Detection of Blastocystis Subtypes in Children with Functional Abdominal Pain and Celiac Disease in Çorum, Turkey.

Background: Blastocystis has been associated with various symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of Blastocystis in children with celiac disease (CeD) or functional abdominal pain (FAP) and to evaluate its subtypes (STs) with respect to demographic, socioeconomic and epidemiological factors. Methods: Overall, 161 fecal samples were collected from healthy children and patients with FAP or CeD in Hitit University Erol Olçok Research and Training Hospital, Corum, Turkey between 2016-2018. Samples were examined using both native-Lugol (NL) and trichrome-stained (TS) smears, and further analyses by PCR and Sanger sequencing were performed. A standard questionnaire was applied to obtain demographic, socioeconomic, epidemiological data. Results: Blastocystis was found in 10.6% of the total study population. Neither bacteria nor any other parasites were found, except for one Giardia (0.6%) in the CeD group. The presence/absence of the parasite was not found to be associated with demographic, socioeconomic and epidemiological factors. Blastocysis was detected in 11.5% (6/52) of the CeD, 7.7% (4/52) of the FAP, and 12.3% (7/57) of the healthy group. Diagnostic methods were similar in terms of Blastocystis detection (P= 0.671), and there was fair agreement between the NL, TS and PCR (Fleiss' Kappa=0.847, P=0.001). ST2 (42.8%) and ST3 (35.7%) were the predominant STs followed by ST1 (21.4%). Conclusion: We observed no difference between study groups in terms of Blastocystis prevalence. ST1, ST2 and ST3 subtypes were detected. Blastocystis prevalence and STs were not related to any of the demographic, socioeconomic and epidemiological factors.

Association of obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with the fecal calprotectin level in children.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: As the prevalence of obesity increased, obesity-related comorbidities such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) also increased. The aim of this study is to investigate the presence of intestinal inflammation by evaluating the faecal calprotectin (FC) level in children with obesity and NAFLD and to determine the factors affecting the FC level. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between August 2018 and November 2018, the FC levels of obese patients (Group 1a = NAFLD (n = 30) and 1b = without NAFLD (n = 30)) were prospectively compared to that of healthy children (Group 2, n = 20). Patients with BMI > 2 z-score were considered obese. NAFLD was identified with liver contrast and brightness on ultrasound. RESULTS: Of the patients included in this study, 50 were male (62.5%), with a mean age of 11.4 ± 3.1 years. The mean FC levels were 121.6 ± 24.8 µg/g (19.5-800) in Group 1 (Group 1a = 128.4 and Group 1b = 84.5) and 43.8 ± 25.4 µg/g (19.5-144) in Group 2. In comparison, the FC levels were higher in Group 1. This difference was more significant when compared with Group 1a than with Group 2 (p = 0.018 and p = 0.007, respectively). When the FC levels of Group 1 (above 50) were compared to lower levels, the weight, BMI, waist circumference and waist circumference/height values were significantly higher (p = 0.006, p = 0.028, p = 0.035 and p = 0.026, respectively). CONCLUSION: The FC level increased as a sign of intestinal inflammation in obese and NAFLD patients. This is directly proportional to the weight, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio. It is thought that FC, which is easily applicable and an inexpensive biomarker, can be used safely in demonstrating the presence of intestinal inflammation in obese children.

Celiac disease does not influence markers of ovarian reserve in adolescent girls.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to determine whether celiac disease affects ovarian reserve assessed by antral follicle counting, ovarian volume, and anti-müllerian hormone in adolescent patients. METHODS: This case-control multicenter trial was performed from January 1, 2017 to May 31, 2018 and included 45 girls. On days 2-5 of the menstrual cycle, measurements of serum follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, prolactin, and anti-müllerian hormone were performed. Antral follicle counts and ovarian volumes were determined on the same day. RESULTS: Evaluation was made of 21 (47.7%) celiac patients with a mean age of 15.8 ± 1.3 years, and 24 (52.3%) healthy control subjects with a mean age of 16.2 ± 1.2. There was no difference between the groups in respect of right and left ovarian volumes (p = 0.790 and p = 0.670, respectively). Serum levels of anti-müllerian hormone of the celiac patients and controls were found comparable [(3.7 ± 2.9 (0.5-12) and 3.6 ± 1.8 (1.2-8.1)] ng/mL, respectively, p = 0.915). CONCLUSIONS: Celiac disease may not affect the ovarian reserve determined with established ovarian reserve markers including antral follicle counting, ovarian volume, and anti-müllerian hormone in adolescent patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT04024449 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04024449.

Thiol-disulfide homeostasis in children with celiac disease.

BACKGROUND: Toxic gliadin peptide damages enterocytes in celiac disease by causing oxidative stress. Thiols are organic compounds that defend against oxidative stress. This study aimed to investigate the changes in thiol-disulfide homeostasis in children with celiac disease. METHODS: The study included patients with celiac disease, children diagnosed with functional gastrointestinal disorders, and healthy children. Patients' serum native and total thiol-disulfide amounts, disulfide/total thiol percentage ratios, disulfide / native thiol percentage ratios, and native thiol/total thiol percentage ratios were measured. RESULTS: The study involved 172 children, of whom 90 (52.3%) were girls. The mean participant age was 8.6 ± 4.2 years. A total of 59 (34.3%) children had celiac disease, 56 (32.6%) had functional gastrointestinal disorders, and 57 (33.1%) were healthy. The total thiol and disulfide levels of patients with celiac disease (305 ± 87 µmol/L and 25 ± 15 µmol/L, respectively) were significantly lower than those of healthy children (349 ± 82 µmol/L and 40 ± 15 µmol/L, respectively) (P = 0.006 and P < 0.001, respectively). Native and total thiol levels (226 ± 85 µmol/L and 279 ± 99 µmol/L, respectively) in patients with celiac disease who consumed a gluten-containing diet were significantly lower than those of patients who consumed a gluten-free diet (278 ± 64 µmol/L and 327 ± 69 µmol/L, respectively) (P = 0.017 and P = 0.041, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Thiol-disulfide homeostasis, an important antioxidant defense component of the gastrointestinal system, is disrupted in children with celiac disease. A gluten-free diet helped partially ameliorate this decline.

Evaluation of nasal mucociliary clearance time in children with celiac disease.

OBJECTIVES: Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that develops because of sensitivity to gluten-containing grains in genetically disposed individuals. Nasal mucociliary clearance is the most important protective factor that protects the upper and lower airways from foreign particulates. This study aimed to investigate the effect of celiac disease on nasal mucociliary clearance. METHODS: The study included patients with celiac disease and healthy children. Nasal mucociliary clearance time was measured using the saccharin test. The children's saccharin taste time was recorded in seconds. RESULTS: Overall, 65 children were included: 43 patients with celiac disease (66.2%) and 22 healthy children (33.8%). Of all the children, 42 (64.6%) were female, and the average age was 11.8 ± 4 years. Nasal mucociliary clearance time of patients with celiac disease (531 ± 155 s) was significantly prolonged in comparison to that of healthy children (448 ± 80 s) (p = 0.006). No relationships were found between the diagnosis age, celiac type, and histopathological phase and compliance with the gluten-free diet and nasal mucociliary clearance time of patients with celiac disease. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that nasal mucociliary clearance was prolonged in patients with celiac disease. A defect in nasal mucociliary clearance increases the risk of infection and inflammation in small airways. Studies reported a high prevalence of respiratory tract infection in patients with celiac disease, which was associated with malnutrition, vitamin deficiency, and hyposplenism. The findings of the present study indicated that impairment of nasal mucociliary clearance could play a role in the development of frequent lung infections in patients with celiac disease.

The evolution of celiac disease publications: a holistic approach with bibliometric analysis.

BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing number of publications on celiac disease, there is a lack of studies that made a holistic bibliometric evaluation of the studies on this topic. AIMS: The purpose of this study is to analyze the publications about celiac disease by using bibliometric methods and this way to demonstrate the celiac disease-related trends, top effective articles, journals, and international collaborations between the countries and institutions. METHODS: All articles published between 1980 and 2018 on celiac disease were downloaded from Web of Science and analyzed with bibliometric methods. The correlations between economic development and publication productivity of the countries were investigated with Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Linear regression analysis was used to estimate the number of publications and citations. RESULTS: The literature review showed that there were 6545 articles about celiac disease published between the years 1980 and 2018. The top productive country that produced most publications about celiac disease was the Italy. The most prolific journals were the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition and Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology. There was a moderate positive significant correlation between the number of publications and gross domestic product (r = 0.639, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the advanced research on the diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment of celiac disease, the global research level about the disease is low. Therefore, the international collaboration about the disease should not remain at only regional contexts; the exchange of knowledge and common studies especially in developing or underdeveloped countries should be supported in terms of prevalence and clinic studies.

Fecal calprotectin in children with familial Mediterranean fever in the attack-free period.

BACKGROUND: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by recurrent episodes of fever and serosal inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate fecal calprotectin (FC) in children with FMF during the non-attack period. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation was made of the data of a total 66 patients diagnosed with FMF in an attack-free period and without amyloidosis or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). FC level in the FMF patients was compared with that in the patients with IBD and healthy control subjects. RESULTS: The FMF patients consisted of 37 boys (56.1%) with a mean age of 10.1 ± 3.9 years. Mean FC was 192.5 µg/g (range, 19.5-800 µg/g) in the FMF group, 597.9 µg/g (range, 180-800 µg/g) in the IBD group, and 43.8 µg/g (range, 19.5-144 µg/g) in the control group. The FC level in the children with FMF was higher than in the control group (P < 0.001), and the FC level of the IBD patients was higher than both the FMF and the control groups (P = 0.020, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: FC was higher in FMF patients compared with healthy children even in the absence of IBD/amyloidosis. Even though colonoscopy is the gold standard in identifying intestinal inflammation in FMF patients, FC, a non-invasive and inexpensive method, can be used for screening. The presence of subclinical intestinal inflammation was also quantitatively identified in children with FMF.

Gallbladder Polyps: Rare Lesions in Childhood.

OBJECTIVE: Unlike adults, gallbladder polyps (GPs) are rare in childhood. The aim of this study was to evaluate patients with a GP diagnosis. METHODS: Patients who were diagnosed with GP via ultrasonography from October 2012 to October 2017 were retrospectively evaluated in terms of sociodemographic characteristics and laboratory findings. RESULTS: The study included 19 patients diagnosed with GP and followed up in our department. The patients comprised 14 (73.6%) girls with a mean age of 13.9 ±â€Š4.1 years and a mean follow-up period of 10.2 ±â€Š5.4 months (range, 3-26 months). The most common presenting symptom of the patients (n = 15, 78.9%) for ultrasonography was abdominal pain without biliary symptoms. Location of the polyps was in the corpus in 55% of patients, and either in the fundus (20%) or the neck of the gallbladder (25%). The average diameter of the polyps was 4.5 ±â€Š1.6 mm (range, 2-9 mm). Multiple polyps were observed in 3 patients. No significant change in the number or size of polyps was noted at the end of the follow-up periods. Cholecystectomy was applied to 1 patient who had >5 polyps with a rapid increase in size, and the pathology report was hamartomatous polyp. There was no remarkable change in the clinical or laboratory findings of other patients during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: In this study, GPs could be seen in young children as young as 16 months of age and ultrasonography is sufficient for follow-up in stable and asymptomatic patients.

Nutritional status and related factors of schoolchildren in Çorum, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine nutritional status and related factors among schoolchildren in Çorum, Central Anatolia, Turkey. DESIGN: Schoolchildren's height and weight were measured to calculate BMI and BMI Z-scores. Height, weight and BMI Z-scores were analysed and nutritional status classified according to the WHO. SETTING: Central Anatolia, Turkey.ParticipantsSchoolchildren aged 5-17 years (n 1684) participated in study. RESULTS: Of children, 4·2% were stunted, 6·9% thin, 13·8% overweight and 6·6% were obese. Proportions of stunting, thinness and overweight/obesity were significantly higher in children aged >10 years (78·6, 75·0 and 64·9%, respectively) than in those aged ≤10 years (21·4, 25·0 and 35·1%, respectively; all P <0·001). Median (range) birth weight and breast-feeding duration in children with stunting (2750 (1400-3600)g; 10 (0-36) months) were significantly lower and shorter, respectively, than those of normal height (3200 (750-5500)g; 15 (0-72) months) and tall children (3500 (2500-4900)g; 18 (0-36) months; P <0·001, <0·001, 0·011 and 0·016, respectively). The same relationship was observed in thin children (3000 (1000-4500)g; 12 (0-36) months) compared with normal-weight (3200 (750-5500)g; 15 (0-72) months) and overweight/obese children (3300 (1200-5500)g; 16 (0-48) months; P=0·026, <0·001, 0·045 and 0·011, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Overweight and obesity are health problems that must be addressed in schoolchildren. Adolescents also have a risk of double malnutrition. Promoting normal birth weight and encouraging long duration of breast-feeding are important to support normal growth in children.

Prevalence of celiac disease among school-age children in Çorum, Turkey.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune enteropathy that develops in individuals with genetic susceptibility as a result of a permanent sensitivity to gluten found in grains. The prevalence of CD in Turkey is between 0.3% and 1%. However, the prevalence of CD in Çorum, a city in middle Anatolia in Turkey, is unknown. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of childhood CD in Çorum and to detect patients with silent and atypical CD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample size was calculated using a stratified sampling method, to provide the sample number that would best represent this population. Screenings were conducted using rapid tissue transglutaminase IgA test kits. RESULTS: A total of 1730 students were included in the study; 877 (50.6%) were female. Of students in the city center, 301 (34%) were in primary school, 299 (34%) were in secondary school, and 283 (32%) were in high school. As for towns, 847 (49%) students from 92 schools were included in the study. Eight children had positive screening results; 4 (50%) were female, and the average age was 11.6±3.4 (9-17) years. According to the celiac serology results and endoscopic duodenum biopsies, all children with positive screening results were diagnosed with CD. The prevalence of CD was found to be 0.46% in schoolchildren. CONCLUSION: Various studies in Turkey have reported a prevalence of CD between 0.6% and 0.9%, with 0.47% reported in a multicenter study. The present study identified CD prevalence as 0.46% (1 in 216) among children in Çorum, Turkey.

Efectos de la edad al momento del diagnóstico y cumplimiento de la dieta sobre los parámetros de crecimiento de los pacientes con celiaquía / Effects of age of diagnosis and dietary compliance on growth parameters of patients with celiac disease

Introducción. El objetivo fue evaluar la relación entre edad al diagnóstico y cumplimiento de dieta sin gluten (DSG) y su efecto sobre el crecimiento de niños celiácos y factores que influenciaron el cumplimiento de la DSG. Población y métodos. Se incluyeron pacientes celíacos con seguimiento en nuestro hospital entre enero 2015 a enero 2017. Se los clasificaron según edad al diagnóstico y cumplimiento de la DSG. Se compararon características antropométricas al diagnóstico y durante el seguimiento. Resultados. Participaron 73 pacientes con edad promedio de 10,4 ± 4,5 años; 35 (47,9%), los pacientes de talla baja al diagnóstico; eran mayores (7,8 ± 4,2 años) que los demás (5,1 ± 4,3 años de edad) (p= 0,005). Al diagnóstico, 33 (45,2%) pacientes tenían ≤6 años y 40 (54,8%) tenían >6 años. Los puntajes Z de estatura y peso a la edad >6 años eran significativamente menores que los diagnosticados a ≤6 años, en el diagnóstico (p= 0,01 y 0,04, respectivamente) como en el último control (p= 0,001 y 0,001, respectivamente). Tuvieron cumplimiento riguroso con DSG en 45 (61,6%) pacientes. Al comparar datos antropométricos , el aumento del índice de masa corporal (IMC) y del puntaje Z de peso en el grupo que cumplió la dieta fue significativamente mayor que en el otro grupo.Conclusiones. Demorar el diagnóstico de celiaquía afectó la estatura y peso. El cumplimiento de la DSG mejoró los parámetros de crecimiento, principalmente, el puntaje Z de peso y el IMC.

Introduction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relation between age at diagnosis and compliance to gluten free diet (GFD) on growth in children with celiac disease and the factors that influenced compliance to GFD. Population and Methods. Celiac disease (CD) patients with villous atrophy followed in our hospital between January 2015 and January 2017, were included. They were classified according to diagnosis age and GFD compliance. Patients' anthropometric characteristics at diagnosis and follow-up were compared. Results. There were 73 patients with 10.4 ± 4.5 years of average age, 35 (47.9%) patients had a short stature at diagnosis, the ages of patients who had short stature (7.8 ± 4.2 years) were higher than those who did not (5.1 ± 4.3 years) (p= 0.005). At diagnosis, 33 (45.2%) patients were aged ≤6 years, 40 (54.8%) were aged >6 years. The height and weight z-scores of patients who were diagnosed at >6 years of age were significantly lower than those who were diagnosed ≤6 years of age both at diagnosis (p= 0.01 and 0.04) and at last control (p= 0.001 and 0.001), respectively. Forty-five (61.6%) patients were fully compliant with GFD. In comparison of anthropometric data in terms of GFD compliance, the increase in BMI and weightz-score in the fully compliant group was found to be significantly higher when compared with the other group. Conclusions. Delay in CD diagnosis negatively affected both the height and weight and other growth parameters. GFD compliance positively affected the patients' all growth parameters, especially weight and BMI z-score.

Effects of age of diagnosis and dietary compliance on growth parameters of patients with celiac disease. / Efectos de la edad al momento del diagnóstico y cumplimiento de la dieta sobre los parámetros de crecimiento de los pacientes con celiaquía.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to evaluate the relation between age at diagnosis and compliance to gluten free diet (GFD) on growth in children with celiac disease and the factors that influenced compliance to GFD. POPULATION AND METHODS: Celiac disease (CD) patients with villous atrophy followed in our hospital between January 2015 and January 2017, were included. They were classified according to diagnosis age and GFD compliance. Patients' anthropometric characteristics at diagnosis and follow-up were compared. RESULTS: There were 73 patients with 10.4 ± 4.5 years of average age, 35 (47.9%) patients had a short stature at diagnosis, the ages of patients who had short stature (7.8 ± 4.2 years) were higher than those who did not (5.1 ± 4.3 years) (p= 0.005). At diagnosis, 33 (45.2%) patients were aged ≤6 years, 40 (54.8%) were aged >6 years. The height and weight z-scores of patients who were diagnosed at >6 years of age were significantly lower than those who were diagnosed ≤6 years of age both at diagnosis (p= 0.01 and 0.04) and at last control (p= 0.001 and 0.001), respectively. Forty-five (61.6%) patients were fully compliant with GFD. In comparison of anthropometric data in terms of GFD compliance, the increase in BMI and weight z-score in the fully compliant group was found to be significantly higher when compared with the other group. CONCLUSIONS: Delay in CD diagnosis negatively affected both the height and weight and other growth parameters. GFD compliance positively affected the patients' all growth parameters, especially weight and BMI z-score.

Introducción. El objetivo fue evaluar la relación entre edad al diagnóstico y cumplimiento de dieta sin gluten (DSG) y su efecto sobre el crecimiento de niños celiácos y factores que influenciaron el cumplimiento de la DSG. Población y métodos. Se incluyeron pacientes celíacos con seguimiento en nuestro hospital entre enero 2015 a enero 2017. Se los clasificaron según edad al diagnóstico y cumplimiento de la DSG. Se compararon características antropométricas al diagnóstico y durante el seguimiento. Resultados. Participaron 73 pacientes con edad promedio de 10,4 ± 4,5 años; 35 (47,9%), los pacientes de talla baja al diagnóstico; eran mayores (7,8 ± 4,2 años ) que los demás (5,1 ± 4,3 años de edad) (p= 0,005). Al diagnóstico, 33 (45,2%) pacientes tenían ≤6 años y 40 (54,8%) tenían >6 años. Los puntajes Z de estatura y peso a la edad >6 años eran significativamente menores que los diagnosticados a ≤6 años, en el diagnóstico (p= 0,01 y 0,04, respectivamente) como en el último control (p= 0,001 y 0,001, respectivamente). Tuvieron cumplimiento riguroso con DSG en 45 (61,6%) pacientes. Al comparar datos antropométricos , el aumento del índice de masa corporal (IMC) y del puntaje Z de peso en el grupo que cumplió la dieta fue significativamente mayor que en el otro grupo. Conclusiones. Demorar el diagnóstico de celiaquía afectó la estatura y peso. El cumplimiento de la DSG mejoró los parámetros de crecimiento , principalmente, el puntaje Z de peso y el IMC.

Retrospective analysis of children with α-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

BACKGROUND: α-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is the most frequently occurring genetic liver disorder. The association among classical α-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), chronic liver disease, and cirrhosis is common in adult patients but rare in children. AIM: To assess the clinical characteristics of children with AATD and to compare symptoms between homozygous and heterozygous children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 20 children who were found to have mutant Pi alleles. AAT phenotyping was conducted on patients with a low serum AAT level. The exclusion criteria included infectious, anatomic, and metabolic conditions. Symptoms on presentation, physical examination findings, laboratory values, liver biopsy results, and follow-up periods were recorded for each patient. RESULTS: The patients included six (30%) girls and 14 (70%) boys, with a mean age of 6.3±5.1 (1-16) years. The PiZZ phenotype was present in eight (40%) and PiMZ in 12 (60%) patients. The most frequent symptom was elevated liver function test results. Three patients were referred with neonatal cholestasis and one with compensated cirrhosis. Eight patients underwent liver biopsy; all patients except one had periodic acid-Schiff-positive diastase-resistant globules in the hepatocytes. The mean follow-up period was 34±33 (12-101) months. At the end of follow-up, all patients with PiZZ were found to have chronic hepatitis, and one with cirrhosis. On the contrary, two patients with PiMZ were found to have chronic hepatitis. CONCLUSION: Children with classical AATD commonly have chronic liver disease. In heterozygous (PiMZ) children with AATD, enzyme levels can normalize with occasional fluctuations, sometimes causing delayed diagnosis.

Lactose and Fructose Intolerance in Turkish Children with Chronic Abdominal Pain.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of lactose and fructose intolerance in children with chronic abdominal pain. METHODS: Hydrogen breath tests were done to detect lactose and fructose malabsorption in 86 children with chronic abdominal pain (44 irritable bowel syndrome, 24 functional abdominal pain and 17 functional abdominal pain syndrome as per Rome III criteria) presenting to a Pediatric Gastroentreology department. RESULTS: 14 (16.3%) of patients were diagnosed with lactose intolerance and 11 (12.8%) with fructose intolerance. CONCLUSION: Lactose and fructose intolerance in children can lead to chronic abdominal pain and symptoms improve with dietary modifications.

Assessment of Endothelial Dysfunction With Adhesion Molecules in Patients With Celiac Disease.

OBJECTIVES: Celiac disease (CD) is a systemic immune disorder. We assessed serum levels of adhesion molecules as a marker of endothelial dysfunction in patients with CD at first diagnosis and in those on a gluten-free diet. METHODS: Sixty-five patients with CD (mean age 6.74 ±â€Š4.6 years) and 51 age- and sex-matched control patients participated in the present case-controlled, prospective clinical study. Serum levels of vascular adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, endothelial selectin, vascular endothelial cadherin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and homocysteine levels were measured. RESULTS: Average soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 (CD vs control group: 1320 ±â€Š308 vs 1120 ±â€Š406 ng/mL, P = 0.006), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (336 ±â€Š99 vs 263 ±â€Š67 ng/mL, P = 0.025), and soluble endothelial selectin (113.9 ±â€Š70 vs 76.9 ±â€Š32 ng/mL, P = 0.007) levels were significantly higher in cases of newly diagnosed CD than in the control group. Soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 (1050 ±â€Š190 ng/mL) and soluble endothelial selectin (68.7 ±â€Š45 ng/mL) levels in patients with CD, who were fully compliant with a gluten-free diet, were significantly lower than that in those newly diagnosed as having CD (P = 0.003 and P = 0.0012, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These results show that serum adhesion molecule levels are higher in patients with CD. Some of the risks associated with endothelial dysfunction may be related to CD and these risks can be reduced with an appropriate and fully controlled diet.

Detection of gastroesophageal reflux in children with cerebral palsy using combined multichannel intraluminal impedance-ph procedure.

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a very common condition in children with neurological impairment and this can influence nutritional and respiratory outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of GER in children with cerebral palsy (CP) using multiple intraluminal impedance (MII)-pH monitoring. The use of combined MII-pH allows for the detection of both acid and non-acid reflux episodes. A total of 29 CP patients with symptoms suggesting GER, aged 2 to 10 years old, underwent 24-hour combined MII-pH monitoring. There were a total of 3899 reflux episodes, of which 29% were acid, 60% were weakly acid and 11% were alkaline. The number of non-acid reflux episodes was statistically significantly greater (p < 0.01). These findings confirm that GER disease is seen frequently in children with cerebral palsy and most of the reflux episodes are not acidic. Non-acid reflux can also influence the morbidity in patients with cerebral palsy. It can be concluded that 70% of the reflux episodes would not have been recognized by pH measurement alone.

Ascites and abdominal pseudocyst: two uncommon ventriculoperitoneal shunt complications in two cases.

Ascites and abdominal pseudocysts (APC) are two rare complications that can occur following placement of a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. Both complications are characterized by abnormal intraperitoneal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collections. Although various factors have been implicated, the exact pathogenesis of the two conditions remains elusive. This paper presents two cases of VP shunt placement resulting from hydrocephaly. The first patient presented with generalized ascites and the other with APC, both of whom were six years old. APC and ascites after VP shunt placement are rare and distinct conditions; therefore, they may require different management strategies.

The coexistence of thymic carcinoma and multiple granulomas in a Turkish child.

Thymic carcinoma, which is a thymic epithelial neoplasm with obvious cytologic atypia, is a rare neoplasm. The authors report on a 10-year-old boy who presented with respiratory distress due to bulky anterior mediastinal mass. Histological and immunohistochemical studies confirmed a lymphoepithelioma-like pattern thymic carcinoma. In addition, evaluation of the specimen showed foci of caseation and multiple granulomas with extensive central necrosis within the thymic tissue. The child received chemotherapy, followed by surgery and radiotherapy. To rule out difficulties of tuberculosis he also received antituberculosis therapy. Two years after cessation of treatment, he is still in remission for thymic carcinoma.

The association of cystic nephroma with pulmonary sequestration: is it a coincidence or not?

Cystic nephroma (CN) is a rare, presumably benign, multilocular cystic renal tumor. Pulmonary sequestration (PS) also presents as cystic masses of non-functioning primitive lung tissue. We describe a 15-month-old girl with CN and PS. Although some rare associations of renal and pulmonary lesions have been reported, this is the first case report in the English literature that shows the association of CN with PS.