Monitoring Enables Progress: A Nationwide Quality Improvement Program in Children With Crohn Disease.

OBJECTIVES: In this quality improvement program, named quality in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease, we constructed a nation-wide platform that prospectively recorded clinically important quality indicators in pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases (PIBD), aiming at improving clinical management across the country. METHODS: Representatives of all 21 PIBD facilities in Israel formed a Delphi group to select quality indicators (process and outcomes), recorded prospectively over 2 years in children with Crohn's disease 2-18 years of age seen in the outpatient clinics. Monthly anonymized reports were distributed to all centers, allowing comparison and improvement. Trends were analyzed using the Mann-Kendall test, reporting τ (tau) values. RESULTS: The indicators of 3254 visits from 1709 patients were recorded from September 2017 to September 2019 (mean age 14.7 ±â€Š3.1 years, median disease duration 1.8 years (interquartile range 0.69-4.02)). An increase in three of five process indicators was demonstrated: obtaining drug levels of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) (τ = 0.4; P = 0.005), utilization of fecal calprotectin (τ = 0.38; P = 0.008) and bone density testing (τ = 0.45; P = 0.002). Among outcome indicators, three of nine improved as measured during the preceding year: calprotectin <300 µg/mg (τ = 0.35; P = 0.015), and "resolution of inflammation" defined as a composite of endoscopy, imaging and fecal calprotectin (τ = 0.39; P = 0.007). Endoscopic healing reached borderline significance (τ = 0.28; P = 0.055). An increase in the use of biologics throughout the study was observed (τ = 0.47; P = 0.001) with a concurrent decrease in the use of immunomodulators (τ = -0.47; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Quality improvement nationwide programs can be implemented with limited resources while facilitating standardization of care, and may be associated with improvements in measured indicators.

EPCAM mutation update: Variants associated with congenital tufting enteropathy and Lynch syndrome.

The epithelial cell adhesion molecule gene (EPCAM, previously known as TACSTD1 or TROP1) encodes a membrane-bound protein that is localized to the basolateral membrane of epithelial cells and is overexpressed in some tumors. Biallelic mutations in EPCAM cause congenital tufting enteropathy (CTE), which is a rare chronic diarrheal disorder presenting in infancy. Monoallelic deletions of the 3' end of EPCAM that silence the downstream gene, MSH2, cause a form of Lynch syndrome, which is a cancer predisposition syndrome associated with loss of DNA mismatch repair. Here, we report 13 novel EPCAM mutations from 17 CTE patients from two separate centers, review EPCAM mutations associated with CTE and Lynch syndrome, and structurally model pathogenic missense mutations. Statistical analyses indicate that the c.499dupC (previously reported as c.498insC) frameshift mutation was associated with more severe treatment regimens and greater mortality in CTE, whereas the c.556-14A>G and c.491+1G>A splice site mutations were not correlated with treatments or outcomes significantly different than random simulation. These findings suggest that genotype-phenotype correlations may be useful in contributing to management decisions of CTE patients. Depending on the type and nature of EPCAM mutation, one of two unrelated diseases may occur, CTE or Lynch syndrome.

Seasonality of birth affects paediatric coeliac disease.

AIM: This study investigated the seasonality of birth in children diagnosed with coeliac disease (CD) at a tertiary University hospital in Southern Israel. METHODS: This was a population-based retrospective time series analysis study from January 1988 to December 2014. There were 308 903 live births at Soroka University Medical Centre during the study period and 699 were diagnosed with CD. We combined three databases covering births, CD diagnoses and weather indices. The daily proportion of births that resulted in CD for the different four seasons and high seasons were compared to the weather indices on the day of birth using negative binomial regression. RESULTS: Statistically significant associations were found between the season of birth and the rate of CD, with autumn births being associated with a higher risk for the development of CD than births during the summer, with an incidence ratio of 1.22. The association was further increased when the defined summer and autumn high seasons were used, with an incidence ratio of 1.40. No association was found between CD and the mean temperature and global radiation. CONCLUSION: Coeliac disease was associated with birth during the autumn and the autumn high season posed an even more significant risk factor.

Incidence of typically Severe Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases in Consanguineous and Non-consanguineous Populations.

PURPOSE: Primary immunodeficiency diseases are considered to be rare diseases; however, data on the exact birth incidences of these diseases are sparse. Southern Israel is inhabited by two major populations: a relatively non-consanguineous Jewish population and a highly consanguineous Muslim Bedouin population. We sought to calculate the incidences of typically severe primary immunodeficiency diseases and compare the incidences in these populations. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all typically severe primary immunodeficiency diseases evaluated at a single center from January 1, 1996 to December 31, 2016. The amount of live births by population was the denominator for calculating the incidences by population. RESULTS: A total of 95 patients were included, 85 of Bedouin and 10 of Jewish ethnicities. There were 152,331 births in the Bedouin and 160,998 births in the Jewish populations. The total incidence of typically severe primary immunodeficiency diseases was higher in the Bedouin population than expected based on previous studies. The total incidences were 55.8/105 births in the Bedouin population compared with 6.2/105 births in the Jewish population (P < 0.001). The incidences of all combined immunodeficiency diseases, ataxia telangiectasia, and infantile IBD due to interleukin 10 receptor defects were all significantly higher in the Bedouin population (P < 0.001). The incidence of X-linked agammaglobulinemia was not significantly different between both populations (P = 0.11). CONCLUSIONS: Typically, severe primary immunodeficiency diseases are not rare diseases in a consanguineous population; these diseases are significantly more common in the Bedouin population. This finding is probably also applicable to other consanguineous populations, and in these populations, primary immunodeficiency diseases should not be regarded as rare diseases.

A Pilot Study to Reduce Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections in Children From Extremely Low-Income Settings With Intestinal Failure-Meeting the Challenge.

BACKGROUND: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are major sources of morbidity, death, and healthcare costs in patients who receive home parenteral nutrition (HPN). The majority of HPN-dependent children in southern Israel reside in poor communities with substandard living conditions, which creates significant challenges for the safe provision of HPN. We developed a pilot intervention that aimed to reduce the rates of CLABSI and central venous catheter (CVC) replacements in this vulnerable population in our region. METHODS: Between 2012 and 2014, all HPN-dependent children with intestinal failure who were treated in our center, received HPN through a Hickman catheter, and experienced at least 1 previous CLABSI episode participated in the intervention. The intervention included home visits to assess the caregivers' CVC-handling technique, instillation of prophylactic ethanol lock solution, and the convening of regular multidisciplinary staff debriefings. We calculated CLABSI and CVC-replacement rates before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Eight patients who served as their own historical controls were included in the intervention (total of 2544 catheter-days during the intervention period). The mean CLABSI rate decreased from 9.62 to 0.79 CLABSI episodes per 1000 catheter-days; the CVC-replacement rate decreased from 2.5 to 1.2 replacements per 1000 catheter-days in the preintervention and intervention periods respectively. The median hospital length of stay and individual monthly cost of medical care decreased compared to those found in the preintervention period. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study offer a proof of concept for a strategy to reduce CLABSI rates in pediatric patients who reside in remote and low-resource environments and are undergoing HPN.

Abnormal neutrophil chemotactic activity in children with congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA): the role of nerve growth factor.

A 1926-ins-T mutation in the TrkA gene encoding the tyrosine kinase receptor for nerve growth factor (NGF) was previously documented in patients with congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA). These patients suffer from skin lacerations which often evolve into deep tissue infections. Abnormality in neutrophil functions may explain this high rate of severe infections. In this study we show that chemotaxis was significantly (P<0.001) suppressed in patients' neutrophils, compared to healthy controls. Although NGF alone did not exert a chemotactic effect, its presence enhanced both migration toward fMLP and phosphorylation of MAP kinases (ERK and JNK) in neutrophils from healthy controls, but not in neutrophils from CIPA patients. The significantly impaired chemotactic activity of neutrophils from a CIPA patient, which has been attributed to the molecular defect in the TrkA receptor, may contribute to the high rate of infection.

Efficacy and safety of intravenous iron sucrose therapy in a group of children with iron deficiency anemia.

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency is the most common single cause of anemia worldwide. Treatment consists of improved nutrition along with oral, intramuscular or intravenous iron administration. OBJECTIVES: To describe the efficacy and adverse effects of intravenous iron sucrose therapy in a group of children with iron deficiency anemia who did not respond to oral iron therapy. METHODS: We conducted a prospective investigation of 45 children, aged 11 months to 16 years, whose oral iron therapy had failed. The children attended the Pediatric Day Care Unit where they received intravenous iron sucrose infusion. RESULTS: Forty-four of the 45 patients were non-compliant. Nine had Helicobacter pylori gastritis and 16 patients suffered from intestinal malabsorption from different causes. Before treatment, the blood mean hemoglobin concentration was 7.43 g/dl (range 5-10.1 g/dl). Fourteen days after treatment it increased to 9.27 g/dl (SD 1.23) and 6 months later to 12.40 g/dl (SD 1.28). One patient demonstrated a severe side effect with temporary and reversible reduced blood pressure during treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary data suggest that administration of intravenous iron in pediatric patients is well tolerated and has a good clinical result, with minimal adverse reactions.

Mycophenolate Mofetil Alone and in Combination with Tacrolimus Inhibits the Proliferation of HT-29 Human Colonic Adenocarcinoma Cell Line and Might Interfere with Colonic Tumorigenesis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) was found to be completely reversed in a patient treated with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and tacrolimus following kidney transplantation. In this preliminary study, we assessed whether MMF and tacrolimus alone or in combination interfere with the cell cycle and proliferation in a human colonic adenocarcinoma cell line and in the colonic polyps of the patient with FAP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human colonic adenocarcinoma HT-29 cells were treated with tacrolimus and MMF alone and in combination at different concentrations. Cell viability and proliferation were assessed using the MTT assay. Cell-cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry. Expression of Ki-67, a marker of mitotic activity, was evaluated in the patient's colonic polyps before and under drug treatment. RESULTS: MMF in combination with tacrolimus induced S-phase cell-cycle arrest and markedly inhibited HT-29 cell proliferation. Ki-67 expression in the patient's colonic polyps was significantly reduced following combined tacrolimus and MMF treatment. CONCLUSION: MMF and tacrolimus synergistically inhibited proliferation of a human colonic adenocarcinoma cell line and interfered with the expansion of colonic crypt proliferation in the polyp from a patient with FAP. The results confirm our clinical observation and indicate the possibility of novel approach to therapy of colorectal neoplasia.

Complete Reversion of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis Phenotype Associated with Tacrolimus and Mycophenolate Mofetil Treatment Following Kidney Transplantation.

Numerous germline mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor-suppressor gene are responsible for development of multiple adenomatous colorectal polyps with their inevitable progression to cancer. Multiple attempts at dietary and pharmacological prevention of colorectal carcinoma development in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) have provided conflicting results. Immunosuppressive treatment with tacrolimus is known to be associated with an increased risk of malignancy and should be avoided in patients with high propensity for development of neoplasia. We observed a complete reversion of FAP phenotype in a male teenager carrying a germline mutation in APC gene who underwent a kidney transplant due to end-stage kidney disease secondary to congenital dysplastic kidneys. The patient was treated with tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil after transplantation. The possible chemopreventative role of these agents should be evaluated and confirmed in a larger cohort. The elucidation of molecular mechanisms underpinning the observed chemopreventative effect of tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil might lead to the development of a novel colorectal cancer therapy.

Management of Ingested Hijab-Pin.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Accidental swallowing of hijab (or turban) pin was reported mainly among adolescent girls. Current guidelines indicate emergent intervention endoscopy in case a long sharp object is found in the gastrointestinal tract. The aims of the current study are to present the results of an observational approach and to assess the need for intervention. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted including all 5-18-year-old patients who presented with hijab-pin ingestion between 2003 and 2014. The need for intervention was assessed using both univariable and multivariable statistical analyses. RESULTS: Two hundred three cases of hijab-pin ingestion were documented. In the majority of cases, the pin was observed in the stomach (137/203, 67.4%) upon arrival. Most pins that were located at the upper gastrointestinal tract (proximal to the ligament of Treitz) ejected spontaneously (120/169, 71%, Pv = 0.005). The absence of pin progression in an X-ray performed 12 h following presentation was significantly more frequent in the intervention group (46/51, 90%, Pv = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In most cases, the outcome is spontaneous ejection from the digestive tract. However, if needle location remains unchanged on two consecutive X-rays, an endoscopic intervention is recommended.

The clinical and laboratory spectrum of dedicator of cytokinesis 8 immunodeficiency syndrome in patients with a unique mutation.

Mutations in the dedicator of cytokinesis 8 (DOCK8) gene cause a combined immunodeficiency usually diagnosed as autosomal recessive hyper IgE syndrome. We sought to reveal the varying manifestations in patients with a unique mutation in DOCK8 gene by a retrospective medical record review. Ten patients from five consanguineous families and three tribes were included. Seven patients were homozygous for the c.C5134A, p.S1711X mutation, and the remaining three patients were their siblings manifesting hyper IgE syndrome features without a genetic diagnosis. Prior to the genetic diagnosis, the clinical diagnosis was "hyper IgE syndrome" in six patients and "anti-pneumococcal antibody deficiency," "recurrent pneumonia with bronchiectasis," and "asthma with hypereosinophilic syndrome" each diagnosed once. One additional patient was diagnosed due to family history. The age of presentation varied from 1 to 16 months. Eczema was diagnosed in all patients, food allergies in three, and severe herpes keratitis or malignancy or autoimmunity in two patients. Elevated IgE was recorded in nine patients; however, in six patients, the initial serum IgE concentration was equal to or less than three times the normal concentration for age, and in these patients, the median age at IgE evaluation was 7.5 months compared with 21.5 months in patients with an initial IgE concentration above three times the normal concentration for age (P = 0.067). The spectrum of disease manifestations in patients with a unique mutation in DOCK8 is variable. The genotype-phenotype correlations may be modified by genetic and/or epigenetic modifiers beyond the monogenic effect. Younger patients tend to have lower IgE concentrations at the initial measurement of IgE.

Subclinical intestinal inflammation in chronic granulomatous disease patients.

Chronic granulomatous disease is a primary immunodeficiency caused by impaired neutrophil production of reactive oxygen species. Non-infectious colitis is common in chronic granulomatous disease, and high levels of antimicrobial antibodies that are associated with Crohn's disease are common even without colitis. Fecal calprotectin concentration is a marker for intestinal inflammation. We sought to determine whether subclinical intestinal inflammation occurs in asymptomatic chronic granulomatous disease patients. Asymptomatic chronic granulomatous disease patients without overt gastrointestinal symptoms suggestive of colitis at the time of enrollment were studied for fecal calprotectin concentration, antibodies associated with Crohn's disease and systemic inflammatory markers. Eight patients were included, aged 54-176 months. In 7/8 (87.5 %) fecal calprotectin concentration was normal (<50) and elevated (137 mg/kg) in only one patient. This patient later developed colitis. In 7/8 (87.5 %) anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody was positive. C-reactive protein, albumin, complete blood count and p-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody were normal in all 8 patients. Subclinical colitis is not evident in most asymptomatic chronic granulomatous disease patients; however, in some patients, fecal calprotectin concentration may be elevated, possibly indicating the presence of subclinical colitis and predicting the occurrence of clinically relevant colitis. Serum anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody concentrations do not seem to correlate with fecal calprotectin concentration in asymptomatic chronic granulomatous disease patients.

Decreased first phase insulin response in children with congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) and its receptor tyrosine kinase A (TrkA) participate in endocrine pancreas morphogenesis and insulin secretion in vitro. Mutations in the TrkA gene cause the syndrome of congenital insensitivity to pain with anhydrosis (CIPA). We hypothesized that CIPA may represent a natural model for impaired NGF effect on insulin secretion in humans. Glucose challenge tests were performed in seven children with CIPA. We calculated the first phase insulin response (FPIR), the second phase insulin response (SPIR) and glucose disposal rate. FPIR was impaired in four and borderline in two patients. SPIR and glucose disposal rate were within the normal range. Oral glucose tolerance test was normal in all patients. Low FPIR in. CIPA suggests for the first time that the NGF-TrkA pathway may play a role in insulin secretion in response to glucose challenge in humans. Additional studies on the clinical significance of NGF-TrkA effects on insulin secretion are required.

[Clinical and genetic aspects of congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis].

Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disease, which is characterized by recurrent episodes of fever, anhidrosis, self mutilation, absence of reaction to noxious stimuli, prolonged healing times and mental retardation. The absence of pain sensation combined with mental retardation predisposes the children to recurrent wound infections and deep ulcers that heal at a slower pace than seen in healthy people. The anomalous pain is due to the absence of dorsal root ganglia that are responsible for pain sensation and absence of afferent neurons activated by tissue damaging stimuli. Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) is a growth factor that supports the survival of nociceptive sensory and autonomic sympathetic neurons. Neurotrophin Tyrosine Receptor (NTRK1) encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase that is activated in response to NGF. NTRK1 mutations have been found in mice that presented with clinical signs similar to CIPA, subsequently CIPA patients have been examined for these mutations as well. Currently, 37 different mutations at the NTRK1 are known which cause CIPA. The above syndrome is so rare that until the year 2000 only 84 cases have been reported, not including 28 known cases of CIPA patients from Israeli Bedouins. Since no cure is available, prenatal screening, as conducted in our institution, is the only available preventive option to avoid the birth of an affected child.

Acute Liver Failure in a Pediatric Patient with Congenital Dysery-Thropoietic Anemia Type I Treated with Deferasirox.

Congenital dyserythropoietic anemias (CDA) represent a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by morphological abnormalities of erythroid precursor cells and various degrees of hemolysis. Iron overload is a result of continuous hemolysis and recurrent transfusions. It is treated with iron chelators, including deferasirox. We present here a case of acute liver failure in a 12 years old girl with CDA type I treated with deferasirox and discuss the approach to treatment.

Variation of muscular structure in congenital insensitivity to pain and anhidrosis.

Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis is a rare disease affecting the nervous system. The patients present with unexplained fever from poor thermoregulation and inability to sweat. Because of the indifference to pain, they manifest frequent traumatic and infectious injuries. Evaluations of these patients include investigation of the hypotonia and weakness evident in this group of patients. We report four patients presenting characteristic features of congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis who carry an identical mutation in the TRK-A gene and who underwent nerve and skeletal muscle biopsies. All four patients had normal sensory and motor conduction studies but lacked sympathetic skin responses. Examination of the skeletal muscles biopsies obtained from two of the patients disclosed marked myopathic changes. The muscle biopsy of a third patient showed mild variation in muscle fibers and the fourth patient's muscle biopsy showed type 1 fiber predominance. Electron microscopy studies revealed remarkable decrease in the number of small caliber-myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers. We assume that the variable histological findings in the muscle biopsies of these patients reflect a variation in congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis patients that is not related to their genetic mutation.

Nerve growth factor-tyrosine kinase A pathway is involved in thermoregulation and adaptation to stress: studies on patients with hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type IV.

Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type IV (HSAN IV) is caused by mutations in the tyrosin kinase A (TrkA) gene, encoding for the high-affinity receptor of nerve growth factor (NGF). The NGF-TrkA system is expressed in many endocrine glands. We hypothesized that HSAN IV represents a natural model for impaired NGF effect on the neuroendocrine system in humans. We have documented the clinical outcome of 31 HSAN IV patients in a single medical center, and investigated their basal endocrine system status. The endocrine system response to thirst was compared between six patients and six healthy children. High rates of mortality (22%) and severe morbidity (30%) have been found in HSAN IV patients. Hypothermia was noted in 40% of the patients and unexplained fever was observed in 56%. Subnormal adrenal function was demonstrated in six (30%) of the patients studied. Furthermore, we found lower plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels in six HSAN IV patients compared with a control group after the thirst test. Our findings emphasize the importance of NGF-TrkA pathway in the physiology of the neuroendocrine system and its response to stress. Inadequate response to stress might contribute to the observed significant mortality, morbidity, and temperature instability in HSAN IV patients.

Orofacial manifestations of congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis: a report of 24 cases.

PURPOSE: To report the incidence and severity of the oral and dental manifestations associated with congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA). METHODS: Young children with CIPA underwent orofacial examination. The tongue, lips, and buccal mucosa were examined for soft tissue disorder. Missing and luxated teeth were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty four patients (14 males and 10 females, mean age 60 months, range 9-144 months) with CIPA showed moderate to severe self-mutilation. Oral self-mutilation, such as biting injuries and scarring of soft tissues (tongue, lip, and buccal mucosa) were found in all patients. Fingertip biting was also found in most patients. Among infant patients, the mutilation was typically characterized by decubital ulcers of the tongue. Many edentulous areas due to previously extracted teeth were also found. CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnosis and specific dental care for patients with CIPA can be helpful in prevention of the fingertip biting and orofacial manifestations seen in this disorder.