Scorpion envenomation in children: an analysis of 99 cases.

Scorpion envenomation is a life-threatening emergency and a common public health problem in many regions of the world, particularly in children. The aim of this retrospective descriptive study was to describe the epidemiological characteristics and some common clinical symptoms and signs, laboratory findings and outcomes among humans in the southeast Anatolia region of Turkey (Mardin, Midyat). The sting cases mostly occurred in the month of July (36.4%) when the annual temperature is the highest. The majority of the cases were in the 6-10 years of age group. Most of the stings were seen in exposed extremities (92.9%), mainly in the lower limbs (58.6%). Patients in the emergency units showed signs of local and systemic effects, but no lethality occurred except one. Local and autonomic nervous system effects were most frequently characterized by local pain, hyperemia, swelling, itching, malaise, dry mouth, sweating, and thirst. Neurological, cardiovascular and respiratory disorders were uncommon. The global mortality recorded was 10 per 1000 cases. In conclusion, we propose that this information is beneficial for health education and prevention of scorpion sting cases.

Clinical and laboratory features, complications and treatment outcome of brucellosis in childhood and review of the literature.

Brucellosis, whether in an endemic region or not, remains a diagnostic puzzle due to occasional misleading unusual presentations and non-specific symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and laboratory findings, complications and treatment outcome of brucellosis in children in southeastern Anatolia, Turkey. This study focuses on the frequency of clinical and laboratory findings and complications in cases with brucellosis. Of 22 patients, 8 (36.3%) were female and 14 (63.7%) were male. Fever, malaise, lack of appetite, arthralgia, and night sweating were the main presenting symptoms overall. Hematologic complications (n=13, 59.1%) were most common, followed by skeletal (n=7, 31.8%) and cutaneous system (n=1, 4.5%). Brucellosis may affect any organ system and imitate a variety of clinical entities. Diagnosis of brucellosis should be considered whenever there is a febrile illness associated with rheumatological complaints. Consequently, early recognition of the infection, prolonged antibiotic treatment and careful long-term follow-up should improve the patient outcome.

[The distribution of intestinal parasites and their causative factors in children]. / Cocuklarda Bagirsak Parazitlerinin Dagilimi ve Bununla Iliskili Etmenler.

Intestinal parasitic infection prevalence in children who had been brought to our hospital together with related factors. The study was carried out in 400 children who were chosen at random among those brought to our hospital. All stool samples were examined with nativelugol, formol-ether, Kinyon acid-fast, methods. The cellophane tape preparations and hemoglobin concentration measurement were used. Intestinal parasites found in 156 of 400 (39%) children were Giardia intestinalis (19.8%) Enterobius vermicularis (15%), Blastocystis hominis (5.8%). Socio-economic and educational level of patient's family, living in urban area, having abdominal pain, anal itching, salivation during sleep, and nasal itching had been found related with the prevalence of parasitic infection. No relationship were found in the other factors. Because WHO guidelines favor routine screening and treatment of parasitic infections of school-age children when the prevalence of parasitic infections in community exceeds 50%, all children should be evaluated for parasitic infections if they have one or more risk factors.