A multicenter registry study on percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation for pediatric disorders of gut-brain interaction.

OBJECTIVES: Percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation (PENFS) has demonstrated promise in single-center trials for pediatric abdominal pain-related disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI). Our aim was to explore efficacy of PENFS as standard therapy for DGBI in a registry involving multiple pediatric gastroenterology referral centers. METHODS: This was a multicenter, prospective open-label registry of children (8-18 years) undergoing PENFS for DGBI at seven tertiary care gastroenterology clinics. DGBI subtypes were classified by Rome IV criteria. Parents and patients completed Abdominal Pain Index (API), Nausea Severity Scale (NSS), and Functional Disability Inventory (FDI) questionnaires before, during therapy and at follow-up visits up to 1 year later. RESULTS: A total of 292 subjects were included. Majority (74%) were female with median (interquartile range [IQR]) age 16.3 (14.0, 17.7) years. Most (68%) met criteria for functional dyspepsia and 61% had failed ≥4 pharmacologic therapies. API, NSS, and FDI scores showed significant declines within 3 weeks of therapy, persisting long-term in a subset. Baseline (n = 288) median (IQR) child-reported API scores decreased from 2.68 (1.84, 3.58) to 1.99 (1.13, 3.27) at 3 weeks (p < 0.001) and 1.81 (0.85, 3.20) at 3 months (n = 75; p < 0.001). NSS scores similarly improved from baseline, persisting at three (n = 74; p < 0.001) and 6 months later (n = 55; p < 0.001). FDI scores displayed similar reductions at 3 months (n = 76; p = 0.01) but not beyond. Parent-reported scores were consistent with child reports. CONCLUSIONS: This large, comprehensive, multicenter registry highlights efficacy of PENFS for gastrointestinal symptoms and functionality for pediatric DGBI.

Diagnostic Utility of Mucosal Biopsies Taken During Colonoscopy-Guided Colonic Manometry Catheter Placement.

OBJECTIVES: The diagnostic utility of mucosal biopsies taken during colonoscopy-guided colonic manometry catheter placement is unknown. The aims of our study were to determine the frequency and histopathology results of mucosal biopsies during these procedures and to assess whether there were any associations between the histology or gross findings with manometry results. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of children who had a colonic manometry study completed between 2008 and 2020 at a quaternary children's hospital. We captured patient demographics, biopsy locations, histopathology results, gross endoscopy findings, and manometry results. The chi-squared test and when appropriate Fisher exact test was used to evaluate categorical associations. RESULTS: One hundred forty-eight patients were included. One hundred eighteen (80%) had colonic biopsy and 63 (43%) had ileal biopsy. Colonic histology findings, which patients could have multiple, included lymphonodular hyperplasia (34%), normal (27%), chronic inflammation (24%), melanosis coli (21%), colonic eosinophilia (10%), and acute inflammation (8%). Ileal histology findings included increased Peyer patches (44%), normal (44%), acute inflammation (11%), chronic inflammation (3%), eosinophilia (5%), and eosinophilic ileitis (3%). The majority of acute and chronic inflammation was graded as mild. There were no statistically significant associations of histology to gross endoscopy or manometry findings. CONCLUSIONS: Colonic biopsies are obtained in the majority of patients presenting for colonic manometry evaluation with ileal biopsies obtained less frequently. Histopathology findings are noted frequently, but the majority are the result of or did not impact clinical care. There were no associations between abnormal histopathology or abnormal gross endoscopy findings with colonic manometry results.

The Role of Surgical Management in Chronic Pancreatitis in Children: A Position Paper From the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Pancreas Committee.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is rare in childhood but impactful because of its high disease burden. There is limited literature regarding the management of CP in children, specifically about the various surgical approaches. Herein, we summarize the current pediatric and adult literature and provide recommendations for the surgical management of CP in children. METHODS: The literature review was performed to include the scope of the problem, indications for operation, conventional surgical options as well as total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation, and outcomes following operations for CP. RESULTS: Surgery is indicated for children with debilitating CP who have failed maximal medical and endoscopic interventions. Surgical management must be tailored to the patient's unique needs, considering the anatomy and morphology of their disease. A conventional surgical approach (eg, drainage operation, partial resection, combination drainage-resection) may be considered in the presence of significant and uniform pancreatic duct dilation or an inflammatory head mass. Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation is the best surgical option in patients with small duct disease. The presence of genetic risk factors often portends a suboptimal outcome following a conventional operation. CONCLUSIONS: The morphology of disease and the presence of genetic risk factors must be considered while determining the optimal surgical approach for children with CP. Surgical outcomes for CP are variable and depend on the type of intervention. A multidisciplinary team approach is needed to assure that the best possible operation is selected for each patient, their recovery is optimized, and their immediate and long-term postoperative needs are well-met.

Hirschsprung disease and other gastrointestinal motility disorders in patients with CCHS.

Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) is an autonomic nervous system dysfunction due to PHOX2B gene mutation. Little is known about gastrointestinal motility disorders in CCHS patients. This study aims to describe the spectrum of gastrointestinal motility disorders in CCHS and provide PHOX2B genotype-phenotype correlation with Hirschsprung Disease (HD). We reviewed the records of 72 CCHS patients seen at Children's Hospital Los Angeles from 1999 to 2019. Data collected included demographics, PHOX2B genotype, ventilator dependence, medical and surgical history, and gastrointestinal motility studies. Of the 72 patients, 31% had HD, 50% females, and 60% had 20/27 PARM. Rectosigmoid HD formed 73% of the cases whereas long segment (up to splenic flexure involvement) forms represented 23%. Four patients had total colonic aganglionosis, including one patient with 20/25 PARM genotype. One HD patient was identified with colonic myopathy in the residual segment. One patient was found to have achalasia type 1.Conclusion: Nearly one third of our CCHS patients had HD. Although most had 20/27 PARM, 2 patients had 20/25 PARM. Thus, CCHS patients with constipation are at risk for HD regardless of genotype. Colonic myopathy may coexist in treated HD with refractory constipation. Achalasia may occur in patients with CCHS. What is Known: • Patients with CCHS have motility disorders and present with esophageal dysmotility and constipation as a manifestation of their autonomic nervous system dysfunction. • About 20% of patients with CCHS have Hirschsprung disease and previously described to be associated with NPARM and 20/27 PARM genotype. What is New: • Thirty-one percent of CCHS patients in our series have Hirschsprung disease (HD). • HD, including the more severe total colonic aganglionosis was found in a patient with 20/25 PARM genotype suggesting that CCHS patients with constipation should be screened for HD regardless of genotype.

Management of Acute Pancreatitis in the Pediatric Population: A Clinical Report From the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Pancreas Committee.

BACKGROUND: Although the incidence of acute pancreatitis (AP) in children is increasing, management recommendations rely on adult published guidelines. Pediatric-specific recommendations are needed. METHODS: The North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Pancreas committee performed a MEDLINE review using several preselected key terms relating to management considerations in adult and pediatric AP. The literature was summarized, quality of evidence reviewed, and statements of recommendations developed. The authorship met to discuss the evidence, statements, and voted on recommendations. A consensus of at least 75% was required to approve a recommendation. RESULTS: The diagnosis of pediatric AP should follow the published INternational Study Group of Pediatric Pancreatitis: In Search for a CuRE definitions (by meeting at least 2 out of 3 criteria: (1) abdominal pain compatible with AP, (2) serum amylase and/or lipase values ≥3 times upper limits of normal, (3) imaging findings consistent with AP). Adequate fluid resuscitation with crystalloid appears key especially within the first 24 hours. Analgesia may include opioid medications when opioid-sparing measures are inadequate. Pulmonary, cardiovascular, and renal status should be closely monitored particularly within the first 48 hours. Enteral nutrition should be started as early as tolerated, whether through oral, gastric, or jejunal route. Little evidence supports the use of prophylactic antibiotics, antioxidants, probiotics, and protease inhibitors. Esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and endoscopic ultrasonography have limited roles in diagnosis and management. Children should be carefully followed for development of early or late complications and recurrent attacks of AP. CONCLUSIONS: This clinical report represents the first English-language recommendations for the management of pediatric AP. Future aims should include prospective multicenter pediatric studies to further validate these recommendations and optimize care for children with AP.

Oscillatory lower body negative pressure impairs task related functional hyperemia in healthy volunteers.

Neurovascular coupling refers to the link between an increase in neural activity in response to a task and an increase in cerebral blood flow denoted "functional hyperemia." Recent work on postural tachycardia syndrome indicated that increased oscillatory cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFv) was associated with reduced functional hyperemia. We hypothesized that a reduction in functional hyperemia could be causally produced in healthy volunteers by using oscillations in lower body negative pressure (OLBNP) to force oscillations in CBFv. CBFv was measured by transcranial Doppler ultrasound of the left middle cerebral artery. We used passive arm flexion applied during eight periodic 60-s flexion/60-s relaxation epochs to produce 120-s periodic changes in functional hyperemia (at 0.0083 Hz). We used -30 mmHg of OLBNP at 0.03, 0.05, and 0.10 Hz, the range for cerebral autoregulation, and measured spectral power of CBFv at all frequencies. Arm flexion power performed without OLBNP was compared with arm flexion power during OLBNP. OLBNP power performed in isolation was compared with power during OLBNP plus arm flexion. Cerebral flow velocity oscillations at 0.05 Hz reduced and at 0.10 Hz eliminated functional hyperemia, while 0.03 Hz did not reach significance. In contrast, arm flexion reduced OLBNP-induced oscillatory power at all frequencies. The interactions between OLBNP-driven CBFv oscillations and arm flexion-driven CBFv oscillations are reciprocal. Thus induced cerebral blood flow oscillations suppress functional hyperemia, and functional hyperemia suppresses cerebral blood flow oscillations. We conclude that oscillatory cerebral blood flow produces a causal reduction of functional hyperemia.

Foregut Duplication Cysts in Children.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Duplications of the alimentary tract are rare anomalies. We report our experience with foregut duplication cysts including their clinical presentation, diagnostic modalities, and surgical management. METHODS: We report a 20-year retrospective review of all foregut duplication cysts managed at our institution. RESULTS: Twelve patients with 13 foregut duplication cysts were identified. The ages of the children at the time of surgery ranged from infancy to adolescence, with a mean age of 7.2 years. Half of the patients presented with abdominal pain and vomiting, and the remaining either had respiratory distress or were asymptomatic. All resections were performed electively. Two of the 11 patients had other congenital anomalies, including a congenital pulmonary airway malformation and coarctation of the aorta. One patient had prenatal diagnosis by ultrasonography. Nine patients underwent complete successful excision with no complications. Three patients whose symptoms resolved during hospitalization remained under observation because of parental preference. CONCLUSIONS: Foregut malformation in children may present with a variety of symptoms or can be found incidentally. The decision and timing of surgery is based on the clinical presentation. Surgical intervention in asymptomatic patients should be based on a thorough discussion with the parents.