Browsing by Author "Belet, N"

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    Adolescents With Breakthrough COVID-19 Infections Requiring Hospitalization: A Multicenter Retrospective Study
    Bal, ZS; Arslan, SY; Ozenen, GG; Okur, DS; Kiliçaslan,Ö; Demirbuga, A; Turgut, EA; Dalgic, N; Belet, N; Inceli, HB; Elvan-Tuz, A; Kara, TT; Bulbul, B; Demirdag, T; Çakici,Ö; Bal, A; Ergun, D; Altug, U; Arslan, A; Isancli, DK; Torun, SH; Çelik,Ü; Yasar, B; Erbas, IC; Oncel, EK; Akbas, A; Gudeloglu, E; Sen, S; Kacar, P; Dede, E; Petmezci, E; Aksoy, FD; Karbuz, A; Öncel, S; Tezer, H; Devrim, I; Ciftci, E; Hacimustafaoglu, M; Kurugol, Z
    Background Vaccines have the most important role in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. With the widespread use of vaccines, COVID-19 has remarkably declined. Adolescents were vaccinated after approvals for this age group, which was later than adults, and a nationwide vaccination program was implemented in August 2021 in Turkey for adolescents >= 12 years of age. Therefore, we aimed to determine the effects of the COVID-19 nationwide adolescent vaccination program on adolescent hospitalizations due to COVID-19 and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) by comparing two periods, including the vaccination period (VP) and the pre-VP (PVP). The second aim of this study is to compare the clinical features and disease severity of vaccine-breakthrough COVID-19 hospitalizations with unvaccinated individuals in the VP. Methods A retrospective multicenter study was conducted to determine and compare the number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 and MIS-C between the VP (September 1, 2021, to August 31, 2022) and PVP (September 1, 2020, to August 31, 2021). We also compared the characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes of breakthrough infections of adolescents aged 12-18, which required hospitalization with the same age group of unvaccinated hospitalized individuals during the VP. Results During the study period, 3967 children (0-18 years) were hospitalized in the PVP and 5143 (0-18 years) in the VP. Of them, 35.4% were adolescents (12-18 years) in the PVP, and this rate was 18.6% in the VP; relative risk was 0.6467 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.6058-0.6904; p < 0.001). Patients with breakthrough COVID- 19 were older (201 vs. 175 months, p < 0.001) and less commonly hospitalized for COVID-19 (81.5% vs. 60.4%, p < 0.001, odds ratio [OR]: 0.347 [95% CI: 0.184-0.654]). The majority of these infections were asymptomatic and mild (32% vs.72.9%: p < 0.001, OR: 5.718 [95% CI: 2.920-11.200]), and PICU admission was less frequently required (p = 0.011, OR: 0.188 [95% CI: 0.045-0.793]). Most breakthrough COVID-19 infections occurred within three months after the last vaccine dose (54.2%). Conclusions This study demonstrated a significant decrease in adolescent hospitalizations due to COVID-19 and MIS -C after implementing COVID-19 vaccines in Turkey. Breakthrough cases were less severe and mostly occurred three months after the last dose. This study emphasizes the importance of COVID-19 vaccines and that parents' decisions may be changed, particularly those who hesitate to or refuse vaccination.
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    Evaluation of Attitudes and Knowledge of Influenza Diagnosis, Treatment and Vaccination Among Pediatric Residents
    Garipçin, P; Keles, YE; Öncel, EK; Kiymet, E; Böncüoglu, E; Özlü, CO; Asrak, HK; Özenen, GG; Ümit, Z; Kara, SS; Sen, S; Aksay, AK; Bal, ZS; Devrim, I; Belet, N; Çiftdogan, DY
    Objective: Influenza virus is common in children, especially in winter, causing hospitalization, admission to the intensive care unit, or even death. There are few studies on the attitudes or knowledge of influenza diagnosis, treatment, and vaccination among pediatricians. This study was planned to determine pediatric residents' attitudes and behaviors about recognizing the influenza virus, making treatment decisions, prophylaxis, and immunization. Material and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed from 31 July-1 December 2019 among pediatric residents working in six different hospitals in the Aegean Region by an online survey. Twenty-seven questions were asked regarding articipant's demographic characteristics, recognition of the influenza symptoms, treatment, prophylaxis, and immunization. Results: Two hundred and four (58.5%) of 349 pediatric residents were included in the study, who answered the questionnaire. Among the participants, 72.5% were females, and their mean age was 27.9 +/- 2.1 years, and 59.3% worked as a pediatric residents for less than two years. When the symptoms of influenza were evaluated, the most known symptoms were fever (94.1%), myalgia (81.9%), tiredness (77.0%), headache (70.1%), and cough (68.6%). When oseltamivir treatment indications were questioned, most pediatric residents (82.2%) answered the questions. It was observed that 21.1% of the pediatric residents had the flu vaccine in the current season. According to the state of having chronic diseases, the rate of vaccination in participants was not statistically significant (p= 0.136). Conclusion: In this study, it was determined that pediatric residents' knowledge about influenza awareness, treatment, and immunization was insufficient. It may be beneficial to train pediatric residents about the influenza virus and vaccine before each influenza season.
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    Evaluation of 601 children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (Turk MISC study)
    Yilmaz, D; Keles, YE; Emiroglu, M; Duramaz, BB; Ugur, C; Kocabas, BA; Celik, T; Ozdemir, H; Bayturan, S; Turel, O; Erdeniz, EH; Cakici, O; Taskin, EC; Erbas, IC; Genceli, M; Sari, EE; Caymaz, C; Kizil, MC; Sutcu, M; Demirbuga, A; Alkan, G; Bagci, Z; Dayar, GT; Ozkan, EA; Yilmaz, AT; Akca, M; Yesil, E; Kara, SS; Akturk, H; Yasar, B; Umit, Z; Uygun, H; Erdem, N; Buyukcam, A; Oncel, EK; Oz, SKT; Cetin, HS; Anil, AB; Yilmaz, R; Zengin, N; Uzuner, S; Albayrak, H; Borakay, O; Topal, S; Arslan, G; Yazar, A; Ozer, A; Kendirli, T; Kara, EM; Demirkol, D; Battal, F; Kosker, M; Akcan, OM; Kihtir, HS; Gul, D; Zararci, K; Alakaya, M; Kula, N; Celik, E; Petmezci, E; Evren, G; Aksay, AK; Konca, C; Sert, A; Arslan, D; Bornaun, H; Tekeli, O; Bal, A; Sahin, IO; Demir, S; Sap, F; Akyol, MB; Tanidir, IC; Donmez, YN; Ucar, T; Coban, S; Arga, G; Torun, SH; Karpuz, D; Celik, SF; Varan, C; Elmali, F; Oncel, S; Belet, N; Hatipoglu, N; Karabulut, ND; Turgut, M; Somer, A; Kuyucu, N; Dinleyici, EC; Ciftci, E; Kara, A
    Purpose Due to its link with the 2019 coronavirus, the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MISC) has garnered considerable international interest. The aim of this study, in which MISC patients were evaluated multicenter, and the data of the third period of the Turk-MISC study group, to compare the clinical and laboratory characteristics and outcomes of MISC patients who did and did not require admission to an intensive care unit (ICU).Methods This retrospective multicenter observational study was carried out between June 11, 2021, and January 01, 2022. The demographics, complaints, laboratory results, system involvements, and outcomes of the patients were documented.Results A total of 601 patients were enrolled; 157 patients (26.1%) required hospitalization in the intensive care unit (ICU). Median age was 8 years (interquartile range (IQR) 4.5-11.3 years. The proportion of Kawasaki disease-like features in the ICU group was significantly higher than in the non-ICU group (56.1% vs. 43.2% p = 0.006). The ICU group had considerably lower counts of both lymphocytes and platelets (lymphocyte count 900 vs. 1280 cells x mu L, platelet count 153 vs. 212 cells x 10(3)/ mu L, all for p< 0.001). C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and ferritin levels were significantly higher in the ICU group (CRP 164 vs. 129 mg/L, procalcitonin 9.2 vs. 2.2 mu g/L, ferritin 644 vs. 334 mu g/L, all for p< 0.001). Being between ages 5-12 and older than 12 increased the likelihood of hospitalization in the ICU by four [95% confidence intervals (CI)1.971-8.627] and six times (95% CI 2.575-14.654), respectively, compared to being between the ages 0-5. A one-unit increase in log d-dimer (mu g/L) and log troponin (ng/L) was also demonstrated to increase the need for intensive care by 1.8 (95% CI 1.079-3.233) and 1.4 times (95% CI 1.133-1.789), respectively. Conclusion: By comparing this study to our other studies, we found that the median age of MISC patients has been rising. Patients requiring an ICU stay had considerably higher levels of procalcitonin, CRP, and ferritin but significantly lower levels of lymphocyte and thrombocyte. In particular, high levels of procalcitonin in the serum might serve as a valuable laboratory marker for anticipating the need for intensive care.
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    A snapshot of pediatric inpatients and outpatients with COVID-19: a point prevalence study from Turkey
    Yilmaz, D; Üstündag, G; Büyükçam, A; Sali, E; Çelik, Ü; Avcu, G; Belet, N; Taskin, EÇ; Demir, SÖ; Birbilen, AZ; Kiliç, Ö; Akcan, ÖM; Yilmaz, AT; Kocabas, BA; Hatipoglu, N; Karbuz, A; Çakir, D; Sütçü, M; Aygün, FD; Çelik, T; Sen, SB; Dalgiç, N; Ümit, Z; Kara, SS; Öncel, EK; Bolat, A; Çil, MK; Turan, C; Guzin, AÇ; Topal, S; Besli, GE; Dogan, G; Sahin, S; Akin, F; Bildirici, Y; Dayar, GT; Sari, EE; Isançli, DK; Kara, M; Önal, P; Aylaç, H; Lüleci, D; Yasar, B; Dede, E; Çaglar, A; Akova, S; Turgut, EA; Özkaya, PY; Gülmez, TK; Ulusoy, E; Duyu, M; Kara, Y; Çeliktas, H; Tekeli, O; Çaglar, F; Gül, D; Cebeci, SO; Battal, F; Bal, A; Aygün, E; Uysalol, M; Arslan, G; Özkavakli, A; Kizil, MC; Yazar, A; Aygün, F; Somer, A; Kuyucu, N; Dinleyici, EÇ; Kara, A
    This multi-center point prevalence study evaluated children who were diagnosed as having coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19). On February 2nd, 2022, inpatients and outpatients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were included in the study from 12 cities and 24 centers in Turkey. Of 8605 patients on February 2nd, 2022, in participating centers, 706 (8.2%) had COVID-19. The median age of the 706 patients was 92.50 months, 53.4% were female, and 76.7% were inpatients. The three most common symptoms of the patients with COVID-19 were fever (56.6%), cough (41.3%), and fatigue (27.5%). The three most common underlying chronic diseases (UCDs) were asthma (3.4%), neurologic disorders (3.3%), and obesity (2.6%). The SARS-CoV-2-related pneumoniae rate was 10.7%. The COVID-19 vaccination rate was 12.5% in all patients. Among patients aged over 12 years with access to the vaccine given by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health, the vaccination rate was 38.7%. Patients with UCDs presented with dyspnea and pneumoniae more frequently than those without UCDs (p < 0.001 for both). The rates of fever, diarrhea, and pneumoniae were higher in patients without COVID-19 vaccinations (p = 0.001, p = 0.012, and p = 0.027). Conclusion: To lessen the effects of the disease, all eligible children should receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The illness may specifically endanger children with UCDs.
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    Antifungal consumption, indications and selection of antifungal drugs in paediatric tertiary hospitals in Turkey: Results from the first national point prevalence survey
    Çaglar, I; Devrim, I; Özdemir, H; Sahbudak, Z; Sönmez, G; Buyukcam, A; Gulhan, B; Kara, A; Aygun, DF; Bayram, N; Celebi, S; Çetin, B; Nepesov, MI; Yilmaz, AT; Kepenekli, E; Çiftdogan, DY; Acar, MK; Yayla, BC; Okumus, C; Ecevit, Z; Hatipoglu, N; Kuyucu, N; Kosker, M; Sen, S; Karbuz, A; Sutcu, M; Duramaz, BB; Özen, M; Çiftçi, E; Alabaz, D; Kurugol, Z; Kara, A; Kanik, S; Kilic, O; Oncel, S; Somer, A; Tapisiz, A; Belet, N; Akcan, ÖM; Türel, Ö; Ozkaya, A; Tezer, H; Cengiz, AB; Ince, E; Camcioglu, Y; Kocabas, E; Arisoy, ES; Salman, N
    Objectives: The aim of this point prevalence survey was to evaluate the consumption, indications and strategies of antifungal therapy in the paediatric population in Turkey. Methods: A point prevalence study was performed at 25 hospitals. In addition to general data on paediatric units of the institutes, the generic name and indication of antifungal drugs, the presence of fungal isolation and susceptibility patterns, and the presence of galactomannan test and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) results were reviewed. Results: A total of 3338 hospitalised patients were evaluated. The number of antifungal drugs prescribed was 314 in 301 patients (9.0%). Antifungal drugs were mostly prescribed in paediatric haematology and oncology (PHO) units (35.2%), followed by neonatal ICUs (NICUs) (19.6%), paediatric services (18.3%), paediatric ICUs (PICUs) (14.6%) and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) units (7.3%). Antifungals were used for prophylaxis in 147 patients (48.8%) and for treatment in 154 patients (50.0%). The antifungal treatment strategy in 154 patients was empirical in 77 (50.0%), diagnostic-driven in 29 (18.8%) and targeted in 48 (31.2%). At the point of decision-making for diagnostic-driven antifungal therapy in 29 patients, HRCT had not been performed in 1 patient (3.4%) and galactomannan test results were not available in 12 patients (41.4%). Thirteen patients (8.4%) were receiving eight different antifungal combination therapies. Conclusion: The majority of antifungal drugs for treatment and prophylaxis were prescribed in PHO and HSCT units (42.5%), followed by ICUs. Thus, antifungal stewardship programmes should mainly focus on these patients within the availability of diagnostic tests of each hospital. (C) 2018 International Society for Chemotherapy of Infection and Cancer. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.