COmparisoN of TastES of Available NutriTional integrated or non-integrated formulas for infants older than 1 year of age with cow's milk allergy: A multicenter, prospective, single blind, cross-sectional observational clinical study (CONTEST Study).

Palatability of the infant formulas lacking cow milk protein formulas is reported by parents to be an important drawback. The purpose of this study is to examine decisions made by mothers of infants having cow milk protein allergy, and physicians concerning the palatability of unflavored extensively hydrolyzed formulas and amino acid-based formulas. We conducted a multi-center, randomized, single-blinded, observational taste study involving 149 pediatricians from gastroenterology and allergy subspecialties at 14 tertiary healthcare units from different regions of Turkey and involving 94 mothers of infants with cow milk protein allergy.

Neuropsychiatric adverse drug reactions induced by montelukast impair the quality of life in children with asthma.

Introduction: Montelukast-induced neuropsychiatric adverse drug reactions (ADRs) have been reported in retrospective studies. This study aimed to reveal the neuropsychiatric ADRs triggered in patients taking montelukast due to asthma in real time, and to evaluate the effect of these ADRs on quality of life (QoL).

Methods: Patients, ages 3-18 years, taking montelukast for the first time and their parents were included.

Diagnosis and management of cow's milk protein allergy in Turkey: Region-specific recommendations by an expert-panel.

Cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) is the most common type of food-allergy in younger children. Prognosis is usually good, with most children developing tolerance before school age. Children may present with a wide spectrum of symptoms that range from mild to severe; skin reactions such as angioedema and urticaria and gastrointestinal symptoms are the most common presentations of CMPA.

Comparison of practical application steps of the previously used adrenaline auto injector in Turkey (EpiPen) and the currently available adrenaline auto injector (Penepin): a multi-center study.

Aim: It has been shown by a great number of studies that the correct use of adrenaline auto injectors prescribed to patients with anaphylaxis is associated with the design of the auto injector, in addition to training. The aim of this study was to compare the skills of adults in using two different auto injectors prescribed to patients with anaphylaxis.

Material And Methods: Parents of patients aged between 1 and 18 years who referred to allergy outpatients were included in the study.

Long-term follow-up of re-sting reactions in children with moderate to severe venom hypersensitivity.

Unlabelled: Few data exists about re-sting reactions and their prognosis in children with moderate to severe venom hypersensitivity. The reasons behind not consenting to or prematurely ending venom immunotherapy (VIT) and the preparedness of children who refused or quit VIT for future moderate-severe systemic reaction (SR) to re-stings have not been studied. Data on children with moderate to severe SR after Hymenoptera stings was collected for a 17-year period using our database.

Can exhaled nitric oxide be a surrogate marker of bronchial hyperresponsiveness to adenosine 5'-monophosphate in steroid-naive asthmatic children?

Background: The interrelation between airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and atopy remains controversial.

Objective: The aim of this study was to document whether exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) may be used as a surrogate marker that predicts BHR to adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) in steroid-naive school children with asthma.

Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of steroid-naive school age children with atopic and non-atopic asthma.

Pediatricians manage anaphylaxis poorly regardless of episode severity.

Background: No information exists on how the knowledge or the practice of pediatricians regarding anaphylaxis episodes vary with episode severity. The aim of this study was to assess and compare pediatrician knowledge on the management of mild and severe anaphylaxis using clinical scenarios and to determine factors that affect their decisions.

Methods: A questionnaire consisting of eight questions on the diagnosis and management of anaphylaxis was distributed at two national congresses.

Comparison of moderate to severe systemic reactions with honeybee and wasp in children.

Background: The effect of the type of Hymenoptera on the severity of systemic reactions (SRs) is a controversial issue. The aim of the present study was to evaluate demographic, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic features of moderate-to-severe SRs in children with venom hypersensitivity and to compare the role of the honeybee and wasp stings in these reactions.

Methods: Data on children with moderate-to-severe SRs after a Hymenoptera sting were retrospectively collected for a 17-year period.

Potential predictors of relapse after treatment of asthma exacerbations in children.

Background: Knowledge of factors that affect relapse will allow close monitoring of patients at risk, resulting in a decreased rate of readmission to the emergency department.

Objective: To determine risk factors associated with relapse within 7 days after treatment of asthma exacerbations in children.

Methods: This was a multicenter, prospective study of children with asthma attacks.

Predictive factors to differentiate between allergic and nonallergic rhinitis in children.

Background: Although symptoms and signs of allergic rhinitis (AR) and nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) are similar, treatment and follow-up are different. We aimed to find predictive factors that can be used in primary health care to differentiate AR from NAR.

Methods: We made a retrospective analysis of cases aged 6-18 years old who were diagnosed as having chronic rhinitis within a 1-year period.

Children with chronic nonspecific isolated cough.

Background: This study observed children with chronic nonspecific isolated cough (NIC) to investigate clinical differences between children whose symptoms resolved spontaneously and those who eventually developed asthma and then explored the differences among the children who eventually developed asthma in terms of their time of response to a trial of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS).

Methods: Children with chronic NIC were managed either with a wait-and-review approach or with a 2-week trial with 400 μg/d inhaled budesonide according to the preference of their parents. Responses were monitored with a validated cough score.

Does self-monitoring by means of symptom diaries improve asthma control in children?

Objective: Keeping symptom diaries on a regular basis may facilitate the execution of symptom-based action plans, enhance the patients' adherence to treatment program and finally allow better asthma control. We hypothesize that disease control in children who keep symptom diaries regularly would be better compared to children who do not keep symptom diaries regularly.

Methods: Asthmatic children, aged between 6 and 17 years, who were monitored at least 2 years at our outpatient clinic and examined at least twice within the last year, were enrolled in this study.

When should we perform a repeat training on adrenaline auto-injector use for physician trainees?

Background: Studies demonstrate that both doctors and patients may use adrenaline auto-injector improperly and the usage skills are improved by training. In this study, we aimed to determine the appropriate frequency of training to maintain skills for adrenaline auto-injector use.

Methods: We invited all interns of 2011-2012 training period.

Short-term follow-up of episodic wheeze and predictive factors for persistent wheeze.

Wheezing phenotypes may not be stable, and phenotype transitions may occur over time. This study investigates the natural course of episodic viral wheezing (EVW) and identifies the risk factors that predict persistence of wheezing through short-term follow-up. The medical records of children <3 years of age at hospital admission and classified as having EVW were retrospectively screened by two pediatric allergists.

Challenge-proven nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug hypersensitivity in children.

Background: Few studies investigated hypersensitivity to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in children. The objective was to determine the frequency of true NSAID hypersensitivity (NSAID-H) and whether there were any parameters in the history of children that would predict NSAID-H. Secondly, an investigation was conducted into whether NSAID-hypersensitive children could tolerate safe alternatives.

Angioedema without urticaria in childhood.

Background: There has been no separate study investigating angioedema without urticaria (Aw/oU) exclusively in children so far. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency, clinical presentation, etiology, management and follow-up of Aw/oU in children.

Methods: This is a prospective study that included all consecutive patients with a history of Aw/oU referred to our clinic between January 2011 and May 2012.

Tolmetin: An Option for Multiple NSAID Hypersensitivity in a Preschooler.

The diagnostic process of multiple nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced hypersensitivity should result with providing the patient a safe alternative. However, concomitant reactivity to acetaminophen severely limits those options in children, as no approved drug is available especially for children below the age of 12. A 3-year-old boy developed facial angioedema with ibuprofen, ketoprofen, metamizole sodium, and acetaminophen, but tolerated tolmetin sodium, which is confirmed by a challenge test.

Airway inflammation and bronchial hyperreactivity in steroid naive children with intermittent and mild persistent asthma.

Background: Intermittent and mild persistent asthma are defined according to symptom frequency and spirometry and treated differently. To our knowledge, there is no study comparing airway inflammation between intermittent and mild persistent asthmatic children.

Materials And Methods: Children aged 7-16 years, referred to our pediatric allergy clinic for recurrent respiratory complaints underwent a detailed clinical history and spirometry with reversibility.

Anaphylaxis in infancy compared with older children.

Although there has been increasing data on pediatric anaphylaxis, information about anaphylaxis in the 1st year of life is scarce. This study provides detailed information on clinical signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis in the 1st year of life. A retrospective review was performed of our pediatric allergy database between 2007 and 2011.

Management preferences of pediatricians in moderate and severe acute asthma.

Objective: To assess and compare management preferences of physicians for moderate and severe acute asthma based on case scenarios and to determine the factors influencing their decisions.

Methods: A questionnaire based on the Global Initiative on Asthma (GINA) guideline and comprising eight questions on management of acute asthma was delivered to participants of two national pediatric congresses. Management of moderate and severe acute asthma cases was evaluated by two clinical case scenarios for estimation of acute attack severity, initial treatment, treatment after 1h, and discharge recommendations.

Effect of epinephrine autoinjector design on unintentional injection injury.

Epinephrine is an essential medication for the treatment of anaphylaxis. Factors associated with autoinjector design may have a role in its correct use. We compared a new and old epinephrine autoinjector with respect to correct autoinjector use.

A real-life study on acquired skills from using an adrenaline autoinjector.

Background: Training programs performed by allergists have increased the ability of patients' recognition and management of anaphylaxis. We aim to investigate the permanence of effect of an anaphylaxis training program and to determine the factors affecting it beyond training given by allergists.

Methods: Children and/or their caregivers who had been prescribed an adrenaline autoinjector at least 1 year before were invited to take part in the study.

The first experience of eosinophilic esophagitis in Turkish children.

Background/aims: Eosinophilic esophagitis is a rare allergic disease of the esophagus with no published data in Turkish children.

Methods: This is an observational study of children diagnosed as eosinophilic esophagitis in our hospital between February 2009 and January 2011. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical features, allergic work-up, endoscopic and histological findings, and response to treatment.