Increased incidence of eosinophilic esophagitis among the child population of Zaragoza. An emergent disease.

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by esophageal dysfunction and progression to fibrosis. Its incidence is increasing in our setting with deep regional variations. To corroborate this hypothesis, a longitudinal, retrospective, multicenter observational study was carried out of patients who received a diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis from 2008 to 2022 at public hospitals in the province of Zaragoza. The annual incidence rates and mean incidence rate were calculated using the data for the reference population. A total of 104 patients were included. The mean incidence rate was 5.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants < 15 years old/year (0.75-11.2). In the first five-year period (2008-2012) the rate was 1.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants/year, compared with a rate of 6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants/year in the second 5-year period (2013-2017), [OR 5,68 (IC 95% 2,55 - 12,67, p < 0,05]; and 8.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants/year in the third five-year period (2018-2022), [OR 7,74 (IC 95% 3,52 - 16,99, p < 0,05] It is concluded that eosinophilic esophagitis incidence has increased among the child population of Zaragoza over the past 15 years, with a 7-fold higher risk of having the condition in the third five-year period compared with the first one.

Safety and effectiveness of vedolizumab in paediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease: an observational multicentre Spanish study.

Vedolizumab is a humanised monoclonal antibody that binds to integrin α4ß7 expressed in T-cells, inhibiting its binding to the mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1), which is specifically expressed in the small intestine and colon, playing a fundamental role in T-cell migration to the gastrointestinal tract. Vedolizumab has been shown to be effective in treating adults with inflammatory bowel disease; however, efficacy data for paediatric use are scarce. The objective of the present study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of vedolizumab for inducing and maintaining clinical remission in children with inflammatory bowel disease. We conducted a retrospective multicentre study of patients younger than 18 years with inflammatory bowel disease refractory to anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNF-α) drugs, who underwent treatment with vedolizumab. Clinical remission was defined as a score < 10 points in the activity indices. We included 42 patients, 22 of whom were male (52.3%), with a median age of 13.1 years (IQR 10.2-14.2) at the start of treatment. Of the 42 patients, 14 (33.3%) had Crohn's disease (CD) and 28 (66.7%) had ulcerative colitis (UC). At the start of treatment with vedolizumab, the Paediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index was 36 (IQR 24-40) and the Paediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index was 47 (IQR 25-65). All of them had received prior treatment with anti-TNF and 3 patients ustekinumab. At week 14, 69% of the patients responded to the treatment (57.1% of those with CD and 75% of those with UC; p=0.238), and 52.4% achieved remission (35.7% with CD and 60.7% with UC; p=0.126). At 30 weeks, the response rate was 66.7% (46.2% and 78.3% for CD and UC, respectively; p=0.049), and 52.8% achieved remission (30.8% and 65.2% for CD and UC, respectively; p=0.047). Among the patients with remission at week 14, 80% of the patients with CD and 84.5% of those with UC maintained the remission at 52 weeks. Adverse effects were uncommon and mild. Three patients (7.1%) presented headaches, 1 presented alopecia, 1 presented anaemia and 1 presented dermatitis.Conclusion: The results show that treatment with vedolizumab is a safe and effective option for achieving clinical remission in paediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease with primary failure or loss of response to other treatments, especially in UC. What is Known: • Vedolizumab is effective in inducing and maintaining remission in adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease. • Most studies and clinical trials have been performed on adult populations, and there is currently no indication for paediatric populations. What is New: • Children with inflammatory bowel disease refractory to anti-TNF presented higher clinical remission rates than those published for adults. • There are few publications of this magnitude on paediatric populations treated with vedolizumab and with long-term follow-up (52 weeks).

Reproducibility and Inter-rater Reliability of 2 Paediatric Nutritional Screening Tools.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to assess reproducibility and inter-rater reliability of 2 nutritional screening tools (NST): Screening Tool for Risk on Nutritional Status and Growth (STRONGkids) and Screening Tool for the Assessment of Malnutrition in Paediatrics (STAMP). METHODS: Prospective observational multicentre study. Patients ages 1 month or older admitted to paediatric or surgical wards were tested within 24 hours of admission by 2 independent observers: experts specialized in paediatric nutrition (physicians or dieticians) and clinical staff nonexpert in nutrition. Diagnosis on admission, underlying diseases, and length of stay were registered. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Kappa index (κ) to evaluate agreement between observers. RESULTS: A total of 223 patients were included (53.4% boys), with mean age of 5.59 (95% confidence interval 4.94-6.22) years. Experts classified 9.9% of patients at high risk with STRONGkids and 19.7% using STAMP, whereas nonexpert staff assigned 6.7% of patients to the high-risk category with STRONGkids and 21.9% with STAMP. Agreement between expert and nonexpert staff was good: 94.78% for STRONGkids (κ 0.72 [P < 0.001]); 92.55% for STAMP (κ 0.74 [P < 0.001]). The rate of malnutrition was significantly higher among high-risk patients with both NST, independent of examiner experience. After adjusting for age, both STRONGkids and STAMP high-risk scores predicted longer length of stay, whether assessed by experts or nonexperts, although differences were higher with STRONGkids. CONCLUSIONS: Agreement between experts and nonexpert staff in nutrition was good, producing a similar high-risk patient profile. Our results demonstrate that these NSTs are appropriate for nutritional screening in settings in which users have no previous experience in the field.

Nutrition in congenital heart disease: consensus document.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of malnutrition among infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) is high. Early nutritional assessment and intervention contribute significantly to its treatment and improve outcomes. Our objective was to develop a consensus document for the nutritional assessment and management of infants with CHD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We employed a modified Delphi technique. Based on the literature and clinical experience, a scientific committee prepared a list of statements that addressed the referral to paediatric nutrition units (PNUs), assessment, and nutritional management of infants with CHD. Specialists in paediatric cardiology and paediatric gastroenterology and nutrition evaluated the questionnaire in 2 rounds. RESULTS: Thirty-two specialists participated. After two evaluation rounds, a consensus was reached for 150 out of 185 items (81%). Cardiac pathologies associated with a low and high nutritional risk and associated cardiac or extracardiac factors that carry a high nutritional risk were identified. The committee developed recommendations for assessment and follow-up by nutrition units and for the calculation of nutritional requirements, the type of nutrition and the route of administration. Particular attention was devoted to the need for intensive nutrition therapy in the preoperative period, the follow-up by the PNU during the postoperative period of patients who required preoperative nutritional care, and reassessment by the cardiologist in the case nutrition goals are not achieved. CONCLUSIONS: These recommendations can be helpful for the early detection and referral of vulnerable patients, their evaluation and nutritional management and improving the prognosis of their CHD.

Diagnostic action against hypertransaminasemia in paediatrics: Consensus document of Sociedad Española de Gastroenterología, Hepatología y Nutrición Pediátrica (SEGHNP), Asociación Española de Pediatría de Atención Primaria (AEPap) and Sociedad Española de Pediatría de Atención Primaria (SEPEAP).

Hypertransaminasemia is a frequent finding in pediatrics, which could reflect potentially treatable serious disease. The aim of this document is to establish, by reviewing the available evidence, a consensus for an adequate management of hypertransaminasemia, from its detection until the study is complete. To this end, a working group was formed with the participation of members of the Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (SEGHNP), the Spanish Association of Primary Care Pediatrics (AEPap) and the Spanish Society of Primary Care Pediatrics (SEPEAP). Twenty-one recommendations are established with a marked practical component that will be useful in hospital clinical practice and primary care.

[Study of personality and anxiety in children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease]. / Estudio de personalidad y ansiedad en niños y adolescentes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the presence of common personality traits and anxiety states in children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). PATIENTS AND METHOD: Longitudinal, prospecti ve, and analytical study by applying the questionnaires Children's Personality Questionnaire, High School Personality Questionnaire, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children, and State-Trait Anxie ty Inventory for patients with IBD aged between 9 and 18 years seen at reference IBD units in Ara gon, Spain. The participants excluded were those with active disease, defined as a score > 10 on the Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (PCDAI Score) or > 10 on the Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI Score). RESULTS: Twenty-six patients participated (73% male). 61.5% pre sented Crohn's disease (CD) and 38.5% ulcerative colitis (UC). No patient presented active disease. The personality profile as a group was characterized by being open, emotionally stable, calm, sober, sensible, enterprising, impressionable, dependent, serene, perfectionist, and relaxed. 50% of the CD patients were enterprising versus no UC patients (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant di fferences when comparing the remaining personality factors based on IBD type, age, or sex. Patients with CD tended to be calmer (p = 0.0511) and patients with UC more introverted (p = 0.0549). The sample presented a state anxiety level (A/E) -1.1 ± 0.8 SD compared with the population average. The level of anxiety as a feature (A/R) was -0.6 ± 1 SD. Males had significantly lower levels than females in the case of A/E (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of common personality traits in the pediatric population with IBD stands out but there was no greater anxiety than in the reference population.

[Intestinal lymphangiectasia in a patient with Sanfilippo B syndrome]. / Linfangiectasia intestinal en un paciente afectado de síndrome de Sanfilippo B.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB is a lysosomal storage disease caused by a deficiency of the N-acetyl-alpha-d-glucosaminidase enzyme involved in the catabolism of heparan sulfate, causing its accumulation in various tissues. We present an 8-year-old patient with mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB, with a history of chronic diarrhea and endoscopic and histological findings compatible with intestinal lymphangiectasia. After a dietary treatment with a low-fat diet supplemented with mediumchain triglyceride, our patient presents clinical improvement until today. The pathogenesis of chronic diarrhea in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB is still unknown. The Linfangiectasia intestinal en un paciente afectado de síndrome de Sanfilippo B Intestinal lymphangiectasia in a patient with Sanfilippo B syndrome presence of intestinal lymphangiectasia in these patients should be investigated, and appropriate dietary treatment should be initiated, if confirmed, to improve their quality of life.

La mucopolisacaridosis tipo III B es una enfermedad de depósito lisosomal causada por la deficiencia de la enzima N-acetil-alfad- glucosaminidasa, implicada en el catabolismo del heparán sulfato, que produce su acúmulo en diversos tejidos. Se presenta a un paciente de 8 años, afectado de mucopolisacaridosis tipo III B, con historia de diarrea crónica y hallazgos endoscópicos e histológicos compatibles con linfangiectasia intestinal. Tras tratamiento dietético con restricción de ácidos grasos de cadena larga y rica en triglicéridos de cadena media, presentó mejoría clínica, mantenida hasta la actualidad. La patogenia de la diarrea crónica en pacientes con mucopolisacaridosis tipo III B es aún desconocida. Debe investigarse la presencia de linfangiectasia intestinal en estos pacientes e iniciar, en caso de confirmarse, un tratamiento dietético adecuado para mejorar así su calidad de vida.

[Caregiver burden in patients with moderate-severe cerebral palsy. The influence of nutritional status]. / Carga del cuidador del paciente con parálisis cerebral moderada-grave: ¿influye el estado nutricional?

INTRODUCTION: Patients with moderate-severe cerebral palsy require the support of their caregivers to carry out the activities of daily living (ADLs). OBJECTIVES: To describe the comorbidities, need for care in children with cerebral palsy and to analyse the influence of the degree of motor involvement, nutritional status and other neurological disorders. METHODS: Cross-sectional and observational study. Patients with cerebral palsy degrees III-IV-V according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) have been studied. A record of comorbidities has been made and body composition has been studied using anthropometry and bioimpedance. In addition, a caregiver burden survey on ADLs has been carried out (10 items on the different actions: hygiene, clothing, transfers, sleeping and feeding). Which variables have the greatest influence on the perception of difficulty in performing ADLs have been studied. RESULTS: A total of 69 patients (50.7% women, mean age 10.46 ± 0.4 years) were analysed, with GMFCS grades: grade III 36.2% (N=25), grade IV 29.0% (N=20), grade V 34.8% (N=24). A relationship was found between the caregiver burden score and GMFCS grade (P=0.003) and intellectual disability (P<0.001). However, regardless of the degree of GMFCS and intellectual disability, there is greater difficulty in performing ADLs in relation to lower values in weight (Z-score) (P=0.028), fat mass (kg) (P=0.035), fat mass (%) (P=0.094), body mass index (Z-score) (P=0.086). CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the degree of clinical impairment, nutritional status is a factor that influences the caregiver's difficulty in performing the ADLs in cerebral palsy patients on which we can act to improve this problem.

Evaluation of liver function tests in the paediatric patient.

INTRODUCTION: Although changes in liver function tests can be non-specific in numerous clinical conditions, they can be the first sign of a potentially serious disease in an asymptomatic patient. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study, performed by reviewing the records of children of a reference hospital central laboratory with alanine aminotransferase enzyme (ALT) elevation during a 6-month aleatory period. RESULTS: 572 blood tests with serum ALT elevation corresponding to 403 patients have been assessed during the period studied. 98 patients were excluded for presenting abnormal liver test before the study period of comorbidity that could produce ALT elevation. The remaining 305 patients, 22.6% were diagnosed with a medical condition during the first blood test that explained the ALT elevation, although only 33.3% of them were followed up until verifying their normalisation. Final study sample consists of 236 patients with abnormal liver test without apparent liver disease. Adequate follow-up was found only in 29% of them. From this group, 9 patients (13%) were diagnosed with liver disease. The rest of the samples were not properly monitored. In patients with higher serum ALT levels, follow-up was early and more appropriate. CONCLUSIONS: In our area, most children without apparent liver disease are no properly monitored. Therefore, an opportunity to diagnosis and treat a potential liver disease was lost in a great number of children. All children with unexplained hypertransaminasaemia must be studied.

Bone health impairment in patients with cerebral palsy.

Bone health problems may be related to the nutritional deficit in pediatric patients with cerebral palsy. It is common to find asymptomatic vertebral fractures when they have low bone mineral density. Fat mass deficit could be related to a lower bone mineral density and a higher risk of vertebral fractures. OBJECTIVES: To study the bone health of patients with CP and its relationship with neurological and nutritional status. PURPOSE: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common cause of motor disability in pediatric age. METHODS: Cross-sectional, observational, descriptive, and analytical study in which patients with CP between 4 and 5 years with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) grades III-IV-V were included. It was carried out: survey, anthropometric study, bioimpedanciometry (BIA), and bone densitometry. Patients with low bone mineral density (BMD Z score less than - 2.0) underwent lumbar radiography looking for vertebral fractures to be diagnosed with osteoporosis. RESULTS: Total sample: 51 patients (51.0% women). Mean age: 11.0 ± 0.5 years. BMD Z score average: - 2.1 (95% CI - 2.5, - 1.7). BMD Z score according to GMFCS: grade III - 1.6 (- 2.2; - 1.), grade IV - 1.6 (- 2.4; - 0.9), grade V - 3.1 (- 3.9, - 2.2) (p = 0.013). Bone health classification according to the International Society for Clinical Densitometry was: 47.1% normal, 52.9% low BMD. Relationship between low BMD and low fat mass (p = 0.030) and low cell mass (p = 0.040) was found. Prevalence of vertebral fractures in lumbar radiography: 25.9%, increasing as the degree of neurological involvement. Vertebral fractures were found in 5/13 GMFCS grade V, 2/6 GMFCS grade IV, and 0/10 GMFCS grade III. CONCLUSIONS: Bone health in the pediatric population with CP is compromised in relation to the degree of neurological involvement and nutritional status. Those patients with moderate-severe cerebral palsy and low BMD seem to present an increased risk of fracture.

[Body composition evaluation by anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis in childhood acute leukemia survivors]. / Evaluación de la composición corporal mediante antropometría y bioimpedanciometría en supervivientes de leucemia aguda infantil.

INTRODUCTION: Background: survivors of childhood acute leukemia are at risk for obesity. The purpose was to evaluate the different clinical measurements of body composition and to compare with body mass index (BMI). Methods: cross-sectional study of 39 survivors with more than ten years of survivorship since diagnosis. Anthropometry and body composition accuracy measurements were determined and also obesity risk factors. Results: obesity prevalence by body fat percentage were: 38.5% for BMI; 46.1% for waist circumference; 51.3% for skinfolds and 56.4% for bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). There was a good correlation among the measurements, but BMI underestimated the percent body fat among childhood leukemia survivors in comparison with: waist circumference (-1.03 ± 2.01), skinfolds (-2.95 ± 5.78) and BIA (-3.78 ± 7.4), and this bias appears to be more variable with increasing percent of body fat > 30%. Three patients showed sarcopenia and only one sarcopenic obesity. Waist circumference fat mass was the better predictor of cardiovascular risk factors (LDL-cholesterol: r = 0.703; HDL-cholesterol: r = -0.612; p < 0.05 and hypertension: OR 4.17; IC 95%: 1.012-19.3). Obesity risk factors were: female sex, high-risk tumor, radiotherapy and stem cell transplantation. Conclusions: BMI underestimates obese childhood leukemia survivors in comparison with waist circumference, skinfolds and bioelectrial impedance analysis. BMI use could misclassify obese survivors as non-obese. Female sex, high tumoral risk and coadyuvant treatments (radiotherapy and stem cell transplant) are risk factors for adiposity.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: los supervivientes de leucemia aguda infantil (LAI) tienen riesgo de desarrollar obesidad. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la composición corporal en estos pacientes mediante las diferentes técnicas de empleadas en la práctica clínica y compararlas con el empleo del índice de masa corporal (IMC). Métodos: estudio transversal de 39 supervivientes de LAI con más de diez años desde el diagnóstico. Se evaluó el grado de acuerdo entre diferentes técnicas antropométricas y composición corporal y se analizaron factores de riesgo asociados al desarrollo de obesidad. Resultados: prevalencia de obesidad según porcentaje masa grasa por IMC 38,5%, perímetro cintura 46,1%, sumatorio cuatro pliegues 51,3% y bioimpedanciometría (BIA) 56,4%. Existe adecuada correlación entre los métodos, pero el IMC infraestima la adiposidad respecto al perímetro de cintura (-1,03 ± 2,01), pliegues (-2,95 ± 5,78 y BIA (-3,78 ± 7,4), con mayor infraestimación en % masa magra > 28%. Tres pacientes mostraron sarcopenia y solo uno, obesidad sarcopénica. La adiposidad estimada por el perímetro de cintura fue el parámetro con mejor asociación con los factores de riesgo cardiovascular (colesterol-LDL: r = 0,703; colesterol-HDL: r = -0,612; p < 0,05 e hipertensión: OR 4,17; IC 95%: 1,012-19,3). Los factores de riesgo asociados a obesidad fueron: sexo femenino, alto riesgo tumoral, tratamiento con radioterapia y trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos. Conclusiones: el IMC infraestima el porcentaje de supervivientes obesos respecto al empleo del perímetro de cintura, pliegues cutáneos y bioimpedanciometría, existiendo riesgo de clasificar erróneamente a sujetos obesos como no obesos. El sexo femenino, el alto riesgo tumoral, la radioterapia y el trasplante son factores de riesgo para presentar obesidad.

[Nutritional status of a population with moderate-severe cerebral palsy: Beyond the weight]. / Situación nutricional en una población con parálisis cerebral moderada-grave: más allá del peso.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most frequent cause of motor disability in the paediatric age. The aim of this article is the study of the nutritional status of patients with CP followed-up in a reference hospital, as well as the relationship between neurological and nutritional state. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, observational, descriptive and analytical study was conducted on a sample consisting of 4-15years old patients with CP with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) gradesIII-IV-V, from a specialised paediatric hospital reference area. An interview (collection of general data, medications and nutritional habits), anthropometric study and bioimpedance (BIA) measurements were carried out. RESULTS: The study included 69 patients (recruitment 84.15%), with a mean age of 10.46±0.43years, and 50.7% females. The distribution according to GMFCS scale was: gradeIII (36.2%), gradeIV (29%), and gradeV (34.8%). According to weight for height: moderate malnutrition 21.8% (gradeV: 33.3%), severe malnutrition 5.8% (gradeV: 12.6%), overweight/obesity 23.2% (gradeIII: 24%, gradeIV: 35%). Adequate level of lean mass for height: gradeIII (36%), gradeIV (55%), and gradeV (16.7%). Fat excess: gradeIII (36%), gradeIV (40%), and gradeV (29.2%). Fat mass comparison: BIA 6.89±0.64kg versus anthropometry 5.56±4.43kg. CONCLUSIONS: In CP grade GMFCSV, the weight deficit associated with a decrease in lean body mass is common. Patients with CP grades GMFCSIII-IV have a significant prevalence of overweight/obesity. Anthropometry is a useful tool for nutritional assessment in children with CP, although fat levels could be underestimated.

Predictors of Response to Exclusive Enteral Nutrition in Newly Diagnosed Crohn´s Disease in Children: PRESENCE Study from SEGHNP.

Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) has been shown to be more effective than corticosteroids in achieving mucosal healing in children with Crohn´s disease (CD) without the adverse effects of these drugs. The aims of this study were to determine the efficacy of EEN in terms of inducing clinical remission in children newly diagnosed with CD, to describe the predictive factors of response to EEN and the need for treatment with biological agents during the first 12 months of the disease. We conducted an observational retrospective multicentre study that included paediatric patients newly diagnosed with CD between 2014-2016 who underwent EEN. Two hundred and twenty-two patients (140 males) from 35 paediatric centres were included, with a mean age at diagnosis of 11.6 ± 2.5 years. The median EEN duration was 8 weeks (IQR 6.6-8.5), and 184 of the patients (83%) achieved clinical remission (weighted paediatric Crohn's Disease activity index [wPCDAI] < 12.5). Faecal calprotectin (FC) levels (µg/g) decreased significantly after EEN (830 [IQR 500-1800] to 256 [IQR 120-585] p < 0.0001). Patients with wPCDAI ≤ 57.5, FC < 500 µg/g, CRP >15 mg/L and ileal involvement tended to respond better to EEN. EEN administered for 6-8 weeks is effective for inducing clinical remission. Due to the high response rate in our series, EEN should be used as the first-line therapy in luminal paediatric Crohn's disease regardless of the location of disease and disease activity.

[Implementation of a low FODMAP diet for functional abdominal pain]. / Implantación de la dieta baja en FODMAP para el dolor abdominal funcional.

INTRODUCTION: The low FODMAP diet (fermentable oligosaccharides, monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polyols) has shown to be effective in adult patients with irritable bowel syndrome, but there are few studies on paediatric patients. The aim of this study is to assess the implementation and the outcomes of a low FODMAP diet in the treatment of functional abdominal pain in children from a Mediterranean area. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A table was designed in which foods were classified according to their FODMAP content, as well as a 'Symptoms and Stools Diary'. A prospective study was conducted on children with functional abdominal pain in our Paediatric Gastroenterology Unit. RESULTS: A total of 22 patients were enrolled in the trial, and 20 completed it. Data were collected of the abdominal pain features over a period of 3 days, and then patients followed a two-week low FODMAP diet. Afterwards, information about abdominal pain features was collected again. After the diet, they showed fewer daily abdominal pain episodes compared to baseline (1.16 [IQR: 0.41-3.33] versus 2 [IQR: 1.33-6.33] daily episodes, P=.024), less pain severity compared to baseline (1.41cm [IQR: 0.32-5.23] versus 4.63cm [IQR: 2.51-6.39] measured by 10-cm Visual Analogue Scale, P=.035), less interference with daily activities, and less gastrointestinal symptoms. Only 15% of patients found it difficult to follow the diet. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of a low FODMAP diet for 2 weeks in a Mediterranean paediatric population diagnosed with functional abdominal pain is possible with adapted diets. It was highly valued by patients, and they showed an improvement in abdominal pain symptoms assessed by objective methods.

[Arthritis as clinical presentation of inflammatory bowel disease in children]. / Artritis como debut de enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal en pediatría.

Inflammatory bowel disease in children has increased worldwide during the last decades. Clinical presentations are diverse and extraintestinal manifestations are the presenting sign in 6-35 % of patients, the most common of them being peripheral arthritis. An atypical clinical presentation results in diagnosis delay and, added to the greater seriousness of inflammatory bowel disease phenotypes in children, it entails more intestinal complications and sequelae. We describe two cases of inflammatory bowel disease with an initial symptom of lameness due to peripheral arthritis and enthesitis, respectively.

La incidencia de enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal en la edad pediátrica se ha incrementado mundialmente en las últimas décadas. La forma de presentación puede ser diversa y, hasta en un 6-35 %, las manifestaciones extraintestinales pueden ser el debut; la artritis periférica es la más frecuente de estas. Una presentación atípica implica un retraso diagnóstico y, asociado a que el fenotipo de enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal es más grave en los niños, conlleva un incremento de las complicaciones intestinales y secuelas asociadas. Se presentan dos casos clínicos de enfermedad de Crohn cuya clínica inicial fue la claudicación de la marcha por una artritis periférica y una entesitis, respectivamente.

The importance of calprotectin for differentiating organic inflammatory disease and avoiding unnecessary procedures in paediatrics.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine the ability of faecal calprotectin to differentiate functional and organic intestinal diseases in paediatric patients, and to evaluate the correlation between inflammatory parameters and levels of faecal calprotectin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study involved clinical data from 129 paediatric patients with symptoms of intestinal pathology. Faecal calprotectin was determined by quantitative immunoassay. Patients were classified into three groups: functional (32.8% of patients); organic non-inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, 53.9%); and organic IBD (13.3%). RESULTS: Calprotectin levels were significantly different among the three groups; between patients with IBD and the others, and also between patients with non-organic IBD and functional. Positive associations were found between high levels of calprotectin and higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (rho=0.497), C-reactive protein (rho=0.460), and platelet count (rho=0.232). Nevertheless, an inverse correlation was found between high levels of calprotectin and transferrin saturation (rho=-0.310), albumin (rho=-0.412), and haemoglobin levels (rho=-0.309). DISCUSSION: Determination of faecal calprotectin is a complementary tool in clinical practice for discriminating between functional and organic IBD, avoiding, according to the levels of calprotectin, unnecessary invasive procedures in paediatric patients.