The benefit of metformin in the treatment of pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

This is the first meta-analysis of the available literature about the efficacy of metformin exclusively in pediatric patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We conducted a systematic literature search through major electronic databases till March 12, 2023, investigating the efficacy and safety of metformin in pediatric NAFLD. Weighted mean difference (WD) and standard deviation (SD) were used for continuous outcomes. In total, 4 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 309 pediatric patients with NAFLD were included in the meta-analysis. Metformin could not reach a statistically significant improvement in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels [(ALT: WMD = - 1.55 IU/L, 95% CI: - 5.38 to 2.28, I2 = 16%, p = 0.43), but had a statistically significant impact (p < 0.05) in insulin and HOMA-IR regulation, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein level improvement.   Conclusion: According to the data of this meta-analysis, treatment with metformin failed to statistically improve liver enzymes but may be beneficial in the improvement of lipid parameters and insulin metabolism regulation in pediatric patients with NAFLD. As there are not enough available studies in the literature, the influence of metformin on liver ultrasonography or histology in pediatric NAFLD should be further analyzed in future studies. What is Known: • Lifestyle modification with weight loss through physical activity and dietary modification is the recommended treatment option for pediatric NAFLD. • Metformin may reduce steatosis on ultrasound and may have a beneficial role in liver histology collated with insulin resistance improvement. What is New: • Metformin may improve insulin sensitivity and lipid parameters in children with obesity and NAFLD. • Metformin does not have a significant effect on transaminase levels in children with obesity and NAFLD.

The efficacy of automated insulin delivery systems in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes Mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

AIMS: Insulin administration is the treatment of choice for people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). Technological advances have led to the development of automated insulin delivery (AID) systems, aiming to optimize the quality of life of patients with T1D. We present a systematic review and meta-analysis of the current literature about the efficacy of AID systems in children and adolescents with T1D. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) until August 8th, 2022, investigating the efficacy of AID systems in the management of patients < 21 years of age with T1D. A priori subgroup and sensitivity analyses based on different settings (free-living settings, type of AID system, parallel group or crossover design) were also conducted. RESULTS: In total, 26 RCTs reporting a total of 915 children and adolescents with T1D were included in the meta-analysis. AID systems revealed statistically significant differences in the main outcomes, such as the proportion of time in the target glucose range (3.9-10 mmol/L) (p < 0.00001), in hypoglycemia (<3.9 mmol/L) (p = 0.003) and mean proportion of HbA1C (p = 0.0007) compared to control group. CONCLUSIONS: According to the present meta-analysis, AID systems are superior to insulin pump therapy, sensor-augmented pumps and multiple daily insulin injections. Most of the included studies have a high risk of bias because of allocation, blinding of patients and blinding of assessment. Our sensitivity analyses showed that patients < 21 years of age with T1D can use AID systems, after proper education, following their daily activities. Further RCTs examining the effect of AID systems on nocturnal hypoglycemia, under free-living settings and studies examining the effect of dual-hormone AID systems are pending.

The efficacy and safety of corticosteroids in pediatric kidney scar prevention after urinary tract infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Acute pyelonephritis (APN) in pediatric patients may lead to kidney scarring and is one of the main causes of permanent kidney damage. The incidence of kidney scarring after one febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) is reported to range from 2.8 to 15%, with the percentage rising to 28.6% after ≥ 3 febrile UTIs. Corticosteroids may have a role in the reduction of kidney scar formation and urine cytokine levels. The possible benefit of adjuvant corticosteroid administration in the reduction of kidney scar formation in children with APN has been recently examined in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this meta-analysis was to provide a summary of the current literature about the efficacy and safety of adjuvant corticosteroid administration in the reduction of kidney scar formation in children with APN. DATA SOURCES: An extensive literature search through major databases (PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus) was carried out for RCTs from inception until October 12, 2022, investigating the efficacy and safety of adjuvant corticosteroids in preventing kidney scarring in children with APN. A risk ratio with 95% CI was used for dichotomous outcomes. RESULTS: In total, 5 RCTs with 918 pediatric patients with APN were included in the study. Adjuvant corticosteroid treatment revealed a statistically significant reduction in kidney scarring (95% CI 0.42-0.95, p = 0.03), without increasing the risk of adverse events like bacteremia, prolonged hospitalization, or recurrence of UTI. LIMITATIONS: There were limitations regarding sample size (n = 498 children), different classes of corticosteroids (methylprednisolone or dexamethasone), different routes of corticosteroid administration (intravenous or oral), and different day courses (3-day or 4-day course). CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant corticosteroid administration seems to have a beneficial effect on kidney scar reduction in children with APN. Future studies should focus on the evaluation of the efficacy and safety of corticosteroids in kidney scarring reduction after APN to strengthen the results of our study. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Hydrocele in Pediatric Population.

Hydrocele is a collection of fluid within the tunica vaginalis. Based upon the etiology and the pathophysiology, it is divided into, the primary and secondary. The primary hydrocele includes the neonatal or the congenital, the communicating and the non-communicating or the closed or the adult type. The secondary hydrocele can develop in the substrate of a pre-existing disease. After systematic and thorough systematic and thorough research of the relevant literature, we aim at describing all the aspects of this entity, with specific emphasis on the issues that remain unanswered from the scientific community.