Early-Life Gut Health Indicators and Reported Prevalence of Infant Functional Constipation by Healthcare Professionals.

A healthy gut during early childhood is important. However, it seems that there are no standard indicators used to assess it. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) were asked via an electronic survey question about gut health indicators (GHIs) for infants and toddlers, in addition to an estimated prevalence of infant's functional constipation (FC) and its management. HCPs from eight countries participated in the survey (Russia (66.0%, 1449), Indonesia (11.0%, 242), Malaysia (6.0%, 132), Mexico (5.7%, 125), KSA (5.1%, 113), Turkey (3.0%, 66), Hong Kong (2.2%, 49), and Singapore (1.0%, 23)). The 2199 participating respondents were further classified into three continents (Asia (20.2%), Europe (68.8%), and others (11.0%)). Most of them were pediatricians (80.3%), followed by pediatric gastroenterologists (7.0%), general practitioners (6.4%), and others (6.3%). The top three preferred GHIs were similar for infants and toddlers: an absence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, effective digestion/absorption as assessed by normal growth, and a general feeling of well-being. The absence of GI-related infection was the least preferred indicator. Most of the respondents reported the prevalence of FC among infants was less than 5%, with the peak incidence between the ages of 3 and 6 months. The reported choices of intervention to manage FC in infants were a change to a specific nutritional solution from a standard formula (40.2%), parental reassurance (31.7%), and lactulose (17.0%). Conclusion: The HCPs in the eight countries preferred the absence of GI symptoms, normal growth for effective digestion and absorption, and general well-being as the gut health indicators in infants and toddlers. The reported prevalence of FC in infants was less than 5%.

Reported Prevalence and Nutritional Management of Functional Constipation among Young Children from Healthcare Professionals in Eight Countries across Asia, Europe and Latin America.

Background: The prevalence of functional constipation (FC) among children varies widely. A survey among healthcare professionals (HCPs) was conducted to better understand the HCP-reported prevalence and (nutritional) management of FC in children 12−36 months old. Methods: An anonymous e-survey using SurveyMonkey was disseminated via emails or WhatsApp among HCPs in eight countries/regions. Results: Data from 2199 respondents were analyzed. The majority of the respondents (65.9%) were from Russia, followed by other countries (Indonesia (11.0%), Malaysia (6.0%)), Mexico, KSA (5.1% (5.7%), Turkey (3.0%), Hong Kong (2.2%), Singapore (1.1%)). In total, 80% of the respondents (n = 1759) were pediatricians. The prevalence of FC in toddlers was reported at less than 5% by 43% of the respondents. Overall, 40% of the respondents reported using ROME IV criteria in > 70% of the cases to diagnose FC, while 11% never uses Rome IV. History of painful defecation and defecations < 2 x/week are the two most important criteria for diagnosing FC. In total, 33% of the respondents reported changing the standard formula to a specific nutritional solution, accompanied by parental reassurance. Conclusion: The most reported prevalence of FC in toddlers in this survey was less than five percent. ROME IV criteria are frequently used for establishing the diagnosis. Nutritional management is preferred over pharmacological treatment in managing FC.

A Narrative Review on the Update in the Prevalence of Infantile Colic, Regurgitation, and Constipation in Young Children: Implications of the ROME IV Criteria.

Regurgitation, colic, and constipation are frequently reported Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGIDs) in the first few years of life. In 2016, the diagnostic criteria for FGIDs were changed from ROME III to ROME IV. This review assesses the prevalence of the most frequent FGIDs (colic, regurgitation and constipation) among children aged 0-5 years after the introduction of the later criteria. Articles published from January 1, 2016 to May 1, 2021 were retrieved from PubMed and Google Scholar using relevant keywords. A total of 12 articles were further analyzed based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. This review consists of two studies (17%) from the Middle East, three (25%) from Asia, two (17%) from the USA, three (25%) from Europe, and one (8%) from Africa. Three studies (25%) were based on data obtained from healthcare professionals, while the rest were parent or caregiver reports. About half of the retrieved studies used the ROME IV criteria. Among infants aged 0-6 months, the reported prevalence of colic ranged between 10-15%, whilst that of regurgitation was 33.9%, and constipation was 1.5%. Among infants aged 0-12 months, the reported prevalence of regurgitation and constipation were 3.4-25.9% and 1.3-17.7%, respectively. The reported prevalence of constipation was 1.3-26% among children aged 13-48 months and 13% among children aged 4-18 years. Despite the large variations due to differences in diagnostic criteria, study respondents and age group, the prevalence of infantile colic was higher, while that for infantile regurgitation and constipation were similar using the ROME IV or III criteria.

Gut microbiota in early life and its influence on health and disease: A position paper by the Malaysian Working Group on Gastrointestinal Health.

The role of gut microbiota in early life and its impact on gut health and subsequent diseases remain unclear. There is a lack of research and awareness in this area, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, including Malaysia. This paper reports the position of a Malaysian Working Group on some key issues surrounding gut microbiota in early life and its role in gut health and diseases, as well as experts' stand on probiotics and prebiotics. The group reached a consensus that certain factors, including elective caesarean; premature deliveries; complementary feeding; use of antibiotics, prebiotics and/or probiotics; and exposure to the external environmental, have an impact on gut microbiota in early life. However, as evidence is lacking, especially from the Asia-Pacific region, further studies are needed to understand how gut microbiota in early life affects subsequent diseases, including allergy, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity and infantile colic. Lastly, although beneficial in acute diarrhoeal disease and probably allergic eczema, probiotics (and/or prebiotics) should be used cautiously in other gut dysbiotic conditions until more data are available.

Autoimmune Pancreatitis and IgG4 Related Disease in Three Children.

We report 3 children who presented with fever and abdominal pain, deranged liver function tests, and on abdominal ultrasound were found to have an enlarged pancreas, substantial abdominal lymphadenopathy, and extrahepatic biliary duct dilatation. After ruling out malignancy, probable immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4RD) associated with autoimmune pancreatitis was considered. This condition was first described in the adults and often mimics pancreatic cancer. It can involve multiple organs, either synchronously or metachronously, and is rarely reported in children. The disorder mostly responds to corticosteroid therapy and other immune suppression. We highlight the difficulty in diagnosing autoimmune pancreatitis/IgG4-related disease in children and illustrate the difference between pediatric and adult presentation.

Novel mutations in SKIV2L and TTC37 genes in Malaysian children with trichohepatoenteric syndrome.

Trichohepatoenteric syndrome (THES) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder that is classically associated with intractable diarrhea with an onset within the first few months of life. Herein, we investigated and reported novel mutations in two causal genes in 3 Malaysian cases. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood obtained from patients in two Malaysian Chinese families. The exons of SKIV2L and TTC37 genes were amplified and sequenced by bi-directional sequencing to identify the point mutations within the coding sequence. Three Chinese boys from two families with characteristic features and clinical course were diagnosed with THES. In family-1, two point mutations were identified in the SKIV2L gene (c.1891G>A and c.3187C>T). In family-2, a single-nucleotide duplication (c.3426dupA) was found in the TTC37 gene. These mutations cause the production of abnormal non-functional gene product leading to the clinical manifestations in the patients. We reported three point mutations, which have not been previously described in other patients with THES in SKIV2L and TTC37 genes, including one nonsense, one frameshift, and one missense mutations.

Does Order of Application of Emollient and Topical Corticosteroids Make a Difference in the Severity of Atopic Eczema in Children?

BACKGROUND: Atopic eczema (AE) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder in children, with emollients and topical corticosteroids (TCSs) commonly prescribed as treatment. There is no published guidance on the correct order of application of emollient and TCS in children with AE. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether the order of application of emollient and TCS makes a difference in the severity of AE in children. METHODS: Forty-six patients ages 4 months to 5 years with moderate to severe AE were randomized to two groups: group A applied emollient followed by TCS 15 minutes later twice daily, and group B applied TCS followed by emollient 15 minutes later twice daily for 2 weeks. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score, percentage of body surface area (BSA) affected, or itch score between groups A and B (p > 0.05). Group A had statistically significant improvement in the EASI score, percentage BSA affected, and itch score from baseline to weeks 1 and 2; group B demonstrated statistically significant improvement only in the EASI score from baseline to week 1 and in itch score from baseline to week 2. There was no difference in adverse events between the groups. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the order of application of emollient and TCS does not matter in the treatment of AE in children and that parents can apply topical medications in whichever order they prefer.

Regular paracetamol in severe dengue: a lethal combination?

An eight-month-old female infant with severe dengue disease, who was repeatedly given therapeutic paracetamol for severe dengue, developed fulminant liver failure with encephalopathy, gastrointestinal haemorrhage and severe coagulopathy. She responded to supportive measures and N-acetylcysteine infusion. This case highlights the potential danger of administering repeated therapeutic doses of paracetamol in childhood severe dengue disease with hepatitis.

Accurate prediction of the needle depth required for successful lumbar puncture.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to formulate an accurate estimate of the spinal needle depth for a successful lumbar puncture in pediatric patients. METHODS: This is a prospective study of pediatric oncology patients who had lumbar punctures in the course of their treatment. The distance from skin entry point to the tip of the spinal needle was measured after lumbar punctures were performed. The relationship between the depth of needle insertion with weight, height, body surface area, body mass index, intervertebral space used, ethnicity, and sex of patient were studied. Predictive statistical models were used for the formulation of the ideal lumbar puncture needle depth. RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-nine patients who had nontraumatic lumbar punctures were studied. The patient characteristics were as follows: age, 0.5 to 15 years; weight, 7 to 63 kg; and height, 70 to 162 cm. Analysis using multiple regression tests with stepwise approach showed a strong relationship between the lumbar puncture needle depth and weight/height ratio. By using a predictive regression model, ideal depth of needle insertion (cm) = 10 [weight(kg)/height(cm)] + 1, with a regression coefficient r = 0.77. CONCLUSION: This formula is accurate and practical with less complex calculations. However, further validation in a prospective study will be needed.