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Purpose: Febrile seizures (FS) are the most common type of seizures in children.The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between platelet indices and FS in children. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 40 children who presented with FS and 30 controls who presented with febrile illnesses without seizures. Complete blood counts, including platelet count (PC), mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet distribution width (PDW) from both groups within 1 hour of FS and 1 month later were obtained. Results: We found that the MPV and PDW within 1 hour of seizure in children with complex FS group was higher than simple FS group while there was no significant difference in MPV and PDW between patients in the simple and complex FS groups at 1 month. The mean PC was not significantly different between simple and complex FS groups; but, we found that the mean PC in the complex FS group was slightly lower than simple FS group.There was a moderate significant positive correlation between MPV and PDW in children with FS while there was a moderate significant negative correlation between PC and MPV, PDW for FS . Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the increasing platelet turnover in complex FS group causes a slightly decrease in the PC, an significantly increase of MPV and PDW values indicating that these parameters may play an important role in predicting the severity of FS in children at diagnosis. [Cukurova Med J 2016; 41(4.000): 695-701]

Purpose: Urinary tract infection is one of the most common infections in childhood. Because of the long term sequelae, differentiation of pyelonephritis from cystitis is important. The aim of this study is to determine the value of biomarkers such as C-reactive protein and procalcitonin and whether preferred to predict pyelonephritis in children without 99mTc-Dimercaptosuccinic Acid scan. Material and Methods: Fifty children aged 3 months to 16 years with a first urinary tract infection were included in this retrospective observational study. The medians, sensitivity, specificity, and cut-off values of serum C - reactive protein and procalcitonin to predict pyelonephritis were determined. Results: Thirty-two (64%) patients were diagnosed with pyelonephritis and 18 (36%) were diagnosed with cystitis. The cut-off value for C - reactive protein was 34 mg/L to predict pyelonephritis, with 69% sensitivity and 61% specificity. The cut-off value for procalcitonin was 0.23 ng/mL to predict pyehlonephritis, with 69% sensitivity and 66% specificity. In combination, these biomarkers were 63% sensitive and 78% specific to predict pyelonephritis. Conclusion: Using a combination of procalcitonin and C-Reactive Protein is preferred to predict pyelonephritis in children, instead of the 99mTc-Dimercaptosuccinic Acid scan. Because of its disadvantages, the 99mTc-Dimercaptosuccinic Acid scan should be avoided in children. [Cukurova Med J 2015; 40(3.000): 495-503]

Purpose: To examine the difference in terms of prenatal and perinatal characteristics between gestational diabetic (GDM) cases diagnosed with impaired fasting glucose (IFG)and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) during early postpartum period. Material and Methods: Cases who had no history of any glucose metabolism disorder and diagnosed as GDM due to American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria were included. Subjects were inquired for pregestational characteristics(glucose abnormality in previous pregnancies, birth of macrosomic baby and history of diabetes in a first-degree relative), prenatal characteristics (age, body mass index BMI), features at diagnosis (BMI,weight-gain ,blood pressure and HbA1C), and perinatal characteristics (birth week and baby birth weight) were recorded. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was reperformed in the 6th postpartum week. Effects of pregestational, prenatal and perinatal features on postpartum glucose abnormalities were analysed. Results: Out of 80 cases who completed the study 58.7%(n=47) had normal glucose metabolism, 13.7%( n=11) had IFG and 27.5%(n=22) had IGT. No difference was found between pregestational, prenatal , perinatal characteristics, features at the time of diagnosis and postpartum OGTT results. Incidence of IFG in postpartum OGTT for those who had diabetes in a first degree relative was elevated when compared with other cases(p=0,042). The difference was preserved after adjustment for other characteristic features with multivariate analysis (p=0,037). Conclusion: Presence of diabetes in a first degree relative may be a risk factor for postnatal early IFG. In our study other pregestational, prenatal, perinatal factors and features at diagnosis didn’t affect early postpartum glucose metabolism. [Cukurova Med J 2013; 38(4.000): 617-626]

Purpose: This study was performed to assess the factors which prevent obese patients from regular exercise. Methods: A questionnarie was given to 1400 patients (748 female, 653 male) who attended to Baskent University Adana Hospital obesity outpatient clinic. Results: The cases expressed the main reason for exercise noncompliance as ‘Lack of time’ (55,5%). Other excuses were as follows; having a disease which prevents them to exercise (39,6%), Inertia (24,6%), Lack of adherence (23,1%), Absence of suitable environment (22,8%), Safety issues (18,3%), Environmental pressure (14,8%), Lack of company (14,1%), Unfulfilling family responsibilities (11,5%), Fear of having an accident (9,5%), Not believing in exercising (8,3%), Not internalizing exercise (7,6%), Fear of unconcious exercise (7,3%), Thinking exercise is harmful (5,9%), Not knowing the best time for exercise (4,5%), No need for exercise (3,7%) and finally ’Imposition’ Conclusion: Obese cases need to have a better understanding in terms of benefits of exercise and health workers need to play a main role on this subject [Cukurova Med J 2012; 37(3.000): 162-167]