Tülay Kamaşak

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of training teachers using the video simulation method on their knowledge of epileptic seizure management and on their first-aid intervention skills. Methods: A survey was distributed to 250 participating teachers working in both private and public schools. The survey included basic demographic information, teachers’ awareness of epilepsy, and their knowledge of first aid measures. Subsequently, the teachers received a training session on general information about epilepsy, first response to epileptic seizures, and emergency procedures using the video simulation training method. Awareness and attitudes were reassessed using the same survey. Results: The study involved 250 participants with an average age of 39.76 years, 62.8% female, and 78.4% working in the public sector. Participants with connections to individuals with epilepsy had significantly higher pre-training correct response scores (p=0.026, p=0.001). 72.8% had received first-aid training, and 26.6% had performed first aid, but only 6.1% considered their knowledge sufficient. Before training, 94.4% recognized epilepsy as a neurological disorder. The awareness of epilepsy being treatable increased from 70.7% to 90.4% (p

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and quality of life in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Material and Methods: A total of 99 children aged 2–18 years with a diagnosis of CP were included in the study. Nutritional status and quality of life were assessed using anthropometric measurements and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL 3.0 CP Module). Results: This study revealed that mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) is a reliable indicator not only of nutritional status but also of quality of life in children with cerebral palsy. Anthropometric parameters such as height, weight, MUAC, thigh circumference, and arm length were significantly lower in children with feeding difficulties (p<0.001). MUAC was strongly and positively correlated with total PedsQL scores (r=0.988, p<0.001), indicating a robust association between nutritional status and perceived quality of life. Additionally, as GMFCS level increased, indicating more severe motor impairment, both growth metrics and quality of life scores declined. Conclusion: MUAC measurement reflects both malnutrition and quality of life in children with CP. Routine clinical use of this parameter in follow-up is recommended.

Aim: Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a rare neuromuscular disorder requiring a multidisciplinary approach. This study aimed to investigate the clinical, biochemical, and immunological parameters in pediatric SMA patients and to explore their potential associations with quality of life. Material and Methods: In this study, 16 genetically confirmed SMA patients aged 2–18 years were evaluated. Data on hematologic and biochemical profiles, including vitamin B12, 25-OH-vitamin D3, and immunoglobulin levels, were recorded. The PedsQL™ 3.0 Neuromuscular Module was administered to assess quality of life. Results: The cohort included 8 patients with SMA type 1, 5 with type 2, and 3 with type 3. Seven (43.75%) were females, with a mean age of 93±60 months. The mean follow-up period was 36±5 months. Serum vitamin B12 values were 271±66ng/L, and 25-OH-D3 vitamin values were 21.14±12.9μg/L. Immunoglobulin (Ig) G levels of 5 (31.25%) were below the normal range for their ages. When SMAtype1, SMA type2, and 3 groups were compared, there was no difference in vitamin B12, vitamin D, and IgE levels. Hemoglobin and transferrin saturation were significantly lower in SMA type 1 patients(p

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between normal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and prognosis in children with focal epileptic disorder on electroencephalography (EEG) without an epileptic syndrome. Material and Methods: Data from patients aged 0-18 years, who were followed up with a diagnosis of epilepsy at the pediatric neurology clinics over the last 5 years, were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with focal epileptic disorder on EEG were selected. Those with an epileptic syndrome were excluded from the study. The patients’ demographic characteristics, seizure types, etiologies, brain MRI findings, seizure focus, treatment methods, and seizure control were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups based on their brain MRI findings (normal and abnormal) and compared in terms of treatment resistance, number of medications, and seizure control. Results: The mean age of the 100 patients included in the study was 8±4.32 years, with an equal gender distribution (50% female, 50% male). Generalized seizures were observed in 72% of patients, while 28% had focal seizures. Seizure freedom was achieved in 60% of cases, and treatment resistance was noted in 23%. Cranial MRI revealed structural abnormalities in 67% of patients, with the majority (84%) showing sequelae-related changes, including hypoxic-ischemic sequelae (16%), encephalomalacia (12%), and structural malformations (10%). Although treatment resistance (28.8% vs. 12.1%) was higher and seizure freedom (56.7% vs. 66.7%) was lower in patients with abnormal MRI findings compared to those with normal MRI, these differences were not statistically significant (p =0.150 and p=0.310 respectively) . However, perinatal (p=0.013) and postnatal complications (p=0.042) were significantly more frequent in patients with abnormal MRI findings. Conclusion: In children with focal epileptic disorder on EEG, normal brain MRI findings do not predict a better prognosis in terms of seizure control and treatment resistance. Other factors affecting treatment resistance in this population need to be investigated in more detail.

Febrile seizures (FS) are the most common seizures in childhood. In most studies, iron deficiency was associated with FS, whereas serum calcium (Ca) levels were contradictory. This study evaluated the relationships of erythrocyte indices, serum Ca levels, and related factors among children with FS. Prospectively, patients aged six months to five years were included in the complex FS (n = 23), simple FS (n = 22) and febrile without seizure groups (n = 25). Patients with central nervous system infection, previous afebrile seizures, or chronic drug use were excluded. Total and ionized Ca, inorganic phosphate, vitamin D levels, erythrocyte count and indices, hemoglobin, hematocrit, pH, bicarbonate and lactate levels in blood were examined. The cutoff values of variables discriminating between the FS and control groups were established through receiver operating characteristic analysis. In the complex FS group, Ca and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) levels were lower than those in the control group (p = 0.004 for both) and albumin levels were lower than those in the simple FS group (p = 0.02). Ca levels were positively correlated with MCHC (r = 0.252, p = 0.039). In the FS group, the proportions of MCHC < 34.1 g/dL, Ca < 9.9 mg/dL, ionized Ca < 1.27 mmol/L and pH < 7.38 were more frequent (p = 0.003, p = 0.005, p = 0.044 and p = 0.035 respectively). Lower Ca and MCHC levels were associated with FS. The positive correlation between Ca and MCHC levels indicates a common pathogenetic mechanism. To our knowledge, the increased proportion of patients with low blood pH level in FS is a novel finding.