A multicenter survey of childhood asthma in Turkey. II: Utilization of asthma drugs, control levels and their determinants.

Many surveys worldwide have consistently demonstrated a low level of asthma control and under-utilization of preventive asthma drugs. However, these studies have been frequently criticized for using population-based samples, which include many patients with no or irregular follow-ups. Our aim, in this study, was to define the extent of asthma drug utilization, control levels, and their determinants among children with asthma attending to pediatric asthma centers in Turkey.

A prospective study of etiology of childhood acute bacterial meningitis, Turkey.

Determination of the etiology of bacterial meningitis and estimating cost of disease are important in guiding vaccination policies. To determine the incidence and etiology of meningitis in Turkey, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were obtained prospectively from children (1 month-17 years of age) with a clinical diagnosis of acute bacterial meningitis. Multiplex PCR was used to detect DNA evidence of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and Neisseria meningitidis.

Childhood asthma perception in Turkey under real-life environment (CAPTURE) study.

Successful management of asthma requires good communication between patients and the healthcare team. The background and expectations of a patient inevitably influence the success of any partnership. A questionnaire-based survey was performed to obtain data on the perception of the impact of asthma in daily life among children (age-range 6-14 years) and adolescents (age-range 15-20 years).

Splenic abscess due to brucella in childhood. A case report.

An eleven-year-old male was diagnosed with multiple splenic abscesses due to brucella. He was treated only with antibiotics. Although splenic abscess is very rare in childhood, in febrile patients with upper quadrant abdominal pain, tenderness and splenomegaly, splenic abscess should be suspected especially in epidemic regions.

Typhoid fever with very high transaminase levels.

Typhoid fever is endemic in developing countries and may cause very different clinical findings. Although hepatic involvement and abnormal liver function tests may be seen in 50% of the patients, intravascular hemolysis and renal involvement are rare. In this report, a 10-year-old patient with enteric fever presenting with hepatitis, severe intravascular hemolysis and glomerulonephritis is presented.