Functional gastrointestinal disorders in infants: Practice, knowledge and needs of Australian pharmacists.

AIM: To determine the nature and extent of interactions between retail pharmacists and families of infants concerned about functional gastrointestinal disorders. METHODS: A 15-question online survey was developed that could be completed by retail pharmacists in approximately 5 min. This survey aimed to obtain information relating to the frequency of interactions with parents of infants seeking advice and/or information about colic, gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) or constipation in pharmacies; what recommendations and/or advice was given by the pharmacists; from where the pharmacists obtained their information and what guidelines/recommendations they would value; and demographic information. RESULTS: A total of 362 pharmacists from every state and territory within Australia completed the survey. Conversations with parents/carers about constipation at least once a week were reported by 85% of pharmacists, with the equivalent percentages for GOR and colic both being 76%. In the case of constipation, medication was recommended in 70% of cases, and a nutritional approach was recommended in 67% of cases. Medication was recommended in 81% of cases of suspected colic, significantly greater than nutritional advice at 50%. For possible GOR, recommendations were similar, with medication being suggested in 66% and nutritional advice in 68%. GOR guidelines were the most sought after, with 42% of pharmacists placing such guidelines as their number one need. CONCLUSIONS: This survey indicates the need for greater emphasis to be given to reassurance by health-care professionals involved in the management of functional gastrointestinal disorders in infancy, as well as consideration of the construction of easily accessible, evidence-based national guidelines.

Variation of Gut Mucosal Microbiome With Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae Antibody Status in Pediatric Crohn Disease.

OBJECTIVES: Crohn disease (CD) is a chronic relapsing condition possibly caused by a dysbiotic microbiome. Approximately 30% to 60% of patients with CD have anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody (ASCA), but any association with gut microbiota is unexplored. We hypothesized that ASCA positivity would predict a signature microbial status and clinical phenotype. METHODS: Ileocolonic mucosal biopsies were obtained from children with CD (n = 135), and controls without inflammatory bowel disease (n = 45). Comparison was made between ASCA status, microbial diversity, and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: ASCA was highly specific but poorly sensitive for the diagnosis of CD. In patients with CD, ASCA positivity was associated with older age (≥10 years), ileocolonic disease, and long-term risk of surgery. Microbial alpha and beta diversity were similar in patients with CD with or without ASCA, but significantly less when compared to noninflammatory bowel disease controls. Microbial richness was similar across all 3 groups. Fourteen bacterial species were associated with ASCA-positive patients with CD and 14 species with ASCA-negative patients (P < 0.05). After using a false discovery rate correction Ruminococcus torques and bacterium Yersinia enterocolitica 61 remained significantly associated with CD ASCA positivity (P = 0.0178), whereas Enterobacter cloacae and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii were significantly associated with CD ASCA negativity (P = 0.0178 and 0.0342). CONCLUSION: ASCA-positive and ASCA-negative patients with CD have significant differences in gut microbiome composition, which could possibly be influencing the phenotype of the disease.

Paediatric emergency department presentations due to feeding tube complications in children with cerebral palsy.

AIM: To describe the characteristics of emergency department (ED) presentations due to complications from gastrostomy or gastrojejunal feeding tubes among children with cerebral palsy (CP), the complexity of complications and the management approaches taken. METHODS: The Victorian CP Register was linked to the ED databases of Victoria's two tertiary paediatric hospitals, and data on presentations due to feeding tube complications were identified based on discharge diagnosis codes. Additional data on presentations were extracted from medical records. RESULTS: Over 5 years, there were 234 ED presentations due to feeding tube-related complaints among a CP cohort (n = 2183). ED notes were located for 183 of the 234 presentations. The majority of presentations (90%) involved children with severe gross motor impairment. A total of 46% of presentations (n = 84) was triaged as lower urgency, and 68% (n = 124) took place between 08:00 am and 06:00 pm. The most common presenting complaint was tube dislodgement (n = 105; 70%). No investigations were recorded in the majority of cases, and in almost 90% of cases, the feeding tube was successfully replaced in the ED, usually by an ED physician (n = 74) and less frequently by a surgeon (n = 9), gastroenterologist (n = 2) or nurse (n = 8); 9% (n = 17) resulted in a hospital admission. CONCLUSIONS: Most ED presentations due to feeding tube complaints in children with CP are in children with severe gross motor impairment but are able to be managed in the ED. As such, it is likely that care givers and other health professionals could manage some of the complications experienced in primary health-care settings closer to home.

Review shows that parental reassurance and nutritional advice help to optimise the management of functional gastrointestinal disorders in infants.

AIM: Regurgitation, infantile colic and functional constipation are common functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) during infancy. Our aim was to carry out a concise review of the literature, evaluate the impact of these common FGIDs on infants and their families, and provide an overview of national and international guidelines and peer-reviewed expert recommendations on their management. METHODS: National and international guidelines and peer-reviewed expert recommendations on the management of regurgitation, infantile colic and functional constipation were examined and summarised. RESULTS: Regurgitation, infantile colic and functional constipation cause frequent parental concerns, lead to heavy personal and economic costs for families and impose a financial burden on public healthcare systems. Guidelines emphasise that the first-line management of these common FGIDs should focus on parental education, reassurance and nutritional advice. Nutritional advice should stress the benefits of continuing breastfeeding, while special infant formulas may be considered for non-breastfed infants with common FGIDs. Drug treatment is seldom required, with the exception of functional constipation. CONCLUSION: By providing complete and updated parental education, reassurance and nutritional advice, healthcare professionals can optimise the management of FGIDs and related symptoms and reduce the inappropriate use of medication or dietary interventions.

Achalasia: Outcome in children.

BACKGROUND: Oesophageal achalasia is well-recognized but relatively rare in children, occasionally appearing as the "triple A" syndrome (with adrenal insufficiency and alacrima). Treatment modalities, as in adult practice, are not curative, often needing further interventions and spurring the search for better management. The outcome for syndromic variants is unknown. We sought to define the efficacy of treatments for children with achalasia with and without triple A syndrome. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of presentation and outcomes for 42 children with achalasia presenting over three decades to a major pediatric referral center. Long term impact of the diagnosis was assessed by questionnaire. RESULTS: We identified 42 children including six with triple A syndrome. The median overall age at diagnosis was 10.8 years and median follow-up 1593 days. Initial Heller myotomy in 17 required further interventions in 11 (65%), while initial treatment with botulinum toxin (n = 20) was ultimately followed by myotomy in 17 (85%). Ten out of 35 patients who underwent myotomy required a repeat myotomy (29%). Patients with triple A syndrome developed symptoms earlier, but had delayed diagnosis, were more underweight at diagnosis and at last follow up. Questionnaire results suggested a significant long term deleterious impact on the quality of life of children and their families. CONCLUSION: Many children with achalasia relapse after initial treatment, undergoing multiple, different procedures, despite which symptoms persist and impact on quality of life. Symptoms develop earlier in patients with triple A syndrome, but the diagnosis is delayed and this has substantial nutritional impact.

Can celiac serology alone be used as a marker of duodenal mucosal recovery in children with celiac disease on a gluten-free diet?

OBJECTIVES: Assessment of treatment response in children with celiac disease (CD) after commencing a strict gluten-free diet (GFD) is generally based on the resolution of clinical features and normalization of serology. Recent adult studies have shown that serologic markers do not correlate with mucosal recovery. We aimed (i) to determine whether anti-tissue transglutaminase immunoglobulin (Ig)A (tTG) and anti-deamidated gliadin peptide IgG (DGP) antibodies are sensitive and specific markers of mucosal recovery in children with CD on a GFD for at least 12 months, and (ii) to determine whether a validated dietary questionnaire of compliance can identify patients with mucosal recovery. METHODS: A total of 150 children with biopsy-proven CD were prospectively evaluated with duodenal biopsies at ≥12 months on GFD, paired with repeat tTG and DGP serology. The biopsies were reviewed in a blinded manner by two histopathologists and graded by Marsh criteria. A validated questionnaire of dietary compliance was also administered. RESULTS: Of 150 children recruited, 27 (18%) had positive serology, 97 (65%) had negative serology, and 26 (17%) had equivocal serology. Of the 97 children with negative serology, none had Marsh type 3 enteropathy. Of the 27 patients with positive serology, only 6 had Marsh type 3 changes. The sensitivity and specificity of serology as a marker of significant mucosal pathology was 75 and 85%, respectively, with a positive predictive value of 22% but a negative predictive value of 98%. Of the 129 (86%) questionnaires completed, 88% reported good or excellent compliance with a GFD (negative predictive value 97%). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that follow-up using two serological tests in children with CD on a GFD may obviate the need for repeat mucosal biopsy in the majority of patients. A standardized dietary questionnaire may be useful in identifying patients who require further evaluation.

Clinical patterns and outcome of early-onset inflammatory bowel disease.

We sought to determine whether extremely-early-onset childhood inflammatory bowel disease (age <6 years; 20 ulcerative colitis [UC], 8 Crohn disease [CD], 2 indeterminate, sequentially diagnosed) was clinically more severe than in older children (6-17 years; 19 UC, 39 CD, 2 indeterminate). Early-onset UC was marked by less abdominal pain at presentation, but an aggressive course with a significant reduction in weight-for-age, increased use of immunosuppressants, and more surgery. Children with early-onset CD were more likely to have bloody stools at presentation and an isolated colitis. This study supports the suggestion that inflammatory bowel disease phenotype differs in early-onset disease.

Arterial structure and function in children with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background and Aim: People with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including in younger adulthood. This may arise in part from chronic, systemic low-grade inflammation. The process of atherosclerosis may begin in childhood. We sought to determine whether pediatric IBD is associated with adverse changes in arterial structure and function as a marker of early increased cardiovascular risk. Methods: We performed a case-control study comparing children with IBD for a median disease duration of 2.49 (interquartile range 1.23, 4.38) years with healthy children. In a single visit, we collected baseline clinical and anthropometric data, and measured blood pressure, pulse wave velocity, carotid artery distensibility, and aortic and carotid intima-media thickness. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein and fasting lipids were measured. Results: We enrolled 81 children with IBD (40 with Crohn's disease, 40 with ulcerative colitis, and 1 with unspecified IBD) and 82 control participants. After adjusting for age, sex, body mass index z-score, blood pressure, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, there was no difference in measures of arterial structure and function in children with IBD compared with controls, nor between those with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Conclusion: We did not show any differences in arterial structure and function in children with a history of IBD for less than 5 years compared with healthy controls. IBD diagnosed in childhood may provide a window of opportunity to actively reduce standard cardiovascular risk factors and improve future cardiovascular outcomes.

TLR4, IL10RA, and NOD2 mutation in paediatric Crohn's disease patients: an association with Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis and TLR4 and IL10RA expression.

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD). The role of CD susceptibility genes in association with these microbes is not known. Sixty-two early onset paediatric CD patients and 46 controls with known MAP status were analysed for an association with 34 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 18 CD susceptibility genes. Functional studies on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were conducted on 17 CD patients with known CD mutations to assess IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α expression upon stimulation with MAP precipitated protein derivative (PPD) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In addition, surface expression of IL10R and TLR4 on resting B cells, NK cells, T cells, and monocytes was assessed. A mutation in TLR4 (rs4986790) and IL10RA (rs22291130) was significantly associated with MAP-positive CD patients compared to MAP-negative CD patients (27.6 vs. 6.1 %, p = 0.021, and 62.1 vs. 33.3 %, p = 0.024, respectively). PPD and LPS significantly increased IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α production in PBMCs. IL-10 and TNF-α production were significantly lower in a subgroup of CD patients (5/12) with a known NOD2 mutation. Receptor for IL-10 was significantly higher expressed on NK cells (CD56low) and on NK T cells harbouring a NOD2 mutations compared to wildtype cells (p = 0.031 and 0.005, respectively). TLR4 was significantly higher expressed on NK cells (CD56high) harbouring a NOD2 mutations compared to wildtype cells (p = 0.038).

Yellow is pale: the complications and challenges of late diagnosis of extrahepatic biliary atresia.

Extrahepatic biliary atresia classically presents in the neonatal period with jaundice and pale stools. The lack of bile pigment in stool can be unrecognised, delaying diagnosis and surgical treatment. Vitamin K is given at birth to reduce the risk of haemorrhagic disease of the newborn, but this may be inadequate to prevent the development of coagulopathy secondary to fat soluble vitamin malabsorption. We present the case of a 3 month old infant who presented with an intracerebral haemorrhage and coagulopathy thought to be secondary to fat malabsorption resulting from delayed diagnosis of extrahepatic biliary atresia. This was despite the perinatal administration of intramuscular vitamin K. His parents did not recognise the stool pallor as being abnormal. This case illustrates the importance of educating parents on the significance of pale stools, and also the risk of coagulopathy in extrahepatic biliary atresia despite perinatal intramuscular vitamin K.

The use of biologic agents in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Therapeutic options and approaches in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) continue to evolve. This review will summarize the recent studies of treatment strategies, efficacy, safety and outcome of biological agents in the treatment of children with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. RECENT FINDINGS: Although there has been little recent change in the number of biologicals easily available for the treatment of children, usage has broadened in pediatric IBD and new treatment strategies have emerged. The use of biologicals in refractory pediatric ulcerative colitis is now accepted, with evidence supporting their potential for maintenance therapy. In pediatric Crohn's disease, scheduled treatment regimens have shown superiority to episodic treatment. Although the 'top-down' approach with early use of biologicals produces superior remission rates in adults, there is still little evidence in children. Concomitant immunosuppression appears to reduce immunogenicity and improve therapeutic control, but there are added risks for infection and malignancy. SUMMARY: Biologicals now form an integral part of the treatment algorithm in childhood IBD and their use is likely to increase. Treatment regimens, particularly those involving concomitant immunosuppressants, need to take account of the perceptions of risk.

Expression profile of genes involved in pathogenesis of pediatric Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Expression profiling of genes specific to pediatric Crohn's Disease (CD) patients was performed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying disease cause and pathogenesis at disease onset. METHODS: We used suppressive subtractive hybridization (SSH) and differential screening analysis to profile the mRNA expression patterns of children with CD and age- and sex-matched controls without inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). RESULTS: Sequence analysis of 1000 clones enriched by SSH identified 75 functionally annotated human genes, represented by 430 clones. The 75 genes have potential involvement in gene networks, such as antigen presentation, inflammation, infection mechanism, connective tissue development, cell cycle and cancer. Twenty-eight genes were previously described in association with CD, while 47 were new genes not previously reported in the context of IBD. Additionally, 29 of the 75 genes have been previously implicated in bacterial and viral infections. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction performed on ileal-derived RNA from 13 CD and nine non-IBD patients confirmed the upregulation of extracellular matrix gene MMP2 (P = 0.001), and cell proliferation gene REG1A (P = 0.063) in our pediatric CD cohort. CONCLUSION: The retrieval of 28 genes previously reported in association with adult CD emphasizes the importance of these genes in the pediatric setting. The observed upregulation of REG1A and MMP2, and their known impact on cell proliferation and extracellular matrix remodeling, agrees with the clinical behavior of the disease. Moreover, the expressions of bacterial- and virus-related genes in our CD-patient tissues support the concept that microbial agents are important in the etiopathogenesis of CD.

Gastrointestinal polyps in McCune Albright syndrome.

BACKGROUND: McCune Albright syndrome (MAS), a disorder caused by somatic activating mutations in the GNAS gene, usually presents with cutaneous, skeletal, and endocrine manifestations. While focal lesions involving multiple tissues have been identified in MAS, almost nothing is known about gastrointestinal lesions in this disease. METHODS: Two MAS patients with perioral freckling, resembling Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS), and two MAS patients without similar pigmentation underwent gastrointestinal endoscopy to establish if they had coexisting hamartomatous polyposis. Three of 4 subjects had documented GNAS mutations in peripheral blood. Genetic testing for STK11 and PRKAR1A genes was performed to exclude presence of coexistent PJS and Carney complex. Genetic testing of biopsy material was also performed. RESULTS: Hamartomatous gastrointestinal polyps with histological features similar to those in PJS were observed in all 4 subjects, only in the stomach and/or upper duodenum. Activating GNAS mutations were found in the polyps or adjacent mucosa in 3 of 4 subjects. One patient each had mutation only in the blood or tissue, while 2 patients had both. No subject harboured any detectable PRKARIA or STK11 mutation as determined by direct DNA sequencing and copy number variation analysis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm that gastrointestinal polyps are a common manifestation of MAS, indicate an overlap between MAS and PJS, and point towards a putative interaction between the GNAS and STK11 genes in the pathogenesis of these two disorders. The findings suggest a need for routine gastrointestinal endoscopy in patients with MAS, to establish the true incidence of polyps in these patients.

Clinical outcome after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children with malignancies.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies (PEG) are little-used in pediatric oncology. We evaluated complications and efficacy of PEGs in children with malignancies in a retrospective case series. Outcome measures were infection and weight gain. Sixteen PEGs were inserted in 14 patients (mean age 10.3 years; SD 5.6). Sixteen wound infections occurred in nine children (3.7 episodes/1,000 days). Mean weight-for-age z-score fell from diagnosis to PEG placement (-0.68 (SD 1.2) to -1.32 (SD 1.26); P < 0.001) but stabilized afterward. Two (12%) were removed early. PEG placement reversed early weight loss and infectious complications did not usually lead to early PEG removal.

An Australian audit of vaccination status in children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk of vaccine preventable diseases (VPD). This includes invasive pneumococcal disease and influenza. The primary aim of this study was to describe compliance with current Australian guidelines for vaccination of children and adolescents diagnosed with IBD. A secondary aim was to review the serological screening for VPD. METHODS: A random sample of patients (0-18 years at diagnosis), were selected from the Victoria Australia state based Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Register. A multi-faceted retrospective review of immunization status was undertaken, with hospital records audited, a telephone interview survey conducted with consenting parents and the vaccination history was checked against the primary care physician and Australian Childhood Immunization Register (ACIR) records. The routine primary childhood vaccinations and administration of the recommended additional influenza and pneumococcal vaccines was clarified. RESULTS: This 2007 audit reviewed the immunization status of 101 individuals on the Victorian Pediatric IBD database. Median age at diagnosis was 12.1 years, 50% were on active immunosuppressive therapy. 90% (38/42) [95% confidence intervals (CI) 77%; 97%] with complete immunization information were up-to-date with routine primary immunizations. Only 5% (5/101) [95% CI 2%; 11%] received a recommended pneumococcal vaccine booster and 10% (10/101) [95% CI 5%; 17%] had evidence of having ever received a seasonal influenza vaccine. Those living in rural Victoria (p = 0.005) and younger at the age of diagnosis (p = 0.002) were more likely to have ever received an influenza vaccine Serological testing, reviewing historical protection from VPD, identified 18% (17/94) with evidence of at least one serology sample. CONCLUSION: This study highlights poor compliance in IBD patients for additional recommended vaccines. A multi-faceted approach is required to maximize protection from VPD in this vulnerable special risk population.

Slow-transit constipation with concurrent upper gastrointestinal dysmotility and its response to transcutaneous electrical stimulation.

PURPOSE: Transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) speeds up colonic transit in children with slow-transit constipation (STC). This study examined if concurrent upper gastrointestinal dysmotility (UGD) affected response to TES. METHODS: Radio-nuclear transit studies (NTS) were performed before and after TES treatment of STC as part of a larger randomised controlled trial. UGD was defined as delayed gastric emptying and/or slow small bowel transit. Improvement was defined as increase of ≥1 Geometric Centre (median radiotracer position at each time [small bowel = 1, toilet = 6]). RESULTS: Forty-six subjects completed the trial, 34 had NTS after stimulation (21 M, 8-17 years, mean 11.3 years; symptoms >9 years). Active stimulation increased transit in >50% versus only 25% with sham (p = 0.04). Seventeen children also had UGD. In children with STC and either normal upper GI motility (NUGM) and UGD, NTS improved slightly after 1 month (57 vs. 60%; p = 0.9) and more after 2 months (88 vs. 40%; p = 0.07). However, mean transit rate significantly increased with NUGM, but not UGD (5.0 ± 0.2: 3.6 ± 0.6, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Transcutaneous electrical stimulation was beneficial for STC, with response weakly associated with UGD. As measured by NTS, STC children with NUGM responded slightly more, but with significantly greater increased transit compared to those with UGD. Higher numbers are needed to determine if the difference is important.

Feasibility of 3-T MRI for the evaluation of Crohn disease in children.

BACKGROUND: Crohn disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the oral cavity to the anal canal. It occurs in all ages and is a significant cause for morbidity in children. Interest in MRI evaluation of CD has increased because of the concern regarding cumulative radiation dose from contrast fluoroscopic studies and CT. Several reports have demonstrated MRI to be a useful technique for CD. Most of these studies were performed at 1.5-T field strength. Imaging at a higher field strength, with a greater signal-to-noise ratio, has the potential of reducing scan times and increasing the resolution. However, there is a concurrent increase in artefacts, and these can be pronounced with abdominal imaging at 3 T. OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility of 3-T MRI for CD in children and to assess the value of different sequences and the effect of artefacts that could potentially limit the role of bowel MR imaging at higher field strengths. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 46 children with biopsy-proven CD (ages 8-19 years, 53% boys) was performed. Sixty-eight consecutive MRI studies were performed on a 3-T scanner between 2005 and 2007; 42 of the abdomen (62%) and 26 of the pelvis/perineum (38%). Sorbitol was administered for the abdominal studies; orally for 36/42 (86%) studies and via a naso-jejunal (NJ) tube for 6/42 (14%) studies. For the abdomen, T2-W half-fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo (T2-W HASTE), true steady-state free precession (true FISP), pre-contrast and contrast-enhanced (CE) T1-volume interpolated gradient-echo (T1-W VIBE) and CE T1-W fast low-angle shot (T1-W FLASH) sequences were performed. For the perianal and pelvic assessment, fat-saturated T2-W turbo spin-echo (TSE), pre-contrast and CE T1-W FLASH or VIBE sequences were performed. The sequences were scored for diagnostic quality by two paediatric radiologists for visualisation of the bowel wall, whether normal or pathological and the visualization of extra intestinal manifestations. The effects of distension, susceptibility artefact and motion were assessed. RESULTS: Six (14%) abdominal MRI studies were normal. Thirty-six (86%) were abnormal with good correlation with endoscopic findings. The pelvic and perianal MRI studies were all abnormal (26/26, 100%) with good correlation with proctoscopy and examination under anaesthesia. All the sequences had high average scores (greater than or close to 3), except true FISP with a score of 2.4. The score was greatest in those who had NJ administration of sorbitol; however, satisfactory distension was also possible with oral administration of contrast. True FISP was the sequence most affected by a combination of suboptimal distension and artefact from colonic contents. With adequate distension, true FISP image quality improved remarkably. The overall score of this sequence was satisfactory in the absence of susceptibility and movement artefact. CONCLUSION: With appropriate attention to technique, with optimal distension and control of movement, high-quality, 3-T assessment of the abdomen, pelvis and perineum is possible. All sequences used at 1.5 T can be used at 3 T, however true FISP was the most prone to artefact.

Pancreatic trauma in children.

PURPOSE: To document the demographics, mechanisms and outcome of traumatic pancreatitis in children at a single large tertiary referral centre in Australia. METHODS: We undertook a 10-year retrospective audit of children admitted to the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia with a hospital coded diagnosis which included pancreatic injury between 1993 and 2002. Data included patient demographics, source of admission, mechanism of injury, pancreatic complications, associated injuries, intensive care unit admission, results of any operative findings, results of any acute computed tomography and/or ultrasound imaging of pancreas, selected laboratory findings and length of stay. RESULTS: We identified two distinct groups of patients in the 91 documented cases of pancreatic trauma (median age 8.0 years, range 0.6-15.8 years; M:F 2.5:1.0): 59 had a history of abdominal trauma and elevated serum lipase but no CT or ultrasound evidence of pancreatic injury (Group A); 32 had a history of abdominal trauma, elevated serum lipase but also had CT scan and/or ultrasound evidence of pancreatic injury (Group B). Patients with "less severe" injury based on normal imaging had a lower initial lipase level [Group A, median 651 U/L (interquartile range 520-1,324) vs. Group B, 1,608 U/L (interquartile range 680-3,526); p = 0.005] and shorter admission time [Group A, 9.0 days (interquartile range 5.5-15.5) vs. Group B, 13.4 days (interquartile range 6.8-23.8); p = 0.04]. There were no differences with respect to mortality (Group A, 13.5% vs. Group B, 12.5%), but patients with evidence of injury on imaging were more likely to have surgical intervention (p = 0.0001). The single most important overall cause of pancreatic trauma was involvement in a motor vehicle accident as a passenger or pedestrian. However, in children with high-grade ductal injury, bicycle handlebar injuries were most common. Associated injuries were common in both groups. CONCLUSION: Significant pancreatic injury can occur in the absence of abnormality on medical imaging. Pancreatic trauma commonly occurs in the context of multiple injuries after motor vehicle accidents in children and bicycle handlebar injuries, especially in boys. Most children can be treated conservatively, with surgical intervention being limited to high-grade ductal injury.

Trunk strength and mobility changes in children with slow transit constipation.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: It appears that there are no published reports on childhood slow transit constipation (STC) that have considered the state of the musculoskeletal components of the trunk in these children. The present study aimed to determine whether children with STC have different trunk musculoskeletal characteristics that might be related to their defecation difficulties, compared to controls. METHODS: With the aid of computer-analyzed photographs and clinical testing, 41 children with STC and 41 age-matched controls were examined for Marfanoid features, sitting posture, spinal joint mobility and trunk muscle strength. The latter was assessed by measuring maximum voluntary abdominal bulging and retraction in sitting, and active trunk extension in prone-lying. Levels of general exercise and sedentary activities were evaluated by questionnaire. RESULTS: STC subjects were more slumped in relaxed sitting (P < or = 0.001), less able to bulge (P < or = 0.03) and less able to actively extend the trunk (P = 0.02) compared to controls. All subjects sat more erect during abdominal bulging (P < or = 0.03). CONCLUSION: The results show that STC children have reduced trunk control and posture, which indicates that clinicians should include training of trunk muscles and correction of sitting posture. There was no evidence that children with STC exercised less than the controls.

Standard medical therapies do not alter colonic transit time in children with treatment-resistant slow-transit constipation.

BACKGROUND: Slow transit constipation (STC) is a form of chronic constipation characterised by prolonged passage of faecal matter through the colon. It is diagnosed by demonstrating delayed colonic transit on gastrointestinal transit studies. Traditionally, radio-opaque marker studies are performed. Recently, radioisotope nuclear transit studies (NTS) have been used in our centre to assess gastrointestinal transit time. This study aimed to evaluate if there are changes in colonic transit in STC children resistant to standard medical treatment over a prolonged period. METHODS: Children with STC resistant to standard medical therapy for > or =2 years who had undergone two separate NTS to assess their colonic transit (where the first study had identified slow colonic transit without anorectal retention) were identified after ethical approval. The geometric centre (GC) of radioisotope activity at 6, 24, 30 and 48 h was compared in the two transit studies to determine if changes occurred. RESULTS: Seven children (4 males) with proven STC resistant to standard medical therapy and two transit studies performed at different times were identified. Mean age was 7.0 years (5.4-10.8 years) at first study, and 11.4 years (9.7-14.2 years) at second study, with a mean of 4.4 years (1-8.5 years) between studies. There was no significant difference in colonic transit at any timepoint in the two tests (paired t test). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that nuclear transit studies are reproducible in assessing slow colonic transit in children with treatment-resistant STC and demonstrate that conventional medical treatment over many years has no effect on underlying colonic motility.