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Background: Malnutrition, which occurs at the time of hospitalization or develops during follow-up, has a negative effect on patients in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). In our study, we aimed to determine the malnutrition status at the time of hospitalization, the relationship of malnutrition status at hospitalization with mortality scores, as well as the changes in malnutrition status during hospitalization in PICU.Materials and Methods: Patients aged between 1 month and 18 years, who were hospitalized and followed up in PICU of our hospital for at least 7 days between January and June 2016, were included in our study. Pediatric Nutritional Risk Score (PNRS) scores were compared with Gomez and Waterlow scores when patients were discharged from the PICU. Results: Our study has included total 102 patients, weight loss was detected in 33 (32.3%) of the patients compared to hospitalization, while weight gain was detected in 44 (43.1%) patients. We detected newly developed malnutrition both at the time of admission and during the PICU follow-up. Patients with malnutrition at the time of discharge had a high PNRS score at admission. Conclusions: In conclusion, the malnutrition status and risk situations of patients should be determined and patient-specific nutritional strategies applied from the beginning of treatment in PICU., Amaç: Hastanede yatış sırasında ortaya çıkan veya izlem sırasında gelişen malnütrisyon, çocuk yoğun bakım ünitesindeki (ÇYBÜ) hastaları olumsuz etkilemektedir. Çalışmamızda, ÇYBÜ'nde yatış anındaki malnütrisyon durumunu, yatıştaki malnütrisyon durumunun mortalite skorları ile ilişkisini ve ÇYBÜ'nde yatışı sırasında malnütrisyon durumundaki değişiklikleri belirlemeyi amaçladık.Materyal ve Metod: Çalışmamıza Ocak-Haziran 2016 tarihleri arasında hastanemiz ÇYBÜ'nde yatarak en az 7 gün takip edilen 1 ay-18 yaş arası hastalar dahil edildi. Pediatrik Nutrisyonel Risk Skoru (PNRS), ÇYBÜ'nden taburcu olduklarında hesaplanan Gomez ve Waterlow skorları ile karşılaştırıldı.Bulgular: Çalışmamıza toplam 102 hasta dahil edilmiş olup, hastaların 33'ünde (%32.3) hastaneye yatışa göre kilo kaybı, 44'ünde (%43.1) kilo artışı saptanmıştır. Hem başvuru anında hem de ÇYBÜ takibinde yeni gelişen malnütrisyon saptandı. Taburculuk sırasında malnütrisyonlu olan hastaların başvuru sırasında yüksek PNRS skoru vardı.Sonuç: Çocuk yoğun bakım ünitesinde tedavinin başlangıcından itibaren hastaların malnütrisyon durumu ile risk durumları belirlenmeli ve hastaya özel beslenme stratejileri uygulanmalıdır.

Introduction: Neuropsychiatric (NP) involvement is a restricted area in juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (jSLE). Aim: To investigate the prevalence, demographic and clinical features, and outcomes of the neurological involvement in the Turkish jSLE population. Methods: This study was based upon 24 referral centers' SLE cohorts, multicenter and multidisciplinary network in Turkey. Patient data were collected by a case report form which was standardized for NP definitions according to American Collage of Rheumatology (ACR). Systemic Lupus International Collab-orating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI) neuropsychiatric part was used to determine NP damage. Variables were evaluated Ward's hierarchical clustering analyses, univariate, and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: A hundred forty-nine of 1107 jSLE patients had NP involvement (13.5%). The most common NPSLE findings were headache (50.3%), seizure (38.3%), and acute confusional state (33.6%). Five clusters were identified with all clinical and laboratory findings. The first two clusters involved neuropathies, demyelinating diseases, aseptic meningitis, and movement disorder. Cluster 3 involved headache, activ-ity markers and other SLE involvements. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, cognitive dysfunction, psychiatric disorders and SLE antibodies were in the fourth, and acute confusional state was in the fifth cluster. In multivariate analysis, APA positivity; OR: 2.820, (%95CI: 1.002-7.939), P: 0,050, plasmapheresis; OR: 13.804 (%95CI: 2.785-68.432), P: 0,001, SLEDAI scores; OR: 1.115 (%95CI: (1.049-1.186), P: 0,001 were associated with increased risk for neurologic sequelae. Conclusion: We detected the prevalence of juvenile NPSLE manifestations in Turkey. We have identified five clusters that may shed light pathogenesis, treatment and prognosis of NP involvements. We also determined risk factors of neurological sequelae. Our study showed that new definitions NP involvements and sequelae for childhood period are needed. (c) 2023 Socie ' te ' franc,aise de rhumatologie. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Background: The study aimed to evaluate the distribution of circulating respiratory viral pathogens other than severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the first year of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with especially focusing on the effects of the national-based mitigation strategies. Methods: This single-center study was conducted between March 11, 2020-March 11, 2021. All children who were tested by polymerase chain reaction on nasopharyngeal swabs for SARS-CoV-2 and other common respiratory viral pathogens were included in the study. Results: A total of 995 children with suspected COVID-19 admitted to the study center. Of these, 513 patients who were tested by polymerase chain reaction for both SARS-CoV-2 and common respiratory viral pathogens were included in the final analysis. Two hundred ninety-five patients were (57.5%) male. The median age was 3 years of age (27 days-17 years). A total of 321 viral pathogens identified in 310 (n: 310/513, 60.4%) patients, and 11 of them (n: 11/310, 3.5%) had co-detection with more than 1 virus. The most common detected virus was rhinovirus (n: 156/513, 30.4%), and SARS-CoV-2 (n: 122/513, 23.8%) followed by respiratory syncytial virus (n: 18/513, 3.5%). The influenza virus was detected in 2 patients (0.4%). A total of 193 patients were negative for both SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens. Conclusions: There is a decline in the frequency of all viral pathogens like SARS-CoV-2 in correlation with the national-based mitigation strategies against COVID-19 during the pandemic. (c) 2021 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Background Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent oral aphthous and genital ulcers accompanied by eye, joint, skin, gastrointestinal and central nervous system involvement. The vascular involvement may affect both the arterial and venous systems. Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) is an easy and non-invasive method used in the evaluation of microcirculation. With this study, we aimed to find the characteristics and prevalence of nailfold capillary alterations in patients with juvenile BD and to analyze their possible relationship between clinical characteristics and activity of the disease. Methods Patients aged 5–21 years with a diagnosis of juvenile BD and followed up for at least six months were included in the study. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded. NVC was performed on 8 fingers of both hands, excluding the thumbs, and four consecutive non overlapping fields for each of fingers were evaluated (32 fields per patient). Capillary density, capillary width (arterial width, venous width, apical loop), capillary morphology and the presence of meandering capillary, micro hemorrhage, avascular area, neoangiogenesis, capillary ramification were evaluated from the images. Capillary morphology were evaluated by classifying them into four groups as normal, minor abnormalities, major abnormalities and scleroderma pattern. The presence of abnormilities in at least two fingers were recorded as capillary abnormality. The semi quantitative rating score 1–3 was applied for each capillaroscopic alteration. Results 37 patients from 6 pediatric rheumatology centers were included in the study. The mean age of patients was 17 years (IOR 13–19) and 20 (54.1%) of them were girls. The patients were evaluated in four clusters according to their clinical presentations. Nineteen patients had mucocutaneous involvement, 9 patients had uveitis, 8 patients had vascular and neurological involvement, and 4 patients had gastrointestinal system involvement. During the follow-up period, genital ulcers developed in 22 patients, erythema nodosum in 9 patients, pseudofolliculitis in 18 patients, uveitis in 10 patients, vascular involvement in 8 patients, and neurological involvement in 5 patients. Anterior uveitis was present in five, posterior uveitis in three, panuveitis in one, and retinal vasculitis in three of the patients with ocular involvement. Four patients had lower extremity venous thrombosis, three patients had central nervous system (CNS) thrombosis, and one patient had both lower extremity and CNS thrombosis. When capillary morphology was evaluated; normal morphology was present in 16 patients, minor abnormality in 13 patients, and major abnormality in 8 patients. Median capillary density was 8, capillary length was 325 µm, arterial width was 12 µm, venous width was 16 µm, apical loop width was 18 µm, capillary width was 39 µm, and intercapillary distance was 107 µm. Neoagiogenesis was seen in 13 patients, enlarged capillaries in 12 patients, capillary meandering in 9 patients, bushy capillaries in 5 patients, bizarre capillaries in 4 patients, and microhemorrhage in 3 patients. Neoangiogenesis was found to be significantly more common in the NVC evaluation of patients with lower haemoglobin values at the time of diagnosis (p = 0.014). Conclusion NVC is an in vivo, non-invasive, and inexpensive imaging technique that allows the direct observation of the capillary network in living tissue throughout the skin and it may be preferred in juvenile BD for evaluating microvascular involvement.

Objectives: To investigate the association between the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) levels and prognosis in septic children. Methods: Patients admitted to pediatric intensive care units (PICU) of three tertiary centers were included in this prospective observational study. Serum samples were taken at admission from patients who were hospitalized with sepsis. Results: Of the 87 patients included, 34 (39.1%) had severe sepsis and 53 (60.9%) had septic shock. The median age was 2 y (2 mo to 16 y). TREM-1 values were found to be significantly higher in septic shock patients 129 pg/ml (min 9.85- max 494.90) compared to severe sepsis 105 pg/ml (min 8.21- max 289.17) (p = 0.048). Despite higher TREM-1 levels been measured in non-survivors compared to survivors, it was not statistically significant [168.98 pg/ml (min 9.85- max 494.90) vs. 110.79 pg/ml (min 8.21- max 408.90), (p = 0.075)]. Conclusions: Admission TREM-1 levels were higher in septic shock compared to severe sepsis patients. There was no association between mortality and TREM-1 levels in sepsis. TREM-1 measurements should be used carefully in pediatric sepsis prognosis. © 2020, Dr. K C Chaudhuri Foundation., Ege Üniversitesi, Scientific Projects Department of Ege University supported this work.

Objectives Transcobalamin II (TC) is an essential plasma protein for the absorption, transportation, and cellular uptake of cobalamin. TC deficiency presents in the first year of life with failure to thrive, hypotonia, lethargy, diarrhea, pallor, mucosal ulceration, anemia, pancytopenia, and agammaglobulinemia. Herein, we present TC deficiency diagnosed in two cases (twin siblings) with a novel variant in the TCN2 gene. Case presentation 4-month-old twins were admitted with fever, respiratory distress, vomiting, diarrhea, and failure to thrive. Physical examination findings revealed developmental delay and hypotonia with no head control, and laboratory findings were severe anemia, neutropenia, and hypogammaglobulinemia. Despite normal vitamin B12 and folate levels, homocysteine and urine methylmalonic acid levels were elevated in both patients. Bone marrow examinations revealed hypocellular bone marrow in both cases. The patients had novel pathogenic homozygous c.241C>T (p.Gln81Ter) variant in the TCN2 gene. In both cases, with intramuscular hydroxycobalamin therapy, laboratory parameters improved, and a successful clinical response was achieved. Conclusions In infants with pancytopenia, growth retardation, gastrointestinal manifestations, and immunodeficiency, the inborn error of cobalamin metabolism should be kept in mind. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for better clinical outcomes. What is new? In literature, to date, less than 50 cases with TC deficiency were identified. In this report, we presented twins with TCN2 gene mutation. Both patients emphasized that early and aggressive treatment is crucial for achieving optimal outcomes. In this report, we identified a novel variation in TCN2 gene.

Objectives: To investigate conventional mechanical ventilation weaning characteristics of patients requiring conventional mechanical ventilation support for greater than 48 hours within the PICU. Design: the prospective observational multicenter cohort study was conducted at 15 hospitals. Data were being collected from November 2013 to June 2014, with two designated researchers from each center responsible for follow-up and data entry. Setting: Fifteen tertiary PICUs in Turkey. Patients: Patients between 1 month and 18 years old requiring conventional mechanical ventilation for greater than 48 hours were included. A single-center was not permitted to surpass 20% of the total sample size. Patients with no plans for conventional mechanical ventilation weaning were excluded. Interventions: Conventional mechanical ventilation Measurements and Main Results: Pertinent variables included PICU and patient demographics, including clinical data, chronic diseases, comorbid conditions, and reasons for intubation. Conventional mechanical ventilation mode and weaning data were characterized by daily ventilator parameters and blood gases. Patients were monitored until hospital discharge. of the 410 recruited patients, 320 were included for analyses. A diagnosis of sepsis requiring intubation and high initial peak inspiratory pressures correlated with a longer weaning period (mean, 3.65 vs 1.05-2.17 d; p < 0.001). Conversely, age, admission Pediatric Risk of Mortality III scores, days of conventional mechanical ventilation before weaning, ventilator mode, and chronic disease were not related to weaning duration. Conclusions: Pediatric patients requiring conventional mechanical ventilation with a diagnosis of sepsis and high initial peak inspiratory pressures may require longer conventional mechanical ventilation weaning prior to extubation. Causative factors and optimal weaning for this cohort needs further consideration., National Institutes of HealthUnited States Department of Health & Human ServicesNational Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA, Drs. Sik, Yaman, and Kendirli disclosed government work. Drs. Yaman and Davutoglu received support for article research from the National Institutes of Health. the remaining authors have disclosed that they do not have any potential conflicts of interest.

To investigate the association between the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) levels and prognosis in septic children.Patients admitted to pediatric intensive care units (PICU) of three tertiary centers were included in this prospective observational study. Serum samples were taken at admission from patients who were hospitalized with sepsis.Of the 87 patients included, 34 (39.1%) had severe sepsis and 53 (60.9%) had septic shock. The median age was 2 y (2 mo to 16 y). TREM-1 values were found to be significantly higher in septic shock patients 129 pg/ml (min 9.85- max 494.90) compared to severe sepsis 105 pg/ml (min 8.21- max 289.17) (p = 0.048). Despite higher TREM-1 levels been measured in non-survivors compared to survivors, it was not statistically significant [168.98 pg/ml (min 9.85- max 494.90) vs. 110.79 pg/ml (min 8.21- max 408.90), (p = 0.075)].Admission TREM-1 levels were higher in septic shock compared to severe sepsis patients. There was no association between mortality and TREM-1 levels in sepsis. TREM-1 measurements should be used carefully in pediatric sepsis prognosis.

Septic arthritis is an inflammation of the synovial membrane and synovial fluid in the joints caused by bacterial, viral or fungal agents. Since it has high morbidity rate, requires urgent intervention. The synovial membrane is a highly vascular structure, but because it is not a protective basement membrane, the microorganisms that come through the bloodstream can easily settle here. For this reason, it should be kept in mind that an infection such as septic arthritis may develop in a hematogenous way in patients exposed to many invasive procedures, and having long-term catheter in pediatric intensive care unit. Serratia species are a gram-negative facultative anaerobic population of the Enterobacteriaceae group and have become more common in recent years as a cause of hospital-acquired bacteremia, pneumonia and urinary tract infections in intensive care units. However, primary joint infections secondary to infection with Serratia marcescens are extremely rare. Almost all cases were seen in trauma patients, immunocompromised patients, in those with central catheters and intensive care patients. When septic arthritis due to Serratia marcescens is not treated urgently, septicemia and mortality risk is high and may cause permanent destruction of the joint. Here, we present a rare case of septic arthritis caused by Serratia marrascens after a bacteremia in a patient with Escobar variant of Multiple Pterygium syndrome who had a central vascular access device and was hospitalized in the pediatric intensive care unit.

Introduction: To evaluate the etiology and characteristics of children admitted to the emergency department with an acute convulsive epileptic seizure. Methods: Data of patients who were admitted to the emergency department with a convulsive epileptic seizure were reviewed. The patients were divided into febrile seizure, first idiopathic non-febrile seizure, idiopathic epilepsy, symptomatic epilepsy, and symptomatic seizure groups. Results: A total of 335 children were included in the study. Febrile seizures were the most common cause of convulsive seizure (38.5% of all visits), followed by idiopathic epilepsy-related seizures (35.8%), symptomatic epilepsy-related seizures (8.1%), first non-febrile seizures (17.6%), and symptomatic seizures (1.5%). The mean age of the patients was 4.73 years, and it was significantly lower in patients with febrile seizures when compared to the other groups (p

SummaryPurpose Our aim is to determine whether the presence of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (s-TREM-1) of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), serum procalcitonin levels (PCT), and Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score (CPIS) have diagnostic value in children with VAP. Methods All children followed in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) who were mechanically ventilated at least for 48 hr between January 2014 and December 2015 were enrolled into our study. BALF sample was obtained via non-bronchoscopic method from the children with VAP suspicion (case group) and s-TREM-1 levels were measured. Furthermore we calculated CPIS and measured serum PCT levels. Same procedures were applied to the control group who were admitted to PICU without infectious problems and who were not under antimicrobial therapy. First we compared the case group with the control group and then we compared the quantitative culture confirmed and non-confirmed VAP cases among themselves. Results Case group (n:58) had significant higher PCT and s-TREM-1 levels compared to control group (n:58). The VAP confirmed cases had higher s-TREM-1, PCT ve CPIS levels compared to non-confirmed VAP cases. s-TREM-1, PCT ve CPIS variables were found to be independent risk factors for VAP. The cutoff values for s-TREM-1, CPIS, and PCT, are 281 pg/ml, 6, and 1.9 ng/ml, respectively. The patients whose s-TREM-1, CPIS, and PCT values above the cutoff levels were found to have higher cumulative VAP rate. Conclusions s-TREM-1 of BALF, serum PCT levels, and CPIS are useful predictors for ventilator-associated pneumonia diagnosis in children. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:119–128. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Introduction : Platelets play important roles in airway inflammation and are activated in inflammatory lung diseases, including asthma. Aim :We evaluated the mean platelet volume (MPV), used as a marker of platelet activation, in asthmatic patients during asymptomatic periods and exacerbations compared to healthy controls to determine whether MPV can be used as an indicator of inflammation. Material and methods :Our patient group consisted of95 children with exacerbation of asthma who were admitted to our allergy clinic. The control group consisted of 100 healthy children matched for age, gender, and ethnicity. Mean platelet volume values of the patient group obtained during exacerbation of asthma were compared to those of the same group during the asymptomatic period and with the control group. We investigated factors that can affect the MPV values of asthma patients, including infection, atopy, immunotherapy treatment, and severity of asthma exacerbation. Results :The patient group consisted of 50 (52.6%) boys and 45 (47.4%) girls with a mean age of 125 ±38 months old. Mean MPV values in the exacerbation period, the healthy period, and in the control group were 8.1 ±0.8 fl, 8.1 ±1.06 fl, and 8.2 ±0.9 fl, respectively; there were no significant differences between groups (p > 0.05). The severity of asthma, severity of asthma exacerbation, immunotherapy, coinfection, eosinophil count, and IgE level also had no effect on MPV (p > 0.05). Conclusions : Although platelets play a rolein the pathophysiology of asthma, MPV measurement is insufficient to detect inflammation through platelets

Antifungal-lock therapy (AfLT) has arrived as an investigational approach for preventing catheter removal with limited clinical evidence of its efficiency. The principle of AfLT consists of catheter lumen replenishment by a selected antimicrobial agent and then locking it for an alternative treatment to eradicate the microbes embedded in endoluminal biofilms. Herein, we report a pediatric hematology-oncology patient with Candida parapsilosis-related central venous access device infection in which catheter removal was performed despite the systemic and intraluminal caspofungin treatment. For now, we recommend higher doses of caspofungin for AfLT especially in Candida parapsilosis-related catheter infections.

Background/aim: It is recommended that a central venous catheter (CVC) be removed if central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) has been diagnosed. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the risk factors for recurrent CLABSI in reinserted catheters in a pediatric intensive care unit. Materials and methods: Patients with recurrent and nonrecurrent CLABSI were compared in terms of the catheter exchange interval, the interval between negative blood culture and reinsertion of the CVC, and the pre-/reinsertion treatment duration. Results: Thirty-one patients with initial CLABSI had reinserted CVCs, and 12 (38.7%) of these patients were diagnosed with recurrent CLABSI. In the recurrent group, the catheter exchange interval, the interval between negative blood culture and reinsertion of the second CVC, and pre-/reinsertion treatment duration were found to be shorter. Logistic regression analysis revealed that if the interval between negative blood culture and reinsertion of the second CVC was shorter than 4 days, recurrent CLABSI risk increased by 1.7-fold (P = 0.021). Sterile gauze-dressed patients had shorter cumulative catheter surveys than the polyurethane-dressed patients (P = 0.005). Conclusion: Using transparent polyurethane dressings instead of sterile gauze for maintaining the CVC and delaying the reinsertion procedure for at least 4 days after the negative culture might be helpful in preventing recurrent CLABSI.

Background Limited data are available on the effects of a ketogenic diet on dispersion duration of P-wave and QT-interval measures in children. We searched for the changes in these measures with serial electrocardiograms in patients treated with a ketogenic diet. Methods Twenty-five drug-resistant patients with epilepsy treated with a ketogenic diet were enrolled in this study. Electrocardiography was performed in all patients before the beginning and at the sixth month after implementation of the ketogenic diet. Heart rate, maximum and minimum P-wave duration, P-wave dispersion, and maximum and minimum corrected QT interval and QT dispersion were manually measured from the 12-lead surface electrocardiogram. Results Minimum and maximum corrected QT and QT dispersion measurements showed nonsignificant increase at month 6 compared with baseline values. Other previously mentioned electrocardiogram parameters also showed no significant changes. Conclusions A ketogenic diet of 6 months' duration has no significant effect on electrocardiogram parameters in children. Further studies with larger samples and longer duration of follow-up are needed to clarify the effects of ketogenic diet on P-wave dispersion and corrected QT and QT dispersion.

To determine the risk factors for developing candida infections in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The present study was conducted as a case–control study and included the population of patients who were admitted to PICU during the period of March 2010–March 2011. During the study period, a total of 57 patients in PICU had candidemia, 4 cases were excluded due to their PICU stay less than 48 h and one due to the insufficient data. The most commonly isolated Candida species was C. albicans, followed by C. parapsilosis. The median duration of hospitalization in PICU was higher (22.0 d) in candidemia patients compared to control group (13.5 d) (p = 0.037). The patients with candidemia had higher rates of presence of mechanical ventilation, presence of central venous catheter, and being under total parenteral nutrition; compared to the control group. The longer PICU durations, mechanical ventilation, central venous catheter, total parenteral nutrition were the associated factors. Although trials for predicitive models or scoring systems for development of candidemia have been performed; more future studies were required for practical usage in clinics settings in order to prevent candidemia.

OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility of 12-lead electrocardiographic (ECG) measures such as P wave dispersion (PWd), QT interval, QT dispersion (QTd), Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratio in predicting poor outcome in patients diagnosed with sepsis in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). METHODS Ninety-three patients diagnosed with sepsis, severe sepsis or septic shock and 103 age- and sex-matched healthy children were enrolled into the study. PWd, QT interval, QTd, Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT, Tp-e/QTc ratios were obtained from a 12-lead electrocardiogram. RESULTS PWd, QTd, Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT, Tp-e/QTc ratios were significantly higher in septic patients compared with the controls. During the study period, 41 patients had died. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, only Tp-e/QT ratio was found to be an independent predictor of mortality. CONCLUSION The ECG measurements can predict the poor outcome in patients with sepsis. The Tp-e/QT ratio may be a valuable tool in predicting mortality for patients with sepsis in the PICU.

Neutrophils are known to play a role in airway inflammation and are activated in inflammatory lung diseases such as asthma. In adult studies the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was found to be a possible biomarker for both airway and systemic inflammation. However, there is a limited understanding regarding NLR in the pediatric age group. To assess NLR as a biomarker for inflammation in pediatric asthma, 54 children admitted to hospital with exacerbation of asthma between March and October 2013 were enrolled into our study. Complete blood counts were obtained during both exacerbation and an asymptomatic period covering at least 3 months after exacerbation. NLRs of the study group during both exacerbation and the asymptomatic period were compared and these two datasets were then compared with the control group. The study group comprised 27 boys (50%) and 27 girls (50%) with a mean age of 120 ± 36 months. Of the total number of patients, 3.7% had mild, 94.4% had moderate, and 1.9% had severe exacerbation of asthma. The NLRs of the study group were found to be significantly higher during exacerbation compared with both the asymptomatic period and the control group ( P = 0.017, P = 0.003). Our study suggests that NLR may be effective and usable measurable biomarker for determining inflammation in cases of pediatric asthma during acute exacerbation period. However, a broad analysis of dependent and independent variables in further prospective studies, is still required. Trial registration: Not applicable.

Background Central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are among the most frequent health care–associated infections. Central line bundle (CLB) programs are useful for reducing CLABSIs. Methods A retrospective study was designed to compare 2 periods: the prebundle and bundle periods. We evaluated the impact of a CLB including implementation of split-septum (SS) devices and single-use prefilled flushing (SUF) devices in critically ill children. Results During the prebundle period, the overall rate was 24.5 CLABSIs per 1,000 central line (CL) days, whereas after the initiation of the CLB, the CLABSIs per 1,000 CL days dropped to 14.29. In the prebundle period, the daily cost per patient with CL and CLABSI were $232.13 and $254.83 consecutively. In the bundle period, the daily cost per patient with CL and CLABSI were $226.62 and $194.28 consecutively. Compared with the period with no CLB, the CLB period, which included SUF and SS devices, resulted in more costs saving by lowering the daily total costs of patients and indirectly lowering total drug costs by decreasing antibacterial and more significantly antifungal drugs. Conclusions CLB programs including SS and SUF devices were found to be effective in decreasing the CLABSI rate and decreasing the daily hospital costs and antimicrobial drug expenditures in children.

Because of the lack of studies comparing the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam and valproate before the induction of general anesthesia in the treatment of convulsive refractory status epilepticus in children, we aimed to compare the effectiveness of these antiepileptic drugs in patients with convulsive status epilepticus admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit between 2011 and 2014. Forty-six (59%) of the 78 patients received levetiracetam, and 32 (41%) received valproate for the treatment of refractory status epilepticus. The response rate was not significantly different between the 2 groups. Although no adverse event was noted in patients who received levetiracetam, 4 (12.5%) patients in the valproate group experienced liver dysfunction ( P = .025). According to our results, levetiracetam and valproate may be used in the treatment of refractory status epilepticus before the induction of general anesthesia. Levetiracetam appears as effective as valproate, and also safer.

Our aim is to determine whether the presence of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (s-TREM-1) of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), serum procalcitonin levels (PCT), and Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score (CPIS) have diagnostic value in children with VAP.All children followed in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) who were mechanically ventilated at least for 48 hr between January 2014 and December 2015 were enrolled into our study. BALF sample was obtained via non-bronchoscopic method from the children with VAP suspicion (case group) and s-TREM-1 levels were measured. Furthermore we calculated CPIS and measured serum PCT levels. Same procedures were applied to the control group who were admitted to PICU without infectious problems and who were not under antimicrobial therapy. First we compared the case group with the control group and then we compared the quantitative culture confirmed and non-confirmed VAP cases among themselves.Case group (n:58) had significant higher PCT and s-TREM-1 levels compared to control group (n:58). The VAP confirmed cases had higher s-TREM-1, PCT ve CPIS levels compared to non-confirmed VAP cases. s-TREM-1, PCT ve CPIS variables were found to be independent risk factors for VAP. The cutoff values for s-TREM-1, CPIS, and PCT, are 281 pg/ml, 6, and 1.9 ng/ml, respectively. The patients whose s-TREM-1, CPIS, and PCT values above the cutoff levels were found to have higher cumulative VAP rate.s-TREM-1 of BALF, serum PCT levels, and CPIS are useful predictors for ventilator-associated pneumonia diagnosis in children. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:119-128. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Mitokondriyal asetoasetil-koenzim A tiolaz T2 eksikliği (MAT- ?-ketotiolaz) ketoasidotik ataklarla karakterize nadir bir otozomal resesif hastalıktır. Klinik gidişat tamamen normal gelişimsel süreçten ağır mental retardasyona hatta atak sonrası ölüme kadar değişebilir. Klasik T2 eksikliğinin idrar organik asit ve karnitin profiline yansıyan biyokimyasal özellikleri ACAT1 geninde her iki allelde de oluşacak mutasyonlar sonucu görülmektedir. Bu yazımızda oldukça farklı fenotipik özellikler gösteren ancak aynı mutasyonu paylaşan iki kardeşin bulguları tartışılmıştır., Deficiency of mitochondrial acetoacetyl-coenzyme A thiolase T2 (methylacetoacetyl-coenzyme A thiolase, MAT) or ?-ketothiolase is a rare autosomal recessive disorder that is characterized by ketoacidosis episodes. Outcomes vary from normal development to severe cognitive impairment or even death after an acute episode of ketoacidosis. The classical biochemical profile of T2 deficiency is a result of mutations in both alleles of the ACAT1 gene and comprises characteristic abnormalities in urinary organic acids and blood or plasma acylcarnitine profiles. In this study, we present two sibling cases with quite different clinical properties.

WOS: 000406928300010, Deficiency of mitochondrial acetoacetyl-coenzyme A thiolase T2 (methylacetoacetyl-coenzyme A thiolase, MAT) or beta-ketothiolase is a rare autosomal recessive disorder that is characterized by ketoacidosis episodes. Outcomes vary from normal development to severe cognitive impairment or even death after an acute episode of ketoacidosis. The classical biochemical profile of T2 deficiency is a result of mutations in both alleles of the ACAT1 gene and comprises characteristic abnormalities in urinary organic acids and blood or plasma acylcarnitine profiles. In this study, we present two sibling cases with quite different clinical properties.

Bell's palsy is the most common cause of acquired unilateral facial nerve palsy in childhood. Although the diagnosis depends on the exclusion of less common causes such as infectious, traumatic, malignancy associated and hypertension associated etiologies, pediatricians tend to diagnose idiopatic Bell's palsy whenever a child admits with acquired facial weakness. In this report, we present an eight year old girl, presenting with recurrent and alternant facial palsy as the first symptom of systemic hypertension. She received steroid treatment without measuring blood pressure and this could worsen hypertension. Clinicians should be aware of this association and not neglect to measure the blood pressure before considering steroid therapy for Bell's palsy. In addition, the less common causes of acquired facial palsy should be kept in mind, especially when recurrent and alternant courses occur.

Bell's palsy is the most common cause of acquired unilateral facial nerve palsy in childhood. Although the diagnosis depends on the exclusion of less common causes such as infectious, traumatic, malignancy associated and hypertension associated etiologies, pediatricians tend to diagnose idiopatic Bell's palsy whenever a child admits with acquired facial weakness. In this report, we present an eight year old girl, presenting with recurrent and alternant facial palsy as the first symptom of systemic hypertension. She received steroid treatment without measuring blood pressure and this could worsen hypertension. Clinicians should be aware of this association and not neglect to measure the blood pressure before considering steroid therapy for Bell's palsy. In addition, the less common causes of acquired facial palsy should be kept in mind, especially when recurrent and alternant courses occur.

WOS: 000390310600023, PubMed ID: 27399025, Hydrocarbon aspiration (HA) can cause significant lung disease by inducing an inflammatory response, hemorrhagic exudative alveolitis, and loss of surfactant function. The most serious side effect of HA is aspiration pneumonia. Pneumothorax, pneumatocele, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), pulmonary abscess, bronchopleural fistula, bilateral hemorrhagic pleural effusion and pyopneumothorax were previously reported. Hereby we report a patient hospitalized due to aspiration pneumonia who developed pleurisy and pneumothorax after drinking paint thinner. It is presented as it was seldom reported in children to cause distinct pulmonary complications. Patients with complaints associated with hydrocarbon poisoning must be fully evaluated. They must not be discharged from the hospital early and must be followed for at least 48 hours even if they don't have respiratory symptoms. It should be kept in mind that severe pulmonary complications can develop in patients with chemical pneumonia.

Despite being the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis in children Guillain-Barre syndrome has a low incidence under 18 years old, and is even rarer under the age of 2. Established treatment regimens include intravenous immunoglobulin and plasma exchange in older children and adults. However very limited data are available for the efficacy and safety of plasma exchange in infants younger than 12 month-old. This article presents the experience of plasma exchange in the case of 7-month-old boy diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome. A 7-month-old boy was referred to the pediatric intensive care unit with a 10-day history of progressive weakness, feeding difficulty and constipation. He was diagnosed with axonal Guillain-Barre syndrome on the basis of clinical and electromyographical findings. The patient recovered fully with intravenous immunoglobulin and plasma exchange. Plasma exchange may be a safe option in the treatment in infants with Guillain-Barre syndrome as young as 7-month-age.

OBJECTIVE: Our primary aim was to determine the short-term effects of a ketogenic diet on cardiac ventricular function in patients with refractory epilepsy. METHODS: Thirty-eight drug-resistant epileptic patients who were treated with a ketogenic diet were enrolled in this prospective study. Echocardiography was performed on all patients before beginning the ketogenic diet and after the sixth month of therapy. Two-dimensional, M-mode, color flow, spectral Doppler, and pulsed-wave tissue Doppler imaging measurements were performed on all patients. RESULTS: The median age of the 32 patients was 45.5 months, and 22 (57.8%) of them were male. Body weight, height, and body mass index increased significantly at the sixth month of therapy when compared with baseline values (P < 0.05). Baseline variables assessed by conventional M-mode echocardiography showed no significant difference at month 6 (P > 0.05). Doppler flow indices of mitral annulus and tricuspid annulus velocity of patients at baseline and month 6 showed no significant differences (P > 0.05). Tricuspid annular E/A ratio was lower at month 6 (P < 0.05). Although mitral annulus tissue Doppler imaging studies showed no significant difference (P > 0.05), there was a decrease in Ea velocity and Ea/Aa ratio gathered from tricuspid annulus at month 6 compared with baseline (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A 6-month duration ketogenic diet does not impair left ventricular functions in children with refractory epilepsy; however, it may be associated with a right ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

The aim of this prospective study is to investigate the effect of a 6-month-long ketogenic diet on carotid intima-media thickness, carotid artery, and aortic vascular functions. Thirty-eight drug-resistant epileptic patients who were being treated with ketogenic diet were enrolled. Fasting total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and glucose concentrations were measured and echocardiography was performed in all patients before the beginning of ketogenic diet and at the sixth month of treatment. The body weight, height, body mass index, serum levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein increased significantly at month 6 when compared to baseline values ( P < .05). Carotid intima-media thickness, elastic properties of the aorta, and carotid artery did not change at the sixth month of therapy compared to baseline values. A 6-month-long ketogenic diet has no effect on carotid intima-media thickness and elastic properties of the carotid artery and the aorta.