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.

[Seasonal Trends and Interactions of Viral Pathogens in Children Presenting with Acute Respiratory Tract Infections in the Advancing Periods of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic]. / SARS-CoV-2 Pandemisinin Ilerleyen Dönemlerinde Akut Solunum Yolu Enfeksiyonu ile Basvuran Çocuklarda Viral Patojenlerin Mevsimsel Egilimleri ve Etkilesimleri.

Although various bacteria and viruses have been identified in the etiology of acute respiratory tract infections (ARI), 90% of acute ARIs that develop in children are of viral origin. The aim of this study was to investigate the seasonal trends and interactions between infectious agents and to determine the risk factors associated with ARI in children aged 1-15 years admitted to the Pediatric Emergency Department of Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital in the advancing periods of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. To determine the bacterial and viral agents, samples were taken from 314 patients attending to the hospital with symptoms suggestive for ARI, between 06/01/2021 and 05/31/2022. Viral and bacterial agents were identified by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and automated identification system, respectively. Demographic data of the participants and possible risk factors for ARI were recorded in the questionnaires. In the study, viral agents were detected in 77.3% of the children, and the most common infectious agent was rhinovirus/enterovirus (RV/EV) (36.3%), followed by influenza viruses (11.2%), and SARS-CoV-2 (10.5%). While RV/EV positivity was found to be higher in children with moderate and below average (p< 0.001) hand hygiene, influenza positivity was found higher in those attending school/preschool institution (p< 0.001) and whose mothers working full-time (p< 0.001). Respiratory syncytial virus positivity was associated with maternal smoking (p= 0.013) and home overcrowding (p= 0.014). Bacterial colonization was detected in 33 (11.6%) of 284 children whose swabs were taken for both bacterial and viral agents and the most frequently detected agents were Staphylococcus aureus (60.6%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15.2%). Having siblings (p= 0.008) and maternal smoking (p= 0.012) were found to be associated with the detection of bacterial agents. In this study, in the advanced period of the pandemic, the most detected agents and seasonal characteristics were found to be similar to the pre-pandemic period. It is thought that knowing the regional etiology and risk factors will contribute to taking the necessary local control and protective measures.

Is Monitoring of Cytomegalovirus Disease Required in Nontransplant Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia?

INTRODUCTION: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in developing countries are experienced at an early age. This study was performed to investigate the frequency of reactivation and risk factors of infection acquired at an early age of nontransplant acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy with weekly monitoring of CMV levels in Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-center study of 172 pediatric patients (102 boys and 70 girls) with ALL. All patients were monitored routinely for CMV-DNA at the initial presentation of leukemia and twice a week during chemotherapy. The CMV immunoglobulin (Ig)M/IgG titers were measured at admission. RESULTS: CMV seropositivity at baseline was 90,11%. The overall prevalence of CMV infection (viremia) was 70.34%, 116 of whom were seropositive for CMV IgG and 5 of whom were negative for CMV at the time of ALL diagnosis. Reactivation was more common than de novo CMV infections (P=0.000). CMV seropositivity at the beginning of the leukemia diagnosis was found to be an independent predictor for developing CMV infection (P=0.001). A total of 60 CMV infection episodes were treated with antivirals. Four of these included organ involvement. The duration of CMV-DNA viremia episodes was longer in patients with CMV-DNA ≥1000 copies/mL (n=45) than in those with lower CMV-DNA levels (P=0.002). Infection was shown not to be associated with chemotherapy phase. CONCLUSION: This study suggests the importance of monitoring for CMV infections in developing countries because of frequent reactivations in seropositive ALL patients. It should be kept in mind that low CMV-DNA levels may also lead to organ involvement.

Infections in children with left ventricular assist device.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data about pediatric left ventricular assist device (VAD) infections in developing countries. This study aimed to investigate device postimplantation infectious complications and their pathogenic profile. METHODS: Data were analyzed from patient charts involving 27 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy who underwent left VAD implantation at a leading tertiary care center in Turkey. RESULTS: The study included 17 boys and ten girls with a median age of 12.22 years (range 17 months to 18 years). Nineteen patients were diagnosed with idiopathic, and three were diagnosed with familial dilated cardiomyopathy. Twenty-two out of 27 subjects (%81.48) developed 80 infection episodes in total. The most common type of left VAD-specific infection was the exit site of the driveline. Infected patients with left VAD had a significantly prolonged hospitalization compared with the patients without infection (P = .014). Infection-induced pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) admission was higher in patients with fungal infection(P = .023). Gram-positive staphylococci were the most commonly isolated bacterial pathogens, followed by Gram-negative bacteria. Five patients developed fungal infections. None of the fungal infection patients underwent transplantation(P = .035). Seven deaths occurred in our study group. All deaths were in the infected group. Mortality was associated with the presence of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections (P = .015), an increased number of infection episodes (P = .003), and hospitalization due to infection (P = .003). CONCLUSION: Ventricular assist device-related infections were frequent among our study patients. The predominantly isolated agents were Gram-positive bacterial pathogens. However, the emergence of relatively high rate of Gram-negative bacterial and fungal infections was associated with mortality before the transplantation. Establishing local programs for surveillance data, controlling for infection rates, and antibiotic stewardship are essential to reduce mortality of VAD patients in developing countries.

Proven and probable invasive fungal infections in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: results from an university hospital, 2005-2013.

Despite improvements in diagnosis and treatment, invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are still a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. The data on IFI among children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) are still scarce, and our aim was to estimate the risk, aetiology and outcome of proven and probable IFIs in children with ALL who did not receive primary prophylaxis over an 8-year period. Between January 2005 and February 2013, 125 children who were treated for ALL at the Pediatric Hematology Department of the Medical School of Ege University were retrospectively reviewed. Proven and probable IFIs were defined according to revised definitions of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Invasive Fungal Infections Cooperative Group and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Mycoses Study Group. The proven and probable IFI incidence was 30/125 (24%). Profound neutropenia was detected in 18 (60%) patients, and prolonged neutropenia was detected in 16 (53.3%) of the patients. The most isolated agents were non-albicans Candida spp. The crude and attributable mortality was 20% and 13.3% respectively. Profound neutropenia was associated with mortality (P < 0.05). The younger patients were especially at risk for proven IFI. Prolonged neutropenia, to be in the induction phase of chemotherapy, and profound neutropenia were found to be the most common predisposing factors for IFI episodes.

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.

Autochthonous transmission of Leishmania donovani and Leishmania major with all the components of infection cycle at Europe's doorstep.

OBJECTIVES: Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease and dogs may act as urban reservoirs. Turkey and most of the Mediterranean basin countries are endemic for leishmaniasis. In this study, it is aimed to report the autochthonous leishmaniasis cases, with all the components of the infection cycle (reservoir, vector, and the host) in a region close to Europe. METHODS: Nine human and four canine autochthonous leishmaniasis cases were included in the study. Direct microscopy, culture methods, serological, and molecular tests were applied to the samples obtained from the cases. RESULTS: VL and CL patients consisted of 2 L.infantum, 1 L. donovani, 2 L. tropica, and 2 L. tropica,1 L. major,1 L. infantum infected patients respectively. CanL cases were infected with L. infantum, L. donovani, L. tropica, and L. major. CONCLUSIONS: All the cases were autochthonous cases located in Manisa province. As Greece and all the Mediterranean basin countries in Europe share competent vectors, it is concluded that the detection of all 4 species of Leishmania parasites in such proximity to Europe poses an important public health threat for Europe. This study reports all four species of Leishmania spp., including L. major and L.donovani in close proximity to continental Europe.

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.

Urinary NGAL is a Potential Biomarker for Early Renal Injury in Insulin Resistant Obese Non-diabetic Children

Objective: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is one of the new biomarkers for detecting acute renal injury. There are studies showing the relationship between NGAL and renal injury in obese children. The aim of this study was to investigate whether urinary levels of NGAL, kidney injury molecule-1, and serum cystatin C are increased in insulin resistance (IR) patients before the development of diabetes. Methods: Cross-sectional, case-controlled study that included non-diabetic obese children and adolescent patients with IR and a non-diabetic obese control group with no IR, who attended a tertiary center pediatric endocrinology outpatient clinic between 2016-2018. Those with diabetes mellitus and/or known renal disease were excluded. NGAL and creatinine (Cr) levels were evaluated in the morning spot urine from all participants. Serum renal function was evaluated. Results: Thirty-six control and 63 IR patients were included in the study, of whom 68 (68.7%) were girls. The mean age of all participants was 13.12±2.64 years and no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of age or gender distribution. Median (range) spot urinary NGAL (u-NGAL) values in the IR group were significantly higher at 26.35 (7.01-108.7) ng/mL than in the control group at 19.5 (3.45-88.14) ng/mL (p=0.018). NGAL/Cr ratio was also significantly higher in the IR group compared to the control group (p=0.018). Conclusion: Obese pediatric patients with IR were shown to have elevated levels of u-NGAL, a marker of renal injury. u-NGAL examination may show early renal injury before development of diabetes.

Surface TREM-1 as a Prognostic Biomarker in Pediatric Sepsis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) levels and prognosis in septic children. METHODS: Patients admitted to pediatric intensive care units (PICU) of three tertiary centers were included in this prospective observational study. Serum samples were taken at admission from patients who were hospitalized with sepsis. RESULTS: Of the 87 patients included, 34 (39.1%) had severe sepsis and 53 (60.9%) had septic shock. The median age was 2 y (2 mo to 16 y). TREM-1 values were found to be significantly higher in septic shock patients 129 pg/ml (min 9.85- max 494.90) compared to severe sepsis 105 pg/ml (min 8.21- max 289.17) (p = 0.048). Despite higher TREM-1 levels been measured in non-survivors compared to survivors, it was not statistically significant [168.98 pg/ml (min 9.85- max 494.90) vs. 110.79 pg/ml (min 8.21- max 408.90), (p = 0.075)]. CONCLUSIONS: Admission TREM-1 levels were higher in septic shock compared to severe sepsis patients. There was no association between mortality and TREM-1 levels in sepsis. TREM-1 measurements should be used carefully in pediatric sepsis prognosis.

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.

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.

Acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy: a case report.

Acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy is a rare vasculitic syndrome affecting young children. Although presentation is dramatic and striking, it is a benign disorder. A 9-month-old boy with fever, rhinorrhea, edema, and purpuric lesions involving the face, oral mucosa, ears, and extremities was presented.

Should we worry about the eyes of celiac patients?

PURPOSE: In this article, we evaluate subfoveal choroidal thickness in celiac patients with respect to adherence to the gluten-free diet and nonadherence to the gluten-free diet, comparing with age and sex matched healthy controls using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case-control study among 42 celiac patients and 42 healthy participants was conducted in the Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology. Celiac patients of our policlinics compliant with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography examination enrolled in the study. Celiac patients had been asked verbally about their adherence to gluten-free diet, were evaluated according to negative or positive EmA and anti-TG2 for defining adherence, and were divided into two groups (adherence to gluten-free diet and nonadherence to gluten-free diet). RESULTS: Subfoveal choroidal thickness was thinner in EmA (+) or anti-TG2 (+) eyes than EmA(-) or anti-TG2 (-) eyes in celiac patients, but it was not statistically significant. The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness values in eyes with celiac disease, whose diagnosis time was longer than 60 months, were thinner than shorter group. Longer duration of gluten-free diet was associated with adherence difficulty and thinner choroidal thickness (r = -0.15, p = 0.34). Adherence to gluten-free diet was 88.2% for children below the age of 60 months and 57.1% for children older than 60 months. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, in addition to other extraintestinal manifestations of celiac disease, diagnosis time longer than 60 months in pediatric celiac patients, nonadherence to the gluten-free diet, and antibody positivity should be focused on during ophthalmologic examination and choroid measurement.

Associations Between Serum Uric Acid Concentrations and Cardiometabolic Risk and Renal Injury in Obese and Overweight Children

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the association between serum uric acid concentration (SUAC) and the parameters of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and insulin resistance (IR). The secondary aim was to evaluate whether hyperuricemia is associated with renal injury and cardiovascular risk in obese (OB) and overweight (OW) children. Methods: The subjects of this study consisted of OB/OW children and adolescents (ages: 8-18 years). Sex and age specific serum uric acid (SUA) olarak degistirilecek percentiles were used and a SUA >75th percentile was accepted as hyperuricemia. Anthropometric data, blood pressure (BP) measurements and biochemical parameters, including fasting blood glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, homeostatic model assessments of IR (HOMA-IR) and SUAC were recorded. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were performed in all patients. MetS was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Total cholesterol/HDL-c ratio >4 and TG/HDL-c ratio >2.2 were used as the atherogenic index (AI) indicating cardiovascular risk. Urinary albumin excretion in a 24-hour and also in a first-morning urine sample were measured. Renal injury was assessed by microalbuminuria according to the National Kidney Foundation criteria. Results: There were 128 participants; 52 (40%) had elevated (SUA >75th percentile) and 76 had (60%) normal SUAC. The mean±SD age was 13.1±2.6 years and 87 (67.4%) were female. The mean±SD weight was 73±18.97 kg and mean±SD height was 155.4±12.11 cm. There was no statistical difference between the groups with and without hyperuricemia in terms of age, sex, puberty stage and degree of obesity. Increased SUAC were significantly associated with higher waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), fasting insulin levels and insulin at 30 and 60 minutes during OGTT, HOMA-IR, lower HDL-c and presence of hypertriglyceridemia as well as with decreased HDL-c, increased AI, presence of IR and MetS. BP and microalbuminuria were not associated with SUAC. SUAC showed significant positive correlations with waist circumference, WHR, post-challenge glucose level at 60 minutes, with fasting insulin, post-challenge insulin levels at 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes and also with HOMA-IR, total cholesterol/HDL-c ratio, TG/HDL-c ratio and a number of other criteria related to MetS. Also, an inverse correlation with HDL-c was noted. Conclusion: In OB/OW children frequency of MetS, IR and dislipidemia increases with increased SUAC, a finding independent of age, puberty, gender and body mass index. Patients meeting all of the MetS criteria had the highest SUAC. These results demonstrate that the association between UA and metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors can be detected early in childhood. Thus, we recommend monitoring SUAC in OB children and we believe that prevention of SUAC elevation in early life has a potential protective effect on metabolic impairment and subsequent comorbidities.

Relationship between Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and depression in children and adolescents.

Identification of the structural causes of depression is important for the treatment process, and toxoplasmosis may be related to psychiatric disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) seropositivity and depression in children and adolescents. This case-control study included 37 children and adolescents aged 11-18 years diagnosed with depression who were followed by the Manisa Celal Bayar University Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service and 36 children and adolescents aged 11-18 years with no history of depressive episodes or psychiatric disorder treated by the Pediatric Outpatient Department. The T. gondii serology of these two groups was evaluated and compared. There were no statistically significant age or sex differences between the 37 participants with depression and the 36 healthy controls. Eight patients and two controls were seropositive for T. gondii, a statistically significant difference (p = 0.046). Seropositivity was significantly higher in patients with suicidal ideation (p = 0.005) than in those without suicidal ideation. The seropositivity of seven of the nine participants who attempted suicide was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that of participants who did not. Thus, T. gondii infection may affect the predisposition for and severity of depression.

Mental health of both child and parents plays a larger role in the health-related quality of life of obese and overweight children.

Aims A decrease in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measures among obese (OB) and overweight (OW) children has been shown in several studies, but knowledge about the variables affecting HRQOL impairments is missing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between HRQOL and sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, metabolic parameters, mental symptoms and parental attitudes in a sample of OB/OW children. Methods Eighty-six OB/OW children, aged between 9 and 17 years, participated in the study. We performed sociodemographic questioning, anthropometric examinations and laboratory evaluations of the participants. HRQOL was assessed using the Pediatric Quality-of-Life Inventory (PedsQL), and levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms were measured using the Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Disorders (SCARED) questionnaire and the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), respectively. Parental attitudes were assessed with the Parental Attitude Research Instrument (PARI) questionnaire. Results A statistically significant relationship was found between total scores of CDI and SCARED answered by children and the total and subscale scores of PedsQL. Scores of total quality of life subscale, physical functionality and emotional functionality subscales were significantly lower in children with a family history of mental illness. No relationship was found between PedsQL subscales, anthropometric and metabolic parameters. Conclusions Emotional problems and parental psychological distress are important factors in models of HRQOL in the OB/OW pediatric population.

Insulin Resistance as Related to Psychiatric Disorders in Obese Children

Objective: The current study aimed to investigate psychiatric consequences of obesity and the relationship between componenets of the metabolic syndrome and psychiatric disorders in children. Our second aim was to elucidate which of the anthropometric parameters or metabolic components were most strongly associated with psychiatric disorders. Methods: The study included 88 obese and overweight children with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 85th percentile. The patients were evaluated for psychiatric disorders by a single child and adolescent psychiatrist. Forty patients diagnosed with psychiatric disorders and 48 patients with normal psychiatric evaluation were compared in terms of anthropometric and metabolic parameters. BMI, BMI-standard deviation score and BMI percentile, waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, blood pressure and pubertal stage of all patients were recorded. Fasting serum glucose, insulin, lipid profile and homeostatic model assessments of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were measured to evaluate the metabolic parameters. Serum and 24 hour urine cortisol levels were measured. Results: HOMA-IR in the group with psychiatric disorders was found to be significantly higher than in the group without psychiatric disorders (6.59±3.36 vs 5.21±2.67; p=0.035). Other anthropometric measurements and metabolic parameters were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: An understanding of the relationships between obesity related medical comorbidities and psychiatric pathologies is important to encourage patients and their families to make successful healthy lifestyle changes and for weight management in terms of appropriate treatment.

The prospective evaluation of risk factors and clinical influence of carbapenem resistance in children with gram-negative bacteria infection.

BACKGROUND: Carbapenem-resistant gram-negative (CRGN) infections have been increasing in recent years and associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiologic and clinical risk characteristics, risk factors, and outcome of CRGN infections and to compare with carbapenem-sensitive gram-negative (CSGN) infections in children. METHODS: Newly diagnosed CRGN infections in hospitalized children younger than age 18 years were prospectively recorded and all patients infected with a CSGN pathogen in the same unit within 48 hours of diagnosis were included in a control group between April 1, 2014, and December 31, 2014. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients with CRGN infections and 28 patients with CSGN infections were enrolled in this study. Ventilator-associated pneumonia was the most common type of infection in both groups. Prior exposure to carbapenems (relative risk [RR], 11.368; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.311-98.589), prolonged hospitalization (RR, 5.100; 95% CI, 1.601-16.242) were found to be independent risk factors for acquiring CRGN infections. Septic shock was significantly more frequent in the CRGN group (RR, 9.450; 95% CI, 1.075-83.065). The in-hospital mortality was higher in the CRGN group (RR, 7.647; 95% CI, 1.488-39.290). CONCLUSIONS: Prior carbapenem exposure and prolonged hospitalization are the most important risk factors for acquiring CRGN infections in our hospital. This study demonstrated, similar to previous reports, that carbapenem resistance increases morbidity, mortality, and health care costs.

Antifungal consumption, indications and selection of antifungal drugs in paediatric tertiary hospitals in Turkey: Results from the first national point prevalence survey.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this point prevalence survey was to evaluate the consumption, indications and strategies of antifungal therapy in the paediatric population in Turkey. METHODS: A point prevalence study was performed at 25 hospitals. In addition to general data on paediatric units of the institutes, the generic name and indication of antifungal drugs, the presence of fungal isolation and susceptibility patterns, and the presence of galactomannan test and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) results were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 3338 hospitalised patients were evaluated. The number of antifungal drugs prescribed was 314 in 301 patients (9.0%). Antifungal drugs were mostly prescribed in paediatric haematology and oncology (PHO) units (35.2%), followed by neonatal ICUs (NICUs) (19.6%), paediatric services (18.3%), paediatric ICUs (PICUs) (14.6%) and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) units (7.3%). Antifungals were used for prophylaxis in 147 patients (48.8%) and for treatment in 154 patients (50.0%). The antifungal treatment strategy in 154 patients was empirical in 77 (50.0%), diagnostic-driven in 29 (18.8%) and targeted in 48 (31.2%). At the point of decision-making for diagnostic-driven antifungal therapy in 29 patients, HRCT had not been performed in 1 patient (3.4%) and galactomannan test results were not available in 12 patients (41.4%). Thirteen patients (8.4%) were receiving eight different antifungal combination therapies. CONCLUSION: The majority of antifungal drugs for treatment and prophylaxis were prescribed in PHO and HSCT units (42.5%), followed by ICUs. Thus, antifungal stewardship programmes should mainly focus on these patients within the availability of diagnostic tests of each hospital.