Algorithm for the diagnosis and management of the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children associated with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: Although the initial reports of COVID-19 cases in children described that children were largely protected from severe manifestations, clusters of paediatric cases of severe systemic hyperinflammation and shock related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection began to be reported in the latter half of April 2020. A novel syndrome called "multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children" (MIS-C) shares common clinical features with other well-defined syndromes, including Kawasaki disease, toxic shock syndrome and secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome. Our objective was to develop a protocol for the evaluation, treatment and follow-up of patients with MIS-C. METHODS: The protocol was developed by a multidisciplinary team. We convened a multidisciplinary working group with representation from the departments of paediatric critical care, cardiology, rheumatology, surgery, gastroenterology, haematology, immunology, infectious disease and neurology. Our protocol and recommendations were based on the literature and our experiences with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. After an agreement was reached and the protocol was implemented, revisions were made on the basis of expert feedback. CONCLUSION: Children may experience acute cardiac decompensation or other organ system failure due to this severe inflammatory condition. Therefore, patients with severe symptoms of MIS-C should be managed in a paediatric intensive care setting, as rapid clinical deterioration may occur. Therapeutic approaches for MIS-C should be tailored depending on the patients' phenotypes. Plasmapheresis may be useful as a standard treatment to control hypercytokinemia in cases of MIS-C with severe symptoms. Long-term follow-up of patients with cardiac involvement is required to identify any sequelae of MIS-C.

The assessment of treatment outcomes in patients with acute viral myocarditis by speckle tracking and tissue Doppler methods.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to evaluate the role of tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), to identify myocardial dysfunction, and to evaluate myocardial segmental deformation in acute viral myocarditis. METHODS: Twenty-one patients and twelve healthy children were studied prospectively. The TDI and STE were performed before and after treatment. The myocardial velocities (Sm , Em , and Am ) and time intervals (isovolumic contraction, isovolumic relaxation, and ejection times [ET]) at interventricular septum (IVS), left, and right ventricular basal segments were examined by TDI. The left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) and strain rate (LVGLSR), left ventricular global circumferential strain (LVGCS) and strain rate (LVGCSR), and right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RVGLS) and strain rate (RVGLSR) were examined by STE. RESULTS: Sm and Em at IVS and at LV, ET at IVS, ET at RV, ET at LV were significantly lower in patients before treatment than controls. LVGLS, LVGLSR, LVGCS, LVGCSR, RVGLS, RVGLSR were significantly decreased in patients before treatment than controls. There was significant improvement for LVGLS, LVGLSR, LVGCS, LVGCSR, and RVGLS in patients after treatment. Sm , Em , and Am at LV were significantly lower in patients before treatment than in patients after treatment. In spite of improvements, Sm , Em , and ET at IVS, LVGLS, LVGLSR, LVGCS, LVGCSR were significantly lower in patients after treatment than controls. CONCLUSIONS: The TDI and STE were useful methods for detection of early myocardial dysfunction and evaluation of treatment outcomes in acute viral myocarditis.

Recovery of myocardial mechanics in Kawasaki disease demonstrated by speckle tracking and tissue Doppler methods.

AIM: To investigate myocardial deformation and function during treatment for Kawasaki disease (KD) in children. METHODS: We performed speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in 15 children with KD and 15 healthy children during treatment for KD. STE was performed for longitudinal and circumferential strain (S) and strain rate (SR) at the left ventricle (LV) and for longitudinal S and SR at the right ventricle (RV). TDI was performed at the base of interventricular septum (IVS), LV, and RV. RESULTS: Among TDI parameters, Em and ejection time (ET) at IVS, ET at LV and ET at RV obtained obtained before treatment were significantly lower in patients with KD compared to controls. After treatment, in spite of improvements, ET at IVS and ET at RV remained significantly lower in patients with KD compared to controls. Left ventricular global longitudinal and circumferential S and SR values obtained before treatment were significantly lower in patients with KD compared to controls. Left ventricular S and SR values were found to be increased after treatment. However, left ventricular global circumferential S value remained significantly lower in patients with KD compared to controls. There were no significant differences in right ventricular global longitudinal S and SR values between patients and controls before treatment. CONCLUSION: During acute phase, patients with KD have reduced global left ventricular S and SR which may be more sensitive indicators of myocardial inflammation. This study showed gradual improvements in left ventricular myocardial function during treatment for KD.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension in a child with stage-IV neuroblastoma after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and review of the literature.

PH is a rare condition with high mortality rate after pediatric HSCT. As clinical presentation is non-specific and may mimic other conditions, a high degree of suspicion is required for diagnosis. Here, we present a patient with stage-IV neuroblastoma who developed PAH after autologous HSCT. After exclusion of other causes of PH, we regarded that this condition was secondary to HSCT.

Assessment of cardiac functions in fetuses of gestational diabetic mothers.

We investigated cardiac function in 67 fetuses of gestational diabetic mothers (FGDMs) and 122 fetuses of healthy mothers between 24 and 36 weeks of gestation. Cardiac functions were evaluated by M-mode, pulsed-wave, and tissue Doppler echocardiography. Fetal echocardiograms were performed at 24, 28, 32, and 36 weeks of gestation. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were obtained from all pregnant women at 24 weeks of gestation. The mean age of diabetic pregnant women was significantly greater than that of controls. Serum HbA1c values of both groups were within normal limits, but they were significantly greater in the diabetic group (p = 0.003). The increase in peak aortic and pulmonary artery velocities were greater in FGDM (p < 0.001). No pathological interventricular septal (IVS) hypertrophy was observed. There was a significant increase in IVS thickness in FGDM compared with controls, which was more prominent at the end of the third trimester (p < 0.001). During the course of pregnancy, mitral E-wave (p < 0.001), A-wave (p = 0.007), tricuspid E-wave (p < 0.001) and A-wave (p = 0.002) velocities were greater in FGDM. The increases in mitral E/A and tricuspid E/A ratios were lower in FGDM with advancing gestation. The E a-wave (p = 0.02), A a-wave (p = 0.04), and S a-wave (p < 0.001) velocities of the right-ventricular (RV) free wall and the E a (p = 0.02) and A a (p = 0.01) velocities of the left-ventricle (LV) posterior wall were greater in FGDM during the course of pregnancy. The E a/A a ratio of the RV posterior wall was greater in FGDM with advancing gestation (p < 0.03). LV and RV E/E a ratios were similar in both groups. The LV myocardial performance index measured by pulsed-wave Doppler was greater in FGDM (p < 0.001). We detected diastolic dysfunction in FGDM. The data suggest that gestational diabetes mellitus may impair ventricular diastolic functions without causing pathological fetal myocardial hypertrophy. We detected subclinical diastolic dysfunction using both pulsed-wave and tissue Doppler imaging in FGDM.

The effects of pre-pregnancy obesity on fetal cardiac functions.

Obesity is a substantial public health problem with a rapidly increasing prevalence in numerous industrialized nations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of maternal pre-pregnancy obesity on fetal cardiac functions. We studied 55 fetuses of obese mothers and 44 fetuses of healthy mothers at 26-38 weeks of gestation. Cardiac functions were evaluated by M-mode, pulsed-wave, and tissue Doppler echocardiography. The two groups were similar in terms of maternal age, gravidity, parity, gestational age, estimated birth weight, serum lipids, and systolic-diastolic blood pressure. Fetal heart rate, diameters of the aortic and pulmonary valve annulus, aortic and pulmonary peak systolic velocities, ventricular systolic function, and cardiothoracic ratio were similar in the two groups. Pulsed-wave Doppler-derived E/A ratios in the mitral and tricuspid valves were similar in the two groups. The deceleration time of early mitral inflow was prolonged in the fetuses of the obese mothers. In the interventricular septum, left ventricle posterior wall, and right ventricle free wall, the E a and A a were higher, and E a/A a ratios were significantly lower in the study group than in the control group. The E/E a ratio was higher in the obese group than in the control group. The isovolumic relaxation time and the right and left ventricle myocardial performance indices were higher in the fetuses of the obese mothers than in the fetuses of the healthy mothers. We believe that maternal obesity has an important influence on fetal cardiac diastolic functions.

Effect of antiepilepsy drug therapy on ventricular function in children with epilepsy: a tissue Doppler imaging study.

Impaired cardiac myocardial function may contribute to the risk for sudden unexpected death of a patient with epilepsy. This study aimed to investigate the effect of antiepilepsy drugs (AEDs) on cardiac function in pediatric epileptic patients using standard and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) echocardiography. This hospital-based, prospective cross-sectional study investigated 52 epileptic children (mean age 9.3 ± 3.1 years) treated with AEDs (duration 2.4-10.0 years) and 36 healthy children (mean age 9.5 ± 4.0 years). In the epilepsy group, standard echocardiography showed increased left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters, an increased LV mass index, and preserved ejection fraction. The patients also exhibited increased mitral peak A-wave velocity and mitral E-wave deceleration time as well as a decreased mitral E/A ratio. The E/Em ratio was significantly higher in the epilepsy group (5.6 ± 1.2) than in the control group (5.2 ± 1.1) (p = 0.016). In the epilepsy group, TDI showed an increased isovolumetric relaxation time and myocardial performance index (MPI). It also exhibited decreased early diastolic velocity (Em) and a decreased mitral annular displacement index in these patients. There were positive correlations between the LV lateral wall MPI (r = 0.231), septal MPI (r = 0.223), and LV mass index (p < 0.05) but no correlation with the duration of AED treatment. The authors detected subclinical ventricular dysfunction associated with AEDs at a preclinical stage. They suggest that TDI can be useful for determining the short- and long-term cardiac effects of AEDs.

Evaluation of cardiac functions of patients with benign joint hypermobility syndrome.

We sought to investigate whether echocardiography with tissue Doppler imaging identifies myocardial dysfunction in children with benign joint hypermobility syndrome (BJHS). This cross-sectional study enrolled 75 children with BJHS and 70 healthy children. We performed detailed echocardiography in individuals with BJHS without inherited connective tissue disorders. Any congenital or acquired cardiac disease was excluded by clinical and echocardiographic examination. Both groups were similar in terms of age, sex, and body mass index. The diameter of the aortic annulus and sinus valsalva were wider in patients with BJHS. There was no significant differences in ejection fraction or mitral and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion between the two groups. Pulsed-wave Doppler-derived E/A ratios in mitral and tricuspid valves were similar in both groups. Deceleration time of early mitral inflow was prolonged in patients with BJHS. Mitral and tricuspid annulus Ea velocity were significantly lower in children with BJHS. Ea, Aa, and Ea/Aa ratios in the interventricular septum, left ventricle posterior wall, and right ventricle free wall were lower in patients with BJHS than in the control group. The E/Ea ratio was greater in patients with BJHS than in the control group. Isovolumic relaxation time and right-ventricular (RV) and left-ventricular (LV) myocardial performance indices (MPIs) were greater in patients with BJHS. This study showed the diastolic dysfunction in patients with BJHS. In addition, we detected increased LV and RV MPI. We believe that BJHS may affect proteins of the myocardial cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix.

P-wave and QT interval dispersion analysis in children with Eisenmenger syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: P-wave and QT dispersion are increased and associated with atrial and ventricular arrhythmia and an increase in sudden death in a variety of diseases. This study aimed to investigate P-wave and QT dispersion in children with Eisenmenger syndrome (ES). STUDY DESIGN: The study group included 27 children (15 females, 12 males) with both congenital heart disease (CHD) and ES. The control group consisted of 30 children with CHD without pulmonary arterial hypertension. Electrocardiographic records were used to determine P-wave, QT, and corrected QT (QTc) dispersions. 24-hour (h) rhythm Holter was fitted in all patients. Atrial volumes, ventricular dimensions and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) were measured by echocardiography. RESULTS: There was no difference between groups with regard to age, sex, weight, and body surface area (p>0.05). Right atrial volume was significantly larger in the ES group than in the control group. P-wave, QT and QTc dispersions were higher in the patients with ES (50.10±11.12 vs. 26.32±8.90, p<0.001; 57.40±24.21 vs. 38.20±8.92 ms, p<0.001; and 78.20±16.02 vs. 56.52±13.92 ms, p<0.001, respectively). Ventricular and supraventricular ectopy were significantly more frequent in the ES group. Four patients (14.8%) in the study group had tachyarrhythmias during 24-h Holter monitoring. CONCLUSION: In our study, P-wave and QT dispersion were found to be greater in children with ES than in the healthy control subjects.

Effects of carvedilol therapy on cardiac autonomic control, QT dispersion, and ventricular arrhythmias in children with dilated cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of carvedilol therapy on autonomic control of the heart and QT-interval dispersion (QTd) among children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) whose symptoms were not adequately controlled with standard congestive heart failure therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with DCM who were treated with carvedilol were enrolled in the study. All patients had undergone carvedilol therapy in addition to standard therapy for at least 6 months. Clinical, echocardiographic, and electrocardiographic parameters, and 24-h Holter records of patients were retrospectively evaluated before and after carvedilol treatment. RESULTS: A total 34 patients (mean age: 7.4 ± 4.3 years) with DCM were analyzed in the study. The median follow-up period was 9.5 months. After the 6 months of carvedilol therapy the clinical score significantly improved, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and fractional shortening (LVFS) significantly increased, and left ventricle end-diastolic dimensions and end-systolic dimensions significantly decreased. There were statistically significant increases in mean SDNN, SDANN, rMSSD, and pNN50 (p = 0.002, p = 0.001, p = 0.008, and p = 0.026, respectively). After the carvedilol therapy, SDNN was correlated with the clinical score, heart rate, LVEF, LVFS, and total premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). In addition, rMSSD and pNN50 were correlated with heart rate, LVEF and LVFS. A significant reduction was observed in QTc-minimum, QTc-maximum, and QTd values (434.9 ± 40.7 vs. 416.1 ± 36.5, 497.8 ± 43.6 vs. 456.3 ± 41.7, 58.6 ± 17.1 vs. 49.3 ± 15.6; p < 0.001, p = 0.001, and p = 0.008, respectively). QTd was significantly related to PVCs (r = 0.62, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the addition of carvedilol to standard therapy can improve clinical symptoms and heart rate variability, and reduce in arrhythmia markers in children with DCM.

Rhythm and conduction analysis of patients with acute rheumatic fever.

Various rhythm and conduction abnormalities can develop in acute rheumatic fever. This study investigated rhythm and conduction abnormalities in children with acute rheumatic fever using a standard 12-lead electrocardiogram and 24-h rhythm Holter recordings. This multicenter retrospective study, performed between August 2011 and March 2012, enrolled 73 consecutive children with acute rheumatic fever. Standard electrocardiography was used to measure PR and corrected QT intervals. Holter recordings were evaluated for all the patients, and 52 of the patients (71.2 %) had carditis that was either isolated or together with other major criteria. A positive correlation was detected between carditis and the mean PR interval on standard electrocardiography, but this was not significant (p > 0.05). Standard electrocardiography showed a significant positive correlation between PR and corrected QT intervals (p = 0.03; r = 0.55). Standard electrocardiography showed only three patients (4.2 %) with premature contractions, whereas 24-h electrocardiography showed 26 patients (35.6 %) with premature contractions. Carditis was positively correlated with premature contractions (p < 0.01; r = 0.57). One patient with junctional rhythm and one patient with left bundle block were detected by standard electrocardiography. Whereas some patients with carditis exhibited no arrhythmic evidence on standard electrocardiograms, complete atrioventricular block, supraventricular tachycardia, and Mobitz type 1 block were observed on 24-h Holter recordings. A positive correlation also was observed between the presence of premature contractions and serum levels of acute-phase reactants (p = 0.03; r = 0.62). These findings led to the conclusion that rhythm and conduction disorders in acute rheumatic fever are more common than previously thought.

Assessment of fetal cardiac function in mild preeclampsia.

This study investigated cardiac function in 65 fetuses of mildly preeclamptic mothers and 55 fetuses of healthy mothers at 26-40 weeks of gestation. Fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction were excluded. Cardiac functions were evaluated by M-mode, pulsed-wave, and tissue Doppler echocardiography. The two groups were similar in terms of maternal age, gravidity, parity, and gestational age. Peak systolic aortic and pulmonary artery velocities were significantly lower in the fetuses of the preeclamptic mothers than in the fetuses of the healthy mothers. The two groups did not differ significantly in terms of shortening fraction or with regard to mitral or tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion. Pulsed-wave Doppler-derived E/A ratios in the mitral and tricuspid valves were similar in the two groups. The deceleration time of early mitral inflow was prolonged in the fetuses of the preeclamptic mothers. The Ea, Aa, and Ea/Aa ratios in the interventricular septum, left ventricle posterior wall, and right ventricle free wall were lower in the preeclampsia group than in the control group. The E/Ea ratio was higher in the preeclampsia group than in the control group. The isovolumic relaxation time and the right and left myocardial performance indices were higher in the fetuses of the preeclamptic mothers than in the fetuses of the healthy mothers. An increased ductus venosus pulsatility index (PI) and a decreased middle cerebral artery (MCA) PI were found in the fetuses of the preeclamptic mothers. All the fetuses were asymptomatic. The results suggest that the increase in fetal cardiac afterload in mild preeclampsia may have caused early subclinical changes in fetal systolic and diastolic cardiac function. In addition, the decrease in MCA-PI may have been caused by redistribution of fetal cardiac output in favor of the left ventricle, secondary to increased placental vascular resistance.

Early subclinical left-ventricular dysfunction in obese nonhypertensive children: a tissue Doppler imaging study.

A direct effect of obesity on myocardial function has not been not well established. Our aim was to investigate the effect of body mass index (BMI) and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) on left-ventricular (LV) myocardial function in normotensive overweight and obese children by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). We calculated the mitral annular displacement index (DI) and myocardial performance index (MPI) using TDI indices of systolic and diastolic LV function. In this hospital-based, prospective cross-sectional study, we studied 60 obese (mean age 13.2 ± 2.0 years) and 50 normal children. Subjects were divided into three groups: group 1 (BMI < 25, n = 50, control), group 2 (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m(2), n = 30, overweight), and group 3 (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2), n = 30, morbidly obese). Standard echocardiography showed increased LV diameters and LV mass/index and preserved ejection fraction in obese children. By TDI, LV systolic and diastolic function showed that peak late myocardial velocity (Em = 15.4 ± 2 cm/s), peak early myocardial velocity (Am = 8.7 ± 1.3 cm/s), Em/Am ratio (1.8 ± 0.3), isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT = 59.2 ± 8.2 ms), MPI (0.39 ± 0.03), and DI (25.5 ± 3.2 %) of the lateral mitral annulus in the obese subgroups were significantly different from those of control subjects (18.2 ± 1.2 cm/sn, 6.9 ± 0.6 cm/sn, 2.6 ± 0.2, 51.2 ± 9.6 ms, 0.34 ± 0.03, and 33.13 ± 5.0 %, respectively; p < 0.001). These structural and functional abnormalities were significantly related to BMI. There were positive correlations between HOMA-IR, septal MPI, and LV mass. DI and MPI data indicated impaired subclinical LV function in all grades of isolated obesity at a preclinical stage. Insulin resistance and BMI correlated significantly with indices of LV function.

[Echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular function in normotansive obese children: a comparative analysis according to body mass index]. / Normotansif obez çocuklarda sol ventrikül fonksiyonunun ekokardiyografiyle degerlendirilmesi: Beden kütle indeksine göre karsilastirmali analiz.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of our study was to determine structural and functional changes on left ventricular function (LV) according to body mass index (BMI) in normotansive overweight and obese children. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty normotansive overweight children (group 2; mean age: 13.2 ± 2.1 years, BMI: 25-30 kg/m²), 30 obese children (group 3; mean age: 13.3 ± 2.0 years, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²), and 50 healthy controls (mean age: 13.2 ± 1.8 years, BMI: 18-24.9 kg/m²) were included in this study. Continuous ambulatory pressure was monitored in the obese group, while standard and pulsed wave (PW) Doppler echocardiographic examinations were evaluated in all three study groups. RESULTS: In overweight and obese children, left atrial volume, left atrial/aortic root diameter ratio, LV interventricular septum, LV posterior wall thickness, LV end-diastolic diameter and volume, and LV mass were significantly higher than those children in the control group (p<0.01). Blood pressure was within the normal range but was increased in the obese groups. Transmitral E/A and pulmonary vein (PV) systolic/diastolic velocity (S/D) ratios were decreased, but E-wave deceleration time, PVA velocities, and the end-diastolic distance from the mitral annulus to the LV apex were increased in both obese groups (p<0.05). BMI was significantly correlated with duration of obesity and LV mass (r=0.527, r=0.506, p<0.01, respectively). Significantly negative correlations were found between BMI, Mitral E/A, and PV S/D ratio (r=-0.230, r=-0.577, p<0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: Subclinical LV myocardial dysfunction was noted in obese subgroups. Determination of diastolic dysfunction by PV PW Doppler can be useful a pre-obese period.

[Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects in a patient with lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum]. / Interatriyal septumda lipomatöz hipertrofinin eslik ettigi atriyal septal defektlerin transkateter yolla kapatilmasi: Olgu sunumu.

Lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum is a rare benign pathology characterized by fatty deposits in the septum and is mostly diagnosed incidentally. This accumulation mostly causes a globular thickening of the interatrial septum, commonly sparing the fossa ovalis. We report on a 65-year-old female patient who underwent successful transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects (ASD) accompanied by lipomatous hypertrophy of the septum. Both transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography showed enlargement of the right heart cavities, thickening of the interatrial septum (16 mm) with bright echogenicity, and two separate secundum ASDs measuring 17 mm and 4 mm, respectively. Transcatheter closure of the defects was performed using a 24-mm Amplatzer septal occluder. There was no residual shunt and Holter monitoring was normal after the procedure. During a three-year follow-up, no complications were observed pertaining to the procedure or lipomatous tissue.

Effects of Acute Carbon Monoxide Poisoning on ECG and Echocardiographic Parameters in Children.

The aim of the current study is to investigate the effects of CO (carbon monoxide) on the cardiovascular system via electrocardiographic, echocardiographic and biochemical findings in children. This prospective study included 22 children with CO poisoning and 24 healthy children as a control group. The CO-intoxicated children were evaluated via electrocardiography and echocardiography 1 h after admission to the emergency department and daily until their discharge from the hospital. Blood gasses, complete blood account, troponin I and creatinine kinase-MB(CK-MB) were assessed daily. Tpeak-end (p:0.001), QTc durations (p:0.02), Tpeak-end dispersion (p:0.001) and Tpeak-end/QT ratio (p:0.001) of CO-intoxicated patients were significantly higher than those in the control group. Mitral E duration (p:0.001), mitral E/A ratio (p:0.001) and left ventricle contractile fraction (p:0.023) at admission were significantly lower, and left ventricle myocardial performance index was higher (p:0.001) in the CO poisoning group. Troponin I and CK-MB levels were higher at admission in 6 (27 %) and 4 (18 %) patients, respectively. The heart is the most critical organ in pediatric CO poisoning. These children present subclinical systolic and diastolic left ventricle dysfunction even in mild cases. Although, in children with acute CO-intoxication ventricular repolarization is impaired, it seems to be reversible like other findings.

Assessment of cardiac function in absence of congenital and acquired heart disease in patients with Down syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Extra genetic material in patients with Down syndrome (DS) may affect the function of any organ system. We evaluated cardiac functions using conventional tissue Doppler and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with DS in the absence of congenital and acquired heart disease in patients. METHODS: A total of 115 patients with DS between 6 and 13 years of age with clinically and anatomically normal heart and 55 healthy children were included in this cross-sectional study. DS was diagnosed by a karyotype test. Patients with mosaic type were not included in this study. Systolic and diastolic functions were evaluated by echocardiography. RESULTS: Pulsed waved Doppler transmitral early/late inflow velocity (E/A), tissue Doppler mitral annular early/late diastolic peak velocity (Ea/Aa), transtricuspid E/A and tricuspid valve annulus Ea/Aa, pulmonary venous Doppler systolic/diastolic (S/D) wave ratio were lower in patients with Down syndrome than in the control group (P=0.04, P=0.001, P<0.05, P<0.001, P<0.001, respectively). Mitral and tricuspid annular Ea were lower in patients with DS (P<0.001). The right and left ventricular myocardial performance indexes were higher in patients with DS than in the controls (P<0.01). They had significantly higher left ventricular mass, ejection fraction, the mitral annular plane systolic excursion values. However, the Down syndrome group compared with the controls had a lower strain values examined by two-dimensional longitudinal speckle-tracking strain echocardiography. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest conventional tissue Doppler and two-dimensional longitudinal speckletracking strain echocardiography were useful methods of investigating ventricular function and identifying a higher incidence of biventricular dysfunction in patients with Down syndrome compared with the healthy controls.

A case series of neonatal arrhythmias.

OBJECTIVE: Neonatal arrhythmias (NAs) are defined as abnormal heart rates in the neonatal period. They may occur as a result of various cardiovascular, systemic and metabolic problems. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on newborns who were diagnosed with NA during hospitalization in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), or who were admitted to the NICU because of an arrhythmia diagnosis in two NICUs in Turkey from May 2011 to June 2013. RESULTS: Seventeen neonates with arrhythmias were identified. The incidence of NA was 0.4% and 0.3% in the two NICUs, and was 0.37% in the study population as a whole. Mean gestational age was 37 (29-40) weeks. Nine of the infants (53%) were diagnosed with fetal arrhythmia (FA) during the last week of gestation. The distribution of NA types was as follows: six (35%) supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), six (35%) premature atrial contractions (PACs), two (11%) premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), two (11%) multiple arrhythmias such as SVT + PAC and AV block + PVC, and one (5%) AV block. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome was present in one patient. An association of NA with congenital heart malformations was identified in five cases. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac arrhythmias are important causes of infant morbidity, and an occasional cause of infant mortality if undiagnosed and untreated. It is important for the physician to be aware of the etiology, development and natural history of arrhythmias in the fetal and neonatal period.

The efficacy and safety of naproxen in acute rheumatic fever: The comparative results of 11-year experience with acetylsalicylic acid and naproxen.

The objective was to compare the efficacy and safety of naproxen (NXN) to acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in the treatment of acute rheumatic fever (ARF). The data of 338 children were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were grouped according to joint and valve involvement and also drug chosen [methyl prednisolone (mPSL), ASA or NXN]. The treatment results and adverse events in each group were compared. The mean age was 10.3 years and the median follow-up was 62 months. Median time for normalization of acute phase reactants was 1 week in patients given steroids and 2 weeks in patients given ASA or NXN. ASA was replaced with NXN in 18 patients (10.2%) due to hepatic toxicity. The rate of rebound, recurrence and the prevalence of rheumatic valve disease were not different in patients given NXN, ASA or mPSL. In conclusion, NXN is a safe and effective alternative to ASA in the treatment of ARF in children.