title: High-dose methylprednisolone in children with Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever.
abstract: Treatment options for Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) are limited and based on general supportive managements. Thrombocytopenia is the major risk factor of CCHF. We report our experience with high-dose methylprednisolone (HDMP). This study included five patients with CCHF. Patients were given HDMP if there were findings compatible with virus-associated haemophagocytic syndrome and the effects of HDMP were evaluated. Following this, HDMP fever subsided and platelet counts increased within 24 hours. Leukocyte counts began to increase and visceral bleedings were improved. HDMP treatment was discontinued within approximately five days. After HDMP, only one patient required blood products. HDMP is effective in CCHF, especially on fever and platelet counts. Dependency on blood products was decreased. Further controlled randomized studies with large series are needed in order to analyse the timing and duration of HDMP treatment and its effect on outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey.
authors.forename: Embiya
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dilber
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cakir
authors.forename: Erol
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Erduran
authors.forename: Iftihar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Koksal
authors.forename: Elif
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bahat
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mutlu
authors.forename: Ahmet Yilmaz
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Celtik
authors.forename: Aysenur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Okten
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever; D003225:Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, Crimean-Congo; D006479:Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010976:Platelet Count; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D008775:Methylprednisolone