Background: Although various biomarkers exist for chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), their use is limited, particularly in children. Periostin is produced by dermal cells during skin barrier damage and allergic inflammation. Methods: This cross-sectional study aimed to compare serum periostin levels (SPL) between children with CSU and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC). The secondary objective was to investigate the association between SPL and disease severity using the Urticaria Activity Score-7 (UAS-7) questionnaire. Results: Overall, 84 participants (CSU, 45; HC, 39) were included in the study. There was no significant correlation between SPL and UAS-7 scores of the patients. Patients receiving leukotriene receptor antagonist plus antihistaminic had significantly lower SPL than those receiving antihistaminic only (44.32 ± 20.18 vs. 61.33 ± 18.50; p=0.009). The mean SPL was significantly lower in the patient group than in the control group (56.41 ± 20.32 ng/mL vs. 71.68 ± 20.36 ng/mL; p=0.001; Cohen’s d=0.750) (aOR: 0.964, 95% C.I.: 0.942-0.987, p=0.002). The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve of the SPL was determined to be significant ( p = 0.001), and the area under curve (AUC) of the ROC curve was 0.705 (95% C.I.: 0.593–0.817). Conclusion: Our study is the first to measure SPL in children with CSU. The results indicated that children with CSU had significantly lower SPL than the healthy controls. Although no correlation was found between UAS-7 and SPL, those on more advanced treatments showed significantly lower SPL. Hence, SPL may serve as a promising biomarker for diagnosing and monitoring CSU in children.

Objectives: To follow-up pediatric CF patients—in terms of health status and nutritional status—via Telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional aims were to measure the level of anxiety in the patients and their parents, and to determine the COVID-19 transmission status in the CF patients. Materials and Methods: The CF team supported the patients via remote contact, including dedicated telephone lines. During Telehealth Services interviews, in addition to obtaining information about the patients’ anthropometric measurements, health status, and CF-related complaints, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was administered to the patients and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) was administered to their parents. Results: The study included 144 pediatric CF patients (74 male and 70 female). Mean age of the patients was 8.9 years. In all, 42 (29.2%) of the patients were tested for COVID-19, of which 4 were positive. The mean STAI score was significantly lower in the patient group than in the control group (P < 0.001). The mean HAD anxiety score was significantly higher in the parents of the CF patients, as compared to the parents of the controls (P = 0.005). The mean HAD depression score was also statistically higher in the parents of the CF patients (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Telehealth is an innovative method for providing healthcare services while maintaining social distancing, avoiding the risk of exposure and spread of COVID-19. Telehealth services reduce patients’ and parents’ anxiety, and increases their confidence in managing CF-related complications.