The cumulative effects of MEFV gene polymorphisms and mutations in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the cumulative effects of Mediterranean fever gene polymorphisms and mutations in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. METHODS: The case-control study was conducted from January, 2012, to January, 2016,at Cukurova University, Turkey, and comprised patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel diseases and followed up at the Children Gastroenterology Department. By using molecular methods, 12 Mediterranean fevergene variants most frequently observed in the country were examined in all the diagnosed cases. The results were compared with age-matched healthy population data from the Genetic Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment Centre. Data was analysed using Graph Pad Prism. RESULTS: Of the 151 subjects, 46(30.4%) were cases and 105(69.5%) were controls. Among the cases, there were 23(50%) subjects with a mean age of 14.8±3 years who had ulcerative colitis, and 23(50%) with mean age 14.5±3.2 years who had Crohn's disease. The mean age of the controls was 16.4±3.2 years (p=0.716). Patients with ulcerative colitishad high frequencies of C allele in D102D T>C variant, G allele in G138G A>G variant, A allele in A165A C>A variant and A allele in R202Q G>A variant. Those with Crohn's disease frequently had wild type of R202Q G>A variant. Also, D102D T>C / R314R C>T haplotype was common at a certain level in the UC group. CONCLUSIONS: Mediterranean fever gene variant was more frequently found in cases with ulcerative colitis compared to the controls.

Eating disorders in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Eating disorders (ED) constitute an important group of conditions that commonly occur in adolescents. Gastrointestinal complaints are frequently reported in ED patients. Few studies assessed the association of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with ED. The aim of the current study is to determine the prevalence of ED in a group of IBS patients and compare it with a healthy control group and assess the relationship of IBS sub-types, it's duration and severity with ED. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 100 IBS patients diagnosed according to the Rome-IV criteria and a control group consisting of 100 healthy adults, between 18 and 65 years old, were enrolled in this study. Sub-type, duration and severity of IBS were determined. All participants were requested to fill questionnaires to screen for ED. RESULTS: 200 subjects participated in the study. 118(59%) were female and 92(41%) were male. The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) score was significantly higher in the IBS group (Odds ratio: 5.3 CI 95%:4.3-9.3; p<0.001). The number of subjects with EAT score >30 was significantly higher in the IBS group (p<0.001). EAT scores were significantly higher in female IBS patients and in younger patients (p=0.013 and p=0.043; respectively). No significant association between the IBS sub-type and EAT score was found (p>0.05). However, IBS severity and duration positively correlated with EAT scores. DISCUSSION: ED should be considered in the management of IBS patients. Since many psychological factors can exacerbate IBS symptoms a multidisciplinary approach consisting of medical and behavioral therapeutic modalities should be employed for a better management of these patients.

The Effect of Primary Duodenogastric Bile Reflux on the Presence and Density of Helicobacter pylori and on Gastritis in Childhood.

Background and Objectives: Although there are many studies that investigate the relationship between duodenogastric reflux (DGR) and Helicobacter pylori in adult patients, the reported data are contradictory. In addition, there are very few studies in the literature investigating the relationship between DGR and H.pylori in the pediatric age group. In the present study, we investigated the effect of primary DGR on H.pylori and gastritis. Materials and Methods: A total of 361 patients who were referred to the clinic of our hospital with dyspeptic complaints who had an upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy and a gastric biopsy were included in the study. Results: DGR was detected in 45 cases, and 316 cases that did not have DGR were considered as the control group. Comparisons were made between the DGR cases and the control group in terms of risk factors (age, gender), the presence and density of H.pylori, and the presence and severity of gastritis. The average age of the patients who were included in the study was 11.6 ± 4.6 years. A total of 128 (36%) of the cases were male and 233 (64%) were female. DGR was present in 45 (13%) of the cases. The average age of the patients with DGR was 13.9 ± 3.1 years, the average age of the control group was 11.3 ± 4.7, and there were statistically significant differences (p < 0.001). No significant differences were detected in terms of gender between DGR and the control group (p > 0.05). H.pylori (+) was detected in 29 (64%) of patients with DGR, and in 202 (64%) of the control group. No significant differences were detected between H.pylori prevalence (p = 0.947). Gastritis was detected in 37 (82%) of the patients with DGR, and in 245 (77%) of the control group (p = 0.476). No significant differences were detected between the presence and density of H.pylori, gastritis presence, severity and DGR (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The ages of patients with DGR were significantly higher than in the control group, and advanced age was shown to be a risk factor for primary DGR. It was found that the presence of DGR has no effect on the presence and severity of H.pylori. Given this situation, we consider it is important to eradicate H.pylori infection, especially in the case where H.pylori is present together with DGR.

The Effect of Enteral Nutrition Support Rich in TGF-ß in the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Childhood.

Background and Objective: Malnutrition is a major complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Our aim of the study was to examine the effects of Modulen IBD supplementation, which was administered to IBD patients without limiting their daily diet in addition to medical treatment, on the clinical, laboratory, anthropometric values, and disease activities of these patients. Materials and Methods: Seventy three children with IBD were evaluated retrospectively. The cases were classified as those who had Crohn disease receiving (CD-M; n = 16) or not receiving Modulen IBD (CD; n = 19) and those who had ulcerative colitis receiving (UC-M; n = 13) or not receiving Modulen IBD (UC; n = 25). Disease activities, laboratory values, remission rates, and anthropometric measurements of the groups were compared. In addition to IBD treatment, Modulen IBD in which half of the daily calorie requirement was provided was given for eight weeks. Results: In the third month of treatment, 14 (88%) patients were in remission in CD-M group and eight (42%) patients were in remission in CD group. The height and weight z scores, which were low at the time of diagnosis, improved in the first week in CD-M group. Inflammatory parameters (UC) were significantly lower in the UC-M group compared to the UC group in first and third months. In the third month, eight (62%) patients in the UC-M group and four (16%) in the UC group were remitted clinically and in terms of laboratory values. Conclusions: TGF-ß-rich enteral nutrition support in children with IBD is an easy, effective, and reliable approach. It was shown that TGF-ß-rich enteral nutritional supplementation enabled the disease to enter the remission earlier, and contributed to the early recovery of weight and height scores.

Frequency of Celiac Disease in Children with Peptic Ulcers.

AIM: The aim of the present study is to investigate the frequency of celiac disease in children with peptic ulcers and to compare it with that of non-celiac peptic ulcers in terms of clinical and laboratory values. METHODS: Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed in 1769 patients at the Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, The Faculty of Medicine, Cukurova University, Turkey, between January 2012 and January 2017. These cases consisted of subjects presenting with various GIS symptoms and indicated for endoscopy (with chronic diarrhea, delayed growth and development, abdominal pains, GIS bleeding, etc.). The levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) serum anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies, IgA anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA), and IgA serum were estimated in the patients with peptic ulcers. RESULTS: Celiac disease was diagnosed with serology, endoscopy, and histopathology in 250 (14%) of all cases undergoing endoscopy. Peptic ulcers were diagnosed in 74 patients (4.2%) of all cases undergoing endoscopy. tTGA and EMA (+) levels were determined in 22 (29%) of the 74 patients with peptic ulcers, and then the presence of peptic ulcers was investigated in the upper gastrointestinal system using gastrointestinal endoscopy, followed by histopathological confirmation of celiac disease. HP infection was present in 14 (63%) of the patients with celiac disease and in 23 (44%) of non-celiac peptic ulcers; the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.12). In the total ulcer group, 10.8% (8/74) of patients with celiac peptic ulcers were negative for HP infection, whereas 21% (8/37) of HP-negative patients with ulcers had celiac disease. CONCLUSION: There exists a high risk of celiac disease in children with peptic ulcers. We thus recommend celiac disease to be investigated, particularly in HP-negative patients with peptic ulcers but with no history of NSAID use.

Evaluation of pancreatic functions in cases of primary and secondary malnutrition.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed pancreatic functions by investigating fecal elastase-1 (FE-1) levels in stool specimens in children with primary and secondary malnutrition. METHODS: A total of 139 malnourished children who were hospitalized and followed up at a tertiary care pediatrics clinic and 23 healthy children with no known systemic disease or malnutrition were included in this study. Malnourished patients were divided into four groups according to underlying diagnosis including primary malnutrition (N.=51), cystic fibrosis (N.=44), celiac disease (N.=12) and secondary malnutrition (N.=32; remaining patients with various diagnoses). Patient's demographic characteristics and laboratory data were investigated. FE-1 levels of the patients and healthy subjects were evaluated. RESULTS: FE-1 levels in patients with cystic fibrosis, primary malnutrition, and celiac disease, and other patients with secondary malnutrition were significantly lower than those in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic enzymes are used due to pancreatic failure in cases of cystic fibrosis, and patients benefit considerably from treatment. This study shows that pancreatic failure may also occur in cases of primary and secondary malnutrition apart from cystic fibrosis, emphasizing the likelihood of pancreatic enzyme support to be useful in terms of pancreatic failure developing secondarily in cases of primary malnutrition.

Mucocutaneous Manifestations and Associated Factors in Patients with Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND: One-third of all extraintestinal manifestations are mucocutaneous findings in patients with Crohn's disease and there is a relationship between some risk factors. Our aim is to evaluate factors associated with mucocutaneous manifestations in our cohort of patients with Crohn's disease with a follow-up duration of up to 25 years. METHODS: In the study, 336 patients with Crohn's disease who were followed up between March 1986 and October 2011 were included. The demographic characteristics, Crohn's disease-related data, and accompanying mucocutaneous manifestations were recorded. The cumulative probability of mucocutaneous extraintestinal manifestations and possible risk factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Oral and skin involvement were detected in 109 (32%) and 31 (9.2%) patients, respectively. The cumulative probability of developing oral and skin manifestations were 43.2% and 20.3%, respectively. Cox regression analysis showed that female gender (odds ratio: 3.28, 95% CI: 1.51-7.14, P = .003) and corticosteroid use (odds ratio: 7.88, 95% CI: 1.07-57.97, P = .043) are independently associated with the development of skin manifestations, while family history (odds ratio: 3.59, 95% CI: 2.18-5.93, P < .001) and inflammatory-type disease (odds ratio: 1.776, 95% CI: 1.21-2.61, P = .004) were independently associated with the development of oral ulcers. CONCLUSION: Mucocutaneous extraintestinal manifestations are associated with female gender, corticosteroid use, family history, and disease type in a large cohort of patients with Crohn's disease. Defining the specific relationships of immune-mediated diseases will help to better understand the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease and associated mucocutaneous manifestations and to use more effective treatments.

Rotavirus epidemiology of children in Bursa, Turkey: a multi-centered hospital-based descriptive study.

In this multi-centered study, we aimed to evaluate the distributional incidence of rotavirus acute gastroenteritis (RVAGE) according to age groups and epidemiological features of hospitalized and outpatient cases in the city center of Bursa, Turkey. This study was carried out in a multi-centered setting that included the four largest hospitals dealing with more than 90% of the pediatric population in Bursa. Children under 15 years old with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) were included in the study. During a period of one year, all of the hospitalized AGE cases and initially one out of 15 systematically determined outpatien cases with AGE were included in the study. RV diagnosis was made by using monoclonal RV antigen kits (BioMêrieux, France) in fresh stool. Of 542,199 annual general hospital visits in those four hospitals, 5,988 were diagnosed with AGE (1.1%). The annual general AGE incidence in children under 15 years of age was found to be 1.7% per year. The annual incidence of RVAGE was 2.8%, 2.5%, 1.5%, and 0.14% in the cases aged < 1 year, < 2 years, < 5 years, and 5-14 years, respectively. The hospitalization rate of RVAGE was estimated to be 22.5%, 27%, 20%, and 12.5% in the cases aged < 1 year, < 2 years, < 5 years, and 5-14 years, respectively. RVAGE comprised 21% of the outpatient AGE cases and 0.35% of the total general pediatric outpatient cases. Acute gastroenteritis (AGE)-related hospitalizations comprised 5.7% and RVAGE-related hospitalizations 1.6% of all hospitalizations. RVAGE comprised 28.5% of all AGE hospitalizations. It was found that the annual RVAGE-related hospitalization incidence was 629/100,000 in those aged < 1 year, 553/100,000 in those aged < 2 years, 293/100,000 in those aged < 5 years, and 17/100,000 in those aged 5-14 years. Rotavirus acute gastroenteritis (RVAGE) in both hospitalized and outpatient cases was found to be higher (60%) in boys than girls. It was found that the RV positivity in hospitalized AGE cases was higher than in outpatient AGE cases (28.5% vs. 21%, p = 0.002). Eighty-six percent of hospitalized and 76% of outpatient RVAGE cases were < 5 years (p = 0.018). When the monthly distribution of RVAGE was examined in hospitalized and outpatient cases, it was found that RVAGE increased rapidly after October and decreased after March in cases aged < 5 years. The highest RV positivity rate was detected as 49.5% in January in hospitalized AGE cases and 31.5% in February for outpatient cases. In those < 5 years, the lowest RV positivity rate was detected in the June-September period both in hospitalized (between 11-25%) and in outpatient (between 0-18%) cases. Nearly half (47%) of the hospitalized RVAGE in those < 5 years were hospitalized in the January-March period. More than half of the outpatient RVAGE cases (55%) aged < 5 years were detected in the January-March period. No meaningful differences were found in the monthly distribution and in the monthly RV positivity rates between hospitalized and outpatient cases. In conclusion, RV was found to be a significant etiologic agent in hospitalize (28.5%) and outpatient (21%) AGE cases in Bursa. Nearly 80% of the RVAGE cases were aged < 5 years. Approximately half of the cases were seen in the January-March period. In January, half of the hospitalized cases and one-third of the outpatient AGE cases were RVAGE. Our findings have revealed a comparable pattern in RVAGE epidemiology in Bursa to that of the European countries and the United States.

Gallstone Frequency in Children With Celiac Disease.

Introduction Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic autoimmune systemic disease caused by the T cell-driven immune mechanism, which is triggered by gluten in cereals such as wheat, barley, and rye in individuals who have a genetic predisposition. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the frequency of gallstones in children with CD. Methods A total of 120 patients who were diagnosed with CD and who were followed-up by the pediatric gastroenterology clinic of the hospital and 100 healthy children were included in the study. The age, gender, hemogram, biochemistry, and abdominal ultrasonography images of the patients were compared. Cases that had gallstones were evaluated in terms of fasting serum lipids, glucose-6-P dehydrogenase, and pyruvate kinase, osmotic fragility, hemoglobin electrophoresis, and peripheral smears. Cases diagnosed with a hematological or metabolic disease were excluded from the study. Celiac serology was examined in terms of CD diagnosis in cases who had gallstones for the first time. Results The median age of the patients with CD who were included in the study was eight years (5-12), and the median age of the control group was 10 years (6-13). A total of 48% of the Control Group was female, and 52% were male. No significant differences were detected between the age and gender distribution of the cases. There were no differences between hemogram and biochemical parameters. Gallstones were detected in six (5%) of CD-diagnosed cases, and in three (3%) of the cases in the control group. Two (2/160; 1.3%) of the patients who were referred to our clinic with the diagnosis of gallstones were diagnosed with CD. Conclusions: Early diagnosis and treatment of CD is important to avoid gallstone development because a gluten-free diet corrects enteropathy significantly in CD. CD must be considered in cases with gallstones.

The development of extraintestinal manifestation and related risk factors in Crohn's patients.

BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease (CD) primarily involves gastrointestinal tract; however, it can present with extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs), which leads to significant morbidity. Frequency of EIMs and associated risk factors vary due to genetic and environmental differences in studies. AIM: To examine the frequency and risk factors associated with EIMs in CD. METHOD: Patients with CD under follow-up from March 1986 to October 2011 were included in this study. Demographics, type of EIMs, autoimmune diseases, and clinical features of CD were recorded. Frequency of EIMs and associated risk factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Three hundred thirty-six patients with CD were included in the study (mean follow-up duration 7.54 years). 55.4% (n: 186) were male and the mean age at diagnosis of CD was 30.6 years (range, 10.3-68.2 years). At least one EIM was detected in 47.3% and multiple EIMs in 22.9% of the cohort. Oral, joint, and skin involvements (32.4%, 24.7%, 9.2%, respectively) were the most common EIMs. Female gender (OR: 2.19, 95% CI: 1.34-3.58, p = 0.001), corticosteroid usage (OR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.28-4.22, p = 0.007), and positive family history (OR: 5.61, 95% CI: 1.95-3.58, p = 0.001) were independent risk factors for EIM development. Colonic involvement (OR: 3.93, 95% CI: 1.59-9.68, p = 0.003), no surgical operation (OR: 2.31, 95% CI: 1.14-4.68, p = 0.020), and corticosteroid usage (OR: 2.85, 95% CI: 1.07-7.61, p = 0.037) were independent risk factors for multiple EIM development. CONCLUSION: Although the immunological and clinical associations between EIMs and CD cannot be fully elucidated, identifying specific relationships of immune-mediated diseases will help to better understand CD pathogenesis.

Frequency of Celiac Disease and Spontaneous Normalization Rate of Celiac Serology in Children and Adolescent Patients with Type 1 Diabetes

Objective: The prevalence of celiac disease (CD) varies between 1% and 10% in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). This study aimed to determine the frequency of spontaneous recovery of celiac serology and the biopsy-proven CD (BPCD) frequency in patients with T1DM. Methods: The data of 668 patients with available celiac serology tests from a total of 779 patients who were followed for the last 10 years with the diagnosis of T1DM were retrospectively evaluated. Results: Positive serology was detected in 103 out of 668 (15.4%) patients. There was spontaneous normalization in 24 (23.3%), fluctuation in 11 (10.7%) and permanently positive serology in 68 (66%). In 46 out of 53 (86.8%) patients with positive serology and biopsy, CD diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy (BPCD). The frequency of BPCD was 6.9%, and the serology in 76.1% was positive at the time of diagnosis of T1DM. The weight, height and body mass index-standard deviation score at diagnosis were lower in patients with BPCD compared to the group without CD. An anti-tissue transglutaminase-IgA (anti-TTG-IgA) level of 11.8 times the upper limit of normal was the most sensitive (93%) and specific (90%) cut-off for BPCD (area under the curve: 0.95; 95% confidence interval: 0.912-1; p<0.001). Conclusion: In our cohort, the frequency of positive serology for CD was 15.4%, while the rate of BPCD was 6.9%. The majority (97.8%) of cases were diagnosed within the first five years of T1DM. In 23.3% of cases, positive anti-TTG-IgA spontaneously resolved without a gluten-free diet (GFD). Therefore, serological follow-up instead of immediate duodenal biopsy or GFD therapy, particularly for patients with asymptomatic and mild anti-TTG IgA level, is warranted.

Demographic, Laboratory, and Clinical Comparison of Pediatric Brucella Cases With and Without Liver Involvement.

Introduction In this study, the purpose was to compare the demographic, clinical, and laboratory results of pediatric Brucella cases with and without liver involvement. Methods The data of 248 patients between 2 and 18 years of age at diagnosis with Brucellosis between July 2017 and August 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Liver involvement was defined as elevated transaminase enzymes when compared to levels of the control group. Transaminases enzyme levels were taken as the control group. The two groups were compared in age, gender, complaints at admission, duration of symptoms, physical examination findings, laboratory values, blood culture reproduction, and relapse rates. Results There was no significant relationship between age and sex between groups with liver involvement (n = 92) and without liver involvement (n = 156). Loss of appetite, nausea, and sensitive stomach were higher in the patients who had hepatic involvement. In the patients who had hepatic involvement, the hemoglobin and platelet values ​​were lower, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and blood culture growth were higher (p < 0.05). The relapse rates were lower in patients who had liver involvement (p < 0.05). Conclusions The correlation detected between blood culture positivity and elevated liver enzymes, CRP and ESR levels, low hemoglobin and platelet levels were considered to be consistent with the fact that brucellosis is a pathogen that involves the reticuloendothelial system.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Fasciola Hepatica With Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in a Child Patient: Case Report.

Fasciola hepatica (FH) is a parasite that causes fever, hepatomegaly, abdominal pain, weight loss, anemia, and eosinophilia in the acute period, and jaundice, pancreatitis, and cholangitis in the chronic period by settling in the bile ducts. A 13-year-old girl admitted with abdominal pain, nausea, and jaundice. In her hemogram, the patient had leukocytosis and eosinophilia. The transaminase, bilirubin, amylase, and lipase values were high in the biochemistry of the patient. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed dilatation, and moving and hyperechogenic tubular structures in the intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed on the patient, and live parasites were detected in brown color spilling from the choledoch to the duodenum during the procedure. The clinical findings of the patient improved, and the laboratory values returned to normal approximately one week after the procedure. ERCP provides important benefits in the diagnosis and treatment of FH in the pediatric patient group.

Chronic hepatitis C infection: how much are physicians aware of?

AIM: The purpose of our study is to measure the awareness of hepatitis C among physicians employed in Istanbul, and investigate the relationship between awareness and the specialization field, age and presence of chronic hepatitis/positive family history. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Level of awareness of 125 family physicians and 76 internal medicine physicians, employed within Istanbul Province, on hepatitis C infection were evaluated using standard questionnaire. Relationship between their awareness and age, specialization, presence of any chronic hepatitis and chronic hepatitis C in any relatives were investigated. RESULTS: The mean age of the physicians was 30.9 ±7.1 years (range: 23-45 years) and 58% of them were women. Seventy-five (37.3%) physicians were between ages of 23-28, 67 (33.3%) physicians were between ages of 29-32, and 59 (29.4%) physicians ages was greater than 32. Twenty-one (10.4%) physicians had hepatitis or a first-or second-degree relative with hepatitis. Physicians were found to be insufficient in answering the questions on hepatitis C virus transmission routes and who should be screened. When examined based on transmission routes, there were no significant differences between physicians' specializations and positive familial history, but physicians aged 23-28 had significantly poorer awareness at some points. Internal medicine specialists had better awareness on screening tests compared to family physicians but there were no significant differences between positive familial history and physicians' age. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians' awareness should be improved to prevent hepatitis C virus transmission and to identify existing conditions.

The relationship between mean platelet volume and platelet levels of children with Helicobacter pylori and gastritis.

INTRODUCTION: Helicobacter pylori (HP) is an infectious agent worldwide and is detected frequently. AIM: We examined whether there is a relationship between HP positivity and gastritis, mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet level. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 309 patients who presented to the Paediatric Gastroenterology Polyclinic with dyspeptic complaints, who received upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and whose gastric biopsies were carried out were included in the present study. MPVs, thrombocyte, presence of HP, and histopathological presence of gastritis in the patients were examined. The MPV and thrombocyte values were compared between the patients who were HP positive and negative, and between the cases who had and who did not have gastritis. RESULTS: A total of 36% of the cases who were included in the present study were HP(-), and 64% were HP(+). No gastritis was detected in 22% of the cases. No significant differences were detected between the HP(+) and HP(-) cases in terms of MPV values. The platelet values were determined to be low at a significant level in the HP(+) group, although no significant differences were detected between all the cases who had and who did not have gastritis in terms of MPV. CONCLUSIONS: A weak relation was determined between the HP and MPV and platelet values. Although no relations were detected between the presence of gastritis or its severity and MPV, a weak relation was detected between the presence of gastritis and platelet values.

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Turkish children with celiac disease and its effect on clinical, histopathological, and laboratory parameters.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (HP) in children with celiac disease (CD) and its relationship with clinical, histopathological, and laboratory parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred and fifty-six patients with serologically and histopathologically diagnosed CD at the Pediatric Gastroenterology Department, Turkey, from January 2012 to March 2017, were included in the study, as well as 1012 patients with dyspeptic complaints. Biopsies of the duodenum and antrum were taken; the existence of HP and the histological level of damage were studied. HP (+) and HP (-) cases were compared according to age, sex, noted complaints, and clinical and laboratory features. RESULTS: Seventy (27.4%) CD patients and 270 (26.7%) patients with dyspeptic complaints were HP (+). The diagnostic age was higher in HP (+) cases, and diarrhea and abdominal distension were significantly higher. Although hemoglobin, ferritin, vitamin B12, and transferrin saturation were lower in HP (+) cases, the differences were not statistically significant. The serum folate level in the HP (+) group was significantly lower compared to the HP (-) group. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HP was not increased in cases of CD. The CD was diagnosed later in HP (+) cases, distension and diarrhea complaints were more frequent, and folate deficiency was significant.

[Remifentanil-ketamine vs. propofol-ketamine for sedation in pediatric patients undergoing colonoscopy: A randomized clinical trial]. / Remifentanil­cetamina vs. propofol­cetamina para sedação em pacientes pediátricos submetidos à colonoscopia: ensaio clínico randômico.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pediatric patients frequently require deep sedation or general anesthesia for colonoscopy. This study was designed to compare the sedative efficacy of remifentanil-ketamine combination with propofol-ketamine combination in children undergoing colonoscopy. METHODS: Seventy patients, between 2 and 16 years of age, scheduled for diagnostic colonoscopy were randomly allocated into two groups. Remifentanil-ketamine group received intravenous ketamine 2mg.kg-1 and remifentanil 0.25µg.kg-1 combination, followed by 0.1µg.kg-1.min-1 remifentanil infusion. Propofol-ketamine group received intravenous propofol 1 and 2mg.kg-1 ketamine combination, followed by 1mg.kg-1.h-1 propofol infusion. In the case of children discomfort (cry, movement, and cough), remifentanil 0.1µg.kg-1 in the remifentanil-ketamine group or propofol 0.5mg.kg-1 in the propofol-ketamine group were administered to improve children discomfort. Despite the therapy given above, if children still experience discomfort, 1mg.kg-1 of ketamine was administered as a rescue drug, regardless of the group. Ramsay sedation score, hemodynamic variables, drug requirements, gastroenterologists' satisfaction, colonoscopy duration, recovery time, and side effects were recorded throughout the procedure and the recovery period. RESULTS: The percentage of patients with a Ramsay sedation score of 4 or higher during the procedure was 73.5 and 37.1% in remifentanil-ketamine and propofol-ketamine groups, respectively (p=0.02). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure variables were significantly higher only after induction in the remifentanil-ketamine group than in the propofol-ketamine group (p=0.015). CONCLUSION: Coadministration of ketamine with either remifentanil or propofol effectively and safely provides sedation and analgesia in children undergoing colonoscopy. Sedation scores were significantly better in remifentanil-ketamine group than in propofol-ketamine group.

Endoscopic findings in patients with familial Mediterranean fever and dyspeptic symptoms.

AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical, endoscopic, histopathological, laboratory, and imaging findings of patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) presenting with dyspeptic symptoms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Endoscopy was performed in 28 patients with FMF undergoing colchicine therapy, who presented to our hospital between 2012 and 2014 with abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and dyspeptic complaints. Upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy was performed in all patients; 16 of these underwent colonoscopy. Demographic characteristics, clinical and laboratory data, genetic analysis, imaging data, and endoscopy and colonoscopy findings were evaluated in all patients. RESULTS: Histopathological analysis of biopsy specimens revealed gastrointestinal pathology in 21 (75%) patients. Upper endoscopy analysis revealed that 14 (50%) patients had antral gastritis (8 Helicobacter pylori (-) antral gastritis and 6 H. pylori (+) chronic active gastritis) and 2 (7%) cases had giardiasis. Four antral gastritis cases had concomitant esophagitis, and 2 patients had widespread ulcers in the terminal ileum. The rest had a normal colonic appearance; however, three patients with normal colonoscopic findings were found to have chronic active colitis on histopathological examination. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, most patients with FMF presenting with dyspeptic complaints had gastrointestinal pathology. Furthermore, there was higher inflammatory bowel disease incidence in these patients.

Clues to the diagnosis of biliary atresia in neonatal cholestasis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of this study was to identify important clues in differentiating biliary atresia (BA) from causes of neonatal cholestasis other than BA (non-BA) and establishing the reliability of current tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-four patients with BA and 27 patients with non-BA cholestasis being monitored at the Çukurova University Medical Faculty, the Pediatric Gastroenterology Department and the Pediatric Surgery Department between 2009 and 2015 were retrospectively assessed. RESULTS: Cases of early onset jaundice, acholic stool, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) elevation, and absent or small gallbladder on ultrasonography (USG) were greater in the BA group, while the levels of consanguinity and splenomegaly were higher in the non-BA group. The highest positive predictive value and specificity was determined for a GGT level greater than 197 in addition to absent or small gallbladder on USG and acholic stool in the BA group. Moreover, the presence of acholic stool (97%) exhibited the highest sensitivity and accuracy in the diagnosis of BA. CONCLUSION: Pale stool, GGT elevation, and absent or small gallbladder on USG are the most reliable tests for diagnosing BA. We recommend that intraoperative cholangiography should be performed without waiting for further test results when a neonate or infant presents with acholic stool, high GGT values, and absent or small gallbladder on abdominal USG.