Assessment of 17 Pediatric Cases With Colchicine Poisoning in a 2-Year Period.

AIM: The aim of the study is to discuss clinical effects, treatments, and outcomes of pediatric colchicine poisoning. METHOD: This study was designed as an observational case series study. The medical records of children aged between 0 and 18 years, who were hospitalized for colchicine poisoning at the Department of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine, between January 2010 and January 2012, were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: We presented 17 children with colchicine poisoning. The mean (SD, range) age of patients was 71.5 (69.19, 18-204) months. The period to apply to the hospital after taking the medications was 7.3 hours (7.97, 30 minutes-26 hours) on average. The use of colchicine was due to diagnosis of Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) in the families of 8 patients, diagnosis of Behçet disease in 1 patient's father, diagnosis of Behçet disease in 1 patient herself, and diagnosis of FMF in 6 patients themselves. Thirteen patients had taken colchicine at the dose of less than 0.5 mg/kg known as subtoxic and 1 patient had taken colchicine at the dose of greater than 0.8 mg/kg, and doses taken by 3 patients were not known. Fourteen patients (82.4%) had involuntary drug intake. Fifty percent of them were symptomatic at the moment of application and all had gastrointestinal complaints. All patients were observed in intensive care unit upon first admission and received supportive care. One of patients showed total alopecia, one showed leucocytosis, and another one showed acute abdomen picture. None of the patients showed mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality of colchicine toxicity is high and quick assessment is absolutely required. In regions where FMF is common and the use of colchicine is high, clinicians should pay attention to symptoms and findings related to colchicine intoxication and keep them in mind in differential diagnosis.

Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in children with familial Mediterranean fever: Original article.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of present study was (a) to evaluate the relationship between the neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio and mutation types of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) in children and (b) to evaluate the relationship between the N/L ratio and age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three hundred forty-three children with familial Mediterranean fever in the attack-free period and 283 healthy control children were included in the study. Patients were divided into subgroups according to mutation types. Neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were retrieved from medical records of patients and the N/L ratio was calculated from these parameters. RESULTS: The N/L ratio of patients was found to be significantly higher than that of controls (p<0.001). Among 343 patients, homozygous, heterozygous, and compound mutations were observed in 39, 253, and 51 patients, respectively. The differences in the N/L ratio among patients with homozygous, heterozygous, and compound mutations were not statistically significant. The most common mutations were M694V (n=126), E148Q (n=70), M680I, (n=33), and V726A (n=28). Significant differences were not observed among these mutations in terms of the N/L ratio (p>0.05). In all subjects, there was a weak but significant relationship between age and the N/L ratio (r: 0.215, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The N/L ratio, which can be determined by simple methods in routine blood tests, may be used for the follow-up monitoring of chronic inflammation in patients. In addition, the N/L ratio may give an idea to clinicians regarding the early initiation of treatment in patients with typical clinical findings of FMF.

Evaluation of serum perforin, caspase-3, sFasL and M-30 levels as apoptotic markers in children with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

BACKGROUND: Apoptosis is a main regulator in responses of cellular immunity throughout systemic viral infections. Perforin, soluble Fas ligand, caspase-3 and caspase-cleaved cytokeratin-18 (M-30) are mediators of apoptosis. The aim of this study is the evaluation of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) disease changes in the levels of these apoptotic markers and the relation of these changes with disease severity. METHODS: Forty-nine hospitalized children with CCHF and 36 healthy controls were enrolled in this prospective study. The CCHF patients were classified into 2 groups based on disease severity (severe group and nonsevere group). Demographic characteristics and clinical and laboratory findings of all patients were recorded on admission. RESULTS: Serum perforin, caspase-3 and soluble Fas ligand levels were found to be significantly higher both in the severe and nonsevere CCHF groups than the healthy control group (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in these apoptotic markers between severe and nonsevere CCHF groups (P > 0.05). In addition, serum M-30 levels did not differ significantly among all groups (P > 0.05). There was a positive correlation between serum values for perforin, caspase-3 and M-30 and the disease's severity criteria such as aspartate aminotransferase and/or alanine aminotransferase. The serum levels of all these markers were negatively correlated with disease severity criteria such as the platelet count. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we concluded that the interactions of cytolytic granules containing perforin and caspase cascade and Fas-FasL may play an important role in the pathogenesis of CCHF in children.

Noninvasive evaluation of cardiac autonomic modulation in children with primary Raynaud's phenomenon: a controlled study.

This study aimed to objectively evaluate autonomic nervous function in children with primary Raynaud's phenomenon (PRP). Thirty-two children with PRP and 30 healthy subjects were included in the study. We analyzed heart rate variability (HRV) in the time domain by the following six standard time-domain measures: standard deviation of all normal R-R intervals during 24 h (SDNN), standard deviation of all normal R-R intervals for all 5-min segments (SDNNi), standard deviation of the average normal R-R intervals for all 5-min segments (SDANN), root mean square of the successive normal R-R interval difference, percentage of successive normal R-R intervals longer than 50 ms, and triangular index (integral of the density distribution of NN intervals divided by the maximum of the density distribution). The mean heart rate throughout 24 h was significantly higher in the PRP group than in the control group (p = 0.001). Although heart rate during the activity period was not significantly different from that during the night period, it was higher in the PRP group than in the control group (p = 0.002). In children with PRP, HRV analysis showed significantly lower values of SDNN (p = 0.01), SDNNi (p = 0.005), SDANN (p = 0.02), and HRV triangular index (p = 0.02) compared with the control group. HRV analysis for sympathovagal balance demonstrated a preponderance for the sympathetic component in patients with PRP. We conclude that all time-domain parameters evaluated in HRV analysis are significantly lower in children with PRP than in healthy subjects.

Resting heart rate in children with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever: a tool to identify patients at risk?

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the association between resting heart rate (RHR) and severe infection in children with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF). METHODS: In all, 121 patients under 18 years of age with a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of CCHF were enrolled in the study. Patients were classified into two groups based on disease severity (severe group and nonsevere group). RHR was measured by electrocardiography (ECG) on admission. Maximum P-wave duration (Pmax), P-wave dispersion (Pd), QRS duration, corrected QT interval, and QT dispersion were also measured. RESULTS: Mean age was 11.4±3.9 years and 84 patients were male. Twenty-six patients were classified as severe. Patients in this group had a higher RHR (103.6±10.4 vs. 80.5±8.1, p=0.001) than those with nonsevere disease. There was no difference in Pmax, Pd, QRS duration, QTcmax, or QTc dispersion. The optimal cutoff value of RHR to predict disease severity was>96 beats per minute (bpm), with 70.6% sensitivity and 50.1% specificity. Bleeding, thrombocytopenia (≤80×10(9)/L), elevated aspartate transaminase (AST) (>208 IU/L), elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) (>87 IU/L), elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (>566 IU/L), long activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) (>42 s), and increased hospitalization days were more frequent in patients with RHR >96 bpm. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed low platelet count (<80×10(9)/L), long aPTT (>42 s), high LDH (>566 IU/L), and elevated RHR (>96 bpm) as independent risk factors for severe disease. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that elevated RHR was significantly associated with severe disease in children with CCHF, thus offering the potential to identify patients with increased risk.

Evaluation of the serum levels of soluble IL-2 receptor and endothelin-1 in children with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

We aimed to assess the association between serum levels of soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2r) and endothelin-1 and severe infection in children with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF). Fifty-two patients under 18 years of age with a laboratory- confirmed diagnosis of CCHF and 38 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Patients were classified into two groups based on disease severity (severe group and non-severe group). The sIL-2r and endothelin-1 levels were observed to be significantly higher in patients with severe CCHF compared with those with non-severe CCHF and the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, those with non-severe CCHF were also found to have a significantly higher sIL-2r level relative to the control group (p < 0.001). Although there was a positive correlation between sIL-2r and endothelin-1 levels, serum levels of both sIL-2r and endothelin-1 were negatively correlated with the platelets count. In children with CCHF, serum levels of sIL-2r and endothelin-1 were increased, and this increase is related to the severity of the disease. In this study, we concluded through prognosis that serum levels of sIL-2r and endothelin-1 might be related, and that hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and endothelial injury might contribute to a pathogenesis of the disease.

Bradycardia seen in children with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

INTRODUCTION: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a zoonotic viral disease with a high mortality rate. In clinical practice, we observed bradycardia in some pediatric patients with CCHF during the clinical course. So we aimed to report CCHF cases that presented bradycardia during the clinical course and the relation of bradycardia with the clinical findings and ribavirin therapy. METHODS: Charts of all hospitalized pediatric CCHF patients were reviewed with respect to age, sex, history of tick bite or history of removing a tick, other risk factors for CCHF transmission, and interval between the tick bite and the onset of symptoms. Outcomes and clinical and laboratory findings and medications were recorded for each patient. We searched the patient records for information regarding the existence of bradycardia. Bradycardia was accepted as the heart rate 2 standard deviations (SD) lower than the suspected heart rate based on age. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients (mean age 11.2 ± 4.4 years, 31 female) were enrolled into the study. Bradycardia was seen in seven patients. Six patients with bradycardia were male and only one was female, and the mean age was 13.1 ± 1.6 years. It was observed that male gender is frequent among patients with bradycardia, as compared with those without bradycardia (p=0.01). Bleeding was found to be more frequent in patients with bradycardia (p=0.02). There were significant differences between the bradycardia and nonbradycardia groups with regard to the requirements for fresh frozen plasma transfusion, the number of platelet suspension given, requirement for intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) and in the days of stay in hospital (p=0.01, p=0.03, p=0.03, p=0.04, respectively). CONCLUSION: Reversible bradycardia might be seen in the clinical course of pediatric CCHF patients, and the clinicians must be aware of this finding. The possibility that ribavirin may potentiate bradycardia cannot be assessed without a placebo-control study. So further studies may help to reveal the cause of the bradycardia, the disease itself, or the ribavirin therapy. Hence this study supports the need for a randomized, placebo-controlled study to assess intravenous ribavirin in treating CCHF and to support approval of the drug.

What is the safe approach for neonatal hypernatremic dehydration? A retrospective study from a neonatal intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence, complications, and mortality of hypernatremic dehydration in neonates and to compare the effect of correction rate at 48 hours on mortality and on neurological outcome in the short term. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted between January 2007 and 2011 in the neonatal intensive care unit. Term neonates were included. The patients were grouped as follows: group 1 = 150 to 160 mmol/L, group 2 = 161 to 170 mmol/L and group 3 = 171 to 189 mmol/L. RESULTS: Among 4280 neonates, 81 cases (1.8%) had hypernatremic dehydration. Groups 1, 2, and 3 consisted of 55, 23, and 3 patients, respectively. Mortality rates were as follows: 3.6%, 17.3%, and 66.6%. Mean serum sodium (Na) correction rates at 0 to 24 hours and 24 to 48 hours were 0.48 ± 0.2 versus 0.38 ± 0.31 mmol/L per hour (group 1) and 0.49 ± 0.21 versus 0.52 ± 0.28 mmol/L per hour (group 2), respectively. In 32 patients (58.1%) from group 1 and in 13 patients (56.5%) from group 2, correction rate of 0.5 mmol/L per hour or less was achieved. Twenty-two patients developed convulsions, which was the most common complication during therapy. Serum Na greater than 160 mmol/L at admission (odds ratio, 1.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-3.7) and serum Na correction rate of greater than 0.5 mmol/L per hour (odds ratio, 4.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-6.5) were independent risk factors for death or convulsion. There was a significant difference between groups 1 and 2 in Denver Developmental Screening Test II results (64.1% vs 30.7 %, P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Hypernatremic dehydration is an important problem that should be managed properly to avoid adverse outcomes.

Effects of topical sprays on allergy-induced nasal obstruction in children.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of mometasone furoate nasal spray, intranasal azelastine, and isotonic sea water nasal spray in the management of allergy-induced nasal obstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between October 2007 and August 2008 60 patients (37 males, 23 females; mean age 9.8±2.6 years; range 7 to 16 years) with a history of allergic rhinitis were included in the study. Laboratory assays including the skin prick test, nasal smear, phadiatop, total immunoglobulin E (IgE), and complete blood count test were performed. The patients were classified into three groups including 20 in each, according to the topical treatment administered. Patients in group 1 received azelastine, group 2 received mometasone furoate nasal spray, and group 3 received isotonic sea water nasal spray. Nasal passage volume was calculated using an acoustic rhinometry device. RESULTS: Azelastine and mometasone furoate decreased nasal congestion and increased nasal cavity volume more effectively, compared to isotonic sea water nasal spray. CONCLUSION: Mometasone furoate and azelastine which decrease nasal congestion and increase nasal volume are effective in the management of allergic rhinitis in children.

Anterior rhinomanometry and determination of nasal mucociliary clearance time with the saccharin test in children with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

OBJECTIVES: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), like other viral infections, may prolong mucociliary clearance time and increase nasal resistance in children. The aim of the present prospective case-control study was to study, using saccharin and anterior rhinomanometry tests, whether CCHF infections caused any change in nasal physiology. METHODS: Overall, 40 subjects, 20 of whom had CCHF (group 1) and 20 of whom were healthy controls (group 2), were enrolled in this study. The definitive diagnosis of CCHF infection was made based on typical clinical and epidemiological findings and detection of CCHF virus-specific IgM by ELISA or of genomic segments of the CCHF virus by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Anterior rhinomanometry was performed in all participants according to current recommendations of the Committee Report on Standardization of Rhinomanometry. A saccharin test was used to evaluate mucociliary clearance, and nasal mucociliary clearance time was assessed with the saccharin test as described previously. RESULTS: In our patients, the mean time from the application of saccharin crystals to the first feeling of a sweet taste was 6.77 ± 3.25 minutes (range 2-16 min). In terms of the mean time from the application of saccharin crystals to the first feeling of a sweet taste, there was no difference between two groups. The mean total air flow was 637.60 ± 76.18 mL/s (range 490-760 mL/s). The mean total nasal airway resistance was 0.24 ± 0.03 Pa/mL s (range 0.20-0.31 Pa/mL s). In terms of the degree of nasal air flow and nasal airway resistance and the total air flow and total nasal airway resistance of each nostril, there was no difference between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in anterior rhinomanometry and saccharin test showed that there was no statistically significant difference between CCHF (+) patients and controls. These results suggest us that CCHF virus infection does not affect nasal physiology. However, this is the first study performed on this issue and further studies on larger series need to be performed.

Perceptions of parents and physicians concerning the Childhood Asthma Control Test.

BACKGROUND: The Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) has been proposed to be a simple, patient-based test that is able to reflect the multidimensional nature of asthma control. In this analysis, the aim was to evaluate the perceptions of physicians and caregivers concerning C-ACT and its predictive value for future asthma-related events. METHOD: In a multicenter prospective design, 368 children aged 4-11 years with asthma who were either well- or not well-controlled were included in the study. The study participants were evaluated during three visits made at 2-month intervals and the Turkish version of C-ACT was completed each month. Parents completed questionnaires concerning their perception of asthma (before and after the study) and the C-ACT (after the study). Physicians completed a survey about their perception of a control-based approach and the C-ACT. RESULTS: The C-ACT scores increased from visit 1 to visit 3, with improvement seen in all domains of the test. At the end of the study period, the parents more strongly agreed that asthma could be controlled completely and that asthma attacks and nocturnal awakenings due to asthma were preventable (p < .05). Most of the parents reported that the C-ACT helped them to determine asthma treatment goals for their children and also that the C-ACT improved communication with their physicians. The physicians indicated that a control-centered approach was more convenient (95%) and simpler (94.5%) than a severity-centered approach and provided better disease control (93.4%). A higher C-ACT score was associated with a decreased risk of asthma attack and emergency department admittance in the 2 months following the administration of C-ACT. Conclusion. Our findings indicated that the C-ACT improved both parental outlook on asthma control and the communication between the physician and parents. There was a good correlation between the C-ACT score and the level of asthma control achieved, as described by the physician. Additionally the C-ACT score was predictive of future asthma-related events. These findings suggest that the C-ACT may have an important role in asthma management in the future.

Evaluation of cochlear function using transient evoked otoacoustic emission in children with Familial Mediterranean Fever.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate cochlear functions in children with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF). METHODS: Fifty-six FMF patients (112 ears) and 30 healthy control subjects (60 ears) were included in the study. Transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) was investigated. Numerical measurements of TEOAE, except the correlation percentage (%), included response amplitude (dB) and signal/noise (SN) ratio. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in age and sex in the two groups. Mean TEOAE correlation percentage, signal/noise ratio, TEOAE amplitudes in 1, 1.5, 2, 3 and 4 Hz frequency values were not different between the two groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this study using the TEOAE test, we found that FMF did not cause outer cell hair damage in children. In the literature, there is no study on outer cell hair damage in children or adults with FMF, so this is the first investigational study.

The evaluation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 in N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester preeclampsia model of pregnant rats.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), which plays a major role in the stimulation of angiogenesis in placental tissues, by using immunohistochemical staining in preeclampsia model of rats, developed by N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) METHODS: Thirty pregnant rats were randomized into 2 groups (n = 15 in each group) on day 10 of gestation. L-NAME was given to rats in the study group by gavage. On days 0, 10, and 20 of gestation, rats were weighted, and urine protein values and blood pressures were measured. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 expressions were assessed with immunohistochemical staining by using avidin-biotin peroxidase via selecting preparation. RESULTS: Systolic and diastolic blood pressures and urine protein value of L-NAME group on day 20 of gestation were found to be significantly higher than those obtained on days 0 and 10 of gestation in the same group and those obtained on day 20 of gestation in the sham group (P < 0.05). Maternal weight, number of fetuses, and mean fetal weight of rats in L-NAME group on day 20 of gestation were found to be significantly lower than those obtained from rats in the sham group (P < 0.05). Regarding HIF-1 expression of placental tissues, mild immunohistochemical staining was found in 2 rats (13.4%) and moderate in 13 rats (86.6%) in the L-NAME group. A significant difference was found in terms of HIF-1 positivity in the maternal placentas of both groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: L-NAME preeclampsia model of pregnant rats is consistent with human preeclampsia in terms of hypertension, proteinuria, and intrauterine growth retardation; in addition, it also shows evidence of placental hypoxia findings.

Treatment failure of gentamicin in pediatric patients with oropharyngeal tularemia.

BACKGROUND: Tularemia is a zoonotic infection, and the causative agent is Francisella tularensis. A first-line therapy for treating tularemia is aminoglycosides (streptomycin or, more commonly, gentamicin), and treatment duration is typically 7 to 10 days, with longer courses for more severe cases. MATERIAL/METHODS: We evaluated 11 patients retrospectively. Failure of the therapy was defined by persistent or recurrent fever, increased size or appearance of new lymphadenopathies and persistence of the constitutional syndrome with elevation of the levels of the proteins associated with the acute phase of infection. RESULTS: We observed fluctuating size of lymph nodes of 4 patients who were on the 7th day of empirical therapy. The therapy was switched to streptomycin alone and continued for 14 days. The other 7 patients, who had no complications, were on cefazolin and gentamycin therapy until the serologic diagnosis. Then we evaluated them again and observed that none of their lymph nodes regressed. We also switched their therapy to 14 days of streptomycin. After the 14 days on streptomycin therapy, we observed all the lymph nodes had recovered or regressed. During a follow-up 3 weeks later, we observed that all their lymph nodes had regressed to the clinically non-significant dimensions (<1 cm). CONCLUSIONS: All patients were first treated with gentamicin, but were than given streptomycin after failure of gentamicin. This treatment was successful in all patients. The results of our study suggest that streptomycin is an effective choice of first-line treatment for pediatric oropharyngeal tularemia patients.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever disease due to tick bite with very long incubation periods.

BACKGROUND: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a zoonotic viral disease with a high mortality rate, and is one of the viral hemorrhagic fever syndromes. The average mortality rate of CCHF is 3-30%. Research indicates that the longest incubation period after a tick bite is 12 days in CCHF disease. However, in clinical practice, we encounter patients with CCHF as a result of tick bites with much longer incubation periods (max. 53 days) than those reported in the literature. We present herein CCHF cases presumably infected through tick bites and having incubation periods longer than the upper limit reported in the literature. METHODS: We analyzed the cases of the 825 CCHF patients admitted to our hospital from 2007 to 2010 and found that 312 of them had undoubtedly been bitten by a tick. We searched the patient records for information on the incubation period and found that 12 patients had experienced an incubation period of over 12 days, which is the longest incubation period stated in the literature for patients definitely bitten by a tick. RESULTS: A total of 12 patients (eight males and four females, with a mean age of 45 years) were recruited into this study. Five (41.7%) of the 12 patients had positive CCHF virus-specific IgM antibodies, three (25%) had a positive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test for CCHF virus, and four (33.3%) had positive results in both tests during the acute and/or convalescent phase of the disease. In these cases, the interval between tick bite and the onset of symptoms was a mean of 23.6 days (range 13-53 days). CONCLUSION: Physicians serving in endemic regions should be aware of these longer incubation periods after a tick bite. It is suggested that they perform more follow-ups on clinically and serologically highly suspected patients than they currently do.

Characteristics and prognosis of childhood atopic dermatitis: a multicenter study in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Childhood atopic dermatitis (AD) is classically accepted as initial finding of atopic march; however, nonatopic cases do not follow this course. The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics and prognosis of AD in childhood in Turkey. METHODS: The study included 531 children with AD that presented to pediatric allergy departments in 11 different regions of Turkey. Age at diagnosis, total serum and inhalant-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and allergen skin prick test results were recorded retrospectively. Clinical characteristics like additional allergic diseases at presentation or during follow-up were recorded as well as duration of follow-up. RESULTS: Mean age at diagnosis was 37.8 +/- 36.2 months. Mean IgE level was 318.3 +/- 677.8 IU/ml (median 100 IU/ml). Skin prick tests yielded positive results in 47% of children. At presentation, 31.6% of children reported additional allergic disease, while 11.7% developed allergic disease during follow-up. Among all, 46.6% had additional allergic disease at any point. IgE levels were significantly higher in children with additional allergic diseases (p = 0.001). Allergen skin prick test positivity and family history of allergic diseases increased the risk of additional allergic diseases significantly (OR = 3.90, 95% CI = 2.3-6.6 and OR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.3-2.8, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Allergic sensitization is not present in all cases of AD. Coexistence of additional allergic diseases is not as high as expected but more common in children who have been demonstrated to have atopic sensitization with high IgE levels and allergen skin prick test positivity.

A multi-center survey of childhood asthma in Turke--I: the cost and its determinants.

Successful management of childhood asthma requires a thorough idea of the economic impact of asthma and its determinants, as policy makers and physicians inevitably influence the outcome. The aim of this study was to define the cost of childhood asthma in Turkey and its determinants. In April 2006, a multi-center, national study was performed where data regarding cost and control levels were collected. Asthmatic children (6-18 yr) with at least a 1-yr follow-up seen during a 1-month period with scheduled or unscheduled visits were included. The survey included a questionnaire-guided interview and retrospective evaluation of files. Cost and its determinants during the last year were analyzed. A total of 618 children from 12 asthma centers were surveyed. The total annual cost of childhood asthma was US$1597.4 +/- 236.2 and there was a significant variation in costs between study centers (p < 0.05). Frequent physician visits [odds ratio (95% confidence intervals)] [2.3 (1.6-3.4)], hospitalization [1.9 (1.1-3.3)], asthma severity [1.6 (1.1-2.8)], and school absenteeism due to asthma [1.5 (1.1-2.1)] were major predictors of total annual costs (p < 0.05 for each). The comparable cost of asthma among Turkish children with that reported in developed countries suggests that interventions to decrease the economic burden of pediatric asthma should focus on the cost-effectiveness of anti-allergic household measures and on improving the control levels of asthma.