The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and seasonal distribution of respiratory viruses in pediatric patients. Nasopharyngeal swab specimens, demographic and clinical information were collected from 1240 pediatric patients aged < 18 years between 2006 and 2015 in Hacettepe University Children`s Hospital. Multiplex RT-PCR (multiplex reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction) was performed to detect viral pathogens. A total of 1240 pediatric outpatients and inpatients who had been admitted to the hospital with symptoms of upper and lower respiratory tract infections (RTIs) were enrolled. Viruses were identified in 339 (27.3%) of cases, with the leading three viruses being respiratory syncytial virus (RSV, 74/339; 21.8%), human rhinovirus (62/339; 18.3%), and multiple viruses (56/339; 16.5%). Most of the patients were diagnosed with lower RTI (264/339; 77.8%) and antibiotics were administered to three quarters of positive patients (254/339; 74.9%). With an overall viral agent detection rate of 27.3%, the findings of the present study suggest that other respiratory pathogens, whether viral or bacterial, may also lead to hospital visits due to respiratory tract symptoms in children.

Objectives: Poor weight gain during the first weeks of life in preterm infants is associated with the risk of developing retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of energy, macronutrient intake, and weight gain during the first 4 weeks of life on the risk of ROP. Methods: This study was designed as a single-center, retrospective, and case-control trial. Premature babies, born before the 30th week of gestation, were included in our study. The infants were divided into three groups: control (without ROP), mild ROP, and severe ROP groups. Possible nutritional risk factors for ROP were compared. Results: ROP was found in 32 (29.5%) of 108 infants included in this study. The first enteral feeding day, full enteral feeding day, and total duration of parenteral nutrition were significantly higher in infants with level 3-4 ROP than the others (p <0.05). The risk of severe ROP increased in infants who gained less than 8 g/day and who received less than 91 kcal/kg of calories (p <0.05). It was found that infants with severe ROP received statistically (p 0.05). Conclusions: We showed that low energy intake during the first 4 weeks of life is an independent risk factor for severe ROP. This implies that the provision of adequate energy from parenteral and enteral sources during the first 4 weeks of life may be an effective method to reduce the risk of severe ROP in preterm infants.

Background Prematurity is a significant risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia related pulmonary artery pressure. Objective To determine the association between pulmonary artery pressure in the early days of life and the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia or mortality. Methods This prospective observational cohort study included infants born at <32 weeks and weighing 0.5 (pulmonary hypertension criterion-1). Infants were categorised into pulmonary hypertension and non-pulmonary hypertension groups. The primary endpoint was bronchopulmonary dysplasia or mortality. Receiver operating characteristic analysis established a new threshold value for predicting bronchopulmonary dysplasia or mortality (pulmonary hypertension criterion-2). Infants were reanalysed according to new criteria. Results A total of 329 infants were included in this study. Moderate-to-severe pulmonary hypertension was identified in 24% (n=79) of the infants. The pulmonary hypertension group exhibited a significantly lower gestational age, lower birth weight and a higher incidence of small for gestational age. Systolic pulmonary artery pressure >25 mm Hg or systolic pulmonary artery pressure/systolic blood pressure >0.35 was defined as the pulmonary hypertension criterion-2. Logistic regression analysis identified pulmonary hypertension criterion-2 as an independent risk factor for moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia or mortality (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.3 to 5.51, p<0.01). Conclusion Pulmonary artery pressure exceeding 25 mm Hg in the early days of life may be considered a potential risk factor for bronchopulmonary dysplasia or mortality.

A newborn baby with an unusual complaint of transient left leg cyanosis during crying, who was diagnosed with a iliopsoas abscess is presented. Newborn cases diagnosed with an iliopsoas abscess in the English literature are summarized and differences in clinical presentations are discussed.