It has been reported that there is a significant relationship between obesity and mental health problems, and the exposure to peer bullying plays a mediating role in this relationship. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of peer bullying in children with obesity and to investigate the relationship between bullying and anxiety and depression levels. A total of 64 patients aged between 8 and 16 years with obesity and 51 age- and gender-matched healthy children and adolescents without obesity were included in the study. Children in both groups were administered the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) to determine their depression levels, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to determine their anxiety levels, and the Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire for Students to evaluate the bullying status. Peer bullying rates, CDI, and STAI scores were significantly higher in children and adolescents in the obesity group compared with those in the control group (P < .05 for all). In the obesity group, depression and anxiety scores were found to be higher in children who were exposed to bullying compared with those who were not exposed to bullying (P < .05 for all). Obesity was found to increase the likelihood of peer bullying by 3.015 times (P = .018), and it was also found that the increase in the symptoms of trait anxiety and depression increased the likelihood of peer bullying (P = .01, P = .002, respectively). In this study, it was shown that obesity is a risk factor for peer bullying, and both obesity and peer bullying negatively affect children’s mental health. More detailed studies that explain the relationship between obesity, bullying, and mental problems will guide clinicians in obesity management.

In a society, the cultural relics, habits, knowledge, rituals and behaviors that have been held in the past, which are respected and passed on from generation to generation, are called traditions. Baby care is one of the basic elements of social life. Some traditions related to baby care may contain harmful items according to modern medical science. Swaddling is the best example. As a matter of fact, after being known to be harmful, it was left almost after the persistent training. Some applications such as baby salting in our country are still widely applied. The determination of the status of these and similar practices in our region is important in terms of the development of child health. In our study, traditional practices in Muğla province were investigated by survey method.

Permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia (PJRT) is most often observed in infants and children and can lead to incessant tachycardia. PJRT is usually refractory to medical treatment. Tachycardia may infrequently occur in the fetus in which case fetal tachycardia transplacental treatment should be started immediately. Term delivery is recommended for fetuses with tachycardia in the absence of significant clinical compromise to avoid complications of preterm birth. Herein, a 36-week preterm neonate presented with PJRT. He had tachycardia in the fetal period and was treated with digoxin, amiodaron, and esmolol therapy after birth without undergoing the catheter ablation procedure.

Background: Childhood obesity is associated with hypertension (HT), arterial stiffness, and increased cardiovascular risk. Urocortin 2 (UCN2), a member of the corticotropin-releasing factor family, exerts vasodilatory and cardioprotective effects; however, its role in obesity-related vascular dysfunction in children remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the relationship between circulating UCN2 levels, HT, and arterial stiffness parameters in children with obesity. Methods: This prospective, single-center, cross-sectional case-control study included 154 children aged 10–18 years: 95 with obesity and 59 healthy controls. Anthropometric measurements, serum UCN2 concentrations, and metabolic parameters were assessed. Brachial-based oscillometric pulse wave analysis was performed to obtain estimated pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index corrected for a heart rate of 75 beats/min (AIx@75), central systolic blood pressure (cSBP), and other hemodynamic parameters. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors of UCN2 and arterial stiffness. Results: Children with obesity had significantly higher PWV, cSBP, pulse pressure, cardiac output, and HT prevalence compared with controls (all p < 0.001). Although UCN2 levels tended to be lower in children with obesity, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.196). In children with obesity, UCN2 was negatively correlated with body mass index (r = −0.31, p = 0.003) and pulse pressure (r = −0.22, p = 0.031), and log-transformed UCN2 levels were negatively correlated with PWV (r = −0.22, p = 0.034). The independent negative association between UCN2 concentrations and PWV indicates an inverse relationship with arterial stiffness in childhood obesity. However, further longitudinal and mechanistic studies are required to determine whether this association reflects a underlying physiological involvement or therapeutic target. Conclusions: Childhood obesity is associated with adverse vascular alterations and increased arterial stiffness. The independent inverse association observed between UCN2 and PWV highlights a biological link with vascular stiffness in childhood obesity. However, whether UCN2 possesses biomarker utility or therapeutic relevance remains speculative and warrants evaluation in prospective longitudinal and clinical studies.

Interferon γ-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) is one of the potent inflammatory mediators. This research aims to compare cord blood IP-10 levels in preterm infants with or without antenatal preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes (PPROM), fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS) and prematurity related morbidities. We enrolled 85 newborns with gestational age below 37 weeks. Umbilical cord blood samples were obtained at delivery and stored. Cord blood IP-10 and interleukin (IL)-6 levels measured with ELISA test. All enrolled preterm infants have been followed-up for prematurity related conditions including respiratory distress syndrome, early and late onset sepsis, necrotising enterocolitis, intraventricular haemorrhage, premature retinopathy, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and mortality. FIRS defined as IL-6 levels of umbilical cord above 11 pg/ml. Cord blood median IP-10 levels were significantly higher in PPROM group (n=27, 31.8%) than in the group without PPROM (IP-10=345.6 pg/ml vs. 28.3 pg/ml, p<0.001). Cord blood median IP-10 levels were significantly higher in preterm infants with FIRS (n=36, 42.4%) compared to infants without FIRS (p<0.001). Cord blood median IP-10 levels were also higher in preterm infants with early onset sepsis than those without early onset sepsis (p=0.019). We did not observe relationship between cord blood IP-10 levels and other prematurity-related complications. Increased cord blood IP-10 levels have been observed in preterm infants with fetal inflammation and who developed early onset sepsis. Cord blood IP-10 could be considered an early marker for intrauterine inflammation and its effect on fetal outcomes, such as the development of neonatal sepsis in preterm infants.