Vitamin D status in pubertal children.

BACKGROUND: Optimal vitamin D status has a great importance in puberty, which is a period of peak bone mineral acquisition. In this study, we aimed to assess the effect of pubertal period on vitamin D status. METHODS: The study included totally 200 healthy children, aged between 4 and 14 years. Group 1 included 100 prepubertal, children, aged between 4 and 8 years. Group 2 included 100 pubertal children, aged between 9 and 14 years. They had no chronic illnesses. Ages, heights, weights, genders, Body Mass Indexes (BMIs), socioeconomic and educational status of families were established. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) was evaluated using an immunoradiometric assay kit. Serum calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were measured. RESULTS: We determined that 25(OH)D levels were lower with higher PTH levels in the group aged 9 to 14 years (pubertal children), compared to the group aged 4 to 8 (prepubertal children). Gender, weight, height or BMI, family socioeconomic and education status did not affect serum 25(OH)D levels of children in each group. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency was more commonly seen in the pubertal children, compared to pre pubertal period. Children should be supported with vitamin D supplements during the puberty, which has a great importance for rapid increase in bone mass.

Viral etiological causes of febrile seizures for respiratory pathogens (EFES Study).

BACKGROUND: Febrile seizure is the most common childhood neurological disorder, is an important health problem with potential short- and long-term complications, also leading to economic burden and increased parental anxiety about fevers and seizures occurring in their children. There are no routine recommendation to detect etiological causes of FS for neurological perspective, further knowledge about the etiological causes of FS in children will support preventive measures and follow-up strategies. The aim of this study is to evaluate the percentage of respiratory viruses in children with FS. METHODS: This prospective multicenter study, entitled "Viral etiological causes of febrile seizures for respiratory pathogens (EFES Study)" examined representative populations in eight different cities in Turkey between March 1, 2016 and April 1, 2017. Nasopharyngeal swabs were taken from all children at presentation. A respiratory multiplex array was performed to detect for influenza A and B; respiratory syncytial virus A and B; human parainfluenza virus 1-2-3 and 4; human coronavirus 229E and OC43; human rhinovirus; human enterovirus; human adenovirus; human bocavirus; human metapneumovirus. RESULTS: During the study period, at least one virus was detected in 82.7% (144/174) of children with FS. The most frequently detected virus was adenovirus, followed by influenza A and influenza B. Detection of more than one virus was present in 58.3% of the children with FS, and the most common co-existence was the presence of adenovirus and influenza B. In children younger than 12 months, Coronavirus OC43 was the most common, while influenza A was most frequently observed in children older than 48 months (p < 0.05). Human bocavirus was common in children who experienced complex FS, while respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) A was more common in children who experienced simple FS. Influenza B virus was the most common virus identified in children who were experiencing their first incidence of FS (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that respiratory viruses are important in the etiology of FS in children. The results show that antibiotics must be prescribed carefully in children with FS since the majority of cases are related to viral causes. Widespread use of the existing quadrivalent influenza vaccine might be useful for the prevention of FS related to the flu. Further vaccine candidates for potential respiratory pathogens, including RSV, might be helpful for the prevention of FS.

Carotid intima media thickness in obese children: is there an association with hyperlipidemia?

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the association between hyperlipidemia and carotid intima media thickness in obese children, compared to non-obese ones. METHODS: Two hundred (110 girls, 90 boys) children aged between 6 and 15 years participated in this study. The obese group included 53 girls, 47 boys whose body mass indices (BMI) above 95th percentile, the control group included 57 girls, 43 boys who had normal weight. Fasting total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were measured. Carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) was performed with neck ultrasound. RESULTS: The median thickness of right, left and mean carotis intima media were statistically higher in the study group, compared to the control group. The mean cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C, LDL-C levels of the study group were statistically higher, compared to the control group. There was no relationship between BMI and left carotis intima media thickness, but there was statistically significant relationship between BMI and right, mean cIMTs in the study group. There was no correlation between serum lipid levels and cIMTs in the study group. The mean atherogenic index of the study group was statistically higher, compared to the control group. There was no statistical correlation between atherogenic index and cIMTs in both of the groups. CONCLUSIONS: We observed that obese children had higher carotis intima media thicknesses. Carotis intima media thickness related to obesity can play an important role in future pre-atherosclerotic changes. Large population based studies are required to confirm this associaton.

Giant Condyloma Acuminate Due to Human Papillomavirus Type 16 in an Infant Successfully Treated with Topical Imiquimod Therapy.

Anogenital warts related to human papillomavirus (HPV) have been observed in children. Definition of the transmission mode, therapy, and follow-up for long term potential complications is important. A 27-month old girl was admitted with multiple pedunculated red-purple colored cauliflower-like lesions of 1.5 years duration. Clinical/histopathological and microbiological diagnosis was condyloma acuminate due to HPV type 16. After 12 weeks of imiquimod 5% cream application (pea-sized) overnight three times per week, the perianal warts had completely disappeared. The mode of transmission of HPV 16 in our case was probably horizontal, related to the sharing of common personal hygiene items in the women's shelter. We report herein the case of an infant living in a women's shelter with giant condyloma acuminata due to HPV 16, which was successfully treated with topical imiquimod therapy. This patient should be followed up for recurrence and potential malignant lesions related to HPV type 16.

The effects of combination treatment with a long-acting beta2-agonist and a corticosteroid on salivary flow rate, secretory immunoglobulin A, and oral health in children and adolescents with moderate asthma: a 1-month, single-blind clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a common chronic disorder of childhood, and it is frequently accompanied by dental and other oral abnormalities. As such, oral and dental effects of asthma medications have been investigated in several studies. However, the effect of combination therapy with a long-acting beta(2)-agonist and a corticosteroid on oral health in children and adolescents has not been reported in the literature. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine whether combination treatment with a long-acting beta(2)-agonist (salmeterol) and a corticosteroid (fluticasone propionate) administered by dry powder inhaler (DPI) affects oral health in children and adolescents with moderate asthma. METHODS: This 1-month, single-blind clinical study was conducted at the Department of Periodontology, Ondokuz Mayis University Faculty of Dentistry, Samsun, Turkey. Male and female children and adolescents aged 7 to 17 years with moderate persistent asthma, as classified by the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines, were studied before and after 1 month of treatment with combination salmeterol 50 microg and fluticasone propionate 100 mug administered by DPI BID. Salivary flow rate and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) level were measured, and periodontal health was assessed by gingival and dental plaque indices for buccal surfaces and periodontal pocket depth. RESULTS: The study enrolled 15 children and adolescents (8 girls, 7 boys; mean [SD] age, 11 years [45 months]; median age, 13 years; [range, 7-17 years]). At 1 month, mean sIgA, gingival index, buccal surface index, gingival index, dental plaque index, and periodontal pocket depth were not changed significantly from baseline, whereas mean (SD) salivary flow rate was significantly decreased (from 153.21 [39.29] to 113.16 [46.99] microL/5 s; P = 0.015) and dental plaque index on the buccal surface was significantly increased (from 1.43 [0.63] to 1.61 [0.67]; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In this small study, combination treatment with salmeterol 50 microg and fluticasone propionate 100 microg inhaled twice daily was associated with changes in oral health among these children and adolescents with moderate asthma. Regular follow-up of oral health status may be warranted in children and adolescents during long-term use of a long-acting beta2-agonist and a corticosteroid.