Determination of Lymphocyte Cytokinesis-Block Micronucleus Values in Apparently Healthy Children by means of Age and Sex.

The cytokinesis-block micronucleus (MN) assay on blood lymphocytes is one of the most important tests implemented in cytogenetics for the measurement of genotoxicity. For the purpose of biological dosing, it is crucial to know the spontaneous frequency of MN and its normal values in general population, especially in children, which are used for the population databases. In this study, MN levels were investigated in cytokinesis-blocked lymphocytes of 150 apparently healthy children aged 1 to 15.

Predictive role of laboratory markers and clinical features for recurrent Henoch-Schönlein Purpura in childhood: A study from Turkey.

Henoch Schönlein Purpura is the most common systemic vasculitis of the childhood. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether there is a clinical significance of laboratory parameters and clinical features on the prediction of the recurrent Henoch Schönlein Purpura in children. For recurrent Henoch Schönlein Purpura, several laboratory results and clinical features were examined to identify the predictor factors via the logistic regression model in 99 children with Henoch Schönlein Purpura.

Bordetella Pertussis Infection in Hospitalized Infants with Acute Bronchiolitis.

Objective: To assess the frequency of B. pertussis infection among young infants hospitalized with acute bronchiolitis and to determine whether B. pertussis infection affects the clinical course of acute bronchiolitis.

Etiology, Seasonality, and Clinical Features of Viral Respiratory Tract Infections in Children Hospitalized With Acute Bronchiolitis: A Single-Center Study.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the viral frequency, seasonality, and clinical and demographic features of patients hospitalized with acute bronchiolitis. A cross-sectional, descriptive study was performed in 316 infants younger than 2 years of age who were hospitalized for acute viral bronchiolitis. Respiratory tract infection agents were investigated with polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

High frequency of pertussis in older children and adolescents with prolonged cough in Turkey.

This study aimed to determine the frequency of B. pertussis infection among Turkish children with prolonged cough. Nasopharyngeal specimens were collected from 7-18 year old children, presenting with prolonged cough of two to four weeks' duration.

Comparison of Vesikari and Clark scales regarding the definition of severe rotavirus gastroenteritis in children.

Background: Two clinical severity scales, the Vesikari scale and the Clark scale, are commonly used to assess the efficacy of rotavirus vaccines. The results obtained using the two severity scales differ significantly and hamper comparisons. The aim of this study was to compare the Clark and Vesikari scales and to determine whether modified classifications would provide a better correlation between the two scales.

Pertussis serosurveillance study in Izmir, Turkey.

Pertussis is a life-threatening, vaccine-preventable infection. Adults who can be asymptomatic may infect infants. The aim of this study is to determine the IgG antibody levels against pertussis toxin (PT) and filamentous hemagglutinin from 6 months to ≥60 years in Izmir, Turkey.

Severe Hemolytic Anemia Associated with Mild Pneumonia Caused by Mycoplasma pneumonia.

We report a case of M. pneumoniae infection presenting with severe hemolytic anemia in a 4-year-old girl, with a ten-day history of paleness, weakness, and nonproductive cough. She was very pale and tachycardic.

[Detection of Bordetella pertussis infection by culture, real-time polymerase chain reaction and serologic tests among children with prolonged cough].

Pertussis is a respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis. It attacks all age groups. It has significantly higher mortality and morbidity among newborns and children.

Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia: a multidisciplinary approach.

Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED; Christ-Siemens-Touraine syndrome) is a genetic disorder characterized by sparse hair, oligodontia with peg-shaped teeth, reduced sweating, and defects in a number of other ectodermal organs. A partial or complete absence of eccrine glands can lead to recurrent severe overheating that may cause seizures and neurological deficits. This clinical report presents a 14-year-old male patient with hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, including the clinical and radiographic findings, and multidisciplinary treatment.

Changing epidemiology of hepatitis A infection in Izmir, Turkey.

The seroprevalence study was conducted in order to determine the current seroepidemiology hepatitis A in Izmir, Turkey and to evaluate the epidemiological shift in HAV serostatus. Blood samples collected from 595 subjects aged 1-60 years were analyzed for anti-HAV IgG antibodies. The current study results were compared with those of a previous study conducted in 1998 involving the same location.

Seroepidemiology of varicella-zoster virus and reliability of varicella history in Turkish children, adolescents and adults.

This study aimed to assess the age specific varicella-zoster virus (VZV) seroprevalence in Izmir, Turkey and to determine the reliability of a history of varicella to detect susceptible children, adolescents and adults. A questionnaire, including previous history of varicella, was completed for each participant and, in 590 of them, VZV-specific IgG was measured using an ELISA test. Overall, 28.

Varicella rates among unvaccinated and one-dose vaccinated healthy children in Izmir, Turkey.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the rate of breakthrough varicella in Turkey, a country with low varicella vaccination coverage.

Methods: This study was conducted between April 2008 and March 2009 at the Well-Child Clinic at Ege University and pediatricians' offices. We collected information on vaccination status and varicella infection using a questionnaire.

The Association of minor congenital anomalies and childhood cancer.

Background: Although the association of some congenital malformations and specific genetic syndromes is well understood, the association between minor anomalies and cancer is not well known. In recent years some researchers have reported studies establishing this association in different types of cancer. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and patterns of age-independent minor anomalies in childhood cancer patients.

Ratios of nine risk factors in children with recurrent febrile seizures.

Febrile seizures are the most common convulsive disorder of childhood, with a recurrence probability of 33%. The aim of the study was to determine the risk factors for recurrence of febrile seizures in children. In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, nine risk factors of recurrence of febrile seizures were investigated in 259 children with febrile seizures: (1) sex; (2) domicile; (3) income level; (4) family history of febrile seizures; (5) family history of epilepsy; (6) level of fever; (7) duration of fever; (8) type of seizure, simple vs complex; and (9) age at seizure onset.

Multicenter prospective study on the burden of rotavirus gastroenteritis in Turkey, 2005-2006: a hospital-based study.

Rotavirus is the main cause of gastroenteritis and dehydration requiring hospitalization among infants and children. Despite the high diarrhea-related mortality rate, there are limited studies describing the prevalence of rotavirus in Turkey. The disease burden of rotavirus gastroenteritis in Turkey was assessed by active, prospective surveillance conducted in accordance with a modified World Health Organization generic protocol from 1 June 2005 through 1 June 2006.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B infection in the Turkish population in Northern Cyprus.

This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the Turkish population in Northern Cyprus. The secondary aim of this study was to assess the impact of the universal infant hepatitis B vaccination program, which started in 1998. A total of 600 persons 1- to 30-years-old were selected for the study with cluster sampling.

Two cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome during measles elimination campaign in Izmir.

The authors report two cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) occurred during a national measles vaccination campaign in Izmir, Turkey. Among more than 325,000 vaccine recipients, only 2 cases of GBS were observed within the 10-week risk period. These cases yielded an incidence of 0.

Pemphigus vulgaris in childhood. A case report.

An 11-year-old girl with vesicles and eroded lesions on her oral mucosa and tongue was diagnosed as having pemphigus vulgaris. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathologic and immunofluorescence studies. The patient was successfully treated with methylprednisolone and azathioprine.

Human soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor I (sTNF-RI) and interleukin-I receptor antagonist (IL-I Ra) in different stages of acute rheumatic fever.

Objective: Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) results from an autoimmune response to infection with group A streptococci. Serum concentrations of two anti-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-I receptor antagonist (IL-IRa) and human soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor I (sTNF-RI) were determined in patients with ARF at the time of admission and 3 months after treatment in order to evaluate changes in cytokine concentrations occurring during different stages of the disease.

Methods: Serum concentrations of two anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-I Ra and sTNF-RI , were investigated in children with ARF at the time of admission (n=21) and after 3 months following the cessation of treatment (n=15).

Purine nucleoside phosphorylase deficiency in a patient with spastic paraplegia and recurrent infections.

Purine nucleoside phosphorylase deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive immunodeficiency disease. The characteristic features of the disease include severe T cell immune defects with recurrent infections, a failure to thrive, and progressive neurological findings. To date, 35 cases of purine nucleosidase phosphorylase deficiency have been reported worldwide.

Comparison of ELISA with shell vial cell culture method for the detection of human rotavirus in fecal specimens.

The aim of the study was to compare an enzyme immunoassay method with shell vial cell culture method for detection of rotavirus in fecal specimens. In addition, the correlation between laboratory results and clinical scores of patients with gastroenteritis was evaluated. A total of 219 fecal specimens from children (ages 3 weeks to 5 years) with acute gastroenteritis submitted to pediatric emergency room were evaluated by both ELISA and shell vial cell culture.

Evidence of an association between mannose binding lectin codon 54 polymorphism and adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy in children.

Mannose binding lectin (MBL) is a calcium-dependent lectin that plays an important role innate immunity by activating the complement pathway. There have been a number of studies describing an association between the MBL genotype and disease susceptibility. MBL deficiency has been described as one of the factors leading to a number of infections in children with recurrent upper respiratory tractus infections (URTI).

Varicella seroprevalence in Turkish population in Cyprus.

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the age-specific seroprevalence of varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection in Turkish population in Cyprus.

Methods: A total of 600 unvaccinated individuals aged 1-30 years were selected for the study with cluster sampling. Information on socio-demographic characteristics was gathered for each participant and, anti-VZV antibodies were assayed by using enzyme immune assay.