Colonic lymphoid nodular hyperplasia in children: relationship to food hypersensitivity.

Background & Aims: The clinical significance of lymphoid nodular hyperplasia (LNH) of the lower gastrointestinal tract is unclear. The aim of this study was to define the frequency and clinical significance of LNH in pediatric patients undergoing colonoscopy.

Methods: Two hundred forty-five children (101 male, 144 female; median age, 8.

The "red umbilicus": a diagnostic sign of cow's milk protein intolerance.

Introduction: Red umbilicus is considered to be an infectious disease typical of neonates. In our experience, umbilical erythema could be due to cow's milk protein intolerance (CMPI).

Aims: To evaluate the frequency and clinical significance of umbilical erythema in a series of consecutive children referred for suspected CMPI.

Unexplained elevated serum pancreatic enzymes: a reason to suspect celiac disease.

Background & Aims: The frequency of elevated serum pancreatic enzymes in patients with celiac disease (CD) is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of pancreatic enzymes in CD patients.

Methods: Serum pancreatic isoamylase and lipase levels were assayed in 90 adult and 112 pediatric consecutive CD patients at diagnosis and after 12 months of gluten-free diet (GFD).

Anti-transglutaminase antibody assay of the culture medium of intestinal biopsy specimens can improve the accuracy of celiac disease diagnosis.

Background: We measured anti-transglutaminase (anti-tTG) antibody in the culture medium of intestinal biopsy specimens from patients with suspected celiac disease (CD) and evaluated the relationship between antibody production and severity of intestinal mucosal damage.

Methods: We performed diagnostic testing for CD on 273 consecutive patients. In addition to routine histologic evaluation of duodenal biopsy specimens, we assayed anti-tTG antibodies in serum and in the culture medium of duodenal biopsy specimens.

Food intolerance and chronic constipation: manometry and histology study.

Background: Chronic constipation in children can be caused by cows' milk intolerance (CMI), but its pathogenesis is unknown.

Aims: To evaluate the histology and manometry pattern in patients with food intolerance-related constipation.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-six consecutive children with chronic constipation were enrolled.

Chronic constipation and food intolerance: a model of proctitis causing constipation.

Objective: Chronic constipation in children can be linked to cow's milk intolerance (CMI) but the existence of a food intolerance-dependent proctitis is still debated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the histologic data in patients with food intolerance-related constipation.

Material And Methods: Fifty-two consecutive patients (22 M, median age 4 years) with chronic constipation unresponsive to common treatment were enrolled.

Diagnostic accuracy of fecal calprotectin assay in distinguishing organic causes of chronic diarrhea from irritable bowel syndrome: a prospective study in adults and children.

Background: Fecal calprotectin (FC) has been proposed as a marker of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but few studies have evaluated its usefulness in patients with chronic diarrhea of various causes. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of a FC assay in identifying "organic" causes of chronic diarrhea in consecutive adults and children.

Methods: We consecutively enrolled 70 adult patients (30 males, 40 females; median age, 35 years) and 50 children (20 males, 30 females; median age, 3.