In this study we investigated the potential of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), mean platelet volume (MPV), and red cell width distribution (RDW) as new inflammatory markers to identify chronic inflammations during symptom-free periods in children diagnosed with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF). The study included 153 children diagnosed with FMF based on the Tel-Hashomer Criteria, and 90 healthy volunteers. Hospital records were obtained to collect NLR, PLR, MPV, RDW, and FMF scores and the FMF mutation analyses of the patients enrolled in the study. Data on proteinuria were also collected and defined as a protein/creatinine ratio>0.2. NLR, PLR, MPV, and RDW were significantly higher in symptom-free FMF patients than in the control group. C-reactive protein values also weakly correlated with NLR, PLR, MPV, and RDW, but the correlation was not statistically significant. NLR had the strongest correlation with CRP. The NLR cut-off point to indicate subclinical inflammation in symptom-free FMF patients was calculated to be 1.65. NLR, PLR, MPV, and RDW are potential subclinical inflammation markers in patients with FMF. NLR, PLR, MPV, and RDW values are higher in patients with FMF during symptom-free periods. NLR was found to be the most reliable marker for subclinical inflammation when compared to PLR, MPV, and RDW. We also found that these markers are not significantly higher in proteinuric patients when compared with levels in non-proteinuric patients.

The importance of carotid artery stiffness and increased intima-media thickness in obese children

Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency may play a role in the pathogenesis of certain autoimmune diseases. To measure vitamin D levels in children with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) (either with subclinical or marked hypothyroidism) and in healthy controls. We included 68 children with HT aged 12 ± 4 years (39 females) from a pediatric outpatient clinic and 68 healthy children aged 10 ± 4 years (37 females). Calcium metabolism parameters, thyroid function tests and anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO), anti-thyroglobulin (anti-TG) and 25 hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) levels were measured. Patients were older than controls but well matched by gender distribution. Mean 25OHD levels were significantly lower in HT patients than controls (16.8 ± 9.3 and 24.1 ± 9.4 ng/mL respectively, P < 0.01). Frequency of vitamin D deficiency was 76 and 35% in HT patients and controls, respectively (P < 0.001). Vitamin D deficiency is more common in children with HT than healthy controls.

Obesity is linked to adverse neurocognitive outcomes including reduced cognitive functioning. We aimed to investigate the differences in neuropsychological test performance of Turkish children and adolescents with obesity and healthy peers. Study includes 147 children and adolescents ranging in age from 8 to 16 years: 92 with obesity and 55 with healthy controls. After the participants were administered the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED), they completed the battery tests of the Central Nervous System Vital Signs (CNSVS), a neurocognitive test battery, via computer. The battery calculates seven domain scores (Memory, Psychomotor speed, Processing speed, Reaction time, Complex attention, Executive Function, Cognitive flexibility), and a summary score (Neurocognition Index [NCI]). There was a statistically significant difference between the obesity and control groups on all cognitive domains. The mean NCI score of the obesity group was 81.3 ± 10.24 compared to 97.29 ± 4.97 for the control group. The mean NCI score in the obesity group was significantly lower than that of the control group (p < 0.001). The mean scores of other domains of obese patients were also found to be significantly lower than those of the control participants (p < 0.001). The mean SCARED scores of the participants with obesity were found to be significantly higher than those of the control participants (p < 0.05). However, no statistically significant relationship was found between the SCARED and the CNSVS scores. Cognitive dysfunction in children and adolescents with obesity should be taken into consideration when assessing and managing this population.