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Background: Approximately 25% of congenital heart diseases (CHD) are estimated to be critical and require an intervention. In this study, we aimed to investigate the additional value of peripheral perfusion index (PPI) measurements to pulse oximetry screening for critical CHD (CCHD). Methods: Infants born at Ege University Hospital between May 2013 and September 2015 were prospectively included in the study. In addition to physical examination, pre- and postductal oxygen saturations and PPI values were measured with a new generation pulse oximeter before discharge from the hospital. Results: A total of 3175 newborns (33 with an antenatal diagnosis of CCHD) were included in the study. With the combination of physical examination, pulse oximetry screening and peripheral perfusion index (PPI) measurements, all newborns with CCHD were detected in our study including three infants without an antenatal diagnosis in whom pulse oximetry screening was negative. Conclusion: PPI measurements may be valuable for early detection of obstructive left heart lesions where pulse oximetry screening has limitations in diagnosis. Key Words: congenital heart disease, perfusion index, pulse oximetry, screening

Aim: Premature ventricular contractions are a prevalent arrhythmia in children, with the majority of cases exhibiting normal cardiac function and no anatomical abnormalities. The objective of this study was to assess the clinical course of premature ventricular contractions in children who do not have any structural heart abnormalities. Materials and Methods: In this study, 60 patients younger than 18 years of age who were diagnosed with premature ventricular contractions in our clinic and who did not have any structural cardiac abnormalities on echocardiography were included. Demographic data, 12-channel standard resting electrocardiography, 24-hour Holter electrocardiography monitoring, and the exercise test records of the patients were retrospectively analyzed from their follow-up files. Results: This study assessed 60 patients diagnosed with premature ventricular contraction, of whom 55% were male. Out of the total number of patients, 28 (46.7%) were asymptomatic, while the most often reported symptom was palpitations. Additionally, it was stated that five children had syncope. Medical treatment was given to 40 patients (66.7%). Beta-blockers (52.2%) were the most commonly prescribed drugs. Malignant arrhythmia or sudden cardiac death did not occur in any of the patients throughout the follow-up period. According to all patients’ follow-up Holter electrocardiography results, a 61.6% decrease in premature ventricular contraction rates was observed. Complete recovery was observed in 16.7% of the patients. Conclusion: Premature ventricular contractions in children generally have a good prognosis. Most cases are asymptomatic, and regardless of the origin, spontaneous regression rates over time are quite substantial. Determining the origin may help predict the prognosis.

Aim: The most vulnerable victims of natural disasters are children. Health professionals have made great efforts to improve the health and psychosocial conditions of children from this region after the major earthquake disaster we experienced. This study aimed to evaluate those earthquake victims referred to our department of pediatrics in terms of health services and to share the results. Materials and Methods: Children who were transferred to Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics after the earthquake were included in this study. It was recorded from which province these children came from, their age, gender, whether they were crushed or not, their physical health status, the duration of their stay in the hospital, their vaccination status, and whether there was any loss of parent or sibling. Results: Five earthquake victims were referred, three from Hatay, one from Malatya, and one from Iskenderun. Of these children aged between 16 months and 16 years, 4 were boys, and 1 was a girl. In two of our patients, both lower extremities were amputated due to being trapped under rubble. The tetanus vaccine was administered to all children. It was discovered that 4 of our five patients hospitalized had lost a parent and/or sibling. The mean duration of stay in the hospital was 10.2 days. Conclusion: It is crucial to determine earthquake survivors’ needs during treatment, to work as multidisciplinary teams, and to make a follow-up plan for after discharge.

Aim:The bed-sharing option has been reported to positively encourage breastfeeding frequency in the literature. However, an association between sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and infant bed-sharing has also been identified. The present study aimed to determine the effects of mother-infant bed-sharing and room-sharing on breastfeeding and sleep patterns and whether there is any increased risk of SIDS.Materials and Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional study among 507 mother-infant dyads between August, 2017 and August, 2018. Bed-sharing was defined as sharing a bed or mattress; room-sharing was defined as sharing the same room for any part of the night. The validated Sleep Questionnaire form was used to assess infant sleep characteristics. Potential predictors of bed-sharing were evaluated via logistic regression models (age, education, etc.).Results:In the study period, 507 mother-infant dyads were included. The rate of room-sharing was 78.1%, and the rate of bed-sharing was 12.4%. Additionally, the rate of sleeping in a different room was 9.5%. All infants aged 1-5 months who shared a bed with their mother were breastfed, while 94% of those who did not share a bed were breastfed. For 6-12-month-old babies, the breastfeeding frequency was 86% for those who shared a bed, whereas 77% of those who did not share a bed were breastfed. However, the bed-sharing modality was not statistically shown to increase the frequency of breastfeeding [odds ratio (95% confidence interval); 0.362 (0.130-1.01)] (p=0.052).Conclusion:Sharing a bed remains popular for infants’ sleep arrangements. In our study, the majority of infants slept in separate cribs. This study revealed that mother-infant bed sharing increased breastfeeding frequency. Moreover, mother-infant bed sharing delayed the age at which babies with sleep disorders stopped breastfeeding.