Increased Gut Permeability in First-degree Relatives of Children with Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Functional Abdominal Pain.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Increased gut permeability might contribute to the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome or functional abdominal pain (IBS or FAP). We investigated whether siblings and parents of children with IBS or FAP have increased gut permeability. METHODS: We performed permeability tests (using sucrose, lactulose, mannitol, and sucralose) on 29 siblings and 43 parents of children with IBS or FAP, and 43 children (controls) and 42 parents of controls, from primary and secondary care. Permeability studies were repeated in 7 siblings and 37 parents of children with IBS or FAP and 23 controls and 36 parents of controls following ingestion of 400 mg of ibuprofen. Percent recovery of sucrose was calculated based on analyses of urine collected overnight; the lactulose/mannitol ratio and percent recovery of sucralose were based on analyses of urine samples collected over a 24-hour period. RESULTS: When we controlled for age, sex, and family membership, siblings of children with IBS or FAP had increased small bowel permeability (urinary lactulose/mannitol ratio) vs controls (P = .004). There was no difference in gastroduodenal (percent sucrose recovery) or colonic (percent sucralose recovery) permeability between groups. Similarly, parents of children with IBS or FAP also had increased small bowel permeability, compared with parents of controls (P = .015), with no differences in gastric or colonic permeability. After administration of ibuprofen, gastroduodenal and small bowel permeability tended to be greater in IBS or FAP siblings (P = .08) and gastroduodenal permeability tended to be greater in IBS or FAP parents (P = .086). CONCLUSIONS: Siblings and parents of children with IBS or FAP have increased baseline small intestinal permeability compared with control children and their parents. These results indicate that there are familial influences on gastrointestinal permeability in patients with IBS or FAP.

NASPGHAN Capsule Endoscopy Clinical Report.

Wireless capsule endoscopy (CE) was introduced in 2000 as a less invasive method to visualize the distal small bowel in adults. Because this technology has advanced it has been adapted for use in pediatric gastroenterology. Several studies have described its clinical use, utility, and various training methods but pediatric literature regarding CE is limited. This clinical report developed by the Endoscopic and Procedures Committee of the North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition outlines the current literature, and describes the recommended current role, use, training, and future areas of research for CE in pediatrics.

Quality indicators for pediatric colonoscopy: results from a multicenter consortium.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Currently, there are no quality measures specific to children undergoing GI endoscopy. We aimed to determine the baseline quality of pediatric colonoscopy by using the Pediatric Endoscopy Database System-Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative (PEDS-CORI), a central registry. METHODS: We conducted prospective data collection by using a standard computerized report generator and central registry (PEDS-CORI) to examine key quality indicators from 14 pediatric centers between January 2000 and December 2011. Specific quality indicators, including bowel preparation, ileal intubation rate, documentation of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System (ASA) class, and procedure time, were compared during the study period. RESULTS: We analyzed 21,807 colonoscopy procedures performed in patients with a mean age of 11.5 ± 4.8 years. Of the 21,807 reports received during the study period, 56% did not include bowel preparation quality, and 12.7% did not include ASA classification. When bowel preparation was reported, the quality was described as excellent, good, or fair in 90.3%. The overall ileal intubation rate was 69.4%, and 15.6% reported cecal intubation only, calculated to be 85% cecum or ileum intubation. Thus, 15% of colonoscopy procedures did not report reaching the cecum or ileum. When excluding the proportion of procedures not intended to reach the ileum (31.5%), the overall ileal intubation rate increased to 84.0%. The rate of ileum examination varied from 85% to 95%, depending on procedure indication. CONCLUSIONS: Colonoscopy reports from our central registry revealed significant variations and inconsistent documentation in pediatric colonoscopy. Our study identifies areas for quality improvement and highlights the need for developing accepted quality measures specific to pediatric endoscopy.

Management of ingested foreign bodies in children: a clinical report of the NASPGHAN Endoscopy Committee.

Foreign body ingestions in children are some of the most challenging clinical scenarios facing pediatric gastroenterologists. Determining the indications and timing for intervention requires assessment of patient size, type of object ingested, location, clinical symptoms, time since ingestion, and myriad other factors. Often the easiest and least anxiety-producing decision is the one to proceed to endoscopic removal, instead of observation alone. Because of variability in pediatric patient size, there are less firm guidelines available to determine which type of object will safely pass, as opposed to the clearer guidelines in the adult population. In addition, the imprecise nature of the histories often leaves the clinician to question the timing and nature of the ingestion. Furthermore, changes in the types of ingestions encountered, specifically button batteries and high-powered magnet ingestions, create an even greater potential for severe morbidity and mortality among children. As a result, clinical guidelines regarding management of these ingestions in children remain varied and sporadic, with little in the way of prospective data to guide their development. An expert panel of pediatric endoscopists was convened and produced the present article that outlines practical clinical approaches to the pediatric patient with a variety of foreign body ingestions. This guideline is intended as an educational tool that may help inform pediatric endoscopists in managing foreign body ingestions in children. Medical decision making, however, remains a complex process requiring integration of clinical data beyond the scope of these guidelines. These guidelines should therefore not be considered to be a rule or to be establishing a legal standard of care. Caregivers may well choose a course of action outside of those represented in these guidelines because of specific patient circumstances. Furthermore, additional clinical studies may be necessary to clarify aspects based on expert opinion instead of published data. Thus, these guidelines may be revised as needed to account for new data, changes in clinical practice, or availability of new technology.

Bowel preparation for pediatric colonoscopy: report of the NASPGHAN endoscopy and procedures committee.

Pediatric bowel preparation protocols used before colonoscopy vary greatly, with no identified standard practice. The present clinical report reviews the evidence for several bowel preparations in children and reports on their use among North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition members. Publications in the pediatric literature for bowel preparation regimens are described, including mechanisms of action, efficacy and ease of use, and pediatric studies. A survey distributed to pediatric gastroenterology programs across the country reviews present national practice, and cleanout recommendations are provided. Finally, further areas for research are identified.

Use of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in the Diagnosis and Management of Pediatric Pancreatic Injury.

BACKGROUND: ERCP is the gold standard for evaluating the integrity of the main pancreatic duct (MPD); however, ERCP is underutilized in evaluating MPD integrity in pediatric blunt pediatric injury. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the discordance of cross-sectional imaging (CSI) and ERCP in children with suspected MPD injury. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients age ≤18 years with CSI or clinical findings suggestive of MPD injury (MPDI) and ERCP was conducted at a level I pediatric trauma center from January 2009 to May 2023. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Pancreatic injury findings were compared between cross-sectional imaging and ERCP. RESULTS: An ERCP was performed in 28 patients with suspected MPDI with a mean age of 7 ± 4.5 years and weight of 25.0 ± 13.6 kg. Based on initial CSI, 23 patients had a suspected MPDI, and 5 had concern for MPDI based on clinical findings. ERCP differed from CSI findings in 39% of patients: 7 with CSI evidence of MPDI without injury on ERCP and 4 patients without imaging concern of MPDI but demonstrated injury on ERCP. Findings on ERCP guided surgical management in 71% (20/28) of patients due to location and completeness of MPDI. All patients without MPDI were managed nonoperatively. CONCLUSION: Approximately 40% of patients had discordant findings between ERCP and CSI. ERCP can aide in surgical management decision making. All patients with a partial MPDI were managed with endoscopic therapy alone. ERCP should be considered when assessing a child with a suspected MPDI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III. TYPE OF STUDY: Diagnostic Study.

Atypical presentation of Wilson disease.

A 15-year-old Caucasian female on human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) diet presented with fever, cholestasis, coagulopathy, hemolytic anemia, and acute renal dysfunction. Imaging of the biliary system and liver were normal. She responded to intravenous antibiotics, vitamin K and blood transfusions but experienced relapse upon discontinuation of antibiotics. She had remission with reinstitution of antibiotics. Liver biopsy revealed pronounced bile ductular reaction, bridging fibrosis, and hepatocytic anisocytosis and anisonucleosis with degenerative enlarged eosinophilic hepatocytes, suggestive of Wilson disease. Diagnosis of Wilson disease was further established based on the low serum ceruloplasmin, increased urinary and hepatic copper and presence of Kayser-Fleischer rings. The multisystem involvement of the liver, kidney, blood, and brain are consistent with Wilson disease; however, the clinical presentation of cholangitis and reversible coagulopathy is uncommon, and may result from concurrent acute cholangitis and/or the HCG diet regimen the patient was on.

Effects of timing, sex, and age on site-specific gastrointestinal permeability testing in children and adults.

OBJECTIVES: Measurement of gastrointestinal (GI) permeability is commonly used in research and often used clinically. Despite its utility, little is known about sugar excretion timeframes or the potential effects of age and sex on GI permeability testing. We seek to determine the timeframes of sugar excretion and the potential effects of age and sex on urinary recovery of the sugars. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Healthy adults (n = 17) and children (n = 15) fasted 4 hours after the evening meal and then ingested a solution of sucrose, lactulose, mannitol, and sucralose. Urine was collected at 30, 60, and 90 minutes after ingestion and then each time the subjects voided during the next 24 hours. Each urine void was collected separately. RESULTS: Median age for the adults was 47.5 years (range 21-57 years) and for children 10 years (range 5-17 years). There were no differences between children and adults in mean percent dose of sugar recovered. The time of peak urinary recovery of the sugars was generally similar between children and adults. Sucrose urinary recovery declined with age (P = 0.008; r2 = 0.19) unrelated to sex. Lactulose and sucralose urinary recovery declined with age in females (P = 0.05, r2 = 0.24 and P = 0.011, r2 = 0.41; respectively) but not in males. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, sugar urinary recovery is comparable in children and adults. Specific sugar urinary recovery may change as a function of age and/or sex. These results need to be taken into account when planning and interpreting gastrointestinal permeability studies.

Pediatric functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders continue to be a prevalent set of conditions faced by the healthcare team and have a significant emotional and economic impact. In this review, the authors highlight some of the common functional disorders seen in pediatric patients (functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, functional abdominal pain) as well as one of the more intriguing (cyclic vomiting). The most recent Pediatric Rome Working Group has modified the definitions of functional gastrointestinal disorders. Current studies have used these categorizations to understand better the epidemiology, etiology, and treatment options for these disorders. As more data are available, children and their families will be offered a better understanding of the conditions and more effective treatments to overcome them. The importance of making an accurate diagnosis of a functional gastrointestinal disorder cannot be overemphasized.

Role of ERCP in pediatric blunt abdominal trauma: a case series at a level one pediatric trauma center.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus regarding the appropriate use of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in pediatric trauma. We report our experience with ERCP for management of pediatric pancreatic and biliary injury following blunt abdominal trauma. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for pediatric patients with blunt abdominal trauma from July 2008 through December 2012 at our pediatric trauma center. For patients who underwent ERCP, demographics, injury characteristics, diagnostic details, procedures performed, length of stay, total parenteral nutrition use, and complications were reviewed. RESULTS: There were 532 patients identified: 115 hepatic injuries, 25 pancreatic injuries and one gall bladder injury. Nine patients (mean age 7.8 years) underwent ERCP. Seven (78%) had pancreatic injuries, while two (22%) had bilateral hepatic duct injuries. The median time to diagnosis was one day (range, 0-12). Diagnostic ERCP only was performed in three patients, two of which proceeded to distal pancreatectomy. Five patients had stents placed (two biliary and three pancreatic) and four sphincterotomies were performed. Despite pancreatic stenting, one patient required distal pancreatectomy for persistent leak. Median length of stay was 11 days. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric pancreatic and biliary ductal injuries following blunt abdominal trauma are uncommon. ERCP can safely provide definitive treatment for some patients.

Recurrent abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome in children.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Recurrent abdominal pain continues to be one of the most ubiquitous conditions faced by the healthcare team, and has a significant emotional and economic impact. We have moved from considering it a psychological condition to recognizing the physiological and environmental contributions, and considering the condition in the framework of a biopsychosocial model where biology, psychology and social environment interact. Here, we review current studies addressing etiologies, diagnostic techniques and treatment options for recurrent abdominal pain in children. RECENT FINDINGS: Studies continue to highlight the role of visceral hypersensitivity in recurrent abdominal pain. The psychological state of the child and the parent (most often the mother) in terms of their anxiety, somatization and coping skills can, however, modulate the expression of symptoms. Diagnosis still is made by history and physical examination. Newer treatment options include relaxation and distraction therapies as well as medications. The role of probiotics in children remains to be defined. SUMMARY: The approach to the child with recurrent abdominal pain must include the recognition of the physiological contributions, and this information must be relayed to the child and parents. Acknowledgement also must be paid to the role of psychological state in the parent as well as in the child in modulating the severity of symptoms.