Pediatric Varicella-related Hospitalization in Turkey Between 2008 and 2018: Impact of Universal Single Dose Varicella Vaccine (VARICOMP Study).

BACKGROUND: A single-dose varicella vaccine at 12 months of age was introduced to the National Immunization Program in February 2013 in Turkey. This study aimed to evaluate varicella-related hospitalization in children and the impact of a single-dose live attenuated varicella vaccine over the first 5.5 years of introducing a universal varicella vaccination. METHODS: We analyzed data collected from the medical records of children <18 years old who required hospitalization due to varicella in 17 cities representing 50% of the childhood population in Turkey between 2008 and 2018. We calculated the rate of hospitalization for varicella per 100,000 children during the study period. The main objective of this study was to determine the yearly rate of hospitalization due to varicella and to compare these rates in the pre-vaccine and post-vaccine periods. The secondary objective was to compare demographic features, varicella-related complications, and outcomes between the pre-vaccine and post-vaccine periods. RESULTS: A total of 4373 children (2458 boys and 1915 girls; 72.3% previously healthy) were hospitalized for varicella over a 10-year period, including 2139 children during the pre-vaccine period and 2234 children during the post-vaccine period. Overall, varicella hospitalization rates decreased significantly after the introduction of varicella vaccination [pre-vaccine vs. post-vaccine period; 3.79 vs. 2.87 per 100,000 per year; P < 0.001; odds ratio 0.75; 95% confidence interval 0.64-0.88]. The incidence of varicella-related hospitalization among children between 1 and 5 years of age was significantly lower in the post-vaccine era than in the pre-vaccine era, with a 60.2% decrease in hospitalizations (2.43 vs. 6.12 per 100,000 children; P < 0.001, odds ratio 0.39; 95% confidence interval 0.34-0.46). In both the <1-year and 6- to 10-year age groups, the incidence of varicella-related hospitalizations was similar in the pre-vaccine and post-vaccine periods. The incidence of varicella-related hospitalization was higher in the post-vaccine era among 11-15 years and >15-year-old groups (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). The mean age was higher during the post-vaccine period than during the pre-vaccine period (P < 0.001). The absolute number of secondary bacterial infections (P < 0.01), respiratory complications (P < 0.01), and neurological complications (P < 0.001) was significantly lower during the post-vaccine period. The incidence of severe varicella was lower during the post-vaccine period than during the pre-vaccine period (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: After 5.5 years of routine single-dose varicella vaccine use, we observed the impact of varicella vaccination on the incidence of varicella-related hospitalizations, especially in the target age group. However, we did not observe herd protection in the other age groups. The implementation of a second dose of the varicella vaccine in the National Immunization Program would help control disease activity.

Adolescents With Breakthrough COVID-19 Infections Requiring Hospitalization: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Background Vaccines have the most important role in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. With the widespread use of vaccines, COVID-19 has remarkably declined. Adolescents were vaccinated after approvals for this age group, which was later than adults, and a nationwide vaccination program was implemented in August 2021 in Turkey for adolescents ≥12 years of age. Therefore, we aimed to determine the effects of the COVID-19 nationwide adolescent vaccination program on adolescent hospitalizations due to COVID-19 and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) by comparing two periods, including the vaccination period (VP) and the pre-VP (PVP). The second aim of this study is to compare the clinical features and disease severity of vaccine-breakthrough COVID-19 hospitalizations with unvaccinated individuals in the VP. Methods A retrospective multicenter study was conducted to determine and compare the number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 and MIS-C between the VP (September 1, 2021, to August 31, 2022) and PVP (September 1, 2020, to August 31, 2021). We also compared the characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes of breakthrough infections of adolescents aged 12-18, which required hospitalization with the same age group of unvaccinated hospitalized individuals during the VP. Results During the study period, 3967 children (0-18 years) were hospitalized in the PVP and 5143 (0-18 years) in the VP. Of them, 35.4% were adolescents (12-18 years) in the PVP, and this rate was 18.6% in the VP; relative risk was 0.6467 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.6058-0.6904; p < 0.001). Patients with breakthrough COVID-19 were older (201 vs. 175 months, p < 0.001) and less commonly hospitalized for COVID-19 (81.5% vs. 60.4%, p < 0.001, odds ratio [OR]: 0.347 [95% CI: 0.184-0.654]). The majority of these infections were asymptomatic and mild (32% vs.72.9%: p < 0.001, OR: 5.718 [95% CI: 2.920-11.200]), and PICU admission was less frequently required (p = 0.011, OR: 0.188 [95% CI: 0.045-0.793]). Most breakthrough COVID-19 infections occurred within three months after the last vaccine dose (54.2%). Conclusions This study demonstrated a significant decrease in adolescent hospitalizations due to COVID-19 and MIS-C after implementing COVID-19 vaccines in Turkey. Breakthrough cases were less severe and mostly occurred three months after the last dose. This study emphasizes the importance of COVID-19 vaccines and that parents' decisions may be changed, particularly those who hesitate to or refuse vaccination.

COVID-19 in hospitalized infants aged under 3 months: multi-center experiences across Turkey.

To investigate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in infants aged 0 to 3 months because there is currently a significant gap in the literature on the subject. A cross-sectional study was conducted with the involvement of 19 medical centers across Turkey and 570 infants. The majority of the patients were male (58.2%), and the three most common symptoms were fever (78.2%), cough (44.6%), and feeding intolerance (39.9%). The results showed that a small percentage of infants had positive blood (0.9%) or urine cultures (10.2%). Most infants presented with fever (78.2%). Children without underlying conditions (UCs) had mostly a complicated respiratory course and a normal chest radiography. Significant more positive urine culture rates were observed in infants with fever. A higher incidence of respiratory support requirements and abnormal chest findings were seen in infants with chronic conditions. These infants also had a longer hospital stay than those without chronic conditions.  Conclusions: Our study discloses the clinical observations and accompanying bacterial infections found in infants aged under 3 months with COVID-19. These findings can shed light on COVID-19 in infancy for physicians because there is limited clinical evidence available. What is Known: • COVID-19 in infants and older children has been seen more mildly than in adults. • The most common symptoms of COVID-19 in infants are fever and cough, as in older children and adults. COVID-19 should be one of the differential diagnoses in infants with fever. What is New: • Although most infants under three months had fever, the clinical course was uneventful and respiratory complications were rarely observed in healthy children. • Infants with underlying conditions had more frequent respiratory support and abnormal chest radiography and stayed longer in the hospital.

A snapshot of pediatric inpatients and outpatients with COVID-19: a point prevalence study from Turkey.

This multi-center point prevalence study evaluated children who were diagnosed as having coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). On February 2nd, 2022, inpatients and outpatients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were included in the study from 12 cities and 24 centers in Turkey. Of 8605 patients on February 2nd, 2022, in participating centers, 706 (8.2%) had COVID-19. The median age of the 706 patients was 92.50 months, 53.4% were female, and 76.7% were inpatients. The three most common symptoms of the patients with COVID-19 were fever (56.6%), cough (41.3%), and fatigue (27.5%). The three most common underlying chronic diseases (UCDs) were asthma (3.4%), neurologic disorders (3.3%), and obesity (2.6%). The SARS-CoV-2-related pneumoniae rate was 10.7%. The COVID-19 vaccination rate was 12.5% in all patients. Among patients aged over 12 years with access to the vaccine given by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health, the vaccination rate was 38.7%. Patients with UCDs presented with dyspnea and pneumoniae more frequently than those without UCDs (p < 0.001 for both). The rates of fever, diarrhea, and pneumoniae were higher in patients without COVID-19 vaccinations (p = 0.001, p = 0.012, and p = 0.027).  Conclusion: To lessen the effects of the disease, all eligible children should receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The illness may specifically endanger children with UCDs. What is Known: • Children with COVID-19 mainly present with fever and cough, as in adults. • COVID-19 may specifically threaten children with underlying chronic diseases. What is New: • Children with obesity have a higher vaccination rate against COVID-19 than children without obesity. • Among unvaccinated children, fever and pneumoniae might be seen at a higher ratio than among vaccinated children.

Use of procalcitonin as a biomarker for sepsis in pediatric burns.

Infection and sepsis continue to be the leading cause of morbidity and death in burn injuries. Diagnosing sepsis in burns is challenging as signs and symptoms of sepsis are not specific and overlap with those related to the burn injury. While the use of procalcitonin (PCT) as a biomarker is recommended for diagnosing sepsis in burns, evidence for children with burns is scarce. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of PCT in distinguishing sepsis in pediatric burns. A prospective observational study was conducted in a single pediatric burn unit. Children hospitalized with burns ≤ 30% of total body surface area were included while patients with chemical burn, inhalation injury, or concomitant chronic diseases were excluded. Patients were classified into three groups for sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), or controls using the American Burn Association (ABA) criteria. The predictive role of C-reactive protein (CRP) and PCT was investigated for distinguishing sepsis. Seventy-two patients were included in the study. The median total body surface area (TBSA) size was 12% (2.0-28.5%), and the median abbreviated burn severity index (ABSI) score was 3 (2-7). The median length of burn unit stay was 9.5 days (1-59 days). Sepsis was diagnosed in 11 patients (15.2%), and SIRS was present in 23 patients (40.0%), whereas 38 patients (52.8%) had neither SIRS nor sepsis (control group). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that CRP and PCT levels distinguished sepsis patients from non-sepsis patients while PCT had a higher positive predictive value (50.0% vs. 45.0%). Optimal cutoff values of CRP and PCT for distinguishing sepsis were 66.75 mg/L and 0.95 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS: PCT levels could distinguish sepsis in children with burn injuries, performing better than CRP levels. Confirmatory studies are needed to evaluate the development of sepsis and the role of PCT in diagnosing sepsis in pediatric burn patients. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Even though there are excellent criteria for the diagnosis of infection and sepsis in children and several clinical parameters and biomarkers are being studied, it's difficult to diagnose burn wound sepsis in children. WHAT IS NEW: • Data from this study showed that procalcitonin levels performed better than CRP levels as a biomarker for distinguishing sepsis from systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in children with burn injuries.

OCT and OCTA evaluation of vascular and morphological structures in the retina in recovered pediatric patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Using OCT and OCTA imaging, we aimed to determine whether COVID-19 induces pathological changes in vascular and morphological structures in the pediatric retina. METHODS: The current prospective, cross-sectional, observational clinical study included recovered pediatric patients with COVID-19 evaluated between May 2020 and June 2020. Retinal vascular (radial peripapillary, superficial, and deep capillary plexus vessel densities) and morphological (peripapillary retinal nerve fiber, ganglion cell layer, retinal, and choroidal thickness) in the optic disk and macula regions were quantitively assessed using OCT and OCTA. Data were compared between COVID-19 patients and age-matched controls. RESULTS: The COVID-19 group included 32 eyes of 16 patients and the control group included 32 eyes of 16 cases. Fundus and biomicroscopic examinations revealed no signs of pathology in the COVID-19 group. Mean peripapillary retinal nerve fiber, ganglion cell layer, and choroidal thickness values were significantly greater in the COVID-19 group than in the control group (p<0.05). OCTA indicated that mean superficial and deep capillary plexus vessel densities, and choriocapillaris flow area values were significantly lower in the COVID-19 group than in the control group, whereas mean radial peripapillary capillary plexus vessel density values were significantly higher (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Even if fundus examination results appear normal in pediatric patients with COVID-19, vascular and morphological changes may be observed in the retina. Further studies with larger numbers of patients are needed to elucidate the clinical significance of vascular and morphological changes in this population.

Evaluation of vaccination status of health care workers for recommended vaccines and their acceptance of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

INTRODUCTION: Health care workers (HCWs) are disproportionately exposed to infectious diseases and play a role in nosocomial transmission, making them a key demographic for vaccination. HCW vaccination rates are not optimal in many countries; hence, compulsory vaccination policies have been implemented in some countries. Although these policies are effective and necessary under certain conditions, resolving HCWs' hesitancies and misconceptions about vaccines is crucial. HCWs have the advantage of direct contact with patients; hence, they can respond to safety concerns, explain the benefits of vaccination, and counter antivaccine campaigns that escalate during pandemics, as has been observed with COVID-19. METHOD: A short survey was carried out in May-June 2020 on the vaccination status of HCWs working with pediatric patients with COVID-19. The survey inquired about their vaccination status (mumps/measles/rubella [MMR], varicella, influenza, and diphtheria/tetanus [dT]) and willingness to receive hypothetical future COVID-19 vaccines. The respondents were grouped according to gender, age, occupation, and region. RESULTS: In total, 4927 HCWs responded to the survey. Most were young, healthy adults. The overall vaccination rates were 57.8% for dT in the past 10 years, 44.5% for MMR, 33.2% for varicella, and 13.5% for influenza. Vaccination rates were the highest among physicians. The majority of HCWs (81%) stated that they would be willing to receive COVID-19 vaccines. CONCLUSION: Although vaccination rates for well-established vaccines were low, a majority of HCWs were willing to receive COVID-19 vaccines when available. Education and administrative trust should be enhanced to increase vaccination rates among HCWs.

Pediatric Patients with COVID-19: A Retrospective Single-Center Experience.

Objectives: The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still effective all over the world. Compared to adults, data on pediatric patients are limited. In this study, we aimed to retrospectively examine the demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of pediatric patients who were followed up with the diagnosis of COVID-19 in the first 3 months of the pandemic in our hospital. Methods: A total of 190 patients, aged 1 month-18 years, who were followed up with a definite/probable diagnosis of COVID-19, who were treated in the Pediatric Infection Clinic, were included in the study. The demographic features, clinical characteristics, and laboratory findings of the patients were retrospectively analyzed from their electronic medical records. Results: Eighty (42.1%) of the patients were laboratory confirmed (Polymerase chain reaction positive in nasopharyngeal swab). Mean age was 72 (2-216 months) and 102 (53.7%) patients were female. Family contact history was present in 115 (60.5%) patients. The patients were classified as asymptomatic (5.8%), mild (73.2%), moderate (18.4%), and severe/critical (2.6%) according to the severity of the disease. The most common symptoms were cough (71.1%) and fever (51.1%). Hydroxychloroquine alone or in combination was the most commonly used agent. Conclusion: In our study, in which we examined the pediatric COVID-19 patients, most of the patients had a mild clinical course, but there were applications with different clinical pictures such as acute appendicitis. Therefore, COVID-19 infection, which is still very unknown, will continue to surprise us with both changing treatment protocols and clinical presentations such as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children.

SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity among pediatric health care personnel after the first peak of the pandemic: nationwide surveillance in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Understanding SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among health care personnel is important to explore risk factors for transmission, develop elimination strategies and form a view on the necessity and frequency of surveillance in the future. METHODS: We enrolled 4927 health care personnel working in pediatric units at 32 hospitals from 7 different regions of Turkey in a study to determine SARS Co-V-2 seroprevalence after the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. A point of care serologic lateral flow rapid test kit for immunoglobulin (Ig)M/IgG was used. Seroprevalence and its association with demographic characteristics and possible risk factors were analyzed. RESULTS: SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity prevalence in health care personnel tested was 6.1%. Seropositivity was more common among those who did not universally wear protective masks (10.6% vs 6.1%). Having a COVID-19-positive co-worker increased the likelihood of infection. The least and the most experienced personnel were more likely to be infected. Most of the seropositive health care personnel (68.0%) did not suspect that they had previously had COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: Health surveillance for health care personnel involving routine point-of-care nucleic acid testing and monitoring personal protective equipment adherence are suggested as important strategies to protect health care personnel from COVID-19 and reduce nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

Evaluation of Patients with Suspicion of COVID-19 in Pediatric Emergency Department.

OBJECTIVES: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have different clinical presentations in children. Most symptomatic children with suspicion of COVID-19 have fever and respiratory symptoms. In this retrospective study, we aimed to describe demographic features, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of confirmed and probable COVID-19 patients admitted to our pediatric emergency department (ED). METHODS: We identified 135 children (aged 1 month-18 years) with suspicion of the COVID-19 who were admitted to our ED between March 11 and May 12, 2020. The urgency of patients was evaluated according to their Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT) and Emergency Severity Index (ESI) scores. Patients were divided into two groups as confirmed cases (Group 1) and probable cases (Group 2). Clinical, laboratory, radiologic features, and the disease severity of patients were analyzed. RESULTS: According to PAT evaluation, 82 patients (65.6%) were non-urgent. The most frequent ESI triage category level was 3 (n=102, 76.1%). Forty-one (30.4%) patients were identified as laboratory-confirmed cases. Fifty-five (40.7%) patients were between 28 days and 4 years of age. Fever with cough was the most frequent symptoms at the onset of illness in COVID-19 positive patients (n=16, 39%). Sixty-four (47.4%) patients had mild disease and 40 (29.6%) patients had comorbidities. In Group 1, neutropenia was significantly higher than Group 2 (p=0.024). Mean procalcitonin and erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels of Group 2 were significantly higher than Group 1 (p=0.012 and p=0.028, respectively). Twenty-eight of 51 patients had chest computed tomography findings which were compatible with COVID-19. Fifty-one (37.8%) patients were discharged from ED, 81 (60%) were admitted to the ward, and 3 (2.2%) were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. CONCLUSION: During our study, we confirmed the diagnosis of 45 of 135 probable cases with the SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction test. Among confirmed COVID-19 cases, most of our patients had mild or moderate disease. The clinic of only confirmed three patients was classified as severe disease, and we had no critically ill patient.

Antibiotic Stewardship Program Experience in a Training and Research Hospital.

OBJECTIVES: Antibiotic Stewardship Programs (ASP) have been developed for the spread of rational antibiotic use. Our hospital is one of the first centers where ASP applications were launched in Turkey. In this study, we aimed to share our experience with ASP which has been applied in our hospital since 2013. METHODS: We adapted ASP to our hospital program from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's ASP checklist. Revisions on surgical prophylaxis guidelines and practices were performed. Surgical prophylaxis was evaluated from hospital infection surveillance and antibiotic usage by point prevalence surveys. Antibiotic consumption indexes (ACI) were calculated from hospital pharmacy records. Rapid antigen detection test (RADT) for Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus and influenza rapid antigen test were started to be used. Cumulative antibiotic susceptibility results were prepared annually. RESULTS: Surgical prophylaxis was started to be administered in the operating room within 60 min of incision. Third-generation cephalosporin usage for surgical prophylaxis could be restricted in all clinics but the duration could only be shortened in neurosurgery and general surgery. There was no statistically significant change in antibiotic usage rates and appropriateness between 2014 and 2018. ACI for the class J01 in adult wards was 80.5 daily defined doses (DDD) per 100 patient days in 2014 and reduced to 64.8 DDD per 100 patient days in 2018. 22.445 pediatric patients presenting with complaints of the upper respiratory tract were evaluated with RADT and 75.1% were treated without antibiotics. CONCLUSION: In this global antimicrobial resistance era, all hospitals should have motivated antimicrobial stewardship teams. Each hospital should establish its own stewardship program and often revise it. Improvement in rational antibiotic use is hard to achieve without multidisciplinary involvement.

Epidemiological, Clinical, and Laboratory Features of Children With COVID-19 in Turkey.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to identify the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted by pediatric infectious disease specialists from 32 different hospitals from all over Turkey by case record forms. Pediatric cases who were diagnosed as COVID-19 between March 16, 2020, and June 15, 2020 were included. Case characteristics including age, sex, dates of disease onset and diagnosis, family, and contact information were recorded. Clinical data, including the duration and severity of symptoms, were also collected. Laboratory parameters like biochemical tests and complete blood count, chest X-ray, and chest computed tomography (CT) were determined. Results: There were 1,156 confirmed pediatric COVID-19 cases. In total, male cases constituted 50.3% (n = 582) and females constituted 49.7% (n = 574). The median age of the confirmed cases was 10.75 years (4.5-14.6). Of the total cases, 90 were younger than 1 year of age (7.8%), 108 were 1-3 years of age (9.3%), 148 were 3-6 years of age (12.8%), 298 were 6-12 years of age (25.8%), 233 were 12-15 years of age (20.2%), and 268 cases were older than 15 years of age (23.2%). The most common symptom of the patients at the first visit was fever (50.4%) (n = 583) for a median of 2 days (IQR: 1-3 days). Fever was median at 38.4°C (38.0-38.7°C). The second most common symptom was cough (n = 543, 46.9%). The other common symptoms were sore throat (n = 143, 12.4%), myalgia (n = 141, 12.2%), dyspnea (n = 118, 10.2%), diarrhea (n = 112, 9.7%), stomachache (n = 71, 6.1%), and nasal discharge (n = 63, 5.4%). When patients were classified according to disease severity, 263 (22.7%) patients were asymptomatic, 668 (57.7%) patients had mild disease, 209 (18.1%) had moderate disease, and 16 (1.5%) cases had severe disease. One hundred and forty-nine (12.9%) cases had underlying diseases among the total cases; 56% of the patients who had severe disease had an underlying condition (p < 0.01). The need for hospitalization did not differ between patients who had an underlying condition and those who do not have (p = 0.38), but the need for intensive care was higher in patients who had an underlying condition (p < 0.01). Forty-seven (31.5%) of the cases having underlying conditions had asthma or lung disease (38 of them had asthma). Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the largest pediatric data about confirmed COVID-19 cases. Children from all ages appear to be susceptible to COVID-19, and there is a significant difference in symptomatology and laboratory findings by means of age distribution.

Multicenter prospective surveillance study of viral agents causing meningoencephalitis.

The frequency of bacterial factors causing central nervous system infections has decreased as a result of the development of our national immunization program. In this study, it is aimed to obtain the data of our local surveillance by defining the viral etiology in cases diagnosed with meningoencephalitis for 1 year. Previously healhty 186 children, who applied with findings suggesting viral meningoencephalitis to 8 different tertiary health centers between August 2018 and August 2019, in Istanbul, were included. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction. The M:F ratio was 1.24 in the patient group, whose age ranged from 1 to 216 months (mean 40.2 ± 48.7). Viral factor was detected in 26.8%. Enterovirus was the most common agent (24%) and followed by Adenovirus (22%) and HHV type 6 (22%). In the rest of the samples revealed HHV type 7 (10%), EBV (6%), CMV (6%), HSV type 1 (6%), Parvovirus (4%) and VZV (2%). The most common symptoms were fever (79%) and convulsions (45.7%). Antibiotherapy and antiviral therapy was started 48.6% and 4% respectively. Mortality and sequela rate resulted 0.53% and 3.7%, respectively. This highlights the importance of monitoring trends in encephalitis in Turkey with aview to improving pathogen diagnosis for encephalitis and rapidly identifying novel emerging encephalitis-causing pathogens that demand public health action especially in national immunisation programme.

The role of intraventricular antibiotic therapy in the treatment of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt infection in children.

BACKGROUND: In this study, the effectiveness of intraventricular (IVT) antibiotic administration was evaluated in the treatment of ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunt infection by comparing patients who received only systemic antibiotic treatment with patients who received antibiotics added to systemic therapy by IVT route. METHODS: From July 2009 to July 2019, 78 shunt infection episodes of 74 pediatric patients with bacterial growth in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture who were treated with the diagnosis of VP shunt infection were retrospectively analyzed. The demographic data, clinical and laboratory parameters, antimicrobial management, and treatment outcomes of patients with VP shunt infections were recorded. RESULTS: Thirty-eight of 78 shunt episodes received only systemic antibiotic treatment, and 40 had received IV plus IVT treatment. The mean age of the entire patient group was 16.7±21.3 months (range, 1 to 95 months). There was no significant difference between the two treatment groups in terms of mean age. The most common microorganism grown in CSF culture was coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. However, in the group that received IV plus IVT treatment, gram-negative bacteria were predominant (42.1% versus 20%), and this group had carbapenem-resistant and ESBL positive gram-negative bacteria growth. In the duration of CSF sterilization, hospital stay was statistically significantly shorter in the group receiving IV plus IVT treatment (p=0.000, p=0.000, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that IVT administration of antibiotics shortens the duration of CSF sterilization, duration of antibiotic use, and the duration of hospital stay. For the treatment of VP shunt infection, the usage of IVT treatment in a particular group of a pediatric age is promising. However, further efforts should be done for supporting the current results by randomized controlled studies.

Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome Associated with Fecal Contamination: A Case Report. / Fekal Kontaminasyon ile Ortaya Çikan Munchausen by Proxy Sendromu: Bir Olgu Sunumu.

Factitious disorder imposed on another, also known as Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSBP), is a serious form of child abuse that is difficult to diagnose. In general, signs and symptoms are fabricated or produced by the mother or the caregiver. Delay in diagnosis may cause serious morbidity and mortality. Here, we present the case of an 18-month-old boy who was admitted to the Paediatric Infection Clinic with a diagnosis of acute gastroenteritis. When on intravenous fluid therapy, he developed high fever and subsequently, polymicrobial growth was determined in his blood. He was later diagnosed with MSBP. Despite being a rare condition, MSBP is a disorder that is often overlooked and may have fatal outcomes. Early diagnosis is very important in this disorder, which is considerably difficult to diagnose. In suspected cases, interdisciplinary team work is necessary to prevent adverse consequences.

Comparison of non-burn-specific systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria and burn-specific American Burn Association systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria in paediatric burned patients.

AIM: We aim to investigate the diagnostic value of newly defined criteria for the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) for paediatric burn patients by the American Burn Association (ABA) by comparing the non-burn-specific SIRS criteria for children. METHODS: A total of 147 paediatric burn patients were included in this study. Patients diagnosed with sepsis were included in the sepsis group. Clinical parameters were obtained from the electronic medical records at the time of preliminary sepsis diagnosis. Both the non-burn-specific SIRS criteria and the burn-specific ABA SIRS criteria were applied to both the sepsis group and the non-sepsis group. RESULTS: Of 147 patients, 50 had sepsis according to the non-burn-specific sepsis criteria. When the 50-patient sepsis group was compared to the 97-patient non-sepsis group, the sepsis group had a significantly higher duration of hospitalisation, burn percentage, burn state and abbreviated burn scoring index (ABSI) (P < 0.05). The specificity of the two scales was 29.9% for the non-burn-specific SIRS and 74.2% for the burn-specific ABA SIRS. The sensitivity for the burn-specific ABA SIRS was calculated as 58%, the sensitivity for the non-burn-specific SIRS was 100%. While positive predictive value was calculated as 42.4% for the non-burn-specific SIRS, this value was found as 53.7% for the burn-specific ABA SIRS criteria. The correlation coefficient between the non-burn-specific SIRS and the burn-specific ABA SIRS was 0.378 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study underlines the need for widespread use of more specific and sensitive burn-specific clinical criteria to early diagnosis of infection in burn patients to prevent unnecessary antibiotic usage.

Evaluation of QuantiFERON tuberculosis Gold In-Tube assay for diagnosis of active tuberculosis in children.

AIM: Tuberculin skin test (TST) is still used in diagnostic algorithms of childhood tuberculosis (TB). QuantiFERON TB Gold In-Tube assay (QFT-GIT) is an alternative test to TST based on the detection of interferon-gamma release upon in vitro induction of peripheral mononuclear cells by TB antigens. In this study, we aimed to determine the diagnostic value and performance of QFT-GIT for active childhood TB. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted between January 2005 and December 2011 in three referral hospitals in Turkey with 124 children who were diagnosed with definite active TB. Sensitivity values of TST and QFT-GIT were determined by accepting the microbiological confirmation as the gold standard of diagnosis of TB. RESULTS: In our study, sensitivity of QFT-GIT and TST was found to be 65 and 66% respectively. However, combined usage of QFT-GIT and TST was found to be more sensitive (85%) than TST or QFT-GIT alone (P < 0.0001). Although negative results of QFT-GIT or TST did not exclude the diagnosis of active TB in children, their positivity supported the diagnosis. Specificity could not be measured as only microbiologically confirmed cases of Mycobacterium tuberculosis disease were enrolled in the study. CONCLUSION: Although sensitivities of TST and QFT-GIT are too low to exclude active TB, their positivity supports diagnosis of active TB in children concomitant with signs and symptoms. QFT-GIT and TST should be used together to enhance diagnostic sensitivity and could help exclude a diagnosis of TB if the pretest probability is low.

Intraventricular Plus Intravenous Tigecycline for the Treatment of Daptomycin Nonsusceptible Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci in an Infant with Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Infection.

BACKGROUND: Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt infection, which is 1 of the most important complications of VP shunt is observed at a rate of 4%-17%. Staphylococcus epidermidis is the most common causative agent. Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) is an increasingly common nosocomial pathogen that rarely causes central nervous system infections globally. Current treatment options that have shown appreciable activity against various VRE infections include daptomycin, linezolid, inquinupristin/dalfopristin, and tigecycline. Daptomycin has a particular mode of action and a potent bactericidal activity, making it a useful addition to the clinician's antibiotic collection. Global surveillance data indicate <1.0% rates of daptomycin resistance in enterococci. CASE DESCRIPTION: Here, we describe, to the best of our knowledge, the first case of successful intraventricular plus intravenous use of tigecycline to treat VP shunt infections caused by daptomycin resistant VRE faecium. CONCLUSION: Tigecycline is a life-saving option in the treatment of resistant nosocomial infections but it has not yet been approved for use and there are not enough data in terms of dose and side effects associated with its use in children.

Intravenous and Intraventricular Daptomycin Plus Intravenous Linezolid Treatment of an Infant with Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci-Induced Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Infection.

BACKGROUND: The rate of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt infection is reported between 3% and 20%. Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are increasingly prevalent nosocomial pathogens worldwide, and they rarely cause infections to the central nervous system. Daptomycin is a cyclic lipopeptide effective antibiotic because of its rapid bactericidal effect. It is a life-saving treatment option for meningitis, bacteremia, sepsis, endocarditis, and urinary system infections caused by VRE. CASE DESCRIPTION: Here, we present a 2.5-month-old infant boy with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection caused by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium. This is the first report of a pediatric VP shunt infection caused by VRE and treated with a combination of intravenous (IV) linezolid IV and intraventricular (IVT) daptomycin. CONCLUSION: The patient was admitted to the medical center with umbilical discharge, and shunt revision was applied with the thought of shunt dysfunction. Intermittent umbilical cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage continued, and the patient experienced a fever 2 weeks after the operation. VRE growth in his CSF culture was treated by meropenem and linezolid. Upon continuation of the growth afterwards, the patient was referred to our hospital and underwent extraventricular drainage, and IV linezolid, IV daptomycin (8 mg/kg per day), and IVT daptomycin (2.5 mg/kg per day) was scheduled as treatment. On the fifth day of treatment, there was no growth in the culture, and no side effects were observed during the treatment. A VP shunt was placed in the patient for the 15 days of IV daptomycin plus IVT treatment, and 36 days of linezolid. No infection was observed in the 8-month follow-up period.