• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.9
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• pp.824-829
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• 2010

The safety and effectiveness of colonoscopy in the investigation of lower gastrointestinal tract pathology in children has been established for more than 2 decades in Korea. The skill and experience have since advanced to the point that both diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy are now routinely performed by most pediatric gastroenterologists. Pediatric colonoscopy differs significantly from its adult parallels in nearly every aspect including patient and parent management and preparation, selection criteria for sedation and general anesthetic, bowel preparation, expected diagnoses, instrument selection, imperative for terminal ileal intubation, and requirement for biopsies from macroscopically normal mucosa. Investigation of inflammatory bowel disease, whether for diagnosis or follow-up evaluation, and suspected colonic polyps are the most common indication for pediatric colonoscopy. The child who presents with signs and symptoms of lower gastrointestinal disorder should undergo colonoscopy with biopsy to make the diagnosis, as well as to help determine the appropriate therapy. This review introduces practical information on pediatric colonoscopy, the author's experiences, and the role of colonoscopic examination in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric lower gastrointestinal disorders.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.218-227
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• 2022

Purpose: To analyze the characteristics of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) over the past three decades in Argentina and determine if there are differences between the first two decades and the past decade. Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicenter analytical study in children with IBD between 0 and 18 years of age diagnosed between 1987 and 2017 in three tertiary health centers in Argentina. The evaluation included clinical characterization, endoscopy, histology, and imaging data together with therapeutic strategies. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1, diagnosed between 1987 and 2007, and Group 2, diagnosed between 2008 and 2017. Results: Of the 756 patients included, 409 (54%) had ulcerative colitis (UC), 250 (33%) had Crohn's disease (CD), and 97 (13%) had IBD-unclassified (IBD-U). The positive family history was 3.8%, which was more frequent among children under two years of age (6.7%). There were no significant differences in clinical presentation and extraintestinal manifestations between periods, with hepatic manifestations being the most frequent. In the last decade, we found an upward trend in CD, a downward trend in UC/IBD-U, even after adjustment for socioeconomic status, and a decrease of 50% in surgical treatments coinciding with the advent of biological therapy. Conclusion: This is the first multicenter cohort study in a Latin American country to describe clinical, endoscopic, and therapeutic data across the past 30-year period. Although CD was responsible for the overall increase in incidence, UC was still prevalent in this region.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.268-275
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• 2015

Purpose: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare condition that can be associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to evaluate PSC and its association with IBD in children. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 13 pediatric patients (<18 years) with PSC treated at Asan Medical Center between June 1989 and December 2013. Clinical findings and long-term outcomes were investigated. During the same period, the incidence of PSC among IBD patients was evaluated among 600 Crohn disease (CD) and 210 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. Results: All 13 study patients diagnosed with PSC also presented with IBD. Eleven boys and two girls with a median age of 15.0 years old (9.0-17.8 years) were included. The cumulative incidence of PSC for UC was 5.7% (12 of 210) and 0.2% for CD (1 of 600), respectively. PSC occurred during follow-up for IBD for five patients (38.5%) whereas, IBD developed during follow-up for PSC for two patients (15.4%), and was diagnosed during the initial work-up for PSC for 6 patients (46.2%). For the 77.3 month median follow-up period, 9/13 patients (69.2%), neither the clinical symptoms nor blood test results worsened. Two cases (15.4%) developed liver cirrhosis and underwent liver transplantation. Among 13 PSC patients with IBD, two (15.4%) developed colorectal cancer, and no one developed cholangiocarcinoma. Conclusion: All patients with PSC in this study had associated IBD. The incidence of PSC was not rare compared to reports in adults. PSC should be considered during the management of IBD and vice versa in children.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.286-291
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• 2015

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease. Mesalizine for the first-line therapy of UC has adverse effects include pancreatitis, pneumonia and pericarditis. UC complicated by two coexisting conditions, however, is very rare. Moreover, drug-related pulmonary toxicity is particularly rare. An 11-year-old male patient was hospitalized for recurring upper abdominal pain after meals with vomiting, hematochezia and exertional dyspnea developing at 2 weeks of mesalizine therapy for UC. The serum level of lipase was elevated. Chest X-ray and thorax computed tomography showed interstitial pneumonitis. Mesalizine was discontinued and steroid therapy was initiated. Five days after admission, symptoms were resolved and mesalizine was resumed after a drop in amylase and lipase level. Symptoms returned the following day, however, accompanied by increased the serum levels of amylase and lipase. Mesalizine was discontinued again and recurring symptoms rapidly improved.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.147-154
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• 2014

Purpose: Gender differences in paediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are frequently reported as a secondary outcome and the results are divergent. To assess gender differences by analysing data collected within the Swiss IBD cohort study database since 2008, related to children with IBD, using the Montreal classification for a systematic approach. Methods: Data on gender, age, anthropometrics, disease location at diagnosis, disease behaviour, and therapy of 196 patients, 105 with Crohn's disease (CD) and 91 with ulcerative or indeterminate colitis (UC/IC) were retrieved and analysed. Results: The crude gender ratio (male : female) of patients with CD diagnosed at <10 years of age was 2.57, the adjusted ratio was 2.42, and in patients with UC/IC it was 0.68 and 0.64 respectively. The non-adjusted gender ratio of patients diagnosed at ${\geq}10$ years was 1.58 for CD and 0.88 for UC/IC. Boys with UC/IC diagnosed <10 years of age had a longer diagnostic delay, and in girls diagnosed with UC/IC >10 years a more important use of azathioprine was observed. No other gender difference was found after analysis of age, disease location and behaviour at diagnosis, duration of disease, familial occurrence of IBD, prevalence of extra-intestinal manifestations, complications, and requirement for surgery. Conclusion: CD in children <10 years affects predominantly boys with a sex ratio of 2.57; the impact of sex-hormones on the development of CD in pre-pubertal male patients should be investigated.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.90-97
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• 2019

Crohn disease has a wide spectrum of clinical presentations and rarely can present with complications such as a bowel stricture or fistula. In this case report, we describe a 17-year-old male who presented with a history of recurrent anterior abdominal wall abscesses and dysuria. He was diagnosed with Crohn disease and also found to have a fistulous communication between the terminal ileum and a patent urachus. An ileocecectomy with primary anastomosis and complete resection of the abscess cavity was performed. He is on azathioprine for maintenance therapy and currently in remission. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for this complication in Crohn disease patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of urachal anomalies such as suprapubic abdominal pain, dysuria, umbilical discharge, and periumbilical mass.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 2021

Purpose: To assess parent perspectives of the current and potential future tests for their child with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: New Zealand parents of a child with IBD were invited to complete an anonymous online survey. Experiences relating to their child's blood or faecal tests, medical imaging (abdominal ultrasound [US], abdominal computerised tomography [CT] and magnetic resonance enterography) and colonoscopy were collected. Perceived attitudes to potential future testing of urine, saliva, and breath, were sought. Results: Twenty-eight parents, 93% female completed the survey, and 86% were aged between 35 and 54 years. Baseline information was provided by parents for 27 of 28 children, 70.3% had Crohn's disease with a mean disease duration of 2.67 years. Blood tests were the most requested and completed tests, while CT was the least ordered and most refused test. Colonoscopy was rated as the least comfortable and generated the most worry. Explanation of test significantly improved parent's levels of understanding when their child had blood, faecal, imaging (US) or colonoscopy tests. Providing an explanation, test invasiveness and the impact of the blood results may have on their child's treatment significantly improved parents' comfort levels. However, explanation of colonoscopy generated a significant parental concerns. Saliva, urine and blood tests were chosen as the most preferred disease monitoring tests. Conclusion: Parents preferred any tests less invasive than colonoscopy for monitoring their child's IBD. Although providing explanation of their child's tests enhanced parents' understanding, it can also affect parents' levels of concern and comfort.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.104-112
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• 2024

Purpose: Immunosuppressive therapy is frequently administered to patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which may make them more susceptible to infections like hepatitis B. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients aged 5-18 years diagnosed with IBD who visited a gastroenterology clinic along with controls who were the same age as the patients with IBD and were healthy overall. A logistic regression analysis using the independent variables of age, sex, race, disease phenotype, surgery, and medications and the dependent variable of adequate hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) titers (>10 mIU/mL) was performed on quantitative serum HBsAb titers. Results: The study enrolled 62 patients, including 37 males and 25 females. Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and indeterminate colitis were diagnosed in 16, 22, and 24 patients, respectively. Thirty-nine patients were taking corticosteroids at the time of the study, 42 were taking immunomodulators, and four were taking biologics. Compared to 44.7% of the control group, 9.3% of the patients had protective titers. Only 12 out of 62 patients had HBsAb titers greater than 10 million IU/mL. None of the patients who received biologics or corticosteroids and 3.2% of those who received immunomodulators were found to be seroimmuned. Conclusion: The younger patients had the highest titers. Patient-specific factors that may impact these low titers include the length of the patient's illness and the use of immunosuppressants.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.152-161
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• 2019

Purpose: We examined the prevalence of anemia, annual screening for anemia, and treatment of anemia with iron among children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: A retrospective study of U.S. pediatric patients with IBD was performed in the MarketScan commercial claims database from 2010-2014. Children (ages 1-21) with at least two inpatient or outpatient encounters for IBD who had available lab and pharmacy data were included in the cohort. Anemia was defined using World Health Organization criteria. We used logistic regression to determine differences in screening, incident anemia, and treatment based on age at first IBD encounter and sex. Results: The cohort (n=2,446) included 1,560 Crohn's disease (CD) and 886 ulcerative colitis (UC). Approximately, 85% of CD and 81% of UC were screened for anemia. Among those screened, 51% with CD and 43% with UC had anemia. Only 24% of anemia patients with CD and 20% with UC were tested for iron deficiency; 85% were iron deficient. Intravenous (IV) iron was used to treat 4% of CD and 4% UC patients overall and 8% of those with anemia. Conclusion: At least 80% of children with IBD were screened for anemia, although most did not receive follow-up tests for iron deficiency. The 43%-50% prevalence of anemia was consistent with prior studies. Under-treatment with IV iron points to a potential target for quality improvement.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.337-345
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• 2021

The immune system is not fully developed in human neonates and infants; breastfeeding is important in this stage as the bioactive components of human breast milk are known to have anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects, and can therefore contribute to an infant's immunity against allergies, asthma, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory bowel disease. Herein, the positive effect on the immune system by human colostrum and milk are reviewed.