Aromaterapi, tamamlayıcı tıp uygulamaları arasında çeşitli hastalıkları önlemek ve tedavi etmek amacıyla terapötik ajanlar olarak uçucu yağları kullanan terapilerden biridir. Uçucu yağlar, aromatik bitkilerin çeşitli kısımlarından genellikle distilasyon yöntemi elde edilen sekonder metabolitlerdir. Fiziksel ve psikolojik düzeyde vücudun doğal dengesini korumak ve onarmak için, etkisini koku duyusu yani inhalasyon ve bununla birlikte masaj, kompres ve banyo uygulamaları ile göstermektedir. Aromaterapi eski Mısır Uygarlığı’na kadar uzanan yaklaşık 6000 yıllık bir geçmişe sahiptir. Aromaterapide kullanılan her bir uçucu yağın kendine has kokusu ve tedavi edici özelliği vardır. Uçucu yağlar, anksiyete, depresyon, dikkat ve konsantrasyon problemleri, uykusuzluk gibi psikolojik rahatsızlıklar, sindirim problemleri, baş ağrısı, kas ve eklem ağrıları, solunum yolu enfeksiyonları, yara, yanık, alopesi, egzema ve diğer bazı cilt rahatsızlıkları gibi çok sayıda hastalıkların tedavisinde çeşitli kombinasyonlarda kullanılmaktadır. Aromaterapide kullanılan uçucu yağlardan antiviral ve antimikrobiyal özellikleri taşıyanlara çay ağacı ve ökaliptus uçucu yağları; anksiyete, depresyon, uykusuzluk problemleri ve konsantrasyon artışı için tıbbi papatya, lavanta, limon ve gül uçucu yağları, astım ve nefes darlığında günlük uçucu yağı, migrende ise tıbbi nane uçucu yağı örnek verilebilir. Uçucu yağlar, genellikle, minimum yan etkileri ile kullanımı güvenli kabul edilen sekonder metabolitlerdir. Ancak aromaterapi uygulamaları haricen gerçekleştirilmekte olup uçucu yağlar bu terapi biçiminde dahilen kullanılmazlar. Bu çalışma ile günümüz sağlık hizmetlerinde, aromaterapi uygulamalarında en çok kullanılan uçucu yağlar ve özellikleri derlenmiştir.

Introduction: Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are a leading cause of the morbidity in children, by resulting in frequent healthcare visits. Dueto the limited efficacy of thesystemic medications and the need to minimize antibiotic overuse in the viral RTIs to prevent antimicrobial resistance, the symptomatic treatment remains the primary approach. As a result, interest in the alternative treatments, particularly phytotherapeutic agents is growing. Objective: This review aims to systematically evaluate the use of the phytotherapeutic agents in the pediatric RTIs, by focusing on their medical applications, pharmacological mechanisms, safety profiles, and potential adverse effects. By analyzing the current literature, it seeks to provide an evidence-based perspective on the phytotherapy in the pediatric RTIs and offer guidance for its safe and effective integration into clinical practice. Results: Herbal remedies, recognized for their antibacterial, antiseptic, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory properties, were widely used in managing the pediatric RTIs. Their potential to accelerate recovery and reduce antibiotic dependency has significantly contributed to their increasing popularity. Phytotherapy is also gaining acceptance among pediatricians, with many expressing interest in further education on its applications. Several medicinal plants showed promising results in treating RTIs in children; however, challenges remain regarding standardization, appropriate dosing, and potential side effects. Conclusion: Phytotherapy offers a promising complementary approach in the management of the pediatric RTIs, with potential benefits in reducing antibiotic overuse and improving symptomatic relief. However, more clinical research is needed to establish standardized guidelines for the efficacy and safety. Promoting evidence-based phytotherapy practices will help ensure its responsible and effective use in the pediatric healthcare.

Objective: Traditional practices for infants vary across communities and may sometimes pose risks to infant health. Healthcare professionals must be aware of these practices during infant- child visits. This study aims to investigate the traditional practices of Turkish and Lebanese mothers on infants, explore the relationship between these practices and compare the similarities and differences between the two cultures. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey involving Turkish and Lebanese mothers living in Istanbul. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire inquiring about sociodemographic information about the family, general information about the baby, and traditional practices performed by the mothers. Statistically, Pearson's chi-square test, Fisher's Exact test, and independent t-test were applied. Results: The study included 382 mothers, comprising 200 who were Turkish and 182 who were Lebanese. In both groups, the proportion of mothers who received information about infant care was approximately 90%. The most common source of information was the internet in both groups, 35% (63) of Turkish and 53.2% (92) of Lebanese mothers used the internet as a source of information. The second source of data used for baby care were the family elders in the Lebanese mothers (28%), and the health personnel in the Turkish mothers (24%). Turkish mothers practised celebrating the fortieth day, salting, using amber necklaces for teething, and giving pacifiers more frequently than Lebanese mothers. In the case of jaundice, Turkish mothers frequently breastfeed, while Lebanese mothers consult a doctor. The use of potentially risky practices is rare in both groups. No significant relationship was found between maternal education levels and the use of traditional practices. Conclusion: This study highlights the widespread use of traditional practices among both Turkish and Lebanese mothers during child-rearing. The study's results could inform health strategies to reduce the prevalence of potentially risky traditional practices among mothers and promote adopting safe, evidence-based child-rearing practices.

Objective: In recent years, allegations of medical errors in Turkey have been increasing. These allegations are generally concentrated on the issue of consent. Since most children are medically and legally incapable of making their own decisions on consent issues and the decision is made by the legal representative instead, various legal and ethical dilemmas arise. Pediatrics ranks first in lawsuits filed for medical errors. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the awareness of forensic legal issues among pediatricians. Materials and Methods: Our study is prospective and cross-sectional. Participants were asked 25 questions based on 14 possible case examples. They were asked to give a score between 1 and 5 points for each question about their feeling of adequacy regarding the information, consent, documents, and procedures that should be done according to these cases. Mann‒Whitney U and Kruskal‒Wallis tests were used statistically; p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: Two hundred nine pediatricians answered the questions. Sixty-six percent of the participants were working in tertiary care hospitals. Pediatricians were undecided about feeling adequate regarding the necessary information, consent, documents, and procedures to be performed for children (3.19/5) and felt inadequate when facing the refusal of treatment (2.77/5). There was no statistically significant difference between feeling competent in terms of title and professional seniority. Only 2% of the pediatricians stated that children under 12 years of age have the power of discernment, and only 7% stated that children over 15 years of age do not have the power of discernment. Conclusion: The general conclusion we reached in our study is that pediatricians do not feel adequate even concerning basic legal issues such as information, consent, and refusal of treatment. Therefore, they need to gain knowledge of these issues. For this reason, educational activities such as adding legal education to the medical school curriculum, legal training for pediatricians, and regular seminars effectively eliminate the lack of knowledge on this issue and prevent lawsuits.