Safety of Oats in Children with Celiac Disease: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term validity and safety of pure oats in the treatment of children with celiac disease. STUDY DESIGN: This noninferiority clinical trial used a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design extended over 15 months. Three hundred six children with a biopsy-proven diagnosis of celiac disease on a gluten-free diet for ≥2 years were randomly assigned to eat specifically prepared gluten-free food containing an age-dependent amount (15-40 g) of either placebo or purified nonreactive varieties of oats for 2 consecutive 6-month periods separated by washout standard gluten-free diet for 3 months. Clinical (body mass index, Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale score), serologic (IgA antitransglutaminase antibodies, and IgA anti-avenin antibodies), and intestinal permeability data were measured at baseline, and after 6, 9, and 15 months. Direct treatment effect was evaluated by a nonparametric approach using medians (95% CI) as summary statistic. RESULTS: After the exclusion of 129 patients who dropped out, the cohort included 177 children (79 in the oats-placebo and 98 in the placebo-oats group; median, 0.004; 95% CI, -0.0002 to 0.0089). Direct treatment effect was not statistically significant for clinical, serologic, and intestinal permeability variables (body mass index: median, -0.5; 95% CI, -0.12 to 0.00; Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale score: median, 0; 95% CI, -2.5 to 0.00; IgA antitransglutaminase antibodies: median, -0.02; 95% CI, -0.25 to 0.23; IgA anti-avenin antibodies: median, -0.0002; 95% CI, -0.0007 to 0.0003; intestinal permeability test: median, 0.004; 95% CI, -0.0002 to 0.0089). CONCLUSIONS: Pure nonreactive oat products are a safe dietary choice in the treatment of children with celiac disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00808301.

Clinicoradiographic data and management of children with Chiari malformation type 1 and 1.5: an Italian case series.

INTRODUCTION: The widespread use of imaging has increased Chiari malformation (CM) diagnosis. CM shows clinical heterogeneity that makes management controversial. We aimed to evaluate the occurrence and clinical and radiographic presentation of children with CM-1 and CM-1.5, reporting possible differences according to age and management. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 46 children diagnosed with CM-1 or CM-1.5, between 2006 and 2019 at our institute. We evaluated for each subject: reason for hospital admission, clinical presentation, age at diagnosis, extent of cerebellar tonsillar herniation (CTH) and type of treatment when carried out. Affected children were assigned to three age groups. In some patients, a clinical follow-up was carried out. RESULTS: Mean age at diagnosis was 7.61 years. Mean CTH was 8.72 mm. Syringomyelia was found in 10.9%. Twenty-six individuals (56.5%) were symptomatic. The most frequent symptom was headache (34.8%). There were no statistically significant differences between the age groups with regard to the amount of CTH (p = 0.81). Thirteen children (28.3%) underwent surgical treatment. CTH was significantly higher in the surgical group (p < 0.01). Twenty-three patients (50%) performed a 3-year mean follow-up, 17 of whom had no surgery treatment. CTH was stable in 58.8%, reduced in three and increased in three, without any change in symptoms. Only one child showed a worsening in herniation and symptoms, then requiring surgery. CONCLUSION: Frequency and type of symptoms were consistent with those reported in the literature. Conservative approach is a viable option for minimally symptomatic patients, most of whom did not show clinical worsening at follow-up.

Two rare cases of benign hyperlipasemia in children.

Gullo's syndrome is a newly identified condition characterized by a chronic elevation of pancreatic amylase and/or lipase in the absence of pancreatic disease. Until now, only one case of benign isolated hyperlipasemia in children has been recorded. We describe two children with benign and not familial increase of serum lipase. Case 1: a six year old girl presented with occasional discovery of serum lipase elevation. Medical history was silent for pancreatic hyperenzymemia. The screening for possible causes for elevated lipase (genetic, autoimmune and infectious diseases) was normal. The serum lipase increased three fold over the upper limit (193 U/L; reference range 0-60 U/L), with daily fluctuation of values. Both ultrasound scan and magnetic resonance imaging were normal. The genetic mutation associated with chronic pancreatitis was negative. We followed up this patient for two years with blood tests every six months and she did not show any signs or symptoms of pancreatic disease, except for the high level of lipase serum. Case 2: an eight year old girl complained of nausea, vomiting and severe abdominal pain in the epigastric region after eating for the last two weeks. Full blood count, electrolytes, C-reactive protein, liver and renal function were normal. Serum lipase was 96 U/L (reference range 0-60 U/L). The screening for the possible causes of pancreatic disease was negative. Endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract, ultrasound, computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging were normal. One year after the presentation of the symptoms, the patient became asymptomatic although the level of serum lipase continued to be high.

Helicobacter pylori infection and atopic diseases: is there a relationship? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: To review and conduct a meta-analysis of the existing literature on the relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), atopy and allergic diseases. METHODS: Studies published in English assessing the prevalence of atopy and/or allergic diseases in patients with H. pylori infection and the prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients with atopy and/or allergic diseases were identified through a MEDLINE search (1950-2014). Random-effect model was used for the meta-analysis. RESULTS: Pooled results of case-control studies showed a significant inverse association of H. pylori infection with atopy/allergic disease or with exclusively atopy, but not with allergic disease, whereas pooled results of cross-sectional studies showed only a significant association between allergic disease and H. pylori infection. CONCLUSION: There is some evidence of an inverse association between atopy/allergic diseases and H. pylori infection, although further studied are needed.

Allergic conjunctivitis: a comprehensive review of the literature.

Ocular allergy represents one of the most common conditions encountered by allergists and ophthalmologists. Allergic conjunctivitis is often underdiagnosed and consequently undertreated. Basic and clinical research has provided a better understanding of the cells, mediators, and immunologic events, which occur in ocular allergy. New pharmacological agents have improved the efficacy and safety of ocular allergy treatment. An understanding of the immunologic mechanisms, clinical features, differential diagnosis, and treatment of ocular allergy may be useful to all specialists who deal with these patients. The purpose of this review is to systematically review literature underlining all the forms classified as ocular allergy: seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, perennial allergic conjunctivitis, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, atopic keratocongiuntivitis, contact allergy, and giant papillary conjunctivitis.