Objective: To compare the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MS) in Turkish obese children and adolescents by using three different definitions and to assess the risk factors through a retrospective evaluation of anthropometric and laboratory parameters.Methods: Sixty hundred and fourteen obese patients (307 male, 307 female; mean age: 11.3±2.5 years) were included in the study. Medical history, physical examination, anthropometric measurements, results of biochemical and hormonal assays were obtained from the hospital records. MS was diagnosed according to the modified World Health Organization (WHO), Cook and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) consensus criteria.Results: The prevalence of MS was found to be 39%, 34% and 33% according to the modified WHO, Cook and the IDF consensus criteria, respectively. MS prevalence in patients aged 12-18 years was significantly higher than that in patients between 7 and 11 years of age (p<0.05). Pubertal patients had a significantly higher MS prevalence than the non-pubertal cases (p<0.05). MS prevalence was also significantly higher in children who had a family history of heart disease, diabetes, obesity and hypertension as well as in those who had not been breast-fed (p<0.05).Conclusion: The use of the modified WHO criteria was found to result in a slightly higher prevalence rate for MS as compared to the other criteria. The prevalence of MS in our study population was higher than that reported in most previous studies in Turkey. A positive family history, puberty and not being breastfed in infancy were shown to be significant risk factors for MS in childhood.The prevalence of MS was found to be 39%, 34% and 33% according to the modified WHO, Cook and the IDF consensus criteria, respectively. MS prevalence in patients aged 12-18 years was significantly higher than that in patients between 7 and 11 years of age (p<0.05). Pubertal patients had a significantly higher MS prevalence than the non-pubertal cases (p<0.05). MS prevalence was also significantly higher in children who had a family history of heart disease, diabetes, obesity and hypertension as well as in those who had not been breast-fed (p<0.05).Conclusion: The use of the modified WHO criteria was found to result in a slightly higher prevalence rate for MS as compared to the other criteria. The prevalence of MS in our study population was higher than that reported in most previous studies in Turkey. A positive family history, puberty and not being breastfed in infancy were shown to be significant risk factors for MS in childhood.Conflict of interest:None declared.

BackgroundAs a multisystem infectious disease, there is an inflammation, which causes increase in acute phase reactants in brucellosis. The mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), red cell distribution width (RDW), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have been identified as markers of inflammation. The present study aimed to evaluate diagnostic values of these biomarkers in brucella arthritis (BA).MethodsThe study included 64 children with BA and 66 healthy control subjects. Demographic features, joint involvement, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and hematological variables were retrospectively recorded. In addition, results of synovial fluid and serum tube agglutination test for brucella together with treatment regimens were recorded.ResultsThe mean age of the patients (53.1 % male) was 92.3 ± 41.2 months. The most commonly affected joint was ankle (53.1 %). Synovial fluid puncture-brucella agglutination test was positive in 22 (34.3 %) patients. Puncture culture was positive in 9 patients. Most of the patients (57.8 %) were treated with a combination of rifampicin plus sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim and gentamicin. Significantly higher mean PDW, RDW, MPV, NLR and PLR values were found in children with BA compared to control subjects (p < 0.05). A positive correlation was found between MPV and NLR values (R2 = 0.192, p < 0.001).ConclusionOur findings indicated that NLR and PLR are indirect markers of inflammation that may be observed abnormally increased in children with brucella arthritis. Further longitudinal studies are needed to investigate this topic to establish the more clear associations.

The objective of this study was to determine the rate, independent risk factors, and outcomes of healthcare-associated infections in pediatric patients. This study was performed between 2011 and 2014 in pediatric clinic and intensive care unit. 86 patients and 86 control subjects were included in the study. Of 86 patients with nosocomial infections (NIs), there were 100 NIs episodes and 90 culture growths. The median age was 32.0 months. The median duration of hospital stay of the patients was 30.0 days. The most frequent pathogens were Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, Acinetobacter spp., Klebsiella spp., and Candida spp. Unconsciousness, prolonged hospitalization, transfusion, mechanical ventilation, use of central venous catheter, enteral feeding via a nasogastric tube, urinary catheter, and receiving carbapenems and glycopeptides were found to be significantly higher in NIs patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed prolonged hospitalization, neutropenia, and use of central venous catheter and carbapenems as the independent risk factors for NIs. In the univariate analysis, unconsciousness, mechanical ventilation, enteral feeding, use of enteral feeding via a nasogastric tube, H2 receptor blockers, and port and urinary catheter were significantly associated with mortality. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, only mechanical ventilation was found as an independent predictor of mortality in patients with NIs.

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Background. Colistin is an antibiotic in the polymyxin group and is especially important in the elimination of multi-drug resistant gram negative bacteria. To date, there are many studies investigating colistin related side effects, especially nephrotoxicity. However, there are few studies involving premature neonates, and this study aimed to investigate the side effects of colistin in this particular patient group. Methods. Between January 2016 and May 2019, the medical records of premature neonates treated with colistin were retrospectively reviewed. The diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) was performed according to the modified neonatal KDIGO criteria. Serum electrolyte levels were recorded at the initiation of colistin treatment and 4-7 days after. Results. A total of 47 premature neonates; with a median gestational age of 27 weeks and median weight of 970 g at birth were included in the study. The median postnatal day of colistin initiation was 24 days and mean duration of colistin therapy was 15.95 ± 3.70 days. Colistin was combined with aminoglycosides in 44.6% of the patients. Acute kidney injury was documented in 17.0% of premature neonates. (n = 6 for stage 1, n = 2 for stage 2, none of the patients had stage 3). In univariate analysis, gestational age and concomitant aminoglycoside use were associated with AKI development (OR, 0.446; 95% CI 0.238-0.832; p = 0.011 and OR, 1.324; 95% CI 1.023-7.584; p = 0.024). Mean magnesium level significantly decreased after colistin treatment (1.70 ± 0.84 vs. 1.57 ± 0.29, p = 0.017) and the frequency of hypomagnesemia increased after colistin use (78.7% vs. 91.5%, p = 0.031). Frequency of elevated AST increased from 23.4% to 44.7% following colistin use (p = 0.031). Conclusions. Colistin-related side effects observed in premature neonates are not as common as in pediatric patients. Electrolyte imbalance is observed more frequently in this age group following colistin use. We suggest strict serum electrolyte level monitoring, especially magnesium, in premature neonates that are receiving colistin.

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Background/aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of biologic drugs on the tuberculin skin test in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Materials and methods: A total of 234 biologic drug-using juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients and 45 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. The tuberculin skin test results of the patients, which had been routinely provided during follow-up, were obtained from the patient files. Tuberculin skin test values of ≥5 mm were considered to be positive. Results: The mean diameter of tuberculin skin test induration was 4.99 ± 6.84 mm (IQR: 0-10 mm) and 7.83 ± 3.47 mm (IQR: 0-16 mm) in patients and controls, respectively (P < 0.05). Tuberculin skin test positivity (≥5 mm) was found in 96 (41%) and 38 (84.4%) of patients and controls, respectively (P < 0.001). There was no induration in 125 (53.4%) patients and 3 (6.6%) healthy controls, respectively (P < 0.001). Conclusion: In the patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis who were using biologic drugs, tuberculin skin test induration was significantly lower compared to the control group. Tuberculin skin tests alone seem inadequate for recognition of latent tuberculosis in juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients on anti-TNF therapy.

Background The pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) has not yet been fully elucidated and there is no clear consensus on its treatment yet. Objectives To evaluate our patients diagnosed with MIS-C and present them to the literature in order to contribute to the better understanding of this new disease, which entered paediatric practice with the SARS-CoV-2 peak. Methods In this study, 17 MIS-C cases diagnosed according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria were included. Results Of the patients, 7 (41.2%) had a comorbidity. Gastrointestinal system involvement was the most prominent in the patients (70.6%). Laparotomy was performed in 3 patients due to acute abdomen. Two patients had neurological involvement. Of the patients, 15 (88.2%) received intravenous immunoglobulin and 13 (76.5%) received both intravenous immunoglobulin and methylprednisolone. Two patients received invasive mechanical ventilation and 4 patients received high flow rate nasal cannula oxygen therapy. One of our patients who needed invasive mechanical ventilation and high vasoactive-inotrope support died despite all supportive treatments including plasmapheresis and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Conclusions MIS-C picture can have a fatal course and may present with severe gastrointestinal and neurological signs. Unnecessary laparotomy should be avoided.