Esophageal food bolus impaction in pediatric age.

OBJECTIVES: Esophageal food impaction (EFI) is the sudden onset of dysphagia that occurs when a food bolus becomes lodged in the esophagus, requiring endoscopic removal. Scientific data on the prevalence and causes of EFI in children is lacking. The aim of this study was to provide further insights into EFI episodes in children. METHODS: We have prospectively enrolled all children admitted for a first episode of EFI between March 2018 and March 2023. A fluoroscopic contrast study was performed in all patients to confirm the boluses and assess their position. Boluses were extracted by esophagogastroduodenoscopies, and esophageal biopsies were routinely obtained for histologic evaluation. RESULTS: Over the study period, 41 children were admitted for a first episode of food impaction. Drooling was the most commonly reported symptom. Half children experiencing a first episode of food bolus were diagnosed with EoE (20/41, 48.8%). Almost a fourth of the episodes subtended a different condition, such as esophageal anastomotic, peptic or congenital strictures, stricturing caustic esophagitis, esophageal duplication, and achalasia. In the last fourth of patients the cause of EFI was not identified and thus probably related to quick eating and inadequate chewing of food. DISCUSSION: Our study represents the largest known series of pediatric patients evaluated for food bolus impaction. Our main finding is the high frequency of EoE, which accounts for a half of EFI episodes in pediatric age, especially in older children. This finding highlights the importance of obtaining esophageal biopsies after the endoscopic bolus removal in children with EFI to provide a complete diagnostic evaluation.

The role of high-resolution impedance manometry to identify rumination syndrome in children with unexplained foregut symptoms.

OBJECTIVES: Diagnosis of rumination syndrome (RS) relies on Rome IV criteria. Oesophageal high-resolution impedance manometry (HRIM) can objectively demonstrate the episodes of rumination, but its role in the diagnostic pathway is not yet established. We aimed to demonstrate the clinical contribution of this tool for the timely diagnosis of RS and diagnostic work-up of children with unexplained foregut symptoms deemed to be due to other conditions. METHODS: HRIMs performed between 2012 and 2021 were searched to retrieve all diagnoses of RS. Medical records were reviewed for clinical data. RESULTS: Out of 461 HRIMs performed, 76 children had manometric diagnosis of RS (35 male, median age: 13 years). Of them, 47% were not clinically suspected as the symptoms did not fulfil clinical criteria for RS. The indications for HRIM in these cases were investigation of unexplained foregut symptoms (37%), suspected refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (8%) and dysphagia (2%). Among all HRIMs performed for investigations of unexplained foregut symptoms (n = 80), 35% demonstrated rumination episodes. CONCLUSION: Identification of characteristic patterns of rumination on HRIM in children with unexplained foregut symptoms enables the immediate diagnosis of RS. Thus, in situations of diagnostic uncertainty, the use of HRIM at early stages of the diagnostic pathway would reduce unnecessary investigations and treatments.

Drugs in Focus: Domperidone.

Domperidone is a peripheral dopamine-2 receptor antagonist with prokinetic and antiemetic properties. Its prokinetic effects are mainly manifest in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Currently its use is restricted to relief of nausea and vomiting in children older than 12 years for a short period of time. However, among (pediatric) gastroenterologists, domperidone is also used outside its authorized indication ("off label") for treatment of symptoms associated with gastro-esophageal reflux disease, dyspepsia, and gastroparesis. Little is known about its efficacy in the treatment of GI motility disorders in children and controversial data have emerged in the pediatric literature. As its use is off label, appropriate knowledge of its efficacy is helpful to support an "off label/on evidence" prescription. Based on this, the purpose of this review is to summarize all evidence on the efficacy of domperidone for the treatment of GI disorders in infants and children and to report an overview of its pharmacological properties and safety profile.

Risk factors for catheter-related bloodstream infections associated with home parental nutrition in children with intestinal failure: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) is the most common, potentially life-threatening complication of long-term parenteral nutrition (PN). We prospectively assessed the incidence and risk factors for CRBSI in children receiving long-term home PN (HPN) for intestinal failure (IF) in a single IF rehabilitation center. METHODS: Data regarding episodes and potential risk factors for CRBSI in children on HPN were prospectively recorded. RESULTS: Forty-one of 75 children were diagnosed with CRBSI. The overall CRBSI rate was 1.61 per 1000 catheter days. The indications for HPN were gastrointestinal motility disorders in 35%, short bowel syndrome (SBS) in 28% graft versus host disease (GvHD) post bone marrow transplant in 17%, congenital enteropathy in 15%, and severe neurodevelopmental impairment in 5%. Gastrointestinal motility disorders had significantly higher CRBSI rate compared to other groups (p < 0.0005; 2.74 in motility group vs 1.54 in GvHD group vs 0.52 in congenital enteropathies vs 0.36 in SBS group vs 0.67 in severe neurodevelopmental delay). Multivariate analysis revealed that enterocutaneous distal stoma (ileostomy or colostomy) (HR 3.35 [95% CI, 1.63-6.86]; p < 0.001), age <2 years (HR 0.28 [95% CI, 0.15-0.53]; p < 0.0001), male sex (HR 2.28 [95% CI, 1.51-3.43]; p < 0.0001), non-use of taurolidine citrate lock (HR 2.70 [95% CI, 1.72-4.11]; p < 0.0001) and gastrointestinal motility disorder (HR 3.02 [95% CI, 1.81-4.91]; p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for developing CRBSI. CONCLUSIONS: Extra care in managing PN connections and disconnections should be taken in children with an underlying gastrointestinal motility disorder, distal enterocutaneous stoma, male sex and those aged <2 years since they are at a significantly higher risk of CRBSI. Early introduction of taurolidine lock should be considered.

Safety and Efficacy of Split-Dose Thiopurine vs Low-Dose Thiopurine-Allopurinol Cotherapy in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Split-dose thiopurine and allopurinol-thiopurine cotherapy strategies have been suggested as rescue therapeutic options for children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and impaired thiopurine metabolism. We compared the efficacy and safety of these regimens in patients who previously failed conventional thiopurine treatment. METHODS: Children with IBD treated with split-dose thiopurine or low-dose thiopurine-allopurinol cotherapy were retrospectively identified. Medical records were reviewed for demographics, treatment regimen, reason for thiopurine failure, side effects, and discontinuation of treatment. Laboratory findings were evaluated at different time points. RESULTS: After prior therapeutic failure, 42 patients were on split-dose regimen (group A) and 20 patients were on thiopurine-allopurinol cotherapy (group B). Twelve patients crossed from group A to group B because of treatment failure, 1 patient was lost at follow-up, and 1 patient discontinued the treatment. The final cotherapy group comprised 29 children (group C), while the split-dose group (group D) included 31 children. Intention-to-treat analysis showed significant differences between split-dose regimen and thiopurine-allopurinol cotherapy for 6-thioguanine nucleotide (6-TGN)/6-methyl mercaptopurine (6-MeMP) ratio ( P < 0.001), 6-TGN ( P < 0.05), and 6-MeMP ( P < 0.001) at 1-3 months. As per protocol analysis, there was a significant difference between group C and group D at 6 months for 6-MeMP ( P < 0.05) and 6-TGN/6-MeMP ratio ( P < 0.05) and at 12 months for 6-MeMP ( P < 0.05) and 6-TGN/6-MeMP ratio ( P < 0.001). Side effects were more frequent in allopurinol-thiopurine cotherapy ( P < 0.05). DISCUSSION: In children with IBD and impaired thiopurine metabolism, split-dose thiopurine and low-dose thiopurine-allopurinol cotherapy are both effective therapeutic strategies. The latter shows higher efficacy but a higher side effect rate, suggesting the use of split-dose regimen as the first-line approach.

Nutritional Management of Intestinal Failure due to Short Bowel Syndrome in Children.

BACKGROUND: The most common cause of intestinal failure (IF) in childhood remains short bowel syndrome (SBS), where bowel mass is significantly reduced due to a congenital atresia or resection and parenteral nutrition (PN) needed. Home PN has improved outcome and quality of life, but the long-term therapeutic goal is to achieve enteral autonomy whilst avoiding long term complications. This paper is aimed at discussing nutritional strategies available to clinicians caring for these patients. METHODS: A literature search was performed from 1992 to 2022 using Pubmed, MEDLINE and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and recent guidelines were reviewed. In the absence of evidence, recommendations reflect the authors' expert opinion. RESULTS: Consensus on the best possible way of feeding children with IF-SBS is lacking and practice varies widely between centres. Feeding should commence as soon as possible following surgery. Oral feeding is the preferred route and breast milk (BM) the first milk of choice in infants. Donor BM, standard preterm or term formula are alternatives in the absence of maternal BM. Extensively hydrolysed or amino acid-based feeds are used when these are not tolerated. Solids should be introduced as soon as clinically appropriate. Children are encouraged to eat by mouth and experience different tastes and textures to avoid oral aversion. Aggressive weaning of PN and tube (over-) feeding are now discouraged. CONCLUSIONS: To date, uniform agreement on the optimal type of feed, timing of food introduction and feeding regime used is lacking and great difference in practice remains. There is need for more research to establish common treatment protocols.

Pharmacological interventions for pediatric irritable bowel syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Irritable bowel syndrome is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder in children, characterized by recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel habits in terms of both frequency and consistency. According to change in stool consistency it is categorized into 4 subtypes. From the etiological perspective, it is a combination of factors takes part in symptoms' generation, the overall treatment response rate is often unsatisfactory if a multidisciplinary is not pursued. AREAS COVERED: The aim of this manuscript is to summarize the current pharmacotherapy in pediatric irritable bowel syndrome in order to aid clinicians in treating this challenging disorder. EXPERT OPINION: Most evidence involving pediatric populations rely on open label or retrospective studies and/or are not specifically designed for irritable bowel syndrome but tend to generalize their results to mixed populations of children with functional gastrointestinal disorders. A high placebo response rate combined with poor patients' selection could account for the overall weak evidence supporting the use of pharmacological agents in pediatric irritable bowel syndrome. Given the multifaceted nature of the disorder, multidisciplinary approaches combining pharmacotherapy with alternative treatments is highly recommendable.

SARS-CoV-2 and the Gastrointestinal Tract in Children.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is predominantly a respiratory disease. However, its significant impact on the gastrointestinal (GI) system is now well-known. SARS-CoV-2 enters cells via the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptor, which is abundantly expressed on lung cells, but also on enterocytes. Several etiopathogenetic mechanisms have been postulated to explain the GI involvement in COVID-19, including loss in intestinal absorption, microscopic mucosal inflammation and impaired ACE-2 function, which plays a significant role in maintaining gut homeostasis. In children the GI manifestations include anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, which may represent the earliest presenting symptoms of the disease. However, although rare, a significant GI mucosal inflammation, such as terminal ileitis mimicking an atypical appendicitis, and other GI manifestations have been reported. COVID-19 pandemic has posed a significant challenge in healthcare provision in term of ability in providing safe diagnostic procedures, face-to-face consultations, and offering comprehensive care. For instance, changes in health services have raised the risk of empirical or sub-optimal management of chronic GI disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) due to delayed endoscopic and clinical assessment. This review will discuss the acute GI involvement in COVID-19 in children and reflect on challenges and major changes observed in clinical practice during COVID-19 pandemic by sharing both the published literature and personal experience. We also suggest potential strategies for providing optimal gastroenterology care during this unprecedented era.

Daily Fructose Traces Intake and Liver Injury in Children with Hereditary Fructose Intolerance.

BACKGROUND: Hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI) is a rare genetic disorder of fructose metabolism due to aldolase B enzyme deficiency. Treatment consists of fructose, sorbitol, and sucrose (FSS)-free diet. We explore possible correlations between daily fructose traces intake and liver injury biomarkers on a long-term period, in a cohort of young patients affected by HFI. METHODS: Patients' clinical data and fructose daily intake were retrospectively collected. Correlations among fructose intake, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level, carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) percentage, liver ultrasonography, genotype were analyzed. RESULTS: We included 48 patients whose mean follow-up was 10.3 ± 5.6 years and fructose intake 169 ± 145.4 mg/day. Eighteen patients had persistently high ALT level, nine had abnormal CDT profile, 45 had signs of liver steatosis. Fructose intake did not correlate with ALT level nor with steatosis severity, whereas it correlated with disialotransferrin percentage (R2 0.7, p < 0.0001) and tetrasialotransferrin/disialotransferrin ratio (R2 0.5, p = 0.0001). p.A150P homozygous patients had lower ALT values at diagnosis than p.A175D variant homozygotes cases (58 ± 55 IU/L vs. 143 ± 90 IU/L, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: A group of HFI patients on FSS-free diet presented persistent mild hypertransaminasemia which did not correlate with fructose intake. Genotypes may influence serum liver enzyme levels. CDT profile represents a good marker to assess FSS intake.