Residents and interns in the 3 university hospitals: their knowledge of and attitudes to drug allergy.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies revealed there are many gaps in the awareness and knowledge regarding the diagnosis and management of drug allergy (DA) among various health-care professionals. OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards DA among residents and interns of 3 university hospitals in the region of Trakya (Thrace), Turkey. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at university hospitals of 3 cities in the Trakya region: 1. Trakya University Medical Faculty, Edirne (n = 405), 2. Namik Kemal University Medical Faculty, Tekirdag (n = 114), and 3. Canakkale 18 Mart University Medical Faculty, Canakkale (n = 111). A Turkish questionnaire was developed based on previous published studies. RESULTS: The majority of participants (67%) had not received education on DA as a separate subject during their medical education. Less than a third (28.3%) of all respondents were satisfied with their knowledge concerning patients with clinical signs of DA. Of the 6 knowledge questions on DA, the average score for the study was 3.51 out of 6 (58.5%). Residents had a higher knowledge score (3.93 ± 1.1) compared with interns (3.05 ± 1.2) (p < 0.001). The lowest percentage of correct answers were in response to questions on laboratory confirmation of drug-related anaphylaxis (14.5%) and the possibility of penicillin toleration in patients with a history of penicillin allergy (11.8%). The majority of participants (92%) believe that medical doctors should be educated in DA. There were no significant correlations between taking DA histories and the frequency during daily practice of encountering patients. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that DA knowledge and attitudes are not at satisfactory level among respondents, and we concluded the importance and necessity of reinforcement of DA education in pre- and postgraduate education of medical doctors.

Evaluation of the diagnostic value of clinical characteristics and situations associated with primary headache in children: International classification of headache Disorders-3 edition.

OBJECTIVE: In the childhood period, diagnosis of primary headache is based on anamnesis essentially. This study investigated the effects of characteristics of headache (type of pain, localization and attack time), family migraine history and total duration from onset of headache to clinical diagnosis on primary headache diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Headache history was taken from children aged 6-18 years with a suitable form of International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition. Children's demographic findings were recorded. Headache characteristics (type of pain, localization and attack time), whether there is family migraine history and total duration from onset of headache to clinical diagnosis were recorded and sensitivity and specificity were calculated. The effects of pulsatile pain, forehead localization, attack time ≥2 h, family history of migraine and total time from onset of headache to clinical diagnosis on final diagnosis of primary headache (migraine without aura or others) were also assessed with regression analysis. RESULTS: Of a total of 277 patients, 52 % were diagnosed with migraine without aura. Regression analysis revealed that family history of migraine was the most determinant factor for migraine without aura diagnosis (OR 2.922, 95 %CI 1.622-5.264). This was followed by the pursuing risk coefficients for migraine without aura diagnosis in order of forehead localization (OR 2.751, 95 %CI 1.537-4.923), attack time of ≥2 h (OR 2.615, 95 %CI 1.406-4.864), nausea (OR 2.163, 95 %CI 1.192-3.924), pulsatile pain (OR 2.102, 95 %CI 1.185-3.729) and total duration (OR 1.973, 95 %CI 1.105-3.521). CONCLUSION: Family history of migraine and total duration of longer than 6 months from onset of headache to clinical diagnosis may be additional markers for migraine without aura diagnosis. Due to difficulties experienced in diagnosis of primary headache based on anamnesis in the childhood period, there is a need for additional diagnostic markers.

Investigation of Blood Betatrophin Levels in Obese Children with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

PURPOSE: The prevalence of obesity has significantly increased among children and adolescents worldwide and is becoming an important health care problem in parallel with the increased prevalence of obesity pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Betatrophin is a newly define hormone that is commonly secreted by liver and plays role in glucose tolerance. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum betatrophin levels and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese children. METHODS: The study included 40 obese children with a body mass index (BMI) above 95th centile, and 35 non-obese subjects with a BMI 3-85th centile, whose age and gender were similar to those of the patient group. For the evaluation of metabolic parameters fasting serum glucose, insulin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lipid profile and serum betatrophin levels were measured. Total cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios were calculated as "atherogenic indices." RESULTS: Serum betatrophin levels of the obese subjects were similar to that of non-obese subjects (p=0.90). Betatrophin levels were not correlated with the metabolic parameters. CONCLUSION: In the present study, levels of betatrophin are not different between obese and insulin resistant children and non-obese subjects, and they are not correlated with atherogenic indices. To elucidate the exact role of betatrophin in obesity, further studies are required to identify the betatrophin receptor and/or other possible cofactors.

Influence of body mass index on mindfulness awareness and coping methods for stress in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: Psychological state may affect the body weight through the hypothalamus and vice versa. The goal of this study is to investigate whether body mass index affect mindfulness awareness (MA) levels and type of coping with stress. METHODS: Healthy adolescents were included in the study. The mindfulness attention awareness scale (MAAS), indicating the ways of coping checklist inventory was performed and body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) of adolescents were calculated. The influence of BMI on MA and ways of coping with stress was tested. According to BMI percentiles the study population was grouped as obese (including overweight), normal-weighted and underweight. RESULTS: A total of 270 adolescents (mean age: 13.63±2.07 years; 165 female/105 male) participated in the study. No significant correlation was found between BMI and MA scores (r=-0.085; p=0.161) and coping strategies were not different between the groups. When MA scores are compared with stress coping methods, it appeares that participants with high awareness levels chose positive coping styles. CONCLUSION: BMI is not effective on MA levels and choice of stress coping methods. But the higher MA levels are associated with positive coping styles.

Evaluation of pituitary function in cases with the diagnosis of pediatric mild traumatic brain injury: Cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: This study was to determine whether pituitary dysfunction occurs after head trauma in children or not and which axis is affected more; to define the association of pituitary dysfunction with the severity of head trauma and duration time after the diagnosis of head trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 24 children who were diagnosed with head trauma were evaluated regarding pituitary dysfunction. In all cases, after 12 h fasting, serum cortisol, fT3, fT4, thyroid-stimulating hormone, prolactin, insulin-like growth factor-1, serum sodium, urine density, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, in female cases E2, in male cases, TT levels were determined. RESULTS: Mean age of children was 9.5 ± 3.1 years, 14 children (58.3%) had mild, 9 children (37.5%) had moderate, and 1 children (4.2%) had severe head trauma according to the Glasgow coma scale. Mean duration time after head trauma was 29.4 ± 9.8 months. In all cases, no pathologic condition was determined in the pituitary hormonal axis. In one children (4.2%), low basal cortisol level was found. There were no children with hormonal deficiency in this study. CONCLUSION: Although pituitary dysfunction after head trauma may develop in the early period, some may present in the late period; therefore, all cases should be followed up at outpatient clinics for a longer period.

Does intrauterine tobacco exposure increase the pain perception of newborns?

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess whether there was a difference in the pain-perception levels of newborns born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy and newborns born to mothers who were not exposed to active or passive smoking during pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 newborns born by normal spontaneous vaginal birth between June 2013 and June 2014 were included in the study: 30 born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy, and 30 born to mothers not exposed to smoking. Mothers or newborns who had taken analgesics or sedative medications in the previous 24 hours, newborns not born at term, and sick newborns were not included in the study. During the routine hepatitis B-vaccination injection given at postnatal 48 hours, the newborns' behavior was monitored and recorded by video camera. The data obtained from the recordings were evaluated according to the Neonatal Pain, Agitation, and Sedation Scale and analyzed with SPSS 20. RESULTS: The median pain score of the group exposed to tobacco smoke in utero was 8.5, while the median pain score of the unexposed group was 6 (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Exposure to tobacco smoke in utero may increase the pain-perception levels of newborns.

Relation between QT Variables and Left Ventricular Geometry in Athletes and Obese Children.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate the relation between QT variables and left ventricular geometry in athletes and obese children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 209 children and adolescents. Thirty-eight of them were obese, 140 were athletes and 31 were normal weighted. Children with history of functional and structural cardiovascular diseases (acquired and congenital), chronic systemic diseases, hypertension, sleep apnea, endocrinological disorders were excluded. All subjects underwent detailed electrocardiographic and echocardiographic examination. RESULTS: QT dispersion was significantly higher in obese children, basketball players, football players and swimmers compared to control group (p < 0.05, p < 0.001, < 0.001 and < 0.01 respectively). Basketball players had the highest QT dispersion. Left ventricular endsystolic diameter (mm/m2) was higher in footballers, swimmers, wrestlers and tennis players compared to obese subjects. Interventricular septal thickness at diastole was highest in swimmers compared to control group (p < 0.001) and left ventricular posterior wall thickness was significantly higher in footballers and swimmers compared to healthy subjects (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001 respectively). Left ventricular geometry was normal in 84 patients (47.1%), but 34 patients (19.1%) had concentric remodelling, 20 (22.4%) had concentric hypertrophy and 40 (28.6%) had eccentric hypertrophy. No concentric and eccentric hypertrophy was observed in obese subjects. Left ventricle hypertrophy was prominent in dynamic and combined groups but it was not statistically significant (p = 0.204). QT dispersion was statistically higher in obese, dynamic sports and combined sports compared to control group (p < 0.05, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 respectively). DISCUSSION: In this study we determined that QT dispersion is elevated in dynamic and combined sports types and obese children. CONCLUSION: QT dispersion is prolonged in obese and athletes who participate dynamic and combined sports.

Introdução: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a relação entre variáveis QT e geometria do ventrículo esquerdo em atletas e crianças obesas. Material e Métodos: Foram incluídos no estudo 209 crianças e adolescentes. Trinta e oito deles eram obesos, 140 foram atletas e 31 tinham peso normal. Crianças com antecedentes funcionais e estruturais de doenças cardiovasculares (adquiridas e congénitas), doenças sistémicas crónicas, hipertensão arterial, apneia do sono, doenças endocrinológicas foram excluídos. Todos os sujeitos rea-lizaram detalhados exames eletrocardiográficos e ecocardiográficos. Resultados: A dispersão do QT foi significativamente maior em crianças obesas, jogadores de basquete, jogadores de futebol e nadadores, por comparação com o grupo controlo (p < 0,05, p < 0,001, < 0,001 e < 0,01, respetivamente). Os jogadores de basquetebol tiveram a maior dispersão do QT. O di'metro ventricular esquerdo endosistólico (mm/m2) foi maior nos jogadores, nadadores, lutadores e jogadores de ténis por comparação com indivíduos obesos. A espessura do septo interventricular na diástole foi maior em nadadores por comparação com o grupo controlo (p < 0,001) e a espessura da parede posterior do ventrículo esquerdo foi significativamente maior nos jogadores e nadadores por comparação a indivíduos saudáveis (p < 0,01 e p < 0,001, respetivamente). A geometria do ventrículo esquerdo foi normal em 84 pacientes (47,1%), mas 34 pacientes (19,1%) tinham remodelação concêntrica, 20 (22,4%) apresentaram hipertrofia concêntrica e 40 (28,6%) apresentaram hipertrofia excêntrica. Não foi observada hipertrofia concêntrica e excêntrica em indivíduos obesos. A hipertrofia do ventrículo esquerdo era proeminente nos grupos din'mico e combinado mas a diferença não foi estatisticamente significativa (p = 0,204). A dispersão do QT foi significativamente maior nos obesos e praticantes de desporto din'mico e combinado em relação ao grupo controlo (p < 0,05, p < 0,001 e p < 0,001, respetivamente). Discussão: Neste estudo determinámos que a dispersão do QT é elevada em tipos de desporto din'mico e combinado, e em crianças obesas. Conclusão: A dispersão do QT é prolongada em pacientes obesos e atletas que participam em desporto din'mico e combinado.

Do we really ponder about necessity of intravenous hydration in acute bronchiolitis?

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to establish the role of intravenous hydration therapy on mild bronchiolitis. METHODS: This was a retrospective case control study. Infants between 1 month and 2 years of age admitted to our general pediatrics ward between June 2012 and June 2013 with a diagnosis of uncomplicated acute bronchiolitis were enrolled to the study. Hospital medical files were reviewed to get information about children personal history, symptoms of the disease, disease severity scores and their management. Patients were classified into 4 groups according to the management; nebulized short-acting ß2-agonist (salbutamol) +hydration; nebulized short-acting ß2-agonist (salbutamol); hydration and neither bronchodilator nor hydration. We examined length of stay in the hospital as an outcome measure. RESULTS: A total of 94 infants were studied. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of length of stay in hospital. CONCLUSIONS: IV hydration is not effective on length of stay in hospital in mild acute bronchiolitis patients.

OBJETIVO: Establecer la función de la terapia de hidratación intravenosa leve. MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo de casos y controles. En el estudio fueron reclutados niños entre 1 mes y 2 años de edad atendidos en la sala de pediatría general entre junio 2012 y junio 2013, con diagnóstico de bronquiolitis aguda no complicada. Se revisaron historias médicas de los niños para obtener datos personales, síntomas de la enfermedad, grado de severidad y el manejo instaurado. Los pacientes fueron clasificados en cuatro grupos de cuerdo al manejo: hidratación + nebulización de corta acción con ß2-agonista (salbutamol); nebulización de corta acción con ß2-agonista (salbutamol); hidratación; o sin hidratación y broncodilatador. Se determinó la duración de la estancia hospitalaria como medida resultado. RESULTADOS: Un total de 94 niños fueron estudiados. No hubo diferencia significativa entre los grupos en términos de duración de la estancia en el hospital. CONCLUSIONES: La hidratación IV no es efectiva en la duración de la estancia hospitalaria en pacientes con bronquiolitis aguda leve.

Serum ischemia-modified albumin levels in adolescent smokers.

BACKGROUND: It is known that the biochemical marker linked to tissue ischemia, ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), is related to oxidative stress. Cigarette smoking is a situation with increased oxidative stress causing cell damage and it is thought that many of the negative effects linked to smoking may occur after the biological material in the body is exposed to oxidative damage. This study aimed to identify variability in serum IMA levels in adolescents who smoke. METHODS: This case-control study comprised 60 adolescents without any chronic disease. The smoking group was 30 adolescents between the ages of 14 and 17 years who smoked, while the control group was 30 healthy adolescents who did not smoke. Blood samples were collected from all subjects and serum IMA levels and serum nicotine metabolites were determined. RESULTS: The serum IMA levels in the adolescents who smoked were 0.452±0.094 absorbance unit (ABSU), while the control group had ASBU levels of 0.427±0.054. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of serum IMA levels (p=0.210). There was a significant difference between the control and smoking groups in terms of serum nicotine metabolite levels (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Among adolescents who smoke, serum IMA levels may not be a good marker for oxidative stress.

Do we really ponder about necessity of intravenous hydration in acute bronchiolitis? / Debemos reflexionar sobre la necesidad de una hidratación intravenosa en la bronquiolitis aguda?

Objective: The goal was to establish the role of intravenous hydration therapy on mild bronchiolitis. Methods: This was a retrospective case control study. Infants between 1 month and 2 years of age admitted to our general pediatrics ward between June 2012 and June 2013 with a diagnosis of uncomplicated acute bronchiolitis were enrolled to the study. Hospital medical files were reviewed to get information about children personal history, symptoms of the disease, disease severity scores and their management. Patients were classified into 4 groups according to the management; nebulized short-acting β2-agonist (salbutamol) +hydration; nebulized short-acting β2-agonist (salbutamol); hydration and neither bronchodilator nor hydration. We examined length of stay in the hospital as an outcome measure. Results: A total of 94 infants were studied. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of length of stay in hospital. Conclusions:IV hydration is not effective on length of stay in hospital in mild acute bronchiolitis patients.

Objetivo: Establecer la función de la terapia de hidratación intravenosa leve. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo. En el estudio fueron reclutados niños entre 1 mes y 2 años de edad atendidos en la sala de pediatría general entre junio 2012 y junio 2013, con diagnóstico de bronquiolitis aguda no complicada. Se revisaron historias médicas de los niños para obtener datos personales, síntomas de la enfermedad, grado de severidad y el manejo instaurado. Los pacientes fueron clasificados en cuatro grupos de cuerdo al manejo: hidratación + nebulización de corta acción con β2-agonista (salbutamol); nebulización de corta acción con β2agonista (salbutamol); hidratación; o sin hidratación y broncodilatador. Se determinó la duración de la estancia hospitalaria como medida resultado. Resultados: Un total de 94 niños fueron estudiados. No hubo diferencia significativa entre los grupos en términos de duración de la estancia en el hospital. Conclusiones: La hidratación IV no es efectiva en la duración de la estancia hospitalaria en pacientes con bronquiolitis aguda leve.

Noninvasive assessment of the retina and the choroid using enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography shows microvascular impairments in childhood obesity.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the retinal vascular diameters and macular and subfoveal choroidal thicknesses of obese and nonobese children using enhanced-depth imaging spectral domain optical coherence tomography (EDI SD-OCT). METHODS: The retinal vascular diameters of the 4 largest retinal arterioles and venules and macular and subfoveal choroidal thickness measurements of 40 obese children (body mass index [BMI] z score above +2.0 standard deviations) were obtained by EDI SD-OCT and compared with those of 40 age- and sex-matched nonobese children. Anthropometric measures, including weight and height, were also obtained. BMI z score was defined using standardized protocols. RESULTS: The mean BMI z scores of obese children were 2.59 ± 0.62; of nonobese children, -0.20 ± 0.92. The mean diameter of retinal arterioles was significantly smaller (P = 0.002) in obese children compared to nonobese children, whereas the mean diameter of retinal venules was larger (P = 0.008). The macular and subfoveal choroidal thicknesses were significantly thinner (P = 0.031 and 0.014, resp.) in obese children compared to nonobese children. CONCLUSIONS: The narrower retinal arterioles, wider retinal venules, and thinner macular and subfoveal choroidal thicknesses in obese children seem to be associated with microvascular impairments in childhood obesity.

Effect of delivery mode on postpartum neonatal body temperatures.

OBJECTIVE: It is known that general and local anesthesia practices disrupt the delicate balance of thermoregulation center which is already sensitive to very tiny differences of temperatures in a normal subject. We aimed to evaluate and compare the rectal temperatures of newborns born with normal vaginal delivery and cesarean section. METHODS: We performed a prospective study of 106 term newborn - 40 born with normal vaginal delivery (group 1) and 66 born with cesarean section [51 spinal anesthesia (group 2), 15 general anesthesia (group 3)]. Only term babies were included in the study. Babies of eclamptic, pre-eclamptic and diabetic mothers and babies with chronic systemic diseases were excluded. Pregnants who underwent elective cesarean section were included in the study. Adolescent pregnants, pregnants with increased risks and pregnants with complicated operations were excluded. Mothers' temperatures were measured before and after the interventions. Rectal temperatures of the babies were measured immediately after birth. RESULTS: Environmental temperature was maintained at 22-24 °C. Pre-operative mother temperatures were 36.31 ± 0.30 °C in group 1, 36.36 ± 0.26 °C in group 2 and 36.39 ± 0.19 °C in group 3 (p = 0.414). Post-operative mother temperatures were 36.39 ± 0.27 °C in group 1, 36.29 ± 0.31 °C in group 2 and 36.25 ± 0.28 °C in group 3 (p = 0.215). Rectal temperatures of the babies born with normal vaginal delivery were significantly higher than the others. It was lowest in the general anesthesia group (37.5 ± 0.6 °C, 37.2 ± 0.2 °C and 36.8 ± 0.4 °C in group 1, 2 and 3, respectively). The temperature differences between groups were statistically significant p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, it is worthy to note that temperatures of the newborns can differ according to the delivery mode. Physicians and health professionals that take care of the newborns should be aware of this difference.

Relationship between Abdominal Aortic Intima Media Thickness and Central Obesity in Children.

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity is one of the important risk factors for early atherosclerosis. We aimed to evaluate the effect of obesity on abdominal aortic intima media thickness (aaIMT) in children. METHODS: We consecutively recruited 60 obese and 28 healthy children from the outpatient clinic of pediatrics. In all patients, BMI, waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference (HC) were measured, and fasting serum lipid profile, plasma glucose and plasma insulin were studied. Homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated for the obese group. All children underwent ultrasonography to evaluate hepatosteatosis and to measure aaIMT. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of aaIMT, insulin, glucose, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, triglyceride and hepatosteatosis. aaIMT was 1.12 ± 0.25 and 0.61 ± 0.18 mm in the obese and nonobese groups, respectively (p < 0.001). In the obese group, there was a positive correlation between aaIMT and WC, WC/height ratio, BMI, HC and hepatosteatosis (p < 0.05 for all), with the highest significance for WC. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that aaIMT was significantly higher in obese children than in nonobese children, and that WC was a strong predictor for aaIMT. Early detection of an increased aaIMT in obese children may guide the follow-up of these patients in terms of developing atherosclerosis and its complications.

Prenatal maternal risk factors for infantile colic.

AIM: To examine maternal prenatal risk factors for infantile colic (IC). METHODS: Mothers were asked to complete a standard pre-coded questionnaire form. Inclusion in the study consisted of four criteria. The case group comprised healthy children with infantile colic according to Wessel's definition. The control group comprised healthy children with no history of IC. Prenatal period characteristics of mothers were examined to determine associations with IC. RESULTS: Children with mothers who had prophylactic iron supplementation therapy during pregnancy suffered more from IC. Postpartum depression was found to be more frequent in the case group than in the control group. Gynaecological history, including suffering from migraine, presence of any premenstrual symptoms, dysmenorrhea and high pre-pregnancy body mass index, was associated with development of IC. CONCLUSION: Pre-gestational gynaecological complaints and pregnancy characteristics may point to IC. These characteristics should be investigated and families should be informed.

Early detection of myocardial deformation by 2D speckle tracking echocardiography in normotensive obese children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the left venticular myocardial deformation parameters in normotensive obese children and adolescents by using 2-D speckle tracking echocardiography. METHODS: This observational cross-sectional study included 69 children and adolescents (aged between 10-18), 38 were normotensive obese and 31 were normal weighted. All children underwent detailed two- dimentional, Doppler and two-dimentional speckle tracking echocardiography. Student t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test and Pearson's correlation were used in statistical analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis was used the determine independent variables on global longitudinal strain (GLS). RESULTS: While in normal limits, diastolic blood pressure was significantly higher in obese group. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVDd) and end-systolic diameter (LVDs), interventricular septal thickness (IVSd), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LPWD) and left ventricular mass index (LVM)/height(2.7) were significantly higher in obese group compared to healthy peers (p=0.004, p=0.011, p<0.001, p=0.001, p<0.001) respectively. Obese subjects had reduced global longitudinal strain (GLS) values (p=0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis using the stepwise method were performed to assess the independent variables (age, body mass index, insulin resistance, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, left ventricular diameters and LVM index (g/m(2.7)) affecting the dependent variable GLS. GLS was found significantly correlated with body mass index (BMI) (ß:0.440, p:0.001; 95% CI: 0.104-0.311). CONCLUSION: Left ventricular strain parameters obtained by two dimentional speckle tracking echocardiography were diminished in obese children compared to normal subjects indicating that obesity in childhood is linked to decreased myocardial deformation even in the absence of comorbidities in early stages.

The effects of passive smoking on the six-minute walk test in obese pediatric cases.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether exposure to second-hand smoke affected the six-minute walk test (6 MWT) of obese non-asthmatic pediatric cases. METHODS: Obese pediatric patients (body mass index >95th p) with no existing co-morbidities were included in the study. Smoke exposure was assessed with a self-reported questionnaire completed by the parents. The subjects were divided into two groups: Group 1 consisting of obese children exposed to passive smoking and Group 2 of obese children not exposed to passive smoking. In addition to 6 MWT, spirometric flow and volume, including forced expiratory volume in 1 s and peak expiratory flow rate, were also measured in all subjects. The results of the 6 MWT were assessed to determine any association with passive smoking. RESULTS: The study included 75 obese pediatric cases (40 male, 35 female) with a mean age of 9.06 ± 0.97 years. The 6 MWT results in Group 1 was 501.88 ± 62.12 meters and in Group 2 559.63 ± 72.93 meters. The difference was statistically significant (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Passive smoking may negatively affect the respiratory and cardiovascular capacity in obese children, who are already at risk of lower cardiopulmonary function. The evaluation of 6 MWT in these pediatric patients may be useful for monitoring and families should be warned about potential problems due to smoking.