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Oğuz Tuncer

Publications and source records attributed to Oğuz Tuncer.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Acute amitriptyline intoxication: an analysis of 44 children.

The tricyclic antidepressant agents, particularly amitriptyline and dothiepin, are recognized for their potentially lethal cardiovascular and neurological effects in poisoned patients. In this article, the clinical and laboratory findings of 44 children with amitriptyline intoxication are reviewed. Our purpose was to investigate amitriptyline intoxication in childhood. Of 44 patients, 21 (47.7%) were boys, 23 (52.3%) were girls, and the ages ranged from 12 months to 14 years (mean +/- SD; 4.09 +/- 2.9 years). All children except one who took an overdose of amitriptyline to decrease his pain accidentally ingested an overdose of amitriptyline. The amount of amitriptyline ingested was between 2 mg/kg and 97.5 mg/kg (mean +/- SD; 13.6 +/- 17.7 mg/kg per dose) (the drug dosage was not known in 13 children). The most commonly observed clinical and laboratory findings were lethargy, tachycardia, convulsion, hyperglycemia and leukocytosis. In all patients except for two children who died the abnormal clinical and laboratory findings returned to normal within a few days after admission and they were discharged from the hospital in good health within the fourth day of admission. One of the children ingested 97.5 mg/kg amitriptyline and probably died due to status epilepticus and another child who died ingested 36 mg/ kg amitriptyline and died due to cardiopulmonary arrest. In conclusion, our findings showed that initial symptoms and signs of acute amitriptyline intoxication appeared severe, but they disappeared with only supportive care required in most children except for cases that ingested high doses of drug within a few days. In contrast to adults, we infrequently noted respiratory insufficiency, arrhythmia and hypotension in children with acute amitriptyline intoxication.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Auditory brainstem potentials in children with protein energy malnutrition.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, auditory brainstem potentials (ABPs) were studied in children with protein energy malnutrition (PEM) to determine the effects of PEM on the developing brain in children. METHODS: A total of 31 children, aged 3-36 months with moderate/severe PEM and 25 healthy children, aged 3-48 months were included in the study. Nutritional status of the children was assessed by the Gomez classification. Recordings of ABPs were performed by using Nihon Kohden Neuropack 2 device. RESULTS: Of 31 children, 22 (71%) had severe malnutrition, 9 (29%) had moderate malnutrition. Additionally, 8 (26%) and 9 (29%) children had iron deficiency anemia and hypoalbuminemi, respectively. There were significant differences in the mean latencies of the waves I-V on the right and left ears and in the mean interpeak latencies (IPLs) of the waves III-V and I-V on the right ear between the study and control groups (P<0.05). The mean IPLs of I-V on the left side were found to be longer in the moderate PEM group than those of severe PEM group (P<0.05). There was not any difference between the groups of PEM with low serum albumin and PEM with normal serum albumin. While the mean IPLs of I-III on the right side were found longer in the cases of PEM without iron deficiency anemia, the mean latency of wave I on the left side, and the mean IPLs of III-V on the right side were longer in the children with PEM plus iron deficiency anemia (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that children with moderate/severe PEM had ABPs abnormalities in different degrees, which reflect defects in myelination of auditory brainstem pathways in children with moderate/severe PEM. However, we found contradictory results between abnormalities in ABPs and degree of malnutrition and iron deficiency anemia. We think that more extensive studies should be performed to determine whether or not there was a relationship between these parameters.

Anemia, Iron-Deficiency↗
PubMed2005

[Distribution of intestinal parasites in children from the 23 Nisan Primary School in Hakkari.].

This study was performed on children ranging from 6-14 years old coming from 23 Nisan Primary School in Hakkari. In this study, a total of 114 stool samples from 60 male students and 54 female students were examined for intestinal parasites. Stool containers were given to the students. After the stool containers were collected, they were taken to the Faculty of Medicine of the Yüzüncü Yil University and examined using native Lugol and flotation methods. One or more intestinal parasites were found in 66 (57.8%) out of a total of 114 students. Giardia intestinalis (28.9%), Blastocystis hominis (23.6%), Entamoeba coli (12.2%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (6.14%) were most prevalent parasites.

English Abstract↗
PubMed2004

Four children with colchicine poisoning.

Colchicine poisoning is a rare event. It is characterized by multiorgan involvement and by poor prognosis associated with overdose. In this article we present four children with colchicine poisoning to emphasize that colchicine poisoning has a large spectrum in childhood. The children's ages ranged between 1 year and 3.5 years. The ingested dosage of colchicine was between 0.37 and 1.72 mg/kg. Most of the findings of colchicine poisoning such as gastrointestinal symptoms, hepatotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, bone marrow suppression, hypocalcaemia and hair loss were diagnosed in our patients. Two children receiving 0.37 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg colchicine and admitted 13 and 19 hours after poisoning, respectively, died. Our findings suggest that in addition to amounts of the drug, mortality was also related to the duration between drug ingestion and admission to hospital.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2004

Measles is still a severe problem in Eastern Turkey.

In this study, we reviewed the demographic and clinical findings of 143 children with measles to draw attention the importance of measles and its complications in Eastern Turkey. Of 143 patients, 75 (52.5%) were boys, 68 (47.5%) were girls. The patients' age ranged from 5 months to 13 years (3.97 +/- 3.11 years). The peak of admissions (37%) occurred in the age range five to 24 months. The majority of the cases (84.7%) were not immunized against measles. Of 143 cases, 104 (72.7%) cases were malnourished. Of 143 children, 57 (40%) children had one or more complication of measles and the most common complication was pneumonia. Two (1.3%) children died. In conclusion, our findings showed that measles and its complications were severe problem in our country. We think that it is primarily related to very low socioeconomic status of our region.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Hyperkalemia most likely associated with massive cephalhematoma in a newborn infant who was treated with urgent peritoneal dialysis: case report.

Cephalhematomas rarely lead to serious complications such as infection, osteomyelitis and skull fractures. However, we present a newborn infant with hyperkalemia in the context of a serious complication believed to be caused by hemolysis of a large cephalhematoma. The patient was treated with urgent peritoneal dialysis and discharged with a successful outcome. In conclusion, neonates with massive cephalhematoma should be closely examined in terms of bilirubin counts as well as electrolyte counts.

Cerebral Hemorrhage↗
PubMed2003

PFAPA syndrome mimicking familial Mediterranean fever: report of a Turkish child.

The PFAPA (Periodic Fever, Aphthous stomatitis, Pharyngitis, Adenitidis) syndrome is characterized by periodic fever, adenitis, pharyngitis, and aphthous stomatitis. Herein, we present a Turkish child with PFAPA syndrome mimicking familial Mediterranean fever because of a rare presentation. A 9-year-old boy was admitted with recurrent fever, aphthous stomatitis, sore throat, headache, and general body pains, lasting 2 to 3 days since 3.5 years of age. He was completely symptom-free between the attacks. He was diagnosed as having familial Mediterranean fever according to the clinical findings when he was 6 years of age and Colchicum tablet was administrated. Despite colchicines therapy for 8 months, his attacks did not subside; therefore, the drug was discontinued. He had high fever, a painful cervical lymphadenopathy, aphthous stomatitis, and tonsillo-pharyngitis. The patient was then diagnosed as having PFAPA syndrome. He was given a single dose of prednisolone (0.35 mg/kg/dose). His complaints dramatically and completely disappeared 3 h after administration of the drug. During the 8th month of follow-up, a similar febrile attack lasting only 1 day was noted and it was controlled with a single dose of prednisolone (0.5 mg/kg/day). At this writing the patient is in the 12th month of follow-up, and there have been no symptoms after the second attack. In conclusion, our patient shows that PFAPA syndrome can be confused with familial Mediterranean fever. We also would like to emphasize that the typical PFAPA syndrome can be easily diagnosed by detailed history-taking and physical findings.

Child↗
PubMed2003

Onset of generalized seizures after intrathecal interferon therapy of SSPE.

An 11-year-old male was admitted with inability to walk and speech abnormality. He was diagnosed with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis on the basis of clinical and laboratory findings. Therapy with inosiplex (100 mg/kg/day orally) plus intrathecal interferon-alpha (3 million units/dose twice per week) and ribavirin (15 mg/kg/day orally) was initiated. Ribavirin was given orally because of a lack of parenteral form in our country. During follow-up, he complained about fever and widespread body pains after intrathecal therapy. On the sixth month of follow-up, generalized tonic-clonic seizures, associated with high fever, and lasting approximately 1-2 minutes occurred about 6 hours after giving interferon-alpha. Four days after the first seizures, a similar seizure attack reoccurred after intrathecal IFN-alpha. An antiepileptic agent was not administered because electroencephalogram results did not indicate epileptic discharges. At the current time, he is in the ninth month of follow-up and remains seizure-free. In conclusion, our case demonstrated that standard dose intrathecal interferon-alpha might cause seizures in children. We think that this unfortunate condition was more common in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis children treated with intrathecal interferon-alpha.

Child↗
PubMed2003

Report of eight children with amitraz intoxication.

Many pesticides are formulated in organic solvents. An example is amitraz, one of the formamidine groups of pesticidal chemicals. It is commonly used for the treatment of generalized demodicosis in dogs and for the control of ticks and mites in cattle and sheep. In this article, the clinical and laboratory findings of eight children with amitraz intoxication are reviewed. The purpose was to enlighten the findings of amitraz intoxication in children. Of the eight patients, five (62.5%) were boys, three (37.5%) were girls, and the ages ranged from 1 to 4 years. All children accidentally ingested amitraz orally, with no dermal exposure. The most common observed signs were decreased consciousness and bradycardia. Leukocytosis, hyperglycemia, hypernatremia, increased serum aspartate transaminase level, and prolonged partial prothrombin time were diagnosed in children. None of the children had hypothermia, hypotension, or convulsion and none of the patients died. The findings show that the initial signs and symptoms of acute amitraz intoxication appeared severe but they disappeared, with only supportive care needed in most cases within a few days.

Aspartate Aminotransferases↗
PubMed2003

Report of three children with leptospirosis in rural area of the east of Turkey.

Leptospirosis is a systemic infection usually producing fever with hepatorenal involvement, meningoencephalitis, and hemorrhage. In this article, we present three children between 10 and 13 years of age with leptospirosis. The purpose of this paper is to emphasize that leptospirosis is a problem in our country with farmers/cattle and that leptospirosis should be considered in certain ill children. The main symptoms were headache, fever, fatigue, abdominal pain and unconsciousness. Two patients had hepatic and renal involvement. The other had hepatic, pulmonary and probably pericardial involvement. In all children spirochetes were demonstrated in blood and urine smears by dark-field microscopy and they were also isolated from urine and blood cultures by using Flecher medium. All patients were treated with penicillin; however, one subsequently required additional antibiotics due to Klebsiella pneumoniae septicemia. While one patient was discharged in a good health, the others were taken to their home by parents without completing treatment. In conclusion, we would like to emphasize that leptospirosis is still a public health problem in our region (Eastern Turkey) in where the majority of population are farmers and raise domestic animals such as cattle in rural areas. Additionally, leptospirosis should be considered in children admitted with headache, unconsciousness, fever and abdominal pain.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Prognostic factors in children with purulent meningitis in Turkey.

In this study the clinical and laboratory findings of 48 children with purulent meningitis were examined, prospectively, to determine the prognostic factors in childhood meningitis in a developing country. Patients were examined for the following variables: history of antibiotic use; period between onset of symptoms and hospital admission; age at presentation; sex; fever; convulsion; level of consciousness; malnutrition; anemia; leukocyte and thrombocyte counts; erythrocyte sedimentation rate; serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level; and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) including white blood cell count; glucose, protein, and CRP concentrations; antibiotic treatment; neurological sequelae; and fatality rate during the hospital stay. Most of these parameters were re-evaluated in all patients 36-48 h after admission. Patients were divided into 3 groups: surviving without sequelae, surviving with sequelae, and not surviving (deceased). A total of 48 children, 19 girls (39.5%) and 29 boys (60.5%), aged 2 months to 13 years, were included in the study. Of the 48 patients, 29 (60.5 %) survived without sequelae, 13 (27%) survived with sequelae and 6 (12.5%) died. In a comparison among groups, we found that absence of anemia, low (< 1,000) CSF white blood cell (WBC) count, and high CRP level at admission were the indicative of poor prognosis. Thirty-six to 48 h after admission, the presence of fever, depressed level of consciousness, high (> 1,000) CSF WBC count, and low CRP level were also poor prognostic factors. In addition, we observed that mortality rate was lower in the penicillin G + chloramphenicol group than in the ampicillin-sulbactam + cefotaxime group (P < 0.05). The mean period between onset of symptoms and hospital admission was longer in the surviving with sequelae and in the not surviving groups than in the surviving without sequelae group (P < 0.05).

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Isolated left oculomotor nerve palsy following measles.

A 10-month-old boy was admitted with ptosis on the left eyelid, which rapidly occurred following a disease with rash about 20 days before admission to our hospital. By history, none of the vaccinations had been performed. On physical examination, his vital signs were stable, and he had marasmus. Isolated left oculomotor nerve palsy was diagnosed. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging was normal. Serum IgM antibody to measles virus was positive. Oculomotor nerve palsy markedly improved on the 15th day of follow-up, and complete improvement was noted on the second month of follow-up. To our knowledge, this is the first case of oculomotor nerve palsy following measles.

Antibodies, Viral↗