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An increasing number of individuals use the Internet to obtain health information. However, online health information is unregulated and highly variable. We aimed to assess the readability, understandability, and quality of online information available for “chest pain in children.” This analysis was performed in January 2020, by inputting the search term “chest pain in children” into Google. The 180 search results were evaluated/categorized. The readability was assessed using the Flesch reading ease score, the Gunning FOG readability score, the Flesch–Kincaid grade level, the Coleman–Liau score, the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook readability score, the Fry readability score, and the automated readability index (ARI). The quality was assessed through the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria. The understandability was evaluated by the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT) for this study. Sixty-five websites were analyzed (academic and hospital websites (n = 30), physicians and health information websites (n = 35)). Among all websites, the average reading grade level was 9.99. There was no statistical difference between the two groups for the average readability level (p: 0.645). The mean PEMAT score for all websites was 65.09%. There was no statistical difference between the two groups for the average PEMAT score (p: 0.945). For both groups, the understandability score was below 70%. The average JAMA benchmark score was 2.43 ± 1.06, with a statistically significant difference between the academic and hospital websites (2.07 ± 0.91) and physician and health information websites (2.74 ± 1.09, p: 0.009). Conclusion: The readability of online materials available for patients regarding “chest pain in children” was significantly higher than the grade 6 recommended by the National Institutes of Health. The current online health information related to pediatric chest pain may be too difficult for the average reader to read. The quality and understandability were not good for both groups. Improving the readability, understandability, and quality of pediatric health–related online materials has the potential to reduce parental anxiety, improve baseline medical knowledge, and even enhance the physician–parent alliance.

Objectives:The pathophysiology of idiopathic chest pain remains unclear. Studies evaluating pain pressure thresholds in other idiopathic pain syndromes have revealed pain sensitivity in both affected and unaffected areas. The present study aimed to evaluate thoracic and extrathoracic pain pressure thresholds and their correlation with patients’ pain characteristics and quality of life.Methods:This cross-sectional, single-blind, controlled study included children and adolescents with idiopathic chest pain. The patients’ pain characteristics, including their symptom duration, type of pain, mean pain intensity, mean duration of painful periods, pain frequency, and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Child Version scores, were assessed by a paediatric cardiologist via a face-to-face interview. Pain pressure thresholds were measured using an algometer by an algologist who was blinded to the study groups.Results:There was a statistically significant difference in pain pressure thresholds in the trapezius; supraspinatus; thoracic 2, 4, and 10 areas; deltoid; and tibia between the patient and healthy control groups. In the patient group, while there was a positive correlation between the mean all-region pain pressure thresholds and age (p = 0.047, r = 0.235), there was no correlation between pain pressure thresholds and symptom duration, pain intensity, and quality of life.Conclusion:The present study is the first step towards investigating probable pain sensitivity mechanisms in children and adolescents with idiopathic chest pain. We noted lower thoracic and extrathoracic pain pressure thresholds in children and adolescents with idiopathic chest pain than in healthy controls.

To compare the values of neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet:lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mean platelet volume (MPV) with carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) and lactate levels in children with acute CO intoxication. In this retrospective study, the patients were divided into two groups: mild-to-moderate carbon monoxide poisoning (COP) (COHb 10%–20%) and severe COP (COHb > 20%) according to the COHb levels in the application. All patients were compared in terms of NLR, PLR, and MPV parameters according to the severity of poisoning and the high lactate levels (≥ 2.2 mmol/L). A total of 261 children with COP were included in the study. The number of patients with mild-to-moderate COP was 183 (70.1%), and the number of patients with severe COP was 78 (29.9%). NLR [2.57 (3.27), 1.65 (1.93), (p = 0.001)] and PLR [123.0 (88.24), 92.8 (54.1), (p = 0.001)] values of mild-to-moderate COP were statistically significantly lower than the severe COP group. In the group with high lactate level, PLR values were significantly lower [120.1 (71.9), 100.2 (85.4), (p = 0.017)]. NLR and PLR values were found to be predictive of severe COP. NLR and PLR can be used for detection of clinical severity in patients with COP. PLR can be used in conjunction with lactate levels to detect tissue-level exposure in patients with COP.

Objective Smoking during pregnancy has harmful effects on the fetus and infant. Although some studies suggest that exposure to fetal-maternal smoking adversely affects both fetal growth and cardiovascular development, the mechanisms and biochemical consequences of smoking in pregnancy and newborns are not yet fully understood. We aimed to investigate whether maternal smoking during pregnancy causes fetal cardiovascular effect by measuring serum asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) level and abdominal aortic intima-media thickness (aIMT). Study design This prospective study was conducted in newborns of smoking mothers and never-smoker control mothers during their pregnancies. The babies were evaluated echocardiographically on the first day following birth. In two-dimensional mode, abdominal aIMT measurements were performed. ADMA was measured in umbilical cord blood at birth. Results There were 25 mothers in the study group and 25 mothers in the control group. Serum ADMA levels were 0.459 ± 0.119 μmol/L in the study group and 0.374 ± 0.1127 μmol/L in the control group (p = 0.034). The aIMT value in the study group was 0.84 ± 0.026 mm and the aIMT value in the control group was 0.63 ± 0.011 mm (p = 0.005). Conclusion We found that both the serum ADMA and the aIMT significantly increased in the group with newborns of smoker mothers compared with the group of the newborns of never-smoker mothers. It may also be suggested that exposure to fetal-maternal smoking adversely affects cardiovascular development. Key points · It is a known fact that smoking during pregnancy has harmful effects on the development of the fetus and infant.. · We found that both the serum ADMA and aIMT were significantly higher in the group of infants of smoker mothers..

INTRODUCTION: Preoperative anxiety due to anesthesia is a common situation and decreases with preoperative evaluation. The aim of this study is to determine whether utilization of BATHE method further decreases the anxiety scores of patients who are evaluated at an anesthesia clinic for preoperative examination. METHODS: The patients were randomized into “BATHE” and “Control” groups by using the closed envelope technique. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scores were recorded as entrance STAI for all patients. During preoperative evaluation, BATHE method was applied to the BATHE Group whereas it was not applied to the Control Group. Post-examination, STAI scores were recorded as exit STAI and the patients were later asked questions about their contentment. RESULTS: Data of 463 patients were included in the analysis. Demographic data was similar in the groups. In both groups the exit STAI scores (BATHE: 34.27±10.30, Control: 34.90±9.54) were lower in comparison to the entrance STAI scores (BATHE: 38.21±9.86, Control: 37.09±9.93). The mean gap between the entrance STAI and exit STAI scores of the BATHE (3.94±6.05) and Control groups (2.19±6.14) were statistically significant (p

Objective:Murmurs are abnormal audible heart sounds produced by turbulent blood flow. Therefore, murmurs in a child may be a source of anxiety for family members. Families often use online materials to explore possible reasons for these murmurs, given the accessibility of information on the Internet. In this study, we evaluated the quality, understandability, readability, and popularity of online materials about heart murmur.Methods:An Internet search was performed for “heart murmur” using the Google search engine. The global quality score (on a scale of 1 to 5, corresponding to poor to excellent quality) and Health on the Net code were used to measure the quality of information presented. The understandability of the web pages identified was measured using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (score range from 0 to 100%, scores below 70% reflect poor performance). The readability of each web pages was assessed using four validated indices: the Flesch Reading Ease Score, the Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level, the Gunning Frequency of Gobbledygook, and the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook. The ALEXA traffic tool was used to reference domains’ popularity and visibility.Results:We identified 230 English-language patient educational materials that discussed heart murmur. After exclusion, a total of 86 web pages were evaluated for this study. The average global quality score was 4.34 (SD = 0.71; range from 3 to 5) indicating that the quality of information of most websites was good. Only 14 (16.3%) websites had Health on the Net certification. The mean understandability score for all Internet-based patient educational materials was 74.6% (SD = 12.8%; range from 31.2 to 93.7%). A score suggesting these Internet-based patient educational materials were “easy to understand”. The mean readability levels of all patient educational materials were higher than the recommended sixth-grade reading level, according to all indices applied. This means that the level of readability is difficult. The average grade level for all web pages was 10.4 ± 1.65 (range from 7.53 to 14.13). The Flesch–Kincaid Grade level was 10 ± 1.81, the Gunning Frequency of Gobbledygook level was 12.1 ± 1.85, and the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook level was 9.1 ± 1.38. The average Flesch Reading Ease Score was 55 ± 9.1 (range from 32.4 to 72.9).Conclusion:We demonstrated that web pages describing heart murmurs were understandable and high quality. However, the readability level of the websites was above the recommended sixth-grade reading level. Readability of written materials from online sources need to be improved. However, care must be taken to ensure that the information of web pages is of a high quality and understandable.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the readability of acute rheumatic fever-related Internet-based patient education materials. Materials and Methods: A total of 250 websites assessed, 50 for each of the keywords (“acute rheumatic fever,” “acute joint rheumatism’’, “rheumatic fever’’, “acute rheumatic carditis’’, “rheumatic carditis’’) on search engine Google (available at www.google.com). Sites with less information than ten sentences, chat, forum and commercial blog sites were excluded from the study. Average word count, average syllable number and words with an average syllable number of 4 and above were calculated. The average readability level was analyzed using Ateşman and Bezirci-Yilmaz readability formulas. Results: A total of 50 out of 250 websites were eligible for examination after the applying of the exclusion criteria. Of the sites reviewed, 33 created by health-care professionals and the 17 by non-health-care professionals. The readability of the web sites was moderate difficulty according to the Ateşman formula, and comprehensible to people at undergraduate level according to the Bezirci-Yılmaz formula. Conclusion: The readability level of patient educational texts related to acute rheumatic fever field on web sites was at academic literacy level. This information would be difficult to understand by the average education level in the Turkey., Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı akut romatizmal ateşle ilişkili internet tabanlı hasta eğitim materyallerinin okunabilirliğini değerlendirmektir.Gereç ve Yöntem: Herbir anahtar kelime (“akut romatizmal ateş”, “akut eklem romatizması”, “romatizmal ateş”, “akut romatizmal kardit '',“ romatizmal kardit '') için Google arama motorunda (www.google.com) 50 site olmak üzere toplam 250 web sitesi değerlendirildi. On cümleden daha az bilgi içeren siteler, sohbet, forum ve ticari blog siteleri çalışma dışı bırakıldı. Ortalama kelime sayısı, ortalama hece sayısı ve ortalama hece sayısı 4 ve üzerinde olan kelimeler hesaplanmıştır. Ortalama okunabilirlik seviyesi Ateşman ve Bezirci-Yılmaz okunabilirlik formülleri kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir.Bulgular: Hariç tutma ölçütleri uygulandıktan sonra 250 web sitesinin toplam 50'si araştırma için uygun bulundu. İncelenen sitelerden 33'ü sağlık uzmanları ve 17'si sağlık personeli olmayan kişiler tarafından oluşturulmuştur. Ateşman formülüne göre web sitelerinin okunabilirliği orta derecede zor, Bezirci-Yılmaz formülüne göre lisans düzeyinde insanlar tarafından anlaşılabilir bulunmuştur.Sonuç: Web sitelerindeki akut romatizmal ateş alanıyla ilgili hasta eğitimi metinlerinin okunabilirlik seviyesinin akademik okuryazarlık düzeyinde olduğu belirlenmiş ve bu bilgilerin Türkiye'deki ortalama eğitim düzeyi ile anlaşılması güç olacağı düşünülmektedir.

Amaç: Deli bal zehirlenmesi; Rhododendron çiçeklerinden üretilen ve içinde Grayanotoxin (GTX) bulunan balın tüketilmesi sonucunda oluşur. Oldukça nadir görülmesine ragmen hayatı tehdit eden bulgulara sebep olabilir. Bu çalışmada hastanemize başvuran 38 deli bal zehirlenmesi vakasının demografik ve biyokimyasal kan gazı paremetreleri ışığında organlar üzerindeki etkilerinin retrospektif olarak literatür eşliğinde tartışılması amaçlanmıştır.Gereç ve Yöntemler: Çalışmaya 2010-2012 yılları arasında acil servise herhangi bir şikayetle başvurmuş ve 'Deli Bal Zehirlenmesi' tanısı almış toplam 38 hastanın retrospektif dataları dahil edildi.Bulgular: Olguların 23 (%60.5)'i erkek, 15 (%39.5)'i bayandı. Olgularımız 29 ile 86 yaşları arasındaydı. Olgularımızın yaş ortalamaları 55.42±12.63 yıl olarak belirlendi. Olguların bal alımı sonrası semptomların başlama süresi ortalama 92.82±30.09 dak olarak belirlendi. Olgularda hastaneye başvurudaki kalp atım hız ortalaması 49.74±11.41 atım/dak, ortalama sistolik kan basıncı değeri 72.16±16.92 mmHg ve ortalama diyastolik kan basıncı 43.79±10.58 mmHg olarak bulundu. Hastaların ortalama 0.76±0.55 mg atropin ve 1336.84±935.31 ml kristaloid sıvı ile tedavi edildiği bulundu. Ritm problemleri dışında gastrointestinal, solunum ve kardiyovasküler sistem bulguları normal sınırlardaydı. Olguların bal tüketim miktarları ile, semptomların başlama süresi arasında bir korelasyon ilişkisi belirlenemedi Sonuç: Deli Bal Zehirlenmesi en sık kardiyovasküler sistemi etkilemektedir. Bu hastalarda en sık hipotansiyon ve bradikardiye rastlanmaktadır. Tedavide sıklıkla yeterli sıvı resüsitasyonu ve 1-2 mg İntravenöz Atropin tedavisi yeterli olmaktadır, Objective: Mad honey intoxication results from consuming honey which is produced from rhododendron flowers and containing Grayanotoxin (GTX). This intoxication is seen rarely, however it may lead some life-threatening signs. In this study, it was aimed to retrospectively discuss the effects of 38 mad honey intoxication cases on the organs in the light of demographic and biochemical blood gas parameters.Material and Methods: We enrolled 38 patients diagnosed with “mad honey intoxication” retrospectively, who were admitted to our emergency department between January 2010 to December 2012. Results: Of cases, 23 (60.5%) were male and 15 (39.5%) were female. Our cases were between the ages of 29 and 86 years. The mean age of cases was 55.42±12.63 years. The mean onset of symptoms after honey intake was determined to be 92.82±30.09 minutes. The mean heart rate when cases applied to hospital was found to be 49.74±11.41 beats/min. and the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were found to be 72.16±16.92 mmHg and 43.79±10.58 mmHg, respectively. The mean amount of atropine treatment given to the patient was found to be 0.76±0.55 mg and the mean crystalloid fluid given was 1336.84±935.31 mL. Except the rhythm problems, gastrointestinal, respiratory and cardiovascular system findings were in normal range. There was no correlation found between the amount of honey consumed and the onset of symptoms in the cases. Conclusion: Mad honey intoxication most often affects the cardiovascular system. Hypotension and bradycardia are the most common signs in these patients. Sufficient fluid hydration and 1-2 mg intravenous atropine are often adequate for the treatment

WOS: 000406446700005, PubMed: 28077344, Objective: This study aimed to measure the serum levels of heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) in patients presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and diabetic ketosis (DK) and to determine its role in identifying early-period cardiac ischemia. Methods: This prospective study included 35 patients diagnosed with DKA, 20 patients diagnosed with DK, and 20 control subjects. H-FABP, creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), and troponin I levels were investigated at presentation in patients with DKA and DK and in the control group. H-FABP values were measured again after acidosis correction in the DKA patients. Results: No statistically significant differences were found with respect to troponin I and CK-MB within the groups. The H-FABP values of DKA patients at presentation were found to be significantly higher than those of DK patients and the control group (p = 0.015). The H-FABP value of the DKA group was also found to be significantly higher than the value at hour 36 after acidosis correction (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: We would like to propose H-FABP as a potential marker for indicating myocardial ischemia., Selcuk UniversitySelcuk University [13102033], Selcuk University Scientific Research Project Coordinator-Project No: 13102033.

0009Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Comorbidity in Children with Schizophrenia: Treatment Response and Clinical CourseABSTRACTObjective: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is notably co-mor...

Autoimmune hematological disorders may be the initial indicator of an underlying Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) can manifest before, during, or after the diagnosis of HL, and concurrent thrombocytopenia can complicate the diagnosis and initial treatment of the malignancy. Various autoimmune disorders have been described in patients with HL, including ITP, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune neutropenia, systemic lupus erythematosus, and scleroderma. An underlying HL should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a pediatric patient with ITP. In this report, we present the case of a 5-year-old boy who had thrombocytopenia and fever at the time of his HL diagnosis. Based on bone marrow aspiration and evaluation, we diagnosed immune thrombocytopenia and administered treatment with intravenous gammaglobulin. The platelet count normalized within a few days of treatment

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of growth-differentiation factor-15 level and tissue Doppler imaging in the detection of cardiomyopathy in children who have type 1 diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods Thirty-eight patients (11 males and 27 females) with type 1 diabetes mellitus were included in this study. The control group consisted of 40 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers. All children underwent a detailed echocardiography, which contained an m-mode, pulse Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging; and growth-differentiation factor-15 level was measured. Results In this study, there were significant differences between diastolic function parameters of the heart. The mitral isovolumic contraction time, contraction time, and isovolumic relaxation time values were different in the patients than in the controls (p Conclusion The follow-up of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus in terms of cardiomyopathy and the use of tissue Doppler imaging and growth differentiation factor-15 levels may be useful.

Subclinical hypothyroidism, defined as increased TSH serum levels and normal serum free T4 concentrations, has been associated with an increased risk of heart disease in adults. But, data in children and adolescents are scanty and treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism is controversial. Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a promising biomarker of cardiac remodeling. This study aimed to evaluate the cardiovascular risk factors in children with subclinical hypothyroidism, measured with tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE), and conventional echocardiography and GDF-15 level. The study comprised a total of 41 pediatric patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) (mean age 9.6 ± 4.7 years) and 31 healthy children (mean age 11.2 ± 3.4 years) as the control group. Subclinical hypothyroidism was defined as a thyroid-stimulating hormone level higher than 4 mIU/l and a normal free-thyroxine level (0.6–1.8 ng/dl). Tissue Doppler echocardiography was performed to all individuals in the control group and patient group at the beginning of the study. Global systolic function as assessed by left ventricular ejection fraction was compared between groups. The serum GDF-15 level was measured. There were no significant differences in demographic parameters between the SH and control groups. The left ventricular internal diameter end systole, interventricular septal end diastole, left ventricular posterior wall end diastole, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion values were significantly different between the SH and control groups (p = 0.038, 0.028, 0.005, and 0.000, respectively). The mean mitral isovolumic relaxation time value of the SH group was 57.2 ± 9.3 ms, compared to 44.5 ± 5.6 ms for the control group (p = 0.000). The mean tricuspid isovolumic contraction time value of the SH group was 58.7 ± 9.4 ms, and that of the control group was 45.1 ± 5.3 ms (p = 0.000). The mean tricuspid isovolumic relaxation time value of the SH group was 58.03 ± 9.5 ms, and that of the control group was 45.1 ± 5.3 ms (p = 0.000). There were no significant differences in the other m-mode or pulse Doppler echocardiography values between two groups. The GDF-15 value of the SH group was 382.6 ± 268.2 pg/mL, and that of the control group was 473.6 ± 337.9 pg/mL; this difference was not significant. Patients with subclinical hypothyroidism versus healthy individuals had some changes in echocardiographic parameters that indicate involvement of diastolic function of the left ventricle. They were significantly different when compared SH group and the control group. This study demonstrated ventricle diastolic dysfunction in pediatric patients with hypothyroidism. The results of our study suggest that cardiac follow-up may be useful in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and clinical trials are needed to explore therapeutic effects of T4 and T3 administration in this patients.

Olanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic drug, commonly used in the management of psychotic symptoms in patients with schizoprenia and bipolar affective disorder. Deep venous thrombosis is a manifestation of venous thromboembolism. It is very well known that use of antipsychotic drugs increase the risk of thrombosis in a patient with schizophrenia. It has been reported in many studies the effects of olanzapine on thrombosis but there isn’t any report about the effect of olanzapine on international normalized ratio (INR). in the medical literature. In this paper, a patient with schizophrenia and also family history of deep venous thrombosis who emerged deep venous thrombosis after being started on olanzapine treatment and effect of olanzapine treatment on INR has been reported., Olanzapin psikotik belirtilerin tedavisinde kullanılan, psikotik bozuklukların ve duygudurum bozukluklarının tedavisinde başarılı, etki gücü yüksek (potent) bir ikinci kuşak antipsikotiktir. Derin ven trombozu bir venöz tromboemboli kliniği olup, antipsikotik tedavi alan hastalarda tromboz riskinin arttığı bilinmektedir. Olanzapin tedavisinin venöztromboz üzerine olan etkileri raporlanmış olmasına rağmen, literatürde olanzapin tedavisinin “international normalized ratio” (INR) üzerine etkileri hakkında bir çalışma bulunmamaktadır. Bu olgu bildiriminde derin ven trombozu aile öyküsü olup, olanzapin tedavisi altında derin ven trombozu atağı geçiren ve antikoagülan tedavisi alan şizofreni tanılı bir hastada olanzapinin INR üzerine etkilerinin ele alınması amaçlanmıştır.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an analogue of l -arginine, a naturally occurring product of metabolism found in human circulation. It is an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide production. Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a delayed immunologically mediated autoimmune sequel of throat infection by group A β-hemolytic streptococci. As serum ADMA levels have not previously been assessed in patients with ARF, we aimed to investigate ADMA levels in patients with ARF during the acute stage and after anti-inflammatory treatment and compared results with healthy control subjects. The study population consisted of 34 children with ARF (30 patients with carditis and 4 patients without carditis) and 31 healthy control subjects. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein values were significantly higher and serum ADMA values were lower, but not statistically significant in patients with ARF during the acute stage when compared with controls. Serum C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate values were significantly decreased in patients with ARF after the treatment when compared with baseline and ADMA levels were increased after the treatment compared with baseline, but this change was not statistically significant. Our study has demonstrated that resolution of acute inflammation in patients with ARF may lead to a mild increase in serum concentration of ADMA. Comprehensive prospective and observational studies are required to confirm our findings and to assess potential interactions between ARF and ADMA levels.

WOS: 000419796200002, Objective: Hypernatraemia has serious complications such as brain injury, brain oedema and seizure. In this study, the incidence among children hospitalized hypernatremia, causes, development time, clinical features, and morbidity, and aimed to reveal the effect on mortality. Method: In this retrospective study, clinical and laboratory data from patients with hypernatremic were recorded. The study period was 33 months. The groups were separated into two groups; group I: Hypernatremia was present at hospital admission, group II: Hypernatremia was acquared after the hospitalization. Results: Overall incidence of hypernatraemia was 1.3% of all hospitalised children. While 42% of patients were from group I, 58% of patients had acquired hypernatremia during hospital stay. In group I, 61% of patients had infections on hospital admission. The most common cause of hypernatraemia in group II was neurological disorders (53%). The mortality rate was 30.5% (11/36) in patients with hypernatraemia on admission, 67.3% (33/49) in those with hospital-acquired hypernatraemia (P0.05. Conclusion: Hypernatraemia in pediatric age is associated with mortality and morbidity, and should be closely monitored in pediatric patients hospitalized for any reason in order to prevent complication.

Anthracyclines have led to an increased risk of cardiac morbidity and mortality. Late cardiac complications in cancer survivors may develop from subclinical myocardial damage. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) also has potential as a clinically useful technique for the assessment of myocardial function. Biochemical markers may be used to detect cardiac damage growth-differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) and are emerging as a biomarker of cardiac dysfunction. The aim of this study is to assess the value of the plasma levels of GDF-15 and TDI in detecting late myocardial dysfunction in childhood cancer survivors (CCS) who were treated with anthracyclines.Thirty-eight CCS who had completed chemotherapy treatment with anthracyclines were included in this study. Control group consisted of 32 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers. All children underwent a detailed echocardiography, which contained an M-mode, pulse Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging. However, GDF-15 and cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) were measured.Although, systolic function of the left ventricular was similar in all groups, there were significant differences between parameters of diastolic function of the heart. The mitral valve E wave, E/A ratio, left ventricular E'm wave, and E'm/A'm ratio were different in the patients than in the controls (p = 0.049, p = 0.037, p0.0001, p = 0.001, respectively). The tricuspid valve E/A ratio, right ventricular E't wave, and E't/A't ratio in the patients were also different from those of the controls (p = 0.031, p0.0001, p0.0001, respectively). Mean plasma GDF-15 was significantly higher in patients than healthy controls (p = 0.027). There were no significant differences in cTnI between both groups.Growth-differentiation factor-15 level may be used as a biomarker of anthracycline-induced cardiovascular disease severity in the CCS.

WOS: 000319781500007, PubMed: 23438803, Background and objectives: Initiation of epidural anesthesia with long-lasting local anesthetics consumes a significant amount of time, which could be problematic in busy obstetric anesthesia suites. We have hypothesized that a combination of articaine and ropivacaine provides faster onset and even an early recovery of sensory-motor block characteristics. Methods: Sixty term parturients scheduled to have elective cesarean section were randomly allocated into three groups to receive either 20 mL 2% articaine (Group A), 10 mL 2% articaine + 10 mL 0.75% ropivacaine (Group AR) or 20 mL 0.75% ropivacaine (Group R) via lumbar epidural catheter. The onset time of sensory block to T-10, T-6 and maximum sensory block level, time to two segments regression from maximum sensory block level, onset time and duration of motor block were all recorded. Intraoperative and postoperative additional analgesic requirements were also recorded. Results: Demographic data were similar. The onset times of sensorial block to T-10 and T-6 were significantly shorter in Groups A and AR in comparison with Group R (p < 0.05). The onset times of motor block were similar in all groups, but a more intense motor block was observed in Group R (p < 0.05). Two segments regression time and motor block durations were significantly shorter in Groups A and AR in comparison with Group R (p < 0.05). Intraoperative supplementary analgesic requirements were higher in Group A than in the other two groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: A combination of 2% articaine and 0.75% ropivacaine for epidural anesthesia in a cesarean section should be preferred over epidural 0.75% ropivacaine alone. (C) 2013 Sociedade Brasileira de Anestesiologia. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

WOS: 000378646700028, PubMed: 27513415, Background/aim: Persistent upper airway obstruction may lead to increased pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP). The aim of this study was to evaluate N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentrations and PAP values in children with allergic rhinitis. Materials and methods: Sixty-six patients with allergic rhinitis and 22 healthy children were prospectively enrolled in this study. Plasma NT-proBNP levels were measured at first admission and after treatment. Simultaneously, echocardiography was done to assess pulmonary arterial hypertension, and rhinitis symptom scores were recorded. Results: The median age of the study group was 9.0 (5.0. 17.0) years; 26 were female. PAP was found to be normal in all the patients. There was a negative correlation between age and NT-proBNP levels (r = -0.452, P < 0.01). Nasal blockage levels affected NT-proBNP levels mildly (P = 0.067). No significant difference between before and after nasal steroid treatment was observed in NT-proBNP levels. Conclusion: These results suggest that NT-proBNP level and PAP may not be affected in children with allergic rhinitis, and primarily this influence may be associated with the severity of nasal obstruction.

The main objective of this study is to evaluate general anesthesia or propofol-based sedation methods at gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) procedures. The anesthetic method administered to cases undergoing upper gastrointestinal ESD between 2013 and 2015 was retrospectively investigated. Procedure time, lesion size, dissection speed, anesthesia time, adverse effects such as gag reflex, nausea, vomiting, cough, number of desaturation episodes (SpO2

Operative decision in American Society of Anesthesiology Physical Status (ASA-PS) V patient is difficult as this group of patients expected to have high mortality rate. Another risk scoring system in this ASA-PS V subset of patients can aid to ease this decision. Data of ASA-PS V classified patients between 2011 and 2013 years in a single hospital were analyzed in this study. Predicted mortality of these patients was determined with acute physiology and chronic health evaluations (APACHE) II, simplified acute physiology score (SAPS II), Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), Porthsmouth physiological and operative severity score for enumeration of mortality and morbidity (P-POSSUM), Surgical apgar score (SAS), and Goldman cardiac risk index (GCRI) scores. Observed and predicted mortality rates according to the risk indexes in these patients were compared at survivor and nonsurvivor group of patients. Risk stratification was made with receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Data of 89 patients were included in the analyses. Predicted mortality rates generated by APACHE II and SAPS II scoring systems were significantly different between survivor and nonsurvivor group of patients. Risk stratification with ROC analysis revealed that area under curve was 0.784 and 0.681 for SAPS II and APACHE II scoring systems, respectively. Highest sensitivity (77.3) is reached with SAPS II score. APACHE II and SAPS II are better predictive tools of mortality in ASA-PS V classified subset of patients. Discrimination power of SAPS II score is the best among the compared risk stratification scores. SAPS II can be suggested as an additional risk scoring system for ASA-PS V patients.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of growth-differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) levels and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in the early detection of anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy during the treatment of childhood cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty patients (13 males and 7 females) newly diagnosed with childhood cancer whose treatment protocol included anthracycline were included in the study. Echocardiography, including M-mode, pulse Doppler, and TDI, was performed after the first anthracycline treatment at cumulative doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/m and at least 6 months after the last treatment. GDF-15 and troponin-I were also measured at these time points. RESULTS The median age of the patients was 14 years (range, 3 to 18 y). The median cumulative anthracycline dose was 220 mg/m (range, 60 to 400 mg/m). Conventional pulse wave and pulse wave tissue Doppler methods revealed significant differences in the right ventricular myocardial performance indices of the patients who received cumulative anthracycline doses of 300 mg/m compared with their indices at least 6 months after the last treatment. The serum GDF-15 levels after the cumulative anthracycline dose of 200 mg/m were also higher than the patients' pretreatment levels. CONCLUSIONS Doppler/TDI and GDF-15 levels may be used in the early determination of anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy during the treatment of childhood cancers.

WOS: 000376566800024, Coronary arteriovenous fistula is an incidental finding in 0.1% to 0.2% of coronary angiograms. A 15-year-old famale patient presented with a three years history of chest pain on exertion. Echocardiography was performed previously and a small muscular ventricular septal defect was detected. The electrocardiogram was normal sinus rhythm together with normal axis. On echocardiography, left ventricular function was normal and there was continuous flow into the right ventricle. Therefore, coronary angiography was performed for considering the coronary artery fistula. Coronary artery fistula was observed between the first septal perforating branch of the left anterior descending coronary artery with right ventricle. The patient's clinical follow-up was decided since a significant shunt could not be identified.

Hemitruncus arteriosus (HA) is an uncommon congenital cardiac malformation in which one pulmonary artery branch originates from the ascending aorta. A 2-month-old male was referred to our hospital for failure to thrive, cyanosis, and tachypnea. A chest radiograph demonstrated moderate cardiomegaly and peribronchial thickening. Echocardiography demonstrated right atrial and ventricular enlargement and increased gradient (25 mm Hg) in the right pulmonary artery. Cardiac magnetic resonance angiography was performed and clearly revealed typical imaging findings of a right HA which had complex cardiac and vascular anatomy. This case report presents cardiac magnetic resonance angiography findings of HA.

WOS: 000382751900015, Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a multisystem disease caused by an immunological response to group A streptococcus infection. Its sequel rheumatic heart disease continue to cause a large burden of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Early detection of ARF is paramount to the prevention of rheumatic heart disease. We report a case of ARF with presenting epistaxis. The variety of clinical manifestations, which may be the presenting signs and symptoms of ARF, are not included in the updated-revised Jones criteria. Therefore, a careful examination and awareness of the disease can play an important role in identifying ARF.

Anomalous systemic venous return (AVSR) may sometimes present as pathologic entities itself, or associated with other congenital heart defects. The presence of AVSR may require significant changes in surgical technique during the repair of congenital heart defects. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of anomalous systemic venous return and to determine the congenital heart anomalies accompanying AVSR in children. This study is based on a retrospective review of the medical records of 175 children who consecutively underwent cardiac catheterisation because that congenital heart disease. The most extensively diagnosed cardiac malformation was VSD (26.8%). ASVR was prevalent in 4.5% of patients. The most commonly diagnosed ASVR was persistent left superior vena cava (3.4%) and a second ASVR type was associated interruption of the inferior vena cava (IVC) with azygos vein continuation (1.1%). A systematic study of systemic venous connections should be performed in all those undergoing cardiac catheterisation as a prelude to open heart repair because it may require significant changes in surgical technique during the repair., Anormal sistemik venöz dönüş (AVSR) bazen tek başına patolojik bir durum veya diğer doğumsal kalp hastalıkları ile birlikte görülebilir. AVSR mevcudiyeti doğuştan kalp kusurlarının onarımı sırasında cerrahi teknikte önemli değişiklikler gerektirebilir. Çalışmamızın amacı, doğuştan kalp kusurları olan hastalarda anormal sistemik venöz dönüş sıklığını değerlendirmek ve AVSR’ye eşlik eden konjenital kalp anomalilerini belirlemekti. Bu çalışma doğuştan kalp kusurları nedeniyle kardiyak kateterizasyon uygulanan ardışık 175 çocuğun tıbbi kayıtlarının geriye dönük yorumuna dayanmaktadır. En yaygın kardiyak malformasyon tanısı ventriküler septal defekt idi (26.8%). Anormal sistemik venöz dönüş hastaların % 4.5’inde görüldü. En sık görülen ASVR sol persistan superior vena kava (% 3.4) ve ikinci sıradaki ASVR tipi azygos ven devamlılığı ve kesintili inferior vena kava (% 1.1) idi. AVSR doğuştan kalp kusurlarının onarımı sırasında cerrahi teknikte önemli değişiklikler gerektirebilir bu yüzden açık kalp cerrahisi uygulanması için kardiyak kateterizasyon yapılan tüm hastalara sistemik venöz bağlantı için sistematik bir çalışma yapılmalıdır

Background and objectives: It has been demonstrated that smoking increases pain perception; however the effect of smoking on perception of pain during venous cannulation is not known. The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not smoking has an effect on pain perception due to peripheral venous cannulation. Methods: 220 patients scheduled to have elective surgery were enrolled in the study and were divided into two groups (Group S and C, n = 110 for each) according to their smoking habits. Numerical rating scale was introduced to the patients and then peripheral venous cannulation at the dorsum of the hand was made with a 20 G intracath. Pain perception of the patients was scored by subsequent numerical rating scale questioning. Results: The demographic characteristics of the groups were identical. Numerical rating scale scores in Group S and C were 3.31 ± 1.56 and 1.65 ± 1.23, respectively (p

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an endoscopic treatment method widely used in premalignant and malignant lesions in countries of the Far East. This method, which is difficult technically and has a high complication risk rate, has rarely been performed in the West, because of the fewer number of upper gastrointestinal lesions. In the present study, we aimed to present our results of gastric ESD procedures in respect to the learning curve.A total of 100 ESD procedures, which were performed in the stomach between April 2012 and September 2014, were recorded prospectively before and after the procedure. Patient data were analyzed retrospectively. ESD procedures were numbered chronologically; the first 30 patients constituted group 1, whereas the rest were classified as the group 2. ESD results were compared between the groups.In a total of 95 patients, 100 gastric ESDs were performed. The overall en-bloc and complete resection rates were 93% and 92%, respectively. In respect of the learning curve, there were significant differences in the sizes of lesions and tissues obtained, procedure duration and dissection rate, snare use and knife preferences between groups (p = 0.002, p0.001, p = 0.003, p0.001, p = 0.009, and p0.001, respectively). No significant difference was detected in the en-bloc and complete resection rates and complications between the groups.According to guideline recommendations and masters for ESD, if ESD training is initiated and continued, successful ESD may be performed in localized lesions in the stomach.

WOS: 000343068800007, PubMed: 25539541, Aim: Evaluation of cardiac structures requires a large study group for accurate data on normal values. The aim of the study was to obtain normal M mode echocardiographic values in a substantial sample of healthy term neonates and children to develop centile charts. Materials and methods: Data were obtained over 2 years from a single center in Turkey, from 1200 healthy infants and children aged 1 day to 17 years. Using echocardiographic investigation, measurements were obtained of the following: left ventricular dimension at end diastole and end systole; thickness of interventricular septum and posterior wall of the left ventricle; aortic and pulmonary root diameter; and left atrial dimension. The influence of systematic errors as statistical noise in this large sample was decreased using third-degree polynomial curves. Results: Measurements are presented graphically as curved lines of centiles with respect to body weight for healthy term neonates and children. The values showed a good correlation with body weight and allowed the construction of percentile curves (5%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 95%). Higher values were observed in boys during adolescence. Conclusion: The presented charts and tables make it possible to judge the echocardiographic measurements of a particular patient as normal or abnormal.

Myocardial hypertrophy and cardiac dysfunction frequently occur in newborns of diabetic mothers. The authors hypothesized that wall hypertrophy or disproportionate left ventricular wall thickness in newborns of diabetic mothers may affect both QT and QTc dispersion. This study aimed to assess whether left ventricular hypertrophy affects the QT variables of infants born to diabetic mothers. This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted with 47 consecutively selected neonates of gestational diabetic mothers and 30 healthy neonates born to healthy mothers. All the subjects were evaluated during the neonatal period. Electrocardiography with echocardiography was performed for the patients and the control subjects. The newborns of the diabetic mothers were classified according to septal thickness as group 1 (16 newborns with septal hypertrophy) or group 2 (31 newborns without septal hypertrophy). The study group consisted of three cohorts: groups 1, 2, and 3 (control group). Both QT and QTc dispersion were computed from a randomly selected beat as well as from an average beat derived from 12 beats included in a 10-s electrocardiography. A total of 16 infants (34 %) had a septal thickness of 6 mm or greater. The left ventricular end-systolic diameter in group 1 was smaller (p = 0.0029) than in groups 2 and 3 (p = 0.003). The interventricular septal thickness at end diastole (IVSTd) and the left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end diastole in group 1 were higher than in of groups 2 and 3. The QT and QTc dispersion intervals were longer in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3 (p < 0.001), and a highly significant positive correlation was detected between IVSTd and QT dispersion (r = 0.514, p = 0.042). Elevated QT and QTc dispersions may be risk factors for the development of arrhythmias in newborns of diabetic mothers. These patients may critically need systematic cardiac screening.

BackgroundThis was a prospective controlled study to determine the P-wave duration and P-wave dispersion in patients with atrial septal aneurysm.MethodsA total of 41 children with atrial septal aneurysm, including 21 boys and 20 girls (mean age 11.85 ± 3.8 years), and 32 controls, including 17 boys and 15 girls (mean age 12.3 ± 2.9 years), were included. P-wave dispersion was calculated from the 12-lead electrocardiogram. Cardiac functions, morphology of the aneurysm, and left atrial diameter were measured using conventional echocardiography. The diagnosis of atrial septal aneurysm was made when the base of the aneurysms with an excursion ratio ≥25% was found on echocardiography.ResultsThere was no significant difference between the patient and control groups in demographic, clinical findings, and M-mode echocardiographic parameters. The P-wave dispersion in patients with atrial septal aneurysm was significantly longer compared with the control group (64.4 ± 13.4 ms; p < 0.0001). Similarly, the the maximum duration of the P wave in the patient group was significantly longer compared with the control group (106.1 ± 13.3 ms; p < 0.001). The P-wave duration and dispersion were not correlated with age, gender, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, or m-mode echocardiographic parameters.ConclusionsThis study shows that P-wave dispersion is delayed in atrial septal aneurysm patients. Prolonged P-wave dispersion was determined to indicate electrical disturbance, and therefore it has an increased electrocardiographic risk of atrial arrhythmia in children with atrial septal aneurysm.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine whether asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) concentrations are associated with ventricular function in the infants of mothers with gestational diabetes. Method: Twenty-five term newborns of mothers with gestational diabetes and term newborns as the control group (n ¼ 25) with normal general health status were evaluated at two time points, on the 3rd postnatal day, at the 3th months. Echocardiographic evaluations of all participants were performed and ADMA level was measured. Results: In the first analysis, 10 patients (40%) had a septal thickness of 6 mm or more, indicating septal hypertrophy. In the first and second analysis, interventricular septum end-diastolic thickness (IVSTd) and the left ventricular posterior wall end-diastolic thickness (LVPWTd) in the patient group were higher than the control group. ADMA level measurement was not significantly different between the groups the first and second analysis. There was no difference in ADMA levels of the group with septal thickness � 6 mm and the group with56 mm. Conclusion: Newborn cardiac wall thickness was increased in pregnancies complicated by Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and the increase was independent of glycemic control. Diastolic newborn cardiac function was impaired in GDM, and this effect was independent of septal thickness. We found no association between ADMA levels and cardiac systolic, diastolic functions or septum thickness in the GDM newborn.

Yurtlu, Bulent Serhan/0000-0003-3020-1586; Hanci, Volkan/0000-0002-2227-194X; Selek, Sahabettin/0000-0003-1235-3957 WOS: 000310450300038 PubMed: 22560540 Objective: We assessed the antioxidant activity of dexmedetomidine (Dex) administered during the ischemic period in a rabbit model of mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury using biochemical and histopathological methods. Methods: A total of 24 male New Zealand white rabbits weighing between 2.5 and 3.0 kg were randomly divided into three groups: the sham group (Group S, n = 8), the I/R group (Group I/R, n = 8), and the I/R plus Dex treatment group (Group Dex, n = 8). In the I/R group, ischemia was achieved with 60 min of mesenteric occlusion. The sham group provided normal basal values. The rabbits in Group I/R were operated to achieve I/R. Group Dex received intravenous Dex 30 min after the commencement of reperfusion (10 mu g/kg Dex was infused within 10 min, and then a maintenance dose of 10 mu g/kg/h Dex was infused intravenously). For the measurement of tissue malondialdehyde, total antioxidant status, total oxidant status, lipid hydroperoxide levels, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and myeloperoxidase activity levels in the renal tissue samples of animals, the rabbits in each group were sacrificed 3 h after reperfusion. The histopathological examination scores were determined using the intestinal and renal tissues. Results: The mean malondialdehyde, total oxidant status, myeloperoxidase, and lipid hydroperoxide levels were significantly higher in Group I/R than in Groups S and Dex (P < 0.05). There also were significant decreases in the mean total antioxidant status, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities in Group I/R compared with Groups S and Dex (P < 0.05). The histopathological examination scores of the intestinal and renal tissues were significantly higher in Group I/R compared with Groups S and Dex (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Dex treatment may have biochemical and histopathological benefits by preventing I/R-related cellular damage of intestinal and renal tissues as shown in an experimental mesenteric ischemia model. The preference to use Dex for anesthesia during the mesenteric ischemia procedure may attenuate I/R injury in intestinal and renal tissues. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

To measure serum B-type natriuretic peptide, especially N-terminal segment of its prohormone (NT-proBNP) and pulmonary arterial pressure levels and to determine whether NT-proBNP concentrations correlate with pulmonary arterial pressure levels in children before and after adenotonsillectomy.Twenty children with adenoid and tonsil hypertrophy and 20 healthy subjects were included in the study. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in all patients to assess pulmonary artery systolic and diastolic pressure with cardiac dysfunction. The NT-proBNP was analyzed for correlation with pulmonary artery pressure.Our results showed that prohormone serum concentrations and pulmonary arterial pressures were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group at the preoperative evaluation. A significant decrease was detected among patients after surgery (p0.05). There was no significant difference between the study and control groups for prohormone serum concentration and pulmonary arterial pressure at the postoperative evaluation (p0.05).We found increased serum prohormone levels and height pulmonary artery pressures in the children with adenoid and tonsil hypertrophy when comparing with healthy subjects. Our study supported that increased serum prohormone levels and pulmonary artery pressures as a result of adenoid and tonsil hypertrophy are reversible. Pediatric cardiologs and otolaryngologs should keep in mind an increased pulmonary artery pressure during management of children with adenoid and tonsil hypertrophy. Furthermore, Doppler echocardiography may be useful in the monitoring of pulmonary arterial pressure and in the follow-up of surgical outcome of children with adenoid and tonsil hypertrophy.

The majority of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), particularly those with relevant systemic-to-pulmonary shunts, if left untreated, will experience the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Previous studies have shown that platelet activation occurs in patients with PAH. In response, this study aimed to investigate the platelet indices, including platelet distribution width (PDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV), in patients with PAH. The study was conducted in the pediatrics cardiology unit of Selcuk University Medical Faculty between July 2010 and January 2012. The patients' clinical and laboratory data were obtained retrospectively from hospital recordings. The study enrolled 57 children with CHD (all with left-to-right shunting). The patients who had undergone diagnostic cardiac catheterization were analyzed according to the presence or absence of PAH. Group 1 had CHD with PAH, and group 2 had CHD without PAH. Compared with the group 2 patients, a significant decrease in PDW (p < 0.0001) was noted in the group 1 patients (with PAH). Likewise, a significant difference was found in the MPV of group 1 (p < 0.0001). Statistically, groups 1 and 2 did not differ in terms of platelet count (p = 0.3). Patients who had pulmonary hypertension secondary to CHD with left-to-right shunting exhibited a lower PDW and MPV.

Postoperative pain therapy is an important component of medical practise to improve the quality of postoperative care in all patients. However, postoperative pain management in children is a challenge for clinicians because of the differences in perception, expression of pain comparison to adults. Infants and older children possess different pharmacodynamics and responses to drugs thus confounding the issue. Evolving new technologies and drugs increase the treatment options but on the other side appropriate management selection gets harder. In this review, our knowledge about the mechanisms and management options of postoperative pain in children are reviewed in the light of new developments on the subject.

Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) is a rare congenital cardiovascular anomaly in which the pulmonary veins fail to join to the left atrium and drain directly to the right atrium or to one of the systemic veins. This anomaly is frequently seen together with complex cardiac anomalies especially as a part of right atrial isomerism syndrome. Atrial isomerism is called that the same morphological structure of both atria. We reported a very rare case demonstrating TAPVC between the portal vein and the pulmonary veins in a patient with right atrial isomerism by magnetic resonance imaging.

As a new and simple electrocardiographic marker, P-wave dispersion is reported to be associated with inhomogeneous and discontinuous propagation of sinus impulses. The current study aimed to investigate P-wave dispersion in children with acute rheumatic fever. The study population consisted of 47 children with acute rheumatic fever (29 patients with carditis and 18 patients without carditis) and 31 healthy control subjects. Maximum and minimum P-wave durations were measured from the 12-lead surface electrocardiogram. The P-wave dispersion was calculated as the difference between maximum and minimum P-wave durations. The maximum P-wave duration and the P-wave dispersion of the patients with and without carditis were significantly greater than those of the control subjects. The P-wave dispersion of the patients with carditis was significantly greater than that of the patients without carditis. In conclusion, the P-wave dispersion was higher in the children with acute rheumatic fever than in the healthy control subjects.

Paediatric exercise testing laboratories should accommodate subjects of various sizes and ages. To this day, games and conventional treadmill exercise tests have not been carried out in pre-pubertal children. Children cannot easily adapt to the treadmill or cycle ergometer. We therefore aim to the use of video games as a form of exercise tests in pre-pubertal children. Twenty healthy children (10 girls and 10 boys, aged 5-11 years old) were enrolled in the study. The physical examination, 12-lead electrocardiography and echocardiography were performed. The heart rate and respiratory rate were measured with systolic blood pressures. Treadmill exercise testing was performed, and electrocardiographic changes were studied during both the treadmill exercise test with Bruce protocol and an activity-promoting video game (Nintendo Wii Boxing), in different time periods. Exercises were stopped at the target heart rate.The mean duration of exercise was 15 minutes in both the Bruce protocol and the activity-promoting video game. Although the data of healthy children (including heart rate and blood pressure responses to exercise) were consistent with the results from several countries using the Bruce protocol, the mean maximal heart rates for all groups were slightly lower than those obtained with the video game. The data obtained from this new exercise test may be used to determine the diagnosis and activation of cardiovascular disease in pre-pubertal children. It can be used as an exercise test especially in young children who are unable to use the treadmill or cycle ergometer

Alström syndrome (AS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder, characterized by retinal degeneration, progressive hearing impairment, truncal obesity and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. A 6-year-old girl was admitted with aphasia, deafness, strabismus, abdominal distention, and weakness on the right body side. The physical and laboratory examination revealed psychomotor retardation, right hemiparesis, sensorioneural hearing loss, aphasia, eye and teeth abnormalities, hyperpigmentation, truncal obesity, hepatosplenomegaly, severe iron deficiency anemia, delayed bone age, and cerebral hemiatrophy. Based on these abnormal findings she was diagnosed as AS. According to our knowledge this is the first case of AS with cerebral involvement. This last finding may be a component of the syndrome. Key words: Alström syndrome; brain involvement, case report

Truncus arteriosus is an uncommon congenital cardiac abnormality which is characterized by a single arterial trunk origin from the heart that supplies both the systemic, pulmonary and coronary circulation. We present a preterm newborn female patient with type 2 truncusarteriosus, left superior vena cava and aberrant subclavian artery diagnosed with low dose dual-source cardiac computed tomography (CT). We discuss that low dose dual-source cardiac CT has more advantages than other imaging methods and it is an important modality for assessment of patients with conotruncal anomalies such as truncusarteriosus.