Evaluation of the left ventricular systolic function and myocardial deformation by real-time three-dimensional (four-dimensional) and speckle-tracking echocardiography in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the role of real-time three-dimensional (known as four-dimensional) echocardiography and three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography for the early detection of left ventricular systolic dysfunction in asymptomatic children with type 1 diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This cross-sectional study included 38 patients (mean age 15.4 ± 2.9, 42.1% male) and 38 age, gender, and body measurements matched healthy children. Each patient underwent an interview about medical history, a detailed clinical examination, blood laboratory tests, conventional echocardiography, and tissue Doppler imaging. Left ventricular ejection fraction; global longitudinal, circumferential, radial strain; twist; and torsion were measured by real-time three-dimensional and speckle-tracking echocardiography. RESULTS: Conventional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging showed normal left ventricular systolic function in the patients. Although left ventricular ejection fraction (61.6 ± 1.4%, 61.8 ± 1.1%, p = 0.386), global longitudinal [-26.6 (-27.7 to -26.1)%, -26.2 (-27.7 to -24.9)%, p = 0.224], and radial strain [44.4 (42.4-45.9)%, 43.9 (41-46.1)%, p = 0.513] were similar to the controls, circumferential strain (-27.3 ± 1.3%, -28.0 ± 1.6%, p = 0.048) and twist (9.5 ± 2.3°, 11.4 ± 3.0°, p = 0.003) were decreased in the patients compared with controls. CONCLUSION: We found that even in children with asymptomatic type 1 diabetes mellitus with normal left ventricular ejection fraction, circumferential function was impaired and rotation pattern was changed. This novel echocardiographic method might be an important tool for detecting left ventricular systolic dysfunction in type 1 diabetes mellitus children before it becomes overt on conventional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging.

Can biomarkers predict myocardial iron overload in children with thalassemia major?

AIM: Beta-thalassemia major requires regular blood transfusions throughout life, which in turn leads to iron accumulation in the body. While cardiac T2* MRI is the gold standard in determining cardiac iron accumulation, it is not always feasible, which has led to the search for new biomarkers. Herein, the value of growth differentiation factor-15, galectin-3, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in predicting cardiac iron accumulation is investigated in asymptomatic children with beta-thalassemia major. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Forty-one patients aged 11-21 years and 41 age-, gender-, body mass index-matched healthy controls were included. Serum growth differentiation factor-15, galectin-3, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels were compared between the patients and controls. Additionally, the relations of these biomarkers with cardiac and liver T2 * MRI were investigated in the patients. RESULTS: In the patients, growth differentiation factor-15, galectin-3, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels were higher than healthy controls (p < 0.001, p = 0.025, p < 0.001, respectively). There were no significant correlations of growth differentiation factor-15 and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels with both cardiac and liver T2 * MRI measurements. While there was no significant correlation of serum galectin-3 with cardiac T2 * MRI measurements, a negative correlation was found with liver T2 * MRI measurements (p = 0.040, rho = -0.325). CONCLUSION: All three biomarkers investigated in this study failed to predict myocardial iron accumulation in asymptomatic children with beta-thalassemia major. However, a weak relation between serum galectin-3 level and hepatic iron accumulation was demonstrated.

The effects of kangaroo mother care on physiological parameters of premature neonates in neonatal intensive care unit: A systematic review.

PURPOSE: The effects of Kangaroo mother care (KMC) on physiological parameters in preterm infants have been reported in the literature by experimental and quasi-experimental studies, and varying findings have been presented. The present study was conducted to determine the effects of KMC on the physiological parameters of premature newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. DESIGN AND METHOD: The review was conducted according to the specified keywords by scanning the EBSCO-host, Cochrane Library, Medline, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and TR index databases using the keywords "kangaroo care AND preterm AND vital signs." The pool mean differences (MDs) were calculated, adopting a 95% confidence interval (CIs) using the Stata 16 software for the meta-analysis [PROSPERO: CRD42021283475]. RESULTS: Eleven studies for systematic review and nine studies for meta-analysis, including 634 participants, were found eligible for inclusion. It was determined that the "temperature" (z = 3.21; p = 0.000) and "oxygen saturation" (z = 2.49; p = 0.000) values created a positive effect in general in the kangaroo care group; however, there was no sufficient evidence to state that it affected the "heart rate" (z = -0.60; p = 0.55) and "respiratory rate" (z = -1.45; p = 0.15) values. In the present study, the duration of KMC application had statistically different effects on temperature and oxygen saturation (SpO2) (p < 0.05). One-hour or shorter applications of KMC had a higher effect on the temperature and oxygen saturation values (1.83; 1.62, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results provided references for clinical implications, and the "temperature" and "oxygen saturation (SpO2)" values created a positive effect in general in the KMC group. However, there was no sufficient evidence to state that it affected the "heart rate" and "respiratory rate" values. The duration of KMC application had statistically different effects on temperature and oxygen saturation. One-hour or shorter applications of KMC had a higher effect on the temperature and SpO2 values. Longitudinal, randomized, controlled studies examining the effects of KMC on vital signs in premature newborns with vital parameters outside the normal reference range are recommended. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The goal of the NICU nurse is to improve the infant's well-being. The application of KMC is a unique care for the nurse in maintaining the newborn's well-being. The vital signs of newborns hospitalized in the NICU with critical problems may be out of normal limits. KMC is an essential developmental care practice that ensures that the neonate's vital signs are kept within normal limits by relaxing the neonate, reducing stress, increasing comfort, and supporting interventions and treatments. KMC application is unique for each mother­neonate pair. Depending on the tolerance of the mother and infant in terms of duration, it is recommended to perform KMC in the NICU under the supervision of a nurse. Neonatal nurses should support mothers in giving KMC in the NICU since KMC has ameliorative effects on the vital signs of premature neonates.

The relationship between fear of COVID-19 and psychological resilience according to personality traits of university students: A PATH analysis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the current research was to identify the influence of university students' personality traits on their fear of COVID-19 and psychological resilience levels. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional trial was completed with 690 students. Descriptive statistics and correlations were calculated, and a path analysis was employed with the objective of assessing the model fit and investigating direct and indirect impacts. FINDINGS: Among personality traits, conscientiousness and neuroticism were observed to affect fear of COVID-19, and conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience had an effect on psychological resilience. The tested model has a good fit and explains the direct effects of the study variables. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nurses should improve university students' psychological resilience by supporting them with protective and improving factors. The role of the psychiatric nurse is important in providing conscious and need-oriented support in extraordinary events such as pandemics.

Evaluation of left ventricular function and myocardial deformation in children with beta-thalassemia major by real-time three-dimensional (four-dimensional) and speckle tracking echocardiography.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the role of real-time three-dimensional (four-dimensional) and speckle tracking echocardiography for early detection of left ventricular systolic dysfunction and also for the relationship between myocardial deformation parameters and myocardial iron load which is measured by cardiac magnetic resonance relaxation time T2* values in asymptomatic children with beta-thalassemia major. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This multicenter cross-sectional study included 40 patients (mean age 15.4 ± 2.9, 42.1% male) and 40 healthy children whose age, gender, and body mass index-matched with patients. Each participant underwent conventional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging. Left ventricular ejection fraction; global longitudinal, circumferential, radial strains; twist; and torsion were measured by real-time three-dimensional and speckle tracking echocardiography. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging T2* was measured in patients. RESULTS: Left ventricular global longitudinal, circumferential, and radial strains were decreased despite preserved global ventricular function in patients compared to healthy children (p = p = .029, p = p < .001, p = .003, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences between patients with T2* ≥ 20 ms and patients with T2* < 20 ms for all echocardiographic parameters. Also, there were no significant correlations between all echocardiographic parameters and T2* values in all patients, those with T2* ≥ 20 ms, and T2* < 20 ms. CONCLUSION: We found that even in asymptomatic children with beta-thalassemia major, left ventricular longitudinal, circumferential and, radial functions were impaired by real-time three-dimensional (four-dimensional) and speckle tracking echocardiography. This novel echocardiographic method might be an important tool for detecting subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction irrespective of T2* values.

Evaluation of ventricular function and myocardial deformation in children with repaired tetralogy of Fallot by real-time three-dimensional (four-dimensional) echocardiography.

AIM: The left and right ventricular dysfunction are important clinical course indicators in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot. This study aimed to evaluate ventricular volumes, functions, and myocardial deformation in children with repaired tetralogy of Fallot by real-time three-dimensional (four-dimensional) echocardiography and compared with healthy children. It also aimed to investigate the relationships between ventricular volumes, functions, and myocardial deformation parameters in the patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 35 patients (mean age 15.1 ± 2.8 years, 54% male) and 35 healthy controls of similar age, gender, and body measurements underwent echocardiography. End-diastolic volume index, end-systolic volume index, and ejection fractions of both ventricles; global longitudinal, circumferential, radial strain, twist, and torsion of the left ventricle; the longitudinal strain of the right ventricle free wall and septum were measured. RESULTS: Left ventricular ejection fraction, global circumferential and radial strain, twist and torsion were significantly lower in patients compared with controls. Left ventricular ejection fraction correlated with global circumferential (r = -0.446, p < 0.001) and radial strain (r = -0.433, p < 0.001) in the patients. Right ventricular volumes were significantly higher, and ejection fraction was significantly lower in patients compared with controls. All right ventricular parameters correlated with each other in the patients. CONCLUSION: Left ventricular contraction pattern was changed, circumferential and radial fibres were most affected in the patients. Right ventricular dilatation and dysfunction were detected, and right ventricular ejection fraction correlated well with strain measurements of the right ventricle.

Evaluation of the relationship between ventricular function and serum growth differentiation factor-15 levels in patients with operated tetralogy of Fallot.

AIM: Growth differentiation factor-15 is a novel biomarker of increasing importance in cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between ventricular measurements assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and serum growth differentiation factor-15 levels in children with surgically corrected tetralogy of Fallot. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Serum growth differentiation factor-15 levels were measured in 40 patients (mean age: 15.2 ± 2.9 years; 52.5% male; 87.5% NYHA I). End-diastolic volume index, end-systolic volume index, and ejection fractions of both ventricles and pulmonary regurgitation fraction were measured on cardiac MRI. The correlation between growth differentiation factor-15 levels and cardiac MRI parameters of the patients was investigated. Also, growth differentiation factor-15 levels of the patients were compared with healthy controls since reference values have not been determined in children. RESULTS: The mean growth differentiation factor-15 level was 254.9 ± 6.3 pg/ml in the patient group. There was no correlation between growth differentiation factor-15 levels and cardiac MRI parameters in patients. Also, there was no significant difference in growth differentiation factor-15 levels between the patients and control groups. CONCLUSION: The serum levels of growth differentiation factor-15 were uncorrelated with ventricular size, function, and pulmonary regurgitation fraction assessed by cardiac MRI in children with operated tetralogy of Fallot. Moreover, growth differentiation factor-15 levels were not different in these patients from healthy children.

Echocardiographic Follow-Up of Congenital Aortic Valvular Stenosis II.

We evaluated the natural course of congenital aortic valvular stenosis (AVS) and factors affecting AVS progression during long-term follow-up with echocardiography. Medical records of 388 patients with AVS were reviewed; patients with concomitant lesions other than aortic regurgitation (AR) were excluded. Trivial AVS was defined as a transvalvular Doppler peak systolic instantaneous gradient of < 25 mmHg; mild stenosis, 25-49 mmHg; moderate stenosis, 50-75 mmHg; and severe stenosis, > 75 mmHg. Median age of the patients was 3 years (range 0 day to 21 years), and 287 (74%) were male. A total of 355 patients were followed with medical treatment alone for a median of 4.6 years (range 1 month to 20.6 years), and the degree of AVS increased in 75 (21%) patients. The risk of AVS progression was higher when AVS was diagnosed in neonates (OR 4.29, CI 1.81-10.18, p = 0.001) and infants (OR 3.79, CI 2.21-6.49, p = 0.001). After the infancy period, bicuspid valve morphology increased AVS progression risk (OR 2.4, CI 1.2-4.6, p = 0.034). Patients with moderate AVS were more likely to have AVS progression (OR 2.59, CI 1.3-5.1, p = 0.006). Bicuspid valve morphology increased risk of AR development/progression (OR 1.77, CI 1.1-2.7, p = 0.017). The patients with mild and moderate AVS were more likely to have AR development/progression (p = 0.001). The risk of AR development/progression was higher in patients with AVS progression (OR 2.25, CI 1.33-3.81, p = 0.002). Newborn babies and infants should be followed more frequently than older patients according to disease severity. Bicuspid aortic valve morphology and moderate stenosis are risk factors for the progression of AVS and AR.

Comparison of Balloon Dilatation and Surgical Valvuloplasty in Non-critical Congenital Aortic Valvular Stenosis at Long-Term Follow-Up.

The two main modalities used for congenital aortic valvular stenosis (AVS) treatment are balloon aortic valve dilatation (BAD) and surgical aortic valvuloplasty (SAV). This study evaluates residual and recurrent stenosis, aortic regurgitation (AR) development/progression, reintervention rates, and the risk factors associated with this end point in patients with non-critical congenital AVS who underwent BAD or SAV after up to 18 years of follow-up. From 1990 to 2017, 70 consecutive interventions were performed in patients with AVS, and 61 were included in this study (33 BADs and 28 SAVs). There were no significant differences in age, sex distribution, PSIG, and AR frequency between the BAD and SAV groups. Bicuspid valve morphology was more common in the BAD group than the SAV group. There was no statistically significant difference between PSIGs and AR development or progression after intervention at the immediate postoperative echocardiography of patients who underwent BAD or SAV (p = 0.82 vs. p = 0.29). Patients were followed 6.9 ± 5.1 years after intervention. The follow-up period in the SAV group was longer than that of the BAD group (9.5 ± 5.4 vs. 5.5 ± 4.4 years, p = 0.003). There was no statistically significant difference in the last echocardiographic PSIG between patients who underwent SAV or BAD (51.1 ± 33.5 vs. 57.3 ± 35.1, p = 0.659). Freedom from reintervention was 81.3% at 5 years and 57.5% at 10 years in the BAD group and 95.5% at 5 years and 81.8% at 10 years in the SAV group, respectively (p = 0.044). There was no difference in postprocedural immediate PSIG and last PSIG at follow-up and the development/progression of AR between patients who were treated with BAD versus SAV. However, long-term results of SAV were superior to those of BAD, with a somewhat prolonged reintervention interval.

Aortic Valve Prolapse and Aortic Regurgitation During Long-Term Follow Up in Children with Ventricular Septal Defect.

BACKGROUND: Aortic valve prolapse (AVP) and aortic regurgitation (AR) can develop in a subset of patients with ventricular septal defect (VSD). The incidence and progression of AVP and AR with VSD at long-term follow up was evaluated. METHODS: The records of 2,275 patients with isolated VSD who had been diagnosed using echocardiography at the present authors' institution between 1988 and 2014 were reviewed. RESULTS: AVP was detected in 178 patients (7.8%), using echocardiography. Of 178 patients with AVP, AR was detected in 124 (AR incidence 5.4%). A total of 142 patients was followed medically during a median of 10 years after AVP had appeared. Initially, no AR was noted in 66 of these patients, trivial AR in 41, mild AR in 30, moderate in three, and severe in two. Trivial AR developed in 20 and mild in eight of 66 patients who had no AR. In 18 of 61 patients (29.5%), trivial AR progressed to mild during a median of 3.6 years, and in five of 18 patients (27.7%) mild AR progressed to moderate during a median of 2.3 years. Postoperatively, AR improved in 17 patients, remained unchanged in 12, and worsened in four at between two months and 16.5 years of follow up (median 6.6 years). CONCLUSIONS: Frequent (six-month) echocardiographic evaluation in patients with perimembraneous or muscular outlet VSD after AVP and AR development may be useful. In addition, surgical intervention in patients with perimembraneous or muscular outlet VSD, AVP and mild AR may prevent the worsening of AR.

Fabrication and Process Optimization of Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) Nanofibers by Response Surface Methodology.

In this study, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to model and optimize the electrospinning parameters to obtain poly(2-hydroxylethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) nanofibers which is challenging in terms of evaluating the optimum conditions in nanofiber production. A second order (quadratic model) polynomial function was used for correlation between electrospinning parameters (flow rate, applied voltage, polymer/ethanol concentration) and average fiber diameter. An electro-spinning set-up was used to fabricate nanofibers and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to determine the morphology and the size of the nanofibers with diameter ranging from 211 nm to 1661 nm. Results concluded that the concentration of polymer solution played an important role in distribution of fiber diameter. Based on RSM, the optimum pHEMA fibers with 245±35 nm diameter were collected at 13 µL/min flow rate, 12 kV applied voltage at an ethanol:pHEMA ratio of 1.76.

Evaluation of Ventricular Septal Defect with Special Reference to the Spontaneous Closure Rate, Subaortic Ridge, and Aortic Valve Prolapse II.

The medical records of 2283 patients with ventricular septal defect (VSD) were reviewed to determine spontaneous closure, left ventricular-to-right atrial shunt, subaortic ridge, and aortic valve prolapse. One thousand eight hundred and twenty-three patients had been followed 1 month to 26 years (median 4 years) by echocardiography. Most of 460 patients could not be followed due to transportation of the institution. VSD was perimembranous in 68.8% (1255), trabecular muscular in 21.7% (395), muscular outlet in 6% (109), muscular inlet in 2.6% (48), and doubly committed subarterial in 0.9% (16). Defect size was classified in 66.8% (1218) as small, in 15.7% (286) as moderate, and in 17.5% (319) as large. VSD closed spontaneously in 18.8% (343 of 1823 patients) by ages 40 days to 24.9 years (median, 1.8 years). One hundred fifty-seven of 1255 perimembranous defects (12.5%) and 167 of 395 trabecular muscular defects (42%) closed spontaneously (p < 0.001). Defect size became small in 306 (16.8%) of patients with VSD at a median of 2.5 years. Aneurysmal transformation was detected in 32.9% (600), left ventricular-to-right atrial shunt in 9.7% (176), subaortic ridge in 2.6% (48) of 1823 patients who were followed. In 381 (20.9%) of the 1823 patients, the VSD had been closed by a surgical or transcatheter technique. Surgery is required in one-fifth of patients with subaortic ridge or aortic valve prolapse. In conclusion, isolated VSDs are usually benign abnormalities that tend to shrink and close spontaneously.

Cardiovascular alterations do exist in children with stage-2 chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an important complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in children. However, it is not well known when and how cardiovascular alterations start. METHODS: This cross-sectional, controlled study consisted of 25 patients and 28 healthy controls. 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and carotid distensibility (distensibility coefficient and ß stiffness index), and echocardiography were assessed to evaluate CVD. Routine biochemical parameters, fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) and high sensitive C- reactive protein were measured to determine cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS: Hypertension was found in 12 patients (48 %). Patients had higher FGF23 levels and aPWV-standard deviation score (SDS) as compared to the controls (p = 0.003 and p = 0.002, respectively). Aortic PWV-SDS was predicted by increased daytime systolic blood pressure load (ß = 0.512, p = 0.009, R 2 = 0.262). Neither cIMT nor distensibility differed between the groups; however, older age and high level of FGF23 were independent predictors of ß stiffness index in patients (ß = 0.507, p = 0.005, R 2 = 0.461 and ß = 0.502, p = 0.005, R 2 = 0.461, respectively). As compared to controls, patients had worse left ventricular diastolic function [lower E/A ratio p = 0.006) and increased left atrial dimension (p < 0.001)]. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiovascular deteriorations appear in children with stage-2 CKD. Good control of BP and decreasing the level of FGF23 may be useful to slow down the progression of cardiovascular complications.

Percutaneous transcatheter snare vegetectomy in a child.

Surgical vegetectomy may be indicated in patients with unresolving sepsis, heart failure, recurrent embolism, or the presence of large vegetations >10 mm in size. Percutaneous vegetectomy using a snare may be a reasonable option instead of open-heart surgery in selected patients. We describe the case of a patient with operated tetralogy of Fallot and infective endocarditis who underwent vegetectomy via a percutaneous approach.

Relationships between left heart chamber dilatation on echocardiography and left-to-right ventricle shunting quantified by cardiac catheterization in children with ventricular septal defects.

Left atrium and/or left ventricle dilatation on echocardiography is considered to be an indication for closure of ventricular septal defects (VSD). No study has addressed the accuracy of using dilated left heart chambers when defining significant left-to-right shunting quantified by cardiac catheterization in isolated small or moderate VSDs. In this study, the relation between dilated left heart chambers, measured by echocardiography, and left-to-right ventricle shunting, quantified by cardiac catheterization, was evaluated in patients with isolated VSD. The medical records of all patients with isolated VSD who had undergone catheterization from 1996 to 2010 were examined retrospectively. Normative data for left heart chambers adjusted for body weight (BW) and body surface area (BSA) were used. The pulmonary-to-systemic flow ratio (Qp:Qs) was calculated by an oximetry technique. A total of 115 patients (mean age 7.3 ± 5 years) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. There was a statistically significant difference in terms of Qp:Qs between the patient groups with normal and dilated left heart chambers, when adjusted for BW and BSA (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). But the relationships between Qp:Qs and left heart chamber sizes on echocardiography were not strong enough to be useful for making surgical decisions, as left heart chamber dilatation was not significantly associated with Qp:Qs ≥ 2 (p = 0.349 when adjusted for BW, p = 0.107 when adjusted for BSA). Left heart chamber dilatation was significantly associated with Qp:Qs ≥ 1.5 only when it was adjusted for BSA (for BW p = 0.022, for BSA p = 0.006). As a result, left heart chamber dilatation measured by echocardiography does not show significant left-to-right ventricle shunting, as quantified by catheterization. We still advocate that catheter angiography should be undertaken when left heart chambers are dilated in echocardiography in order to make decisions about closing small- to moderate-sized VSD.

Evaluation of right ventricular function in patients with tetralogy of Fallot using the myocardial performance index and isovolumic acceleration: a comparison with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of right ventricular function is a key point in the follow-up of operated patients with tetralogy of Fallot. Cardiac magnetic resonance assessment of right ventricular function is considered the gold standard. However, this technique is expensive, has limited availability, and requires significant expertise to acquire and interpret the images. Myocardial performance index and isovolumic acceleration have recently been studied for the assessment of right ventricular function and are shown to be simple yet powerful tools for assessing patients with right ventricular dysfunction of various origins. METHODS: In this study, the integrity of myocardial performance index and isovolumic acceleration obtained by tissue Doppler imaging echocardiography to quantify right ventricular function was assessed in 31 patients operated for tetralogy of Fallot. Myocardial performance index and isovolumic acceleration measurements were compared with the parameters derived by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: In this study, a significant correlation has not been detected between cardiac magnetic resonance-originated right ventricular ejection fraction, pulmonary regurgitation fraction and myocardial performance index, isovolumic acceleration obtained by tissue Doppler imaging echocardiography from the lateral tricuspid annulus of the right ventricle. CONCLUSION: We have concluded that when evaluated separately, myocardial performance index and isovolumic acceleration obtained from tissue Doppler imaging echocardiography can be used in the long-term follow-up of patients who have been operated for tetralogy of Fallot, but that they do not show correlation with cardiac magnetic resonance-originated right ventricle ejection fraction and pulmonary regurgitation fraction.

Voriconazole induced bradycardia.

Voriconazole is a triazole antifungal drug that is used to treat invasive fungal infections, especially aspergillus. Here, we report two children who had severe bradycardia associated with voriconazole at a dose of 12 mg/kg per day. Bradycardia resolved in 24 hours in both after decreasing the dose to 10 mg/kg per day. Heart rates were in normal limits on follow-up. Bradycardia may be a side effect of voriconazole treatment in children under immunosuppressive treatment. Heart rate should be monitored in patients receiving voriconazole and other triazole treatments.

Congenital Heart Defects and Outcome in a Large Cohort of Down Syndrome: A Single-Center Experience from Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Congenital heart defects occur in approximately 50% of children with Down syndrome and they contribute considerably to morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence, classification, and survival of congenital heart defects in Down syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: About 1731 Down syndrome patients who underwent echocardiography between 1986 and 2022 were evaluated. The median follow-up duration was 8.7 years (range 1-35.8 years). Congenital heart defect was grouped as cyanotic and acyanotic. RESULTS: Among the 1731 patients, 52.1% had congenital heart defects. Congenital heart defect was significantly more common in females than males. The most common cardiac defect was ventricular septal defect (35%), followed by atrial septal defect (31.8%), atrioventricular septal defect (23.4%), tetralogy of Fallot (5%), and patent ductus arteriosus (3.6%). In the follow-up, 43.2% of atrial septal defect, 17.8% of ventricular septal defect, and a total of 20% of congenital heart defects were closed spontaneously. About 34.4% of congenital heart defect was corrected by cardiac surgery/intervention. Five-year survival rate was 97.4% in patients without congenital heart defects, whereas it was 95.6% in mild congenital heart defects and 86.1% in moderate to severe congenital heart defects. There was no relationship between consanguinity, parental age, maternal disease, folic acid supplementation before/during pregnancy, gestational age, birth weight, and congenital heart defects. Neuromotor development was similar in patients with and without congenital heart defects. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that almost half of the patients had congenital heart defects; ventricular septal defect was the most common congenital heart defect type. This study is valuable in terms of the largest single-center study describing the classification, prognostic factors, and survival of Down syndrome patients with congenital heart defect from Turkey.

Reference values for echocardiographic measurements of healthy newborns.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the reference values of M-mode echocardiographic measurements in healthy newborns according to body weight. METHODS: From January, 2008 to June, 2008, a total of 250 - 130 female and 120 male - term healthy newborns were included in the study. M-mode echocardiographic measurements were recorded by a paediatric cardiologist in accordance with the American Society of Echocardiography recommendations. Right ventricular anterior wall end-diastolic thickness, right ventricular end-diastolic diameter, interventricular septum end-diastolic thickness, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular posterior wall end-diastolic thickness, interventricular septum end-systolic thickness, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, left ventricular posterior wall end-systolic thickness, aortic root dimension, left atrium dimension, left ventricular ejection, and shortening fraction were measured. RESULTS: The values of echocardiographic measurements revealed a good correlation with body weight. When body weight increased, the measured values also increased in parallel. The measured values were not influenced by gender. Ejection and shortening fraction parameters did not change with body weight and gender. CONCLUSION: In this study, normative values related to body weight for cardiac chambers and wall thickness were determined in healthy newborns. These reference values can be used to evaluate whether newborns have normal or abnormal echocardiographic measurement.

QT dispersion and cardiac involvement in children with Familial Mediterranean fever.

Familial Mediterranean fever is a hereditary disease characterised by recurrent and self-terminated attacks of fever and polyserositis. An earlier study found that adult patients of Familial Mediterranean fever had an abnormally longer QT dispersion and corrected QT dispersion, markers for ventricular arrhythmogenicity. QT dispersion is a simple non-invasive arrhythmogenic marker that can be used to assess homogeneity of cardiac repolarisation; however, it has not been studied in children with Familial Mediterranean fever before. The aim of this study was to assess QT dispersion and corrected QT dispersion, and their relationship with systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle in a group of children with Familial Mediterranean fever. We performed electrocardiography and Doppler echocardiography on patients and controls. Maximum QT, minimum QT, QT dispersion, corrected QT, maximum corrected QT, minimum corrected QT, and corrected QT dispersion intervals were measured from standard 12-lead electrocardiography. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups in QT dispersion, corrected QT dispersion, and systolic-diastolic function of the left ventricle parameters. During the 12 months of follow-up, no ventricular arrhythmias were documented in either group.