ObjectivesInvestigation of the association between epicardial adipose tissue thickness (EATT) and P-wave dispersion (Pd), QT dispersion (QTd), corrected QT dispersion (QTcd) and Tp-e interval in children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) was aimed.MethodsForty-one children with T1DM and 41 age- and gender-matched healthy children were included in the study. Demographical characteristics of all cases were examined. In echocardiography; in addition to conventional echocardiographic measurements, end-systolic EATT was measured from right ventricular free wall. In electrocardiogram; Pd, QTd, QTcd and Tp-e interval durations, as well as Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios were calculated. Correlation values between EATT and electrocardiographic parameters were also noted.ResultsMean age of the patient group was determined to be 12.43 ± 3.04 years and that of the control group was determined to be 12.08 ± 2.56 years. There was no significant difference between the groups in regard to age, gender, body weight, height and body mass index. In the patient group; EATT, Pd, QTd, QTcd and Tp-e interval were determined to be significantly higher compared to the control group. In the patient group, no significant correlation was determined between EATT and Pd, QTd, QTcd and Tp-e. However, when both patient and control groups were evaluated together, a statistically significant positive correlation was determined between EATT and Pd, QTd, QTcd and Tp-e.ConclusionsIn children with T1DM, an increase in epicardial adipose tissue thickness and in risk of cardiac arrhythmias has been demonstrated. To reveal the possible unfavorable effects of EATT on cardiac conduction system in T1DM patients needs further studies.

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Objective The aim of this study is to determine parents' knowledge levels and attitudes about childhood human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and reveal the differences between parents who are health care workers and nonhealth care workers. The HPV vaccine can potentially prevent initial HPV infection and HPV-related genital and anal precancerous disorders and cancers. Methods Questions and attitudes toward childhood HPV vaccination were asked to 564 parents who agreed to participate in the study. Results In our study, the rate of health care worker parents considering having their children vaccinated against HPV (63.1%) was higher than that of nonhealth care worker parents (11.4%). Only 5% of parents had their children previously vaccinated against HPV; however, there was no difference between parents who were health care workers and those who were not. In addition, this rate was relatively low compared to other paid vaccines (49.8, 35.3, and 18.8%, respectively). Parents who had not previously vaccinated their children against HPV were considering getting their children vaccinated, especially if a pediatrician recommended it. Conclusion The parents' high level of health literacy may not be effective in deciding to vaccinate their children against HPV. Therefore, adequate information and awareness should be provided to all parents about HPV vaccination as early as possible for all children of appropriate age. Pediatricians should be given important roles in raising the awareness of parents about childhood HPV vaccination by health authorities.

Objective Encouraged by reports of favorable outcomes following the use of corticosteroids in patients with moderate-to-severe coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia, we aimed to present our experience with early short-term corticosteroid use at our center in pediatric patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods One hundred and twenty-nine pediatric patients were included in the study. Patients were divided into four groups according to the type and dose of corticosteroids given: Group 1 (those receiving dexamethasone 0.15 mg/kg/d); Group 2 (those receiving methylprednisolone 1 mg/kg/d); Group 3 (those receiving methylprednisolone 2 mg/kg/d); and Group 4 (those receiving pulse methylprednisolone 10–30 mg/kg/d). Results Of 129 patients, 19 (14.7%) patients were assigned to Group 1, 30 (23.3%) patients to Group 2, 30 (23.3%) patients to Group 3, and 50 (38.8%) patients to Group 4. Thirty-two (24.8%) patients were followed in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), of whom 13 (10%) required mechanical ventilation, and 7 (%5.4) died. In Group 4, the hospitalization length was significantly longer than in other groups (p < 0.001, p < 0.001). No significant difference was found among the groups in terms of mortality (p = 0.15). The most common comorbidity was obesity (33%). A significant association was found between the presence of comorbidity and mortality (p < 0.001). All patients who died had an underlying disease. Cerebral palsy was the most common underlying disease among the patients who died. Worsening of lymphopenia was significant in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia at the time of transfer to the PICU (p = 0.011). Conclusion Although children usually have a milder course of COVID-19 than adults, underlying diseases and obesity increase the severity of disease manifestations also in children. Further studies are needed to define the exact role of corticosteroids in COVID-19 patients.