SoJIA patients had a significantly higher frequency of MEFV mutations but clinical studies with large number of patients are needed to confirm the association of MEFV mutations with SoJIA and its course.

Abstract. The aim of the present study is to investigate possible alterations in ghrelin and other hormone levels related to appetite and somatic growth in children with iron deficiency anemia. Twenty-five patients and 25 healthy controls that were prepubertal and within normal limits regarding height and BMI standard deviation scores were recruited. Ghrelin, leptin, IGF-I, IGFBP-3, insulin, thyroid hormones and cortisol levels were studied. Ghrelin, insulin and IGF-I levels were significantly low in the study group (ghrelin 13.58 ± 16.32 vs. 35.39 ± 23.69 ng/ml, p<.001; insulin 3.41 ± 2.42 vs. 5.67 ± 1.09 mU/ml, p = .008 and IGF-I 126.94 ± 92.82 vs. 203 ± 105.1 ng/ml, p = .015). We concluded that low ghrelin and insulin levels might be causes of the appetite loss in iron deficiency and as a result of appetite loss and undernutrition as well as by direct effects they might be related with growth retardation, which could be also influenced by low IGF-I levels.

Early diagnosis and treatment in mushroom poisoning can be life saving. Public awareness is very important in prevention of intoxication as well as encouraging early admission to hospitals.

There is a tendency to adiposity in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) despite physiological corticosteroid doses. This study investigated body fatness in children with CAH under corticosteroid replacement therapy. Seventeen children with CAH (female:male, 9:8; age range 1.6-10.5 years) and 18 controls (female:male, 9:9; age range 1.4-10.2 years) were studied. Serum lipids, leptin, insulin, anthropometry, body circumferences, skinfold thickness, and body fat ratio as measured with bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) were the study parameters. Weight standard deviation scores (SDS), body mass index (BMI), BMI-SDS, body circumferences, skinfold thickness, and body fat ratio were higher and leptin was positively correlated with all of the body circumference and skinfold thickness parameters as well as body fat ratio in the study group. Waist/hip ratio was lower in the study group. Body fatness is a serious problem starting in early childhood in CAH patients and further refinement of the glucocorticoid replacement regimens as well as lifestyle measures are needed.