Heart-Type Fatty Acid Binding Protein Level as a Tool in Identification of Early Cardiac Effects of Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to measure the serum levels of heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) in patients presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and diabetic ketosis (DK) and to determine its role in identifying early-period cardiac ischemia. METHODS: This prospective study included 35 patients diagnosed with DKA, 20 patients diagnosed with DK, and 20 control subjects. H-FABP, creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), and troponin I levels were investigated at presentation in patients with DKA and DK and in the control group. H-FABP values were measured again after acidosis correction in the DKA patients. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found with respect to troponin I and CK-MB within the groups. The H-FABP values of DKA patients at presentation were found to be significantly higher than those of DK patients and the control group (p=0.015). The H-FABP value of the DKA group was also found to be significantly higher than the value at hour 36 after acidosis correction (p=0.0001). CONCLUSION: We would like to propose H-FABP as a potential marker for indicating myocardial ischemia.

The 46XX Ovotesticular Disorders of Sexual Development with Dismorphic Features.

BACKGROUND: Ovotesticular disorders of sexual development (OT-DSD) represent a rare sex development disorder characterized by the presence of both ovarian and testicular tissues in the same or the contralateral gonad. CASE: We present the case of a 14-year-old female patient with signs of virilization at a pubertal age and with dysmorphic features, diagnosed as 46,XX OT-DSD. CONCLUSION: We want to point out that patients with 46 XX OT-DSD may present with virilization at puberty and may be accompanied by dysmorphic features.

Growth patterns of children of same geographic background reared in different environments.

OBJECTIVE: Growth charts are essential tools used to assess children's health status. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of environmental factors on the growth of children of a common geographic background. We constructed growth charts for children living in the East of Turkey and compared them with those for Turkish children living in other regions or countries. METHODS: Growth data were obtained from 6 917 school children living in Eastern Turkey. The median values on smoothed percentile curves for the study subjects were compared with those for Turkish children living in the West of Turkey, in Western Europe and in Germany. RESULTS: Children living in Turkey were lighter than their European peers at early ages. Weight curves of children living in the West of Turkey reached those of their European peers, after 11 years of age in boys and after 12 years of age in girls. At all ages, girls and boys in our region had the lowest weight values. Between 7 and 11 years of age, the median height in boys and girls were similar in the West of Turkey and in Europe. At older ages, median height was higher in Turkey. Girls and boys living in Eastern Turkey were the shortest children until 16 years of age; after that age, their height was similar to their peers. CONCLUSIONS: Weight may interact with environmental factors, but genetic potential appears to be the most important factor determining height at 17 years of age. Growth patterns of children should be evaluated using specific reference values for specific regions.