Pretransplant Stable Systolic Cardiac Functions Play an Important Role in Short-term Systolic Cardiac Functions After Kidney Transplant in Children.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, our aim was to evaluate the systolic cardiac parameters and related risk factors in children within 6 months after kidney transplant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 24 children who received kidney transplants. Clinical and laboratory parameters before and after transplant were recorded. Results were evaluated statistically, with a P value less than .05 considered significant. RESULTS: Before transplant, systolic cardiac functions were within normal limits. After transplant, ejection fraction (63.35% ± 5.38% vs 66.95% ± 4.62%; P = .01) was significantly increased and left ventricular mass index (32.63 ± 17.21 g/m2.7 vs 31.29 ± 15.65 g/m2.7; P = .78) was not significantly decreased, whereas fractional shortening (52.16% ± 15.32% vs 59.8% ± 12.94%; P = .54) did not change. Systolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure index, diastolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure index values were not statistically different before and after transplant (P > .05). The number of antihypertensive agents was significantly decreased (P = .001). Before and after transplant, cardiac geometry was normal in 15 patients (62.5%) and 17 patients (70.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Our patients, who had stable systolic cardiac function before transplant, showed further improvements in systolic cardiac function even within 6 months after transplant. Therefore, strictly monitored and controlled blood pressure, volume, anemia, and nutrition in children before transplant may play important roles in achieving better cardiac systolic function after kidney transplant.

Toilet training age and influencing factors: a multicenter study.

To determine toilet training age and the factors influencing this in our country, 1500 children who had completed toilet training were evaluated in a multicenter study. The mean age of toilet training was 22.32 ± 6.57 months. The duration it took to complete toilet training was 6.60 ± 2.20 months on the average. In univariant analysis, toilet training age increased as the parental education level, specifically that of the mother, increased. The training age of children whose mothers had over 12 years of education differed significantly from that of children of mothers with less education. There was no significant difference in toilet training age with regard to the education level of the father, or the employment status of the mother. We also found significant differences with respect to family income level, toilet type and training method. In multivariant analysis, family income >5000 TL and use of a potty chair were determined to be factors affecting toilet training age. In conclusion, toilet training age in Turkey, a developing country, was found to be lower than that in developed countries.

Val2Ala mutation in the Atp6v0a4 gene causes early-onset sensorineural hearing loss in children with recessive distal renal tubular acidosis: a case report.

A young female patient born to consanguineous parents was admitted to our clinic at the age of 3 years with a 5-month history of weight loss and recurrent urinary tract infections. Based on clinical findings (delayed growth and O-bein deformity) and laboratory tests (hypokalemia, hyperchloremia, partially compensated metabolic acidosis, alkaline urine and nephrocalsinosis), a diagnosis of distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) was made. Then, the audiogram revealed a bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). On follow-up, bilateral SNHL progressively worsened requiring the need for hearing aid. The ATP6V0A4 gene mutation analysis showed homozygote Val2Ala mutation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing a Turkish girl with dRTA who suffered from early-onset SNHL caused by Val2Ala mutation in the ATP6V0A4 gene.