interpretation of tests, unfamiliarity with medical treatment and the cost of diagnostics and therapeutics. Therefore, there is a felt need to educate and train more endocrinologists/pediatricians/hematologists in this field in order to optimise growth and prevent endocrine complications. To achieve this goal, in 2015, a project called Equality was submitted by three countries (Turkey, Spain and Italy) and approved by the European Union (EU) with the aim to train doctors and nurses, taking care of youth and young adults TM patients, in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of endocrine disorders.