Evaluation of vitamin D levels in children and adolescents after the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: 1-year results of a secondary-level state hospital.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic caused a global public health problem with high morbidity and mortality rates. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) status of patients presenting to the Pediatrics Department of Gaziantep Maternity and Children's Hospital in the 1-year period after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic according to ethnicity, age, and gender. METHOD: This cross-sectional study included the data of 7640 patients whose 25(OH)D levels were assessed at our hospital between March 2021 and March 2022. Vitamin D levels, age, gender, and the ethnic origin of the patients were retrospectively scanned and recorded from the laboratory results system. Based on the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of vitamin D levels, patients were divided into three groups: <10 ng/mL = vitamin D deficiency; 10-19 ng/mL = vitamin D insufficiency, and 20 ng/mL and over = normal vitamin D status. RESULTS: The mean age of the 7640 patients who presented to the pediatrics department was 7.47 (±5.3) years. Of these patients, 48 % (3665) were male and 52 % (3975) were female. The mean vitamin D level of girls was 18.1 (±15.2) ng/mL, and of boys it was 20.2 (±15.4) ng/mL, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). In total, 21.2 % (1650) of patients had deficient, 43.3 % (3310) of patients had insufficient, and 35.5 % (2710) of patients had normal 25(OH)D levels. Overall, 21.8 % of the patients (1667) were immigrants, and in this group the deficiency was found to be statistically significantly higher at 27.4 % (n = 456; p < 0.001). There was a low negative correlation between the age of the patients and their 25(OH)D levels (r=-0.35; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency remains a serious public health problem. Since the most important production source is exposure to the sun, it must be kept in mind that vitamin D should be supported during lockdown pandemic processes.

Management Difficulties in the Coexistence of Covid-19 Infection and Diabetic Ketoacidosis (Case Report; Two Children with Newly Diagnosed Diabetes).

Two 8-year-old girls were admitted to the emergency department with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) approximately 10 days apart. The patients with resistant severe acidosis and high infection parameters were diagnosed with COVID-19 by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test. Accompanying pneumonia was observed in one of the patients. Here, we aimed to discuss the difficulties in the management of patients with a new diagnosis of DKA with COVID-19 infection. In addition, we wanted to emphasize that COVID-19 infection may be effective in the development of diabetes in patients with a genetic predisposition.

Résumé Deux filles de 8 ans ont été admises aux urgences avec une acidocétose diabétique (ACD) à environ 10 jours d'intervalle. Les patients présentant une acidose sévère résistante et des paramètres d'infection élevés ont reçu un diagnostic de COVID-19 par un test de réaction en chaîne par transcription inverse et polymérase en temps réel. Une pneumonie d'accompagnement a été observée chez l'un des patients. Ici, nous avons cherché à discuter des difficultés de prise en charge des patients avec un nouveau diagnostic d'ACD avec infection au COVID-19. De plus, nous voulions souligner que l'infection au COVID-19 peut être efficace dans le développement du diabète chez les patients présentant une prédisposition génétique. Mots-clés: Covid-19, Jacétoacidose diabétique, nouvelle.

Leydig cell hypoplasia type 1 diagnosed in early childhood with inactivating mutation in LHCGR gene.

Leydig cell aplasia/hypoplasia is an autosomal recessive condition. In its complete form, these patients are 46XY but are cryptorchid and phenotypically female. Most cases reported in literature presented with in adolescence with pubertal delay. We reported a case with a predefined mutation in the LHCGR gene, presenting with swelling in the inguinal region and therefore diagnosed in early childhood. We wanted to emphasize the necessity of keeping Leydig cell hypoplasia in mind in the differential diagnosis of sexual development disorders in early childhood.

Assessment of dermatological quality of life in patients with childhood atopic dermatitis and their families.

AIM: Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, itchy, inflammatory skin disease that progresses with exacerbations. This study was planned to determine how atopic dermatitis affects the quality of life of patients and their families. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred twenty patients with atopic dermatitis, as diagnosed using the Hanifin Rajka diagnostic criteria, and their families were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups as active and remission. Disease severity was classified as mild, moderate, and severe according to the SCORAD index. Total IgE, peripheral eosinophil counts, and allergy skin tests were performed. Literate patients completed the Childrens' Dermatology Life Quality Index by themselves. The Infants' Dermatology Life Quality Index was completed by their families. Also, the Family Dermatological Quality of Life Index was completed by one of the parents for each patient. RESULTS: Among the 120 patients who participated in the study, 76 (63.33%) were male and 44 (36.66%) were female. The mean age was 4.36±3.52 years. The quality of life survey scores were statistically significantly lower in the remission group compared with the active group (p<0.05). The quality of life questionnaire scores were higher in the group with a severe SCORAD index (p<0.05). There was no significant correlation between total IgE, peripheral eosinophil count, skin test results, and questionnaire scores (p>0.05). At least one allergen susceptibility was detected in 65% of the patients who underwent allergy skin tests. CONCLUSION: Quality of life was affected negatively in patients with atopic dermatitis and their families. In this study, the quality of life survey results were found to be higher in the active group and the group with a high SCORAD index compared with the remission group and the group with a low SCORAD index. Based on this finding, we can conclude that quality of life is negatively affected by high disease activity.