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Cystic fibrosis and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency are two important autosomal recessive multi-organ diseases. They are complex and severe diseases that involve various organs including pancreas. Pancreatic disease in cystic fibrosis varies from complete loss of exocrine and endocrine functions to nearly normal pancreatic function. A strong correlation between genotype and phenotype is recognized. Pancreatic involvement is characterized by malabsorption of fat and protein, and growth failure. Fat malabsorption leads to special problems with the fat-soluble vitamins. Enzyme and fat-soluble vitamin replacements are the milestones of the malabsorption treatment. Gene therapy offers the best hope for a cure of cystic fibrosis. Although an association between alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency and chronic pancreatitis has been reported in several case reports, in prospective studies it has been shown that pancreatitis prevalence in patients with alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency was not different from that of healthy controls. Thus it was concluded that alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency was not related to the pathogenesis of idiopathic or hereditary chronic pancreatitis. However, protective role of alpha-1 antitrypsin against pancreatic auto digestion suggests that the deficiency of that protein may worsen the pancreatic disease rather than causing it. Early detection and management of pancreatic insufficiency is essential to optimize health and outcomes in cystic fibrosis and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Craniosynostosis is the premature closure of the cranial sutures. We present the radiological findings of a six-month old case who presented with small head and frontal triangular shape and who was found to have generalized pitting and softness on palpation of the head. The three-dimensional images computed tomography (CT) showed a sagittal, coronal and metopic suture synostosis with exaggerated convolutional markings in the form of lacunar skull. This case report showed that patients with craniosynostosis should be evaluated by three-dimensional images CT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) mutation analysis in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The relation between MEFV mutations and chronic inflammatory diseases has been reported previously., Methods: Children with IBD (334 ulcerative colitis (UC), 224 Crohn's disease (CD), 39 indeterminate colitis (IC)) were tested for FMF mutations in this multicenter study. The distribution of mutations according to disease type, histopathological findings, and disease activity indexes was determined., Results: A total of 597 children (mean age: 10.8 ± 4.6 years, M/F: 1.05) with IBD were included in the study. In this study, 41.9% of the patients had FMF mutations. E148Q was the most common mutation in UC and CD, and M694V in IC (30.5%, 34.5%, 47.1%, respectively). There was a significant difference in terms of endoscopic and histopathological findings according to mutation types (homozygous/ heterozygous) in patients with UC (P < .05). There was a statistically significant difference between colonoscopy findings in patients with or without mutations (P = .031, P = .045, respectively). The patients with UC who had mutations had lower Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) scores than the patients without mutations (P = .007)., Conclusion: Although FMF mutations are unrelated to CD patients, but observed in UC patients with low PUCAI scores, it was established that mutations do not have a high impact on inflammatory response and clinical outcome of the disease.

NCs occur commonly after solid organ transplantation and affect 15%-30% of liver transplant recipients. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the type and incidence of neurologic events in pediatric patients following LT. Between May 2006 and June 2015, 242 patients (118 females, 124 males) requiring LT for different etiologies at the İnönü University Liver Transplantation Institute were included. The incidence, types, and risk factors of NCs that occurred following LT were evaluated retrospectively. Neurologic events occurred in 57 (23.5%) of the patients. Early NCs were encephalopathy (12.4%), seizures (11.5%), and PRES (7%). Of 57 patients, five (8.7%) experienced NCs at least 1 month after LT; these late NCs included tremor, headaches, encephalopathy, ataxia, and neuropathy. The psychiatric symptoms after LT were noted in 42 patients (17.4%). The mortality rate after LT in those with or without neurological events was not significantly different (P=.73). There was a high incidence of serious neurologic events after LT. The major neurologic manifestation in our patients was encephalopathy followed by seizures., (© 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

AKI is an important complication after LT. As our LT series contains a quite high number of children with ALF unlike published studies, we aimed to determine pre-LT and long-term renal functions in children both with ALF and with CLD. Demographic and disease-related data of 134 transplanted children were evaluated retrospectively. Pre-LT and follow-up GFR and pediatric RIFLE scores were determined. Mean pre-LT GFR was not dependent on the disease presentation or severity of chronic disease. While there was an initial decline until first week of post-LT in CLD children, an increase was observed in ALF. Neither mean GFR nor the pRIFLE on follow-up was different with respect to the type of LT or disease presentation. Mean GFR at first and sixth months were lower in children on cyclosporine compared to tacrolimus (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). In conclusion, GFR-time curve was different in children with or without ALF. Type of LT, and severity of the CLD were not risk factors for CKD in any time, but younger age at LT, CLD, and cyclosporine usage were at sixth months of follow-up., (© 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background/aim: To determine the hematologic manifestations at the time of diagnosis of celiac disease in children and the effects of a gluten-free diet on hematologic signs upon follow-up., Materials and Methods: The records ofpatients with celiac disease who received a follow up examination at the Pediatric Gastroenterology Clinic between June 2006 and June 2013 were retrospectively examined., Results: Ninety-one patients were included in the study. The mean age at diagnosis was 8.1 ± 4.21 years and 59 patients (64.8%) were female. Thirty-two patients (35.2%) had hematologic signs at the time of diagnosis. Anemia (24.2%) was the most common hematologic sign, followed by thrombocytosis (16.5%) and leukopenia (4.4%). The tTG IgA titers were screened in 80 of the 91 patients during diagnosis. Follow-up examinations found that remission for anemia (P = 0.0 17), thrombocytosis (P = 0.039), and decreases in tTG IgA titers (P = 0.034) were more prominent in patients who had followed a strict gluten-free diet., Conclusion: Approximately one-third of the celiac disease patients had hematologic manifestations at the time of diagnosis. Remission in hematologic signs and decrease in tTG IgA titers were more prominent in patients who had adhered to a gluten-free diet.

Hepatopulmonary syndrome is an important pulmonary vascular complication of liver disease. Its diagnosis is based on the presence of hypoxaemia and the demonstration of intrapulmonary shunting by contrast-enhanced echocardiography or perfusion lung scanning. Awareness of this condition is critical to improve the outcomes of patients with chronic liver disease and/or portal hypertension because hepatopulmonary syndrome receives additional priority on the waiting list for transplantation. A non-invasive measurement of the blood oxygen saturation with pulse oximetry is recommended as a screening tool for this syndrome. The aim of this report was to present clinical and laboratory findings and follow-up of seven paediatric patients who were diagnosed with HPS at our centre.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the similarities and differences in the frequency and follow-ups of newly diagnosed atopic diseases after liver transplantation in pediatric and adult patients., Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent liver transplants between 2005 and 2013 and who are still alive were enrolled in the study. Patients who came for checkups filled out a survey evaluating atopic diseases. Those who had an atopic disease before transplantation were excluded from the study., Results: A total of 165 patients were enrolled in this study; 114 (69.1%) were males and 29 (17.6%) were children. The average transplantation age was 40.8 (0.3-67) years, and the most frequent reason for transplantation was chronic viral hepatitis. In 22 patients, atopic diseases [allergic rhinitis in nine patients (5.5%), asthma in six patients (3.9%), atopic eczema in six patients (3.9%), food allergy in six patients (3.9%), and drug allergy in one patient (0.6%)] developed after transplantation. Atopic diseases after transplantation were more common in children (P=0.03). When the atopic diseases were examined on a case-by-case basis, there were no differences between children and adults with respect to asthma (P=0.284), allergic rhinitis (P=1.0), or atopic eczema (P=0.284), but food allergy (P=0.009) and peripheral eosinophilia (P=0.002) were more common in children. The periodicity of allergic diseases after transplantation (P=0.192) and total IgE levels (P=0.086) were similar., Conclusion: Atopic diseases developed after liver transplantation and had a greater impact on children than adults. Therefore, after undergoing liver transplantation, patients should be monitored closely for signs of atopic diseases.

Background and Goals: As there are limited data regarding the correlation between virulence factors and clinical, endoscopic, and histological findings in children with Helicobacter pylori gastritis, we aimed to evaluate that probable relationship in pediatric cases., Study: One hundred and fifty-nine children with chronic abdominal pain or dyspepsia were included in this study. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed and multiple biopsy samples were taken from the esophagus, the antrum, and the duodenum. PCR was used for the determination of virulence factors., Results: According to PCR analysis, 98 (61.6%) children were positive for H. pylori. Using histopathological examination and culture, H. pylori was detected in 65 (40.9%) and 51 (32.1%) children, respectively. Peptic ulcer prevalence and histopathological features were not different among cagA, cagE, or iceA1 positive and negative groups (P>0.05). Peptic ulcer prevalence and histopathological findings were more common in iceA2-positive patients (P<0.05). Antral nodularity was more common in cagA-positive patients (P<0.05). Endoscopic and histological features were not different among patients with or without m1 or m2 strains (P>0.05). S1b positivity was associated with a higher esophagitis rate (P<0.05)., Conclusion: Among virulence factors, iceA2 was associated with peptic ulcer and milder histopathological findings, and vacAs1 was associated with milder histopathological findings.

Objectives: There are limited data regarding the pattern of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) antibiotic resistance and virulence factors in children. Evaluation of prevalence of drug resistance and virulence-factor genotype in children with Hp gastritis and to investigate whether there is any relation between drug resistance and genotype were our aims in this study., Methods: Ninety-eight children with polymerase chain reaction-positive Hp gastritis were included. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by disc diffusion method and polymerase chain reaction assays were used for the determination of virulence factors., Results: The resistance rates to clarithromycin, metronidazole, and amoxicillin were 23.5%, 11.7%, and 3.9%, respectively. All strains carried vacA genotype, and 51%, 70.4%, 49%, 34.7%, and 25.5% were cagA-, cagE-, babA2-, iceA1-, and iceA2-positive, respectively. Of those 98 specimens, 81.6%, 19.4%, 38.8%, and 63.3% carried vacAs1, vacAs2, vacAm1, and vacAm2, respectively. Dominant vacA type was s1am2 (32.7%), followed by s1am1 (14.3%) and s2m2 (12.2%). Significant rates of clarithromycin resistance were observed in cagE-, iceA1-, babA2-, and vacAs1c-positive groups. In those with metronidazole resistance, vacAs1 and vacAs1c were more common (P < 0.05)., Conclusions: The cagE-positive and vacA s1a/m2 genotypes, which are correlated with increased antibiotic resistance, were predominant in our population. In countries where Hp infection is prevalent, studies focusing on virulence factors and antibiotic susceptibility may provide anticipation of the prognosis and may be helpful to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Background and Goals: Growth retardation is one of the most important signs of childhood celiac disease (CD); however, it is not very well known whether craniofacial growth is also affected. We aimed to carry out a detailed craniofacial morphological study to derive a conclusion on the craniofacial features of children with CD., Participants and Methods: Eighty-four 2-16-year-old children with biopsy-proven CD and 84 age-matched and sex-matched healthy children were included. Of these, 37 children (44.0%) had been newly diagnosed and 47 (56.0%) were on a gluten-free diet. Anteroposterior and lateral photographs were evaluated using the Scion Image software program for the measurements of the distances between reference points on the face., Results: Except for nasofrontal angle (nfa), nasolabial angle (nla), pronasale height (prnh), nasal dorsum height (ndh), and nasal radix height (nrh), all measurements were significantly greater in patients compared with controls. In celiac children, all facial proportions except forehead/face height (t-gl/t-gn) and nose length/face height (n-ns/t-gn) were significantly different from those of controls. Except for nla, prnh, ndh, nrh, t-gl/t-gn, face height to total face height ratio (sn-gn/t-gn), n-sn/t-gn, ear length to face height ratio (s-sba/t-gn), and face width to face height ratio (z-z/t-gn), all measurements were statistically different in those on a gluten-free diet and newly diagnosed children., Conclusion: Most of the facial measurements and proportions of celiac children were different from those of controls. Our data confirm those of a previous study reporting that the forehead proportion is not altered in childhood CD. Pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these alterations are not clear but disruptions of growth during certain critical periods may be responsible.

Background/aims: Living donor liver transplantations (LDLT) is a definitive treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD), especially in the countries with donation problem. Between April 2007 and April 2010, we performed LDLT in 289 patients. Fifteen of the cases required re-transplantations. This study evaluates these 304 consecutive LDLTs donor and recipient outcomes., Methodology: Complication rates and survival data of the recipients and donors of 304 LDLT cases were analyzed., Results: All donors are alive and well. Overall complication rate was 27%. Early postoperative recipient complication rate was 51%. Most frequent complication was infection. In the long-term there were 57 biliary stricture and 5 chronic bile fistula cases. Chronic and acute rejection attacks developed in 7 and 103 patients, respectively. Hepatic artery thrombosis rate was 8%. One, two and three year survival rates were 82%, 79% and 75%, respectively. Recipient mortality was 25%, mostly due to vascular complications, septic complications, liver dysfunction and chronic rejection., Conclusions: More than 150 liver tranplantations per year in a single center is a challenge in Turkey, where there is a shortage of deceased donor grafts. LDLT is a safe procedure for donors and effective for ESLD. Improvement in surgical technique would provide better outcomes.

Background: Early detection of necrotizing enterocolitis can improve the prognosis, however, there is not a reliable laboratory test to detect either newborns at risk for necrotizing enterocolitis development or those at early stages of the disease. Since fecal lactoferrin and fecal calprotectin are inflammatory markers of gastrointestinal diseases, it was hypothesized that both these biomarkers could be successfully used in the diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis., Methods: In a prospective study, fecal lactoferrin and fecal calprotectin concentrations of 14 newborns with necrotizing enterocolitis and consecutively admitted 40 healthy preterm, and 23 healthy full-term newborns were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique., Results: Mean fecal lactoferrin and fecal calprotectin were not different between preterm and full-term newborns (p = .235 and p = .845, respectively), or those who were diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis or not (p = .545 and p = .968, respectively). Prevalence of necrotizing enterocolitis was 1.51% (14 of 2734). Stage of the disease did not have a statistical effect on mean levels (p = .694 and p = .267, respectively). Mean fecal lactoferrin and fecal calprotectin levels were not different in the case of breastfeeding (p = .623 and p = .792, respectively)., Conclusion: Neither fecal lactoferrin nor fecal calprotectin has a role in the identification of necrotizing enterocolitis, especially in early stages of the disease. Further studies on wider necrotizing enterocolitis series are needed for a more definite conclusion.

Celiac disease (CD) has a wide variety of clinical presentations; together with the "classical form", in which the intestinal symptomatology is prevalent, there are "atypical forms" with predominating extra-intestinal clinical features, and the "silent form", with no clinical symptom. The "atypical forms" of the disease are characterized by few or no gastrointestinal symptoms, and predominating extra-intestinal features such as neurologic, dermatologic, hematologic, endocrinologic, reproductive, renal, psychiatric, skeletal, and liver involvement(s). Silent presentation of CD may be identified through screening of high-risk groups. Today, it is well known that CD might account for several chronic health issues, so it is essential for healthcare professionals to have a high level of suspicion for the atypical presentations of CD.

Aims: To examine the association of muscle strength with nocturnal enuresis., Subjects and Methods: One hundred sixty-three patients with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (8-14 years old) were recruited from outpatient clinics. Two hundred eight healthy students served as the control group (8-14 years old) from two primary schools. Physical examinations and the age, gender, height, weight, dominant hand, and body mass of these children index were recorded. A calibrated, Jamar dynamometer was used to assess grip strength at the first two settings. A pinch gauge was used to assess the key pinch of the right and left hands of these children. Two measurements of each grip and pinch were obtained at 15 sec intervals and mean values were analyzed., Results: The hand grip strength test and pinch was significantly lower in the enuretic group compared with the control group. These low results of the muscle strength in the enuretic group showed that whole body muscle weakness may contribute to the pathogenesis of enuresis as a possible etiological factor., Conclusions: In this first study on the association of muscle strength with nocturnal enuresis, it was found that neuromuscular function is abnormal in enuretic patients. In this neuromuscular abnormality, the motor activity is affected., (Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

In this retrospective study, we aimed to share our experience with different treatment modalities for chronic hepatitis B in a series of children. The study included 126 children (mean: 9.5 +/- 3.8 years). Normalization of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), loss of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), and development of antibody to HBeAg (anti-HBe) altogether at the end of the treatment was considered as end of therapy response (ETR). Seroconversion ongoing one year after the cessation of therapy was considered as sustained response. Of the total children, 90 (71.4%) were treated, whereas the remaining were just followed-up. High-dose interferon (IFN)-alpha (10 MU/m2) alone, standard-dose IFN-alpha (6 MU/m2) plus lamivudine (4 mg/kg/d), high-dose IFN-alpha plus lamivudine, or lamivudine alone was used, IFN-alpha thrice weekly for six months, and lamivudine daily for one year. Of children who had completed their treatment, 34 (37.8%) achieved ETR. Sustained response rate was 36.7%. Response rates were different in the different treatment groups (p: 0.01). The highest response rate was observed in those who received standard-dose IFN-alpha plus lamivudine treatment (61.5%). Of children without treatment, one (2.8%) had anti-HBe seroconversion. Standard-dose IFN-alpha plus lamivudine treatment was found superior to the other treatment modalities. Predictors of ETR were similar to those found in previous studies.

Exchange transfusion (ECT) has an important role in preventing kernicterus in the treatment of indirect hyperbilirubinemia of the newborn. In present study, the etiology of hyperbilirubinemia and complications of ECT were studied over a five-year period in the Eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey. We describe our experience of 89 ECTs performed from 2003-2008 in 79 newborns with hyperbilirubinemia. The mean gestational age was 37 +/- 2.1 weeks and the mean of peak total bilirubin levels was 28.1 +/- 6.4 mg/dl. The most common cause of hyperbilirubinemia was ABO isoimmunization (38%). Complications of ECT developed in 17 neonates (21.5%), the most common being thrombocytopenia and seizure. None of newborns died secondary to ECT. Our data showed higher morbidity rates associated with ECT in the treatment of hyperbilirubinemia in our region. In order to prevent adverse effects of ECT, serum bilirubin levels should be closely monitored in newborns with ABO immunization.

Collodion baby is a rare keratinizing congenital disorder. Although it is milder in degree than harlequin fetus, the infant is at risk for increased water loss, thermal instability, percutaneous toxicity, and infection as a result of an impaired skin barrier function. Here we report on an 11 days-old collodion baby with hypernatremic dehydratation, septicemia and congenital hypothyroidism. To our knowledge congenital hypothyroidism associated with collodion baby is reported in only one case up to date.

Celiac disease is a common multisystemic disorder that may be diagnosed at any age. Owing to the increasing prevalence, prevention strategies, including encouragement of breastfeeding and introduction of small amounts of gluten whereas still on breastfeeding at fourth to sixth month of age, become more important than before. For avoiding complications of celiac disease, a strict gluten-free diet is essential. A lifelong gluten-free diet may bring about difficulties as avoiding gluten completely is problematic owing to the contamination with gluten of presumably gluten free foods. New therapeutic approaches include enzyme supplementation, correction of the intestinal barrier defect against gluten entry, blocking of gliadin presentation by human leukocyte antigen blockers and tissue transglutaminase inhibitors.

We report on a five year old girl with Hallermann-Streiff syndrome and hemihypertrophy. Hemihypertrophy does not appear to have ever been associated with Hallermann-Streiff syndrome.

We report on a male infant with Cornelia de Lange syndrome and bilateral split feet. Bilateral split feet do not appear to have ever been a reported feature in any of the published cases of Cornelia de Lange syndrome.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between plasma visfatin, insulin resistance, lipid profile and anthropometric measurements in obese children., Subjects and Methods: Plasma levels of visfatin, insulin, glucose, lipid profile and anthropometric indices were determined in 30 obese children and compared with those in 30 age- and gender-matched non-obese children. Visfatin was measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and logarithmically transformed to log visfatin for parametric comparisons., Results: The obese group had significantly elevated plasma visfatin, fasting glucose and insulin and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) values, as well as elevated lipid concentrations, compared with non-obese children. In the obese group log visfatin correlated positively with weight (p = 0.007), waist circumference (p = 0.007), hip circumference (p = 0.034), BMI (p = 0.005), insulin (p = 0.041) and HOMA (p = 0.044). No correlation was found between visfatin and lipid profile in obese children (p >0.05). Linear regression analysis revealed significant positive relationships between log visfatin and BMI (p = 0.005), insulin and BMI (p <0.001), and between HOMA and BMI (p <0.001) in the obese group but not in the control group. Multivariate regression analysis with log visfatin as a dependent variable showed that only BMI (p = 0.005) and bodyweight (p = 0.014) correlated positively with log visfatin in obese children., Conclusions: An increased visfatin concentration may be associated with BMI and insulin resistance in obese children. Although these findings may lay a foundation for further hypotheses, the limited sample size in the present study means that longitudinal studies with more patients are needed.

Serratia marcescens is a well recognized nosocomial pathogen. We report an outbreak with this organism in 8 neonates in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Seven cases were treated successfully with meropenem after the failure of imipenem treatment. Although they have similar anti-microbial effects, meropenem can effectively treat the S. marcescens sepsis resistant to imipenem.

Intracranial lipoma is a very rare condition, with an incidence of less than 0.1% of all intracranial tumors. They are mostly localized in the pericallosal region. Pericallosal lipoma is an extremely rare tumor of the central nervous system and rarely gives any symptoms. A 6-year-old girl with an unexplained headache was admitted to the Pediatric Outpatient Clinic with complaints of non-febrile seizure. Her seizure was a complex-partial type. Biochemical tests for seizure etiology did not reveal any specific cause. Electroencephalography (EEG) revealed typical epileptic activity. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) gave images of a mass approximately 1 cm in diameter in the vicinity of corpus callosum splenium. Her seizures were kept under control with carbamazepine (400 mg/day) and indicators of neuromotor development were found to be normal throughout 24-month period of follow up. Even though it is a rare condition, pericallosal lipoma should also be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of non-febrile seizures in children.

Objective: To investigate the possible relationships between plasma bilirubin levels and concentrations of nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities in newborn infants with hyperbilirubinemia., Methods: Thirty term (gestational age > or = 37 weeks) newborn infants with indirect hyperbilirubinemia aged less than 10 days were prospectively recruited in the Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University Neonatal Unit, Kahramanmaras, Turkey, between January and July 2007. Thirty randomly selected healthy newborns who had similar age and without clinical jaundice comprised the control group. Erythrocyte catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and plasma MDA and NO concentrations were measured., Results: Both MDA and NO concentrations were higher in the study group than the controls (p=0.000). The mean activities of erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes were found to be lower in the study group compared with the controls (p=0.000). Furthermore, plasma bilirubin showed significant negative correlations with antioxidant enzyme activities but positive correlations with MDA and NO., Conclusion: In this sample, infants with significant hyperbilirubinemia had elevated oxidative stress and disturbed antioxidant enzyme activity. Since these states have been shown to cause cellular injury in neonatal patients with indirect hyperbilirubinemia, such patients should be followed-up and undergo therapy to prevent the harmful effects of hyperbilirubinemia. Further studies are needed to investigate possible benefits of antioxidants in hyperbilirubinemia.

Our aim was to determine the levels of human urotensin-II (hU-II) in the plasma of migraine patients and controls, to ascertain if there were a difference in the pathogenesis of migraine. A total of 27 patients who suffer from migraines and 27 controls were included in the study. Venous blood samples were drawn twice both from migraine patients and controls to measure hU-II plasma levels. The average levels of hU-II during migraine episode, between episodes, and controls were found to be 0.483, 0.493, and 0.737 pg/mL, respectively. The levels of hU-II in the controls were higher significantly. When comparisons were made according to sex, age groups, and types and durations of migraine, there was no significant difference in the levels of hU-II in the patients. The low levels of hU-II in the plasma of migraine patients compared with controls may be an indicator of its role in the pathogenesis.