Evaluation of 601 children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (Turk MISC study).

PURPOSE: Due to its link with the 2019 coronavirus, the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MISC) has garnered considerable international interest. The aim of this study, in which MISC patients were evaluated multicenter, and the data of the third period of the Turk-MISC study group, to compare the clinical and laboratory characteristics and outcomes of MISC patients who did and did not require admission to an intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: This retrospective multicenter observational study was carried out between June 11, 2021, and January 01, 2022. The demographics, complaints, laboratory results, system involvements, and outcomes of the patients were documented. RESULTS: A total of 601 patients were enrolled; 157 patients (26.1%) required hospitalization in the intensive care unit (ICU). Median age was 8 years (interquartile range (IQR) 4.5-11.3 years. The proportion of Kawasaki disease-like features in the ICU group was significantly higher than in the non-ICU group (56.1% vs. 43.2% p = 0.006). The ICU group had considerably lower counts of both lymphocytes and platelets (lymphocyte count 900 vs. 1280 cells × µL, platelet count 153 vs. 212 cells × 103/ µL, all for p< 0.001). C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and ferritin levels were significantly higher in the ICU group (CRP 164 vs. 129 mg/L, procalcitonin 9.2 vs. 2.2 µg/L, ferritin 644 vs. 334 µg/L, all for p< 0.001). Being between ages 5-12 and older than 12 increased the likelihood of hospitalization in the ICU by four [95% confidence intervals (CI)1.971-8.627] and six times (95% CI 2.575-14.654), respectively, compared to being between the ages 0-5. A one-unit increase in log D-dimer (µg/L) and log troponin (ng/L) was also demonstrated to increase the need for intensive care by 1.8 (95% CI 1.079-3.233) and 1.4 times (95% CI 1.133-1.789), respectively.     Conclusion: By comparing this study to our other studies, we found that the median age of MISC patients has been rising. Patients requiring an ICU stay had considerably higher levels of procalcitonin, CRP, and ferritin but significantly lower levels of lymphocyte and thrombocyte. In particular, high levels of procalcitonin in the serum might serve as a valuable laboratory marker for anticipating the need for intensive care. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia were an independent predictor factors in patients with MISC who needed to stay in intensive care unit. • The possibility of the need to stay in the intensive care unit in patients with MISC who had Kawasaki disease-like findings was controversial compared with those who did not. WHAT IS NEW: • A one-unit increase log D dimer and log troponin was demonstrated to require for intensive care unit by 1.8 and 1.4 times, respectively. • Serum procalcitonin levels had the best performance to predict stay in the intensive care unit stay.

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.

Antibiotic associated diarrhea in outpatient pediatric antibiotic therapy.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic-associated diarrhea is one of the most frequent side effects of antimicrobial therapy. We assessed the epidemiological data of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in pediatric patients in our region. METHODS: The prospective multi-center study included pediatric patients who were initiated an oral antibiotic course in outpatient clinics and followed in a well-established surveillance system. This follow-up system constituded inclusion of patient by the primary physician, supply of family follow-up charts to the family, passing the demographics and clinical information of patient to the Primary Investigator Centre, and a close telephone follow-up of patients for a period of eight weeks by the Primary Investigator Centre. RESULTS: A result of 758 cases were recruited in the analysis which had a frequency of 10.4% antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Among the cases treated with amoxicillin-clavulanate 10.4%, and cephalosporins 14.4% presented with antibiotic-associated diarrhea. In the analysis of antibiotic-associated diarrhea occurrence according to different geographical regions of Turkey, antibiotic-associated diarrhea episodes differed significantly (p = 0.014), particularly higher in The Eastern Anatolia and Southeastern Anatolia. Though most commonly encountered with cephalosporin use, antibiotic-associated diarrhea is not a frequent side effect. CONCLUSION: This study on pediatric antibiotic-associated diarrhea displayed epidemiological data and the differences geographically in our region.

Underlying Diseases and Causative Microorganisms of Recurrent Pneumonia in Children: A 13-Year Study in a University Hospital.

Pneumonia is a significant cause of death for children, particularly those in developing countries. The records of children who were hospitalized because of pneumonia between January 2003 and December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed, and patients who met the recurrent pneumonia criteria were included in this study. During this 13-year period, 1395 patients were hospitalized with pneumonia; of these, 129 (9.2%) met the criteria for recurrent pneumonia. Underlying diseases were detected in 95 (73.6%) patients, with aspiration syndrome (21.7%) being the most common. Rhinovirus (30.5%), adenovirus (17.2%) and respiratory syncytial virus (13.9%) were the most frequent infectious agents. These results demonstrate that underlying diseases can cause recurrent pneumonia in children. Viruses are also commonly seen in recurrent pneumonia. Appropriate treatments should be chosen based on an analysis of the underlying disease, the patient's clinical condition and the laboratory and radiological data.

Disseminated Cryptococcosis With Severe Increased Intracranial Pressure Complicated With Cranial Nerve Palsy in a Child.

Cryptococcosis is less common in children than in adults but remains an important cause of pneumonia and meningoencephalitis in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Intracranial hypertension commonly complicates cryptococcal meningitis and may cause significant visual and neurologic morbidity and mortality. Early and aggressive management of intracranial hypertension in accordance with established guidelines reduces the risk of long-term complications and death. In this case report, we present a 12-year-old girl with cryptococcal meningitis, pneumonitis and dermatitis complicated with cranial nerve palsy and loss of vision. She was successfully treated with serial cerebrospinal fluid drainage, antifungal and interferon gamma therapy.

Efectos de la vacuna neumocócica conjugada (VCN7 y VCN13) en los niños turcos con enfermedad neumocócica invasiva: experiencia en un solo centro / The effects of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7 and PCV13) on Turkish children with invasive pneumococcal disease: a single center experience

Introducción: Nuestro objetivo fue determinar los cambios en la incidencia de enfermedad neumocócica invasiva (ENI), la distribución de serotipos y patrones de resistencia antibiótica del Streptococcus pneumoniae en niños con ENI tras el período de vacunación (de 1 a 7 años) con vacuna neumocócica de 7 serotipos (VCN7) (2008) y de 13 serotipos (VCN13) (2011). Población y métodos: El estudio se realizó en 39 niños con ENI de 1 mes a 18 años de edad en Angora, Turquía. Se identificó Streptococcus pneumoniae en sangre, líquido cefalorraquídeo, líquido pleural, y otros tejidos y líquidos corporales estériles mediante procedimientos estándar. Se analizó la resistencia de cepas aisladas de S. pneumoniae a penicilina y ceftriaxona con la prueba de epsilometría (E-test). Los serotipos de las cepas se determinaron con la reacción de Quellung. Resultados: La incidencia anual de ENI disminuyó significativamente de 7,71 (intervalo de confianza --#91;IC--#93; del 95%: de 1,99 a 13,4) a 1,58 (IC del 95%: de 0,6 a 3,77; reducción del riesgo relativo= -79,5; p= 0,006) cada 100 000 habitantes de < 5 años de edad sin enfermedad preexistente. Durante todo el período del estudio, los serotipos en la VCN7 y en la VCN13 representaron el 27,8% y el 63,8% de las cepas aisladas, respectivamente. Los serotipos en la VCN13 correspondían al 81,8% de los casos de ENI en la era previa a la introducción de esta vacuna, y disminuyeron al 56% en los cuatro años posteriores. Las tasas de resistencia a penicilina y ceftriaxona (en el caso de la meningitis) fueron del 48,5% y el 9,1%, respectivamente. Conclusiones: Este estudio observó una disminución significativa en la incidencia de ENI después de la introducción de la VCN13.

Introduction. The aim of this prospective singlecenter study was to determine the changings in incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), serotype distribution and the antimicrobial resistance patterns of S. pneumoniae in children with IPD after the period (1 to 7 years) of vaccination with PCV7 (2008) and PCV13 (2011). Population and methods. The study was conducted on 39 Turkish children with IPD between ages 1 month and 18 years in Ankara, Turkey. Streptococcus pneumoniae was identified using standard laboratory procedures from blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), pleural fluid, and other sterile body fluids and tissues. S. pneumoniae isolates were tested for resistance to penicilin and ceftriaxone using the E-test methodology. Serotypes of the isolates were determined by Quellung reaction. Results. The overall annual incidence rate of IPD decreased significantly from 7.71 (95% CI, 1.99-13.4) to 1.58 (95% CI, 0.6-3.77; RRR= -79.5; p= 0.006) per 100 000 population among <5 years of age without underlying disease. During the overall study period, the PCV7-serotypes and PCV13-serotypes represented 27.8% and 63.8% of isolates, respectively. PCV13-serotypes made up 81.8% of cases of IPD in the pre-PCV13 era and decreased to 56% in the 4 years after PCV13. The penicillin and ceftriaxone (for meningitis) resistance rates were 48.5% and 9.1%, respectively. Conclusions. This is the first study about the changing pattern of the incidence of IPD in Turkish children after the implementation of the PCV7 and PCV13 in Turkish national vaccine schedule and a prominent decrease in incidence of IPD has seen after the implementation of PCV13.

The effects of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7 and PCV13) on Turkish children with invasive pneumococcal disease: a single center experience. / Efectos de la vacuna neumocócica conjugada (VCN7 y VCN13) en los niños turcos con enfermedad neumocócica invasiva: experiencia en un solo centro.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this prospective single-center study was to determine the changings in incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), serotype distribution and the antimicrobial resistance patterns of S. pneumoniae in children with IPD after the period (1 to 7 years) of vaccination with PCV7 (2008) and PCV13 (2011). POPULATION AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 39 Turkish children with IPD between ages 1 month and 18 years in Ankara, Turkey. Streptococcus pneumoniae was identified using standard laboratory procedures from blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), pleural fluid, and other sterile body fluids and tissues. S. pneumoniae isolates were tested for resistance to penicilin and ceftriaxone using the E-test methodology. Serotypes of the isolates were determined by Quellung reaction. RESULTS: The overall annual incidence rate of IPD decreased significantly from 7.71 (95% CI, 1.99-13.4) to 1.58 (95% CI, 0.6-3.77; RRR=-79.5; p=0.006) per 100 000 population among ≤5 years of age without underlying disease. During the overall study period, the PCV7-serotypes and PCV13-serotypes represented 27.8% and 63.8% of isolates, respectively. PCV13-serotypes made up 81.8% of cases of IPD in the pre-PCV13 era and decreased to 56% in the 4 years after PCV13. The penicillin and ceftriaxone (for meningitis) resistance rates were 48.5% and 9.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study about the changing pattern of the incidence of IPD in Turkish children after the implementation of the PCV7 and PCV13 in Turkish national vaccine schedule and a prominent decrease in incidence of IPD has seen after the implementation of PCV13.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Nuestro objetivo fue determinar los cambios en la incidencia de enfermedad neumocócica invasiva (ENI), la distribución de serotipos y patrones de resistencia antibiótica del Streptococcus pneumoniae en niños con ENI tras el período de vacunación (de1 a 7 años) con vacuna neumocócica de 7 serotipos (VCN7) (2008) y de 13 serotipos (VCN13) (2011). POBLACIÓN Y MÉTODOS: El estudio se realizó en 39 niños con ENI de 1 mes a 18 años de edad en Angora, Turquía. Se identificó Streptococcus pneumoniae en sangre, líquido cefalorraquídeo, líquido pleural, y otros tejidos y líquidos corporales estériles mediante procedimientos estándar.Se analizó la resistencia de cepas aisladas de S. pneumoniae a penicilina y ceftriaxona con la prueba de epsilometría (E-test). Los serotipos de las cepas se determinaron con la reacción de Quellung. RESULTADOS: La incidencia anual de ENI disminuyó significativamente de 7,71 (intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%: de 1,99 a 13,4) a 1,58 (IC del 95%: de 0,6 a 3,77; reducción del riesgo relativo=-79,5; p=0,006) cada 100 000 habitantes de ≤ 5 años de edad sin enfermedad preexistente. Durante todo el período del estudio, los serotipos en la VCN7 y en la VCN13 representaron el 27,8% y el 63,8% de las cepas aisladas, respectivamente. Los serotipos en la VCN13 correspondían al 81,8% de los casos de ENI en la era previa a la introducción de esta vacuna, y disminuyeron al 56% en los cuatro años posteriores. Las tasas de resistencia a penicilina y ceftriaxona (en el caso de la meningitis) fueron del 48,5% y el 9,1%, respectivamente. CONCLUSIONES: Este estudio observó una disminución significativa en la incidencia de ENI después de la introducción de la VCN13.

Evaluation of antimicrobial susceptibilities and virulence factors of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from community-acquired and health-care associated pediatric infections.

Karbuz A, Karahan ZC, Aldemir-Kocabas B, Tekeli A, Özdemir H, Güriz H, Gökdemir R, Ince E, Çiftçi E. Evaluation of antimicrobial susceptibilities and virulence factors of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from community-acquired and health-care associated pediatric infections. Turk J Pediatr 2017; 59: 395-403. The aim of this study was to investigate the enterotoxins and Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) gene as virulence factor, identification if antimicrobial sensitivity patterns, agr (accessory gene regulator) types and sequence types and in resistant cases to obtain SCCmec (staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec) gene types which will be helpful to decide empirical therapy and future health politics for S. aureus species. Total of 150 isolates of S. aureus were isolated from the cultures of the child patients in January 2011 and December 2012. In this study, the penicillin resistance was observed as 93.8%. PVL and mecA was detected positive in 8.7% and in 6% of all S. aureus strains, respectively. Two MRSA (methicillin resistant S.aureus) strains were detected as SCCmec type III and SCCmec type V and five MRSA strains were detected as SCCmec type IV. SET-I and SET-G were the most common detected enterotoxins. In both community-associated and healthcare-associated MRSA strains, agr type 1 was detected most commonly. The most common sequence types were ST737 in 13 patients than ST22 in eight patients and ST121 in six patients. This study highlights a necessity to review the cause of small changes in the structural genes in order to determine whether it is a cause or outcome; community-acquired and healthcare associated strains overlap.

Effects of respiratory viruses on febrile neutropenia attacks in children.

Respiratory tract viruses have an important effect on morbidity and mortality in patients with febrile neutropenia (FN). The aim of this study was to determine frequency and clinical influence of viral respiratory viruses as potential etiologic agents in episodes of FN in children. A total of 100 children (62 boys, 38 girls) with 166 FN episodes were included in this prospective study. Nasopharyngeal aspirate samples were analyzed for respiratory viral agents using multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction. The origin of the fever could be defined in 111 (67%) of the episodes. We detected viral agents in 86 (51.8%), bacterial agents in 19 (11.4%), and fungal agents in 5 (3%) of the episodes. The most common detected viruses were rhinovirus (n= 27), respiratory syncytial virus (n=17), and coronavirus (n=16). Parainfluenza virus, influenza A and B, adenovirus, human metapneumovirus, enterovirus, bocavirus and parechovirus were the remaining detected agents. More than one virus positivity occurred in 13 FN episodes. Forty-three patients had multiple FN episodes. Only four patients had the same viral agent in consecutive attacks. Respiratory symptoms (cough, nasal discharge and congestion, sneezing, wheezing), physical examination signs (rales and rhonchi) and radiological findings were significantly more common in viral agent positive patients (p < 0.05). This study showed that respiratory viruses make a substantial contribution on the etiology of FN episodes in children. Identifying viral agents may help to constitute individualized infection-management algorithms in these patients.

Complications with rotavirus: A single center experiences.

Rotavirus is an important morbidity and mortality agent among previously healthy infants. Rotavirus gastroenteritis (RG) causes severe fluid and electrolyte imbalance and development of fatal complications during course of the disease, if untreated. Although there are few case reports in the literature regarding septicemia after RG, it is one of the most important complications of the disease. The main reason of septicemia is unknown but it can be associated with severe consequences such as septic shock, endocarditis, and even death. If complications are taken into consideration on the course of disease, morbidity and mortality can be reduced. Herein, we evaluated the clinical characteristics, incidence and types of the complications during RG in this retrospective study. We evaluated a total of 276 patients (164 male, 112 female) diagnosed with RG between January 2006 and February 2013 at the department of Pediatric Infectious Disease. Male to female ratio was 1.5 and the median age at admission was 12 months (1-102 months). None of the patients had a history of Rotavirus immunization. While overall complication rate was 44.2%, the most common complication related RG was electrolyte imbalance and the second common complication was septicemia (32.6% and 6.5%, respectively). Klebsiella, E. coli and Candida species were the most common isolated microorganisms from the blood cultures. Rotavirus gastroenteritis is still an important cause of morbidity in children which can cause serious complications such as sepsis. Lack of rotavirus vaccine in our national immunization program might contribute to the related complications and prolonged hospitalization, health care expenses and family work loss, as well.

Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis and pyomyositis: Rare complications of rotavirus gastroenteritis.

Rotavirus may cause life-threatening complications in untreated patients during the course of gastroenteritis. Electrolyte imbalance, bacteremia and sepsis are the most common complications of rotavirus gastroenteritis (RG). It is believed that translocation of intestinal microorganisms as a result of intestinal epithelium dysfunction is the underlying mechanism of bacteremia in RG. Although Gram-negative bacteremia has been noted as a complication in RG, Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia and endocarditis have not been reported previously. A 22-month-old boy was admitted with complaints of fever, diarrhea and dehydration. He was diagnosed with RG complicated with S. aureus bacteremia, pyomyositis and endocarditis. We call attention to these complications in patients with prolonged or late-onset fever during RG as rare complications of the disease.

Recurrent Kawasaki disease in a child with retropharyngeal involvement: a case report and literature review.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a multisystemic vasculitic disease. Recurrent KD is rare and generally presents in a similar clinical picture as the first episode, and early diagnosis with prompt treatment is the key point in preventing associated cardiovascular morbidities. A 9-year-old boy, who was diagnosed with KD when he was 1.5 years' old, was referred to our hospital for surgical drainage of retropharyngeal abscess. He had a 7-day history of high fever, sore throat, left-sided neck swelling, and restricted neck movements. Subsequently, he was diagnosed with recurrent KD and retropharyngeal involvement. He was successfully treated with a single dose of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and acetyl salicylic acid. Recurrence is rare and occurs most commonly in children. Atypical presentation, incomplete disease, short duration of fever, and reduced response to IVIG treatment were found to be the risk factors for recurrence. KD can occasionally present with clinical and radiographic findings of deep neck bacterial infection. Unusual presentations in KD may cause delay in diagnosis and increase the risk of life-threatening complications. We describe a case of recurrent KD presenting with a clinical picture resembling retropharyngeal infection who fully recovered after 1 dose of IVIG instead of surgical drainage and antibiotic use.

Evaluating the patients with thalassemia major for long-term endocrinological complications after bone marrow transplantation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the endocrinological complications of the patients with thalassemia major (TM) who underwent bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and followed-up more than two years in our center, prospectively. "BMT group" consisted of 41 patients with TM. The mean age was 12.4 ± 5.4 years and transplantation age was mean 7.5 ± 4.9 years. Post-BMT follow-up lasted from 24 to 122 months (mean 65.07 months). Also, 32 TM patients with similar age group and same history of transfusion and chelation therapy were recruited for the study as "control (C) group". The weight SDS score after transplantation was found better than before transplantation (p = 0.010). There was a negative correlation between height SDS and BMT age (p = 0.008). The height SDS scores were better in patients whose BMT age was under seven years old compared to those older than seven years old (p = 0.02). Z-scores of femur neck and L2-4 vertebrae DEXA were decreased (p = 0.032, p = 0.0001) and incidence of insulin resistance increased (p = 0.01) in patients with increased BMT age. The risk of gonadal insufficiency was significantly lower in the patients who underwent BMT <7 years of age (p = 0.009). There was no statistically significant relationship between BMT age and complications such as hypothyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, and adrenal insufficiency. The patients with TM should be evaluated for transplantation in early stage of the disease, especially before the age of seven years. Because the BMT cannot correct the endocrinological complications of TM completely, the patients should be followed up regularly after the transplantation.

Assessment of early-onset chronic progressive anthracycline cardiotoxicity in children: different response patterns of right and left ventricles.

We aimed to assess early-onset chronic progressive cardiotoxicity in the left and right ventricles with increasing cumulative anthracycline doses. We evaluated 72 patients within the first year after doxorubicin and/or daunorubicin treatment (median 1.3 months; range 0.3-11.5) and 31 healthy controls. Pretreatment and posttreatment QT interval analyzes were performed in 27 newly diagnosed patients. The echocardiographic data of all examinations of 72 patients were classified into three groups according to instant cumulative anthracycline doses: treatment group (TG)-I (≤120 mg/m(2); n = 26), TG-II (120-240 mg/m(2); n = 39), and TG-III (≥240 mg/m(2); n = 40). Diastolic and systolic parameters were analyzed by conventional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and compared with those of healthy controls. The mean age for patients and controls was 8.2 ± 4.5 and 9.6 ± 4.2 years, respectively (p > 0.05). QTc dispersion significantly increased after anthracycline treatment (p = 0.02). TDI showed decreased E' velocity (p < 0.001) and E'/A' ratio (p < 0.001) at lateral tricuspid annulus segment in TG-I, and these findings continued in TG-II and -III. In addition, S' velocity decreased in TG-I, -II, and -III at lateral mitral annulus (10.5 ± 2.6 cm/s, p < 0.05; 9.9 ± 2.2 cm/s, p < 0.001; and 10.1 ± 2.3 cm/s, p < 0.01, respectively). However, decrease in left-ventricular ejection fraction was statistically significant in TG-II and -III (p < 0.001). Although myocardial performance index was significantly increased in all treatment groups in both segments, it was primarily due to significant increases in isovolumic relaxation time at the lateral tricuspid annulus and isovolumic contraction time at the lateral mitral annulus. Abnormalities in diastolic function in right ventricle and systolic function in the left ventricle were observed even with a cumulative anthracycline dose <120 mg/m(2) by TDI. In addition, anthracycline treatment led to an increase in QTc dispersion.

Facial nerve palsy and Kawasaki disease.

Kawasaki Disease (KD) is a vasculitic disease and can affect any organ system in the body. The development of coronary artery aneurysms is the most common and life threatening complication of KD and makes this disease the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children in the developed world. Facial nerve palsy has been reported as a possible marker of more severe disease and increased risk of coronary artery involvement in KD. Herein, the authors report an 8-mo-old infant who had left sided facial nerve palsy and multiple coronary aneurysms associated with KD.

Another face of Kawasaki disease.

We aimed both to define the characteristics of patients with Kawasaki Disease (KD), and to highlight infrequent and unusual findings of the disease by presenting selected cases. We retrospectively evaluated 35 patients diagnosed with KD in our clinic between January 1994 and January 2013. The male to female ratio was 1.33 and the median age at admission was 22 months (1.5-132 months). Fourteen patients (40%) had coronary artery lesions (CAL). Twenty-five cases (72%) had complete and 10 cases (28%) had incomplete KD; the incidence of CAL in these groups was 36% and 50%, respectively. Two patients had giant coronary aneurysms. Six cases received a second dose of intravenous immunoglobulin, and one patient received pulse methylprednisolone. Seven cases had unusual and/or infrequent presentation patterns and/or follow-up. Physicians should be aware of all symptoms and laboratory findings of KD in order to avoid any delays in diagnosis and decrease the risk of life-threatening complications.

An unusual cause of secondary capillary leak syndrome in a child: rotavirus diarrhea.

Secondary capillary leak syndrome is characterized by loss of fluid and proteins to the interstitial space due to different causes, which are related to endothelial damage. Rotavirus is the most common pathogen of diarrhea in childhood, especially during the first years of life. This virus is generally responsible for severe diarrhea and electrolyte imbalance in children. Some complications can also occur during the course of the rotavirus diarrhea. An eight-month-old girl with rotavirus diarrhea admitted to our clinic with severe dehydration. After restoring the intravascular volume, hypoalbuminemia and generalized edema were seen in the recruitment phase of the treatment, which was attributed to secondary capillary leak syndrome. She was successfully treated with prednisolone and discharged from the hospital without any sequelae. Herein, we report an infant with rotavirus diarrhea complicated with secondary capillary leak syndrome, which is an unidentified complication of the disease. To our knowledge, this is the first such case in the literature.

A life-threatening respiratory syncytial virus infection: a previously healthy infant with bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of viral respiratory tract infections in infants and young children. Although the course of RSV infection is usually benign, a small proportion of infants require mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure. We describe an eight-month-old previously healthy female who developed bilateral pneumothorax and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to RSV infection. Because of the severe hypoxemia, three doses of surfactant were administered and prone positioning was implemented for nine days. After a prolonged course of mechanical ventilation, she was extubated at day 21 and discharged from the pediatric intensive care unit four days later. We conclude that RSV infections can be severe, and some patients may require mechanical ventilation. Supportive therapies like surfactant replacement therapy and prone positioning can be beneficial in patients with ARDS in whom severe hypoxemia persists despite high levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and plateau pressures.