Inhaled iloprost in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension in very low birth weight infants: a report of two cases.

We treated 2 very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with respiratory distress syndrome suffering from refractory hypoxic respiratory failure complicated with severe pulmonary hypertension with inhaled iloprost. The first infant was an 800 gram male and the second case was a 920 gram female. Echocardiography revealed a right to left shunt through patent duct in the first case; suprasystemic pulmonary arterial pressure was estimated by using tricuspid regurgitation of moderate severity in the second case.

Mean platelet volume in Henoch-Schönlein purpura: relationship to gastrointestinal bleeding.

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is the most common systemic vasculitis in children. Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is one of the major complications affecting one third of the cases which may cause serious morbidity. Platelet volume directly correlates with the platelet function and activation.

Mean platelet volume in children with familial Mediterranean fever.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most common inherited periodic fever syndrome characterized by recurrent episodes of serositis. Recently, a few studies have suggested that FMF is related to increased risk of atherosclerosis. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a marker of platelet activation.

Etanercept for therapy-resistant macrophage activation syndrome.

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a severe, potentially fatal complication of childhood rheumatic diseases, especially systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SoJIA). We report a 4-year-old girl with probable SoJIA who presented with MAS. She did not respond to pulse methyl prednisolone and Cyclosporine A (CsA).