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The pathogenic variants in the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene have been identified in adults with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, while their connection to childhood diffuse lung disease has not yet been described. Within this study, we present a case of a five-month-old, previously healthy infant, with early-onset respiratory failure. The clinical suspicion of diffuse lung disease triggered by cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonitis was based on clinical and radiological presentation. Multiorgan involvement was not confirmed. Considering the possible connection between CMV pneumonitis and early-onset respiratory failure, clinical exome sequencing was performed and a novel variant, classified as likely pathogenic in the TERT gene (c.280A>T, p.Lys94Ter) was detected. After segregation analysis yielded negative results, the de novo status of the variant was confirmed. Respiratory support, antiviral and anti-inflammatory therapy offered modest benefits, nevertheless, eighteen months after the initial presentation of disease, an unfavourable outcome occurred. In conclusion, severe viral pneumonia has the potential to induce extremely rare early-onset diffuse lung disease accompanied by chronic respiratory insufficiency. This is linked to pathogenic variants in the TERT gene. Our comprehensive presentation of the patient contributes to valuable insights into the intricate interplay of genetic factors, clinical presentations, and therapeutic outcomes in cases of early-onset respiratory failure.

Vegetable oils were investigated as plasticizers to improve the sustainability of rubber compounding. The potential use of different vegetable oils as an alternative to petroleum-based rubber process oils was reviewed. This article presents a literature review on the current understanding of the influence of vegetable oil properties on natural rubber (NR) compounding. Hansen solubility parameters of the vegetable oils were determined to assist with the selection of vegetable oil for NR. We believe that the use of Hansen parameters could make the use of vegetable oils in rubber more convenient and cost-effective. KEYWORDS Hansen solubility, natural rubber, rubber compounding, rubber production, sustainability, vegetable oils, 1 | INTRODUCTION Petroleum oils were standardly used in rubber compounding. According to their chemical composition, they can be categorized as aromatic, naphthenic or paraffinic. [1,2] Highly aromatic rubber process [...]

Rationale: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) provides prognostic information in cystic fibrosis (CF); however, its prognostic value for patients with advanced CF lung disease is unknown. Objectives: To determine the prognostic value of CPET on the risk of death or lung transplant (LTX) within 2 years. Methods: We retrospectively collected data from 20 CF centers in Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America on patients with a forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) ⩽ 40% predicted who performed a cycle ergometer CPET between January 2008 and December 2017. Time to death/LTX was analyzed using mixed Cox proportional hazards regression. Conditional inference trees were modeled to identify subgroups with increased risk of death/LTX. Results: In total, 174 patients (FEV1, 30.9% ± 5.8% predicted) were included. Forty-four patients (25.5%) died or underwent LTX. Cox regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, and FEV1 revealed percentage predicted peak oxygen uptake ( V ˙ o2peak) and peak work rate (Wpeak) as significant predictors of death/LTX: adjusted hazard ratios per each additional 10% predicted were 0.60 (95% confidence interval, 0.43–0.90; P = 0.008) and 0.60 (0.48–0.82; P < 0.001). Tree-structured regression models, including a set of 11 prognostic factors for survival, identified Wpeak to be most strongly associated with 2-year risk of death/LTX. Probability of death/LTX was 45.2% for those with a Wpeak ⩽ 49.2% predicted versus 10.9% for those with a Wpeak > 49.2% predicted (P < 0.001). Conclusions: CPET provides prognostic information in advanced CF lung disease, and Wpeak appears to be a promising marker for LTX referral and candidate selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are repeatedly exposed to antibiotics, especially during the pulmonary exacerbations of the disease. However, the available therapeutic strategies are frequently inadequate to eradicate the involved pathogens and most importantly, facilitate the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The evaluation of AMR is demanding; conventional culture-based susceptibility-testing techniques cannot account for the lung microenvironment and/or the adaptive mechanisms developed by the pathogens, such as biofilm formation. Moreover, features linked to modified pharmaco-kinetics and pulmonary parenchyma penetration make the dosing of antibiotics even more challenging. In this review, we present the existing knowledge regarding AMR in CF, we shortly review the existing therapeutic strategies, and we discuss the future directions of antimicrobial stewardship. Due to the increasing difficulty in eradicating strains that develop AMR, the appropriate management should rely on targeting the underlying resistance mechanisms; thus, the interest in novel, molecular-based diagnostic tools, such as metagenomic sequencing and next-generation transcriptomics, has increased exponentially. Moreover, since the development of new antibiotics has a slow pace, the design of effective treatment strategies to eradicate persistent infections represents an urgency that requires consorted work. In this regard, both the management and monitoring of antibiotics usage are obligatory and more relevant than ever. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim. Laparoscopic ventral hernia surgery, including intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM), is as effective and safe as open surgery, with a lower recurrence rate. Some surgeons advocate laparoscopic primary fascial closure (PFC) with intraperitoneal mesh placement to reduce recurrence rates. The aim of this study was to compare the treatment outcome between two laparoscopic techniques: the PFC technique and mesh placement without suture closure (IPOM technique) for defects under 4 cm in patients with ventral hernias. Methods. The study sample was comprised of 50 patients who underwent laparoscopic ventral hernia surgery from January 1, 2018, until December 31, 2020. Half of the patients underwent only the IPOM technique (group of patients without the suture), while in others, this was preceded by the closure of the hernial ring (group of patients with the suture). All hernias were midline and all defects were under 4 cm. The studied groups were homogeneous according to gender and age. Comorbidities, complications, and postoperative comfort were monitored. Results. The most common (76%) hernias were primary, and the most common comorbidity was arterial hypertension (28%). One (2%) patient had intraoperative bleeding, and the most common postoperative complication was pain in 7 (14%) patients. After a three-year follow-up, there were 10 (20%) patients with com-plications – one hernia recurred, while 9 (18%) patients died. There was no difference in the types of occurrence of hernias, comorbidities, and intraoperative complications. The distribution of postoperative complications differed significantly (p = 0.007) between the groups. Pain was statistically significantly more prevalent in patients with sutures. During the first three months post-operatively, significantly more patients with sutures had chronic pain (χ2 = 8.140; p = 0.004). Conclusion. We recommend the application of the PFC technique in selected ventral hernia repair cases, although it can lead to more frequent postoperative pain (which, fortunately, is easily treated).

The modified Chrispin-Norman radiography score (CNS) is used in evaluation of radiographic changes in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). We evaluated the correlation of modified CNS with peak exercise capacity (Wpeak) and ventilatory efficiency (reflected by breathing reserve index—BRI) during progressive cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). Thirty-six children aged 8–17 years were stratified according to their CNS into 3 groups: mild (<10), moderate (10–15), and severe (>15). CPET was performed on a cycle ergometer. Lung function tests included spirometry and whole-body plethysmography. Patients with higher CNS had lower FEV1 (p < .001), Wpeak predicted (%; p = .01) and lower mean peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak/kg; p = .014). The BRI at the anaerobic threshold and at Wpeak was elevated in patients with the highest CNS values (p < .001). The modified CNS correlates moderately with Wpeak (R = -0.443; p = .007) and BRI (R = -0.419; p = .011). Stepwise multiple linear regression showed that RV/TLC was the best predictor of Wpeak/pred (%; B = -0.165; b = -0.494; R2 = .244; p = .002). Children with CF who have high modified CNS exhibit decreased exercise tolerance and ventilatory inefficacy during progressive effort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Many studies have reported insufficient support from surgical services, resulting in nephrologists creating arteriovenous fistulas in many centers. The aim of this study was to compare risk factors of arteriovenous fistula dysfunction in patients whose fistulas were created by nephrologists versus vascular surgeons.Methods: This was a retrospective, analytical study of interventions by nephrologists and vascular surgeons during a period of 15 years. Out of a total of 1,048 fistulas, 764 (72.9%) were created by nephrologists patients, while vascular surgeons were responsible for 284 (27.1%) fistulae. Laboratory, demographic, and clinical parameters which might affect functioning of these arteriovenous fistulae were analyzed.Results: Patients whose arteriovenous fistula was formed by nephrologists differed significantly from those created by vascular surgeons in relation to the preventive character of the arteriovenous fistula (p = 0.011), lumen of the vein (p < 0.001) and systolic blood pressure (p = 0.047). Multivariate logistic regression of arteriovenous fistula dysfunction showed that risk factors were female gender (odds ratio [OR] = 1.56, 95% CI 1.16-2.07), whether the fistulae were created by vascular surgeons or nephrologists (OR = 1.38; 95% CI 1.01-1.89) and the site of the arteriovenous fistula (OR = 0.64; 95% CI 0.48-0.85).Conclusions: Arteriovenous fistulae created by vascular surgeons, female gender, and the location are risk factors of dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study that compared the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and nutrition advice on cardiometabolic biomarkers, hormonal parameters and cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescent girls with obesity. Results revealed positive impact on waist circumference, diastolic blood pressure, work load, maximal heart rate and resting heart rate after the diet and HIIT intervention. The subjects showed significant improvements in body mass index and body fat percentage.

Byline: R. Stolic, G. Trajkovic, B. Mihailovic, M. Sipic, D. Celic, S. Lazic, G. Nikolic, S. Sovtic, D. Stolic Background: Obesity and depression are significant characteristics of people living in [...]

Acute respiratory infections are the most common group of infective diseases in the pediatric population. Although the improvement of health care and vaccination program has led to a significant reduction in the incidence of certain respiratory infections, the combination of a high prevalence in vulnerable pediatric categories and uncritical prescription of antibiotics, due to the inability to adequately distinguish between viruses and bacterial etiology, still represents a significant challenge for the public health system. In order to promote rational antibiotic therapy with an overall improvement of both diagnostic and therapeutic principles, acute respiratory diseases have been the subject of consideration in numerous publications and national guidelines. Nonspecific clinical manifestations with pathogen heterogeneity and both anatomical and physiological characteristics of the child's respiratory system during growth and development have created the need for individualized therapy. Since the guidelines emphasize the undoubtful and crucial benefits of symptomatic therapy (e.g. analgesics in acute otitis media, supplemental oxygen in lower respiratory tract infections with hypoxemia), the use of antibiotics and corticosteroids is indicated in selected cases with a severe clinical picture. The choice of antibiotic depends on the clinical condition, presumed causative agent, and local epidemiologic circumstances. Respiratory support (oxygen therapy and/or artificial ventilation) is reserved for inpatient treatment of cases with a particularly severe clinical picture and associated complications.

Background: Laryngomalacia (LM) is the most common congenital anomaly of larynx that causes stridor in children. We evaluated the efficacy of epiglottic suture and laser epiglottopexy for treatment of infants with severe LM. Methods: Surgical intervention was performed in 19 patients with severe LM, after the diagnosis was established using flexible laryngotracheobronchoscopy. Five patients had isolated type 1 LM, and 14 patients had a combination of type 1 and 3 LM. Indication for surgical treatment was the presence of LM with at least one of the following: malnutrition (body mass index [BMI] Z score<-2 SD), dysphagia or symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux and mean oxygen saturation (SaO2) <92% with oxygen desaturation index (ODI)>3. Results: Epiglottic suture was performed in 11 patients, and laser epiglottopexy in eight, at mean age 3.95± 2.4months. Rate of operation was 2.2-fold greater for more severe anomaly (combination of type 1 and 3 LM) than for isolated type 1. At 6month follow up symptoms had gradually improved, as well as nutritional status, with increase of mean BMI Z score from -3.7 to -0.9 (P<0.01). Mean preoperative SaO2 was 89.4± 4.3% with mean ODI of 5.8. At 6month follow up, mean SaO2 was 96.7± 1.1%, and mean ODI was 1.2 (P<0.01). Conclusions: Epiglottic suture and laser epiglottopexy are efficient surgical techniques that lead to significant improvement of symptoms, oxygenation and nutritional status in patients with LM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare inherited autosomal recessive or X-linked disorder that mainly affects lungs. Dysfunction of respiratory cilia causes symptoms such as chronic rhinosinusitis, coughing, rhinitis, conductive hearing loss and recurrent lung infections with bronchiectasis. It is now well known that pathogenic genetic changes lead to ciliary dysfunction. Here we report usage of clinical-exome based NGS approach in order to reveal underlying genetic causes in cohort of 21 patient with diagnosis of PCD. By detecting 18 (12 novel) potentially pathogenic genetic variants, we established the genetic cause of 11 (9 unrelated) patients. Genetic variants were detected in six PCD disease-causing genes, as well as in SPAG16 and SPAG17 genes, that were not detected in PCD patients so far, but were related to some symptoms of PCD. The most frequently mutated gene in our cohort was DNAH5 (27.77%). Identified variants were in homozygous, compound heterozygous and trans-heterozygous state. For detailed characterization of one novel homozygous genetic variant in DNAI1 gene (c. 947_948insG, p. Thr318TyrfsTer11), RT-qPCR and Western Blot analysis were performed. Molecular diagnostic approach applied in this study enables analysis of 29 PCD disease-causing and related genes. It resulted in mutation detection rate of 50% and enabled discovery of twelve novel mutations and pointed two possible novel PCD candidate genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the exercise capacity of children with cystic fibrosis to determine whether ventilatory limitation associated with static hyperinflation is related with decreased exercise capacity, thus predisposing these children to arterial hypoxemia during progressive exercise. METHODS: Thirty-seven children, ages 8-17 years, underwent spirometry, body plethysmography, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing after arterial catheter placement. According to the ratio of residual volume to total lung capacity (RV/TLC), the subjects were categorized as either with (RV/TLC > 30%) or without static hyperinflation (RV/TLC < 30%). RESULTS: Children with static hyperinflation showed lower values of maximum load per kilogram (% predicted) (P = .01), which was aggravated by ventilatory limitation (FEV1 < 80% of predicted, peak oxygen consumption [% predicted] < 85%, and breathing reserve index > 0.7). Subjects with ventilatory limitation had significantly lower oxygen saturation (P = .04) and hypoxemia (P = .03) than did subjects without ventilatory limitation. CONCLUSIONS: In children with cystic fibrosis, static hyperinflation and ventilatory limitation are associated with decrease in exercise performance, oxygen saturation, and PaO2 during maximum cardiopulmonary exercise testing. All children with cystic fibrosis who exhibit static hyperinflation and ventilatory limitation may require SaO2 monitoring during progressive exercise [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Objective. Air leak syndrome is more frequent in neonatal period than at any other period of life. Its timely recognition and treatment is a medical emergency. We present results of a tertiary medical center in treatment of air leak syndrome in term and late preterm neonates. Methods. Neonates born between 34th 0/7 and 41st 6/7 gestational weeks (g.w.) who were treated for air leak syndrome in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Mother and Child Health Care Institute, from 2005 to 2015 were included in the study. Antropometric data, perinatal history, type of respiratory support prior to admission, chest radiography, type of pulmonary air leak syndrome and its management, underlying etiology, and final outcome were analyzed. Results. Eighty-seven neonates of an average gestational age 38.1 ± 1.9 g.w. were included in the study. The average birth weight was 3182.5 ± 55.5 g. Fourty-seven (54%) were born by cesarean section and 40 (46%) were born by vaginal delivery. Prior to admission, 62.1% received supplemental oxygen, 4.6% were on nasal continuous positive airway pressure, and 21.8% were on conventional mechanical ventilation. Type of delivery did not significantly affect the appearance of pneumothorax, nor did the type of respiratory support received prior to admission (p > 0.05). The majority (93.1%) had pneumothorax, which was unilateral in 79%. The length of mechanical ventilation significantly affected the appearance of pneumothorax (p = 0.015). Low Apgar score in the first minute and the presence of pneumopericardium were significant factors predisposing for an unfavorable outcome. Conclusion. Improving mechanical ventilation strategies and decreasing the rate of perinatal asphyxia in term and late preterm neonates could diminish the incidence of pulmonary air leak syndrome in this age group.

Introduction/Objective. Dysfunction of the axonemal structure leads to ciliopathies. Sensory and motile ciliopathies have been associated with numerous pediatric diseases, including respiratory diseases. Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is ciliopathy linked to the dysfunction of motile cilia. Motile ciliary dysfunction in childhood leads to chronic rhinosinusitis, persistent cough, neonatal respiratory distress, bronchiectasis, and situs inversus (SI) have 50% of patients. These symptoms are common among pediatric lung diseases, which additionally makes it difficult to establish the accurate diagnosis. The aim of the study was to point out the significance of genomic profiling for patients with suspected ciliopathies and to design a strategy for genomic analysis relevant for differential diagnosis of lung disease patients with suspected ciliopathies. Methods. We conducted a bioinformatic analysis of data generated by New Generation Sequencing (NGS) approach of 21 patients with final or suspected diagnosis of PCD. It was analyzed 93 genes: 29 PCD genes, 45 genes related to individual symptoms of lung diseases, and 19 genes related to sensory ciliopathies. Results. The algorithm we have designed, enabled us to establish the clinical and genetic diagnosis for 17/21 (80.95%) patients, among which 11/21 (52.38%) were PCD patients. In 3/21 (14.28%) patients we detected monoallelic variants in PCD disease-causing genes. In 6/21 (28.57%) patients, variants in genes for other pulmonary diseases were detected, and for one patient, genetic background of disease remained unclear. Conclusion. An improved strategy for easier and faster establishment of final diagnosis of ciliopathies is mandatory and includes both, clinical and genetic confirmation of disease. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. III41004]

Background/Aim. Pulmonary exacerbations have negative impact on clinical course of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease being associated with a steeper decline in the lung function, unfavorable prognosis and impaired quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine whether an increased number of exacerbations had influence on the lung function in the patients with CF, as well as to estimate the nutritional status, gender, presence of comorbid conditions and bacterial colonization of airways as predictive factors for pulmonary exacerbations. Methods. This retrospective cohort study included 83 pediatric and adult patients, treated from 2011– 2015 in the Mother and Child Health Institute of Serbia „Dr Vukan Čupić”. The best result of forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) in each year of follow-up was taken into account to calculate the five-year trend values of these indicators. The number of exacerbations per year of follow-up and its impact on the FEV1 decline was evaluated. Results. Mean annual decline of FEV1 and FVC were 2.4% and 1.7% respectively. The malnourished patients had the lower initial values of FEV1 and FVC, and more frequent exacerbations in comparison with the normal weight and overweight patients. The frequency of exacerbations was significantly higher in the patients chronically colonized with Burkholderia cepacia (p = 0.023). The increased number of exacerbation was proved to be the most important factor in a prediction of FEV1 decline over time (p = 0.013). Conclusion. Pulmonary exacerbations lead to the more progressive lung function decline in the patients with CF. Malnourishment and chronic airway colonization with Burkholderia cepacia result in more frequent pulmonary exacerbations.

There are only a few reports on influenza A H1N1 infection in neonates. In this paper, we present our additional experience on the clinical characteristics, epidemiology and treatment of influenza A H1N1 (2009) infection in 10 newborn infants (aged 9-24 days). Influenza A H1N1 infection was confirmed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of the nasopharyngeal swab specimens. The majority of neonates presented with fever, respiratory symptoms and lethargy. The respiratory illness ranged from mild symptoms to severe pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation. Antiviral treatment with oseltamivir was started in five patients (50%). One lethal outcome was observed, while nine patients (90%) had complete recovery. To our knowledge, this is the largest presented series of neonatal cases with different clinical symptoms. We discuss the necessity of initiation of oseltamivir in infants with different clinical features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the survival of patients treated by peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) and to detect any association with the type of metabolic changes. Methods: The outcome of clinical treatment of 407 dialysis patients was analyzed over a 4-year period. This included the demographic characteristics, the duration of dialysis, smoking, residual renal function, existence of metabolic syndrome and malnutrition, waist girth, body mass index (BMI), comorbidity, and routine biochemical parameters. Results: The overall mortality of the treated patients during the 4-year period was 53%, 37% for HD patients and 65% for PD patients. Metabolic syndrome was the dominant metabolic disorder affecting more than half of the HD patients, as well as being a predictive mortality parameter (β = 0.560; p = 0.045). The PD-treated patients had an equal prevalence of metabolic syndrome and malnutrition, whereas statistically significant predictors of mortality outcome were BMI (β = 0.088; p = 0.002) and waist girth (β = 0.023; p = 0.031). The median survival value was significantly higher for HD patients [108 months; 95% confidence interval (CI) 65–151]. Residual renal function in PD patients was significantly related to mortality ( p = 0.045). Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome is a predictive parameter of mortality for HD patients, whereas for PD patients it is the waist girth and BMI. Preserved residual renal function in patients on PD is an important factor in reducing mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although the fact that chest pain has a negative influence on the quality of life is well known, it is not completely clear whether the preoperative severity of angina can be a predictor of the quality of life change after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: We studied 243 consecutive patients who underwent elective CABG. The Nottingham Health Profile Questionnaire part 1 was used as the model for determination of quality of life. We distributed the questionnaire to all patients before and six months after coronary artery bypass surgery. Two hundred and twenty-six patients filled in the postoperative questionnaire. Severity of angina was estimated by Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) classification of angina. Results: Quality of life (before and after CABG surgery) in all sections was significantly worse in patients with higher CCS angina class (p < 0.001). The CCS angina class was 1.89 ± 0.97 at baseline and improved to 0.46 ± 0.75 (p < 0.001) after CABG. Six months after the operation, quality of life significantly improved in patients with all classes of angina (p < 0.01). The improvement in quality of life was related to higher CCS angina class in sections of physical mobility (r = 0.4, p < 0.001), energy (r = 0.31, p < 0.001), and pain (r = 0.48, p < 0.001). High CCS angina class before CABG was an independent predictor of quality of life improvement after coronary artery bypass surgery in sections of physical mobility (p = 0.005; odds ratio [OR] = 2.11; confidence interval [CI] 1.25 to 3.55), energy (p = 0.021; OR = 1.77; CI 1.09 to 2.87), and pain (p < 0.001; OR = 3.99; CI 2.2 to 7.22). Conclusions: Patients with higher CCS angina class had worse preoperative and postoperative quality of life. Patients with preoperative higher CCS angina class had greater improvement in sections of physical mobility, energy, and pain. High CCS angina class before CABG was the independent predictor of quality of life improvement six months after CABG. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a disease caused by impaired function of motile cilia. PCD mainly affects the lungs and reproductive organs. Inheritance is autosomal recessive and X-linked. PCD patients have diverse clinical manifestations, thus making the establishment of proper diagnosis challenging. The utility of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology for diagnostic purposes allows for better understanding of the PCD genetic background. However, identification of specific disease-causing variants is difficult. The main aim of this study was to create a unique guideline that will enable the standardization of the assessment of novel genetic variants within PCD-associated genes. The designed pipeline consists of three main steps: (1) sequencing, detection, and identification of genes/variants; (2) classification of variants according to their effect; and (3) variant characterization using in silico structural and functional analysis. The pipeline was validated through the analysis of the variants detected in a well-known PCD disease-causing gene (DNAI1) and the novel candidate gene (SPAG16). The application of this pipeline resulted in identification of potential disease-causing variants, as well as validation of the variants pathogenicity, through their analysis on transcriptional, translational, and posttranslational levels. The application of this pipeline leads to the confirmation of PCD diagnosis and enables a shift from candidate to PCD disease-causing gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. It has been suggested that asthmatic patients may have a higher risk for oral diseases, both as a result of the medical condition and effects of medications. Objective. The aim of the study was to determine the oral health status of children with asthma and to evaluate the oral health parameters according to the medications and severity of the disease. Methods. The study group consisted of 158 children with asthma and 100 healthy control subjects aged 2-18 years. The diagnosis of dental caries was performed using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT/dmft) criteria. The oral hygiene, periodontal status and gingival health were assessed with the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (Greene-Vermillion), Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs and Gingival Index (Löe-Silness), respectively. Results. Thirty (19%) patients with asthma and 43 (43%) healthy children were caries-free (p