Enkeleda Duka

Background: Direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) have transformed the management of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, including in children. However, real‐world data from resource‐limited settings remain scarce. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of children with chronic HCV infection treated at the national pediatric hepatology center in Tirana, Albania, between 2007 and 2024. Patients were grouped according to treatment era: interferon‐based therapy or DAA regimens. Sustained virologic response (SVR), adverse events, and treatment duration were assessed. Results: Twenty‐nine children were included (17 interferon era; 12 DAA era). SVR was achieved in 83% of patients receiving interferon‐based therapy and in all patients treated with DAAs. Adverse events were more frequent and clinically significant in the interferon group, whereas only mild events were observed in the DAA group. Treatment duration was substantially shorter with DAAs (8–12 weeks vs. 48 weeks). Conclusions: This real‐world experience reflects the transition toward shorter, better‐tolerated, and highly effective therapies for pediatric HCV infection. While cross‐era comparisons are limited, the findings are consistent with the established efficacy of DAA regimens.

Background: Retinoblastoma (RB), the most common intraocular cancer worldwide, has been extensively investigated. To the best of our knowledge, however, no reports exist on RB in Albania. We aimed to present the first case series of RB in Albania, including presentation, treatment, and outcome of patients. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective case series of patients diagnosed with RB from 1998 to 2023 at a single country Mother Teresa University Hospital Center in Albania. Epidemiologic and clinical data were extracted from follow-up clinical charts. Results: During the 25-year study period, 22 patients were diagnosed with RB, of whom 59% were females. The average age at diagnosis was 21.8 months (SD—18.8 months). In 13 (59%) cases, the disease was diagnosed within the first year of life, and less than 5% were diagnosed after the age of 5 years. Overall, 18% of patients had family history of RB, and 41% had bilateral RB. The time from the first symptom to diagnosis was less than a month in 32% of cases, while 77% of patients were diagnosed within 4 months. The main presenting symptom was leukocoria in 6 (27%) cases, strabismus in 3 (14%) cases, and combination of both in 3 (14%) cases. Treatment was mainly a combination of enucleation and systemic chemotherapy in 15 (71%) cases. Only 13 (59%) patients continued treatment within Albania, with the rest being treated abroad. Conclusion: We present the first cohort of children with RB from Albania, a country with limited diagnostic and treatment resources. The advanced disease states of these children underscore the importance of implementing national pediatric screening programs. Cite this article as: Duka E, Hashorva E, Kapllanaj M, et al. Retinoblastoma in Albania: A 25-year retrospective analysis. Turk Arch Pediatr. 2025;60(2):159-163.

Objectives: This study aims to add proof to the safety profile of propranolol as first-line choice in treating infantile haemangiomas, in particular related to its cardiac side effects the main hindering reason for parents and physicians to start and comply with treatment. Method: This is a prospective observational and analytic study with a sample of 476 patients diagnosed with infantile haemangioma and treated with systemic propranolol during the time interval January 2011 to December 2021. We studied clinical propranolol adverse events experienced in hospital or outpatient and measured the impact of propranolol on blood pressure and heart rate. Results: This study showed that symptomatic adverse events caused by propranolol were mild and severe adverse events were rare. The most common clinical side effects were paleness, sweating, reduced feeding, and agitation. Only in 28 (5.9%) cases these symptoms were severe enough to review treatment, 1.8% had severe respiratory symptoms, 2.7% experienced hypoglycaemia, and 1.2% had heart-related symptoms. Mean blood pressure reduction with treatment was statistically significant only after achieving the maintenance dose 2 mg/kg body weight. Blood pressure under the 5th percentile was registered in 2.9% of cases, but only four patients had symptomatic hypotension. While heart rate reduction was noticed with the first dose, only two experienced symptomatic bradycardia. Conclusion: We conclude that propranolol is not only an excellent drug in treating infantile haemangioma, but it has also a very safe profile, with mild side effects and very rare severe cardiac adverse events, easily overcome with treatment interruption.