Early neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants with intestinal failure.

Background: The survival rate of infants and children with intestinal failure is increasing, necessitating a greater focus on their developmental trajectory.

Aims: To evaluate neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with intestinal failure at 0-15months corrected age.

Study Design: Analysis of clinical, demographic and developmental assessment results of 33 children followed in an intestinal rehabilitation program between 2011 and 2014.

Cost of ambulatory care for the pediatric intestinal failure patient: One-year follow-up after primary discharge.

Background: Survival of children with intestinal failure has improved over the last decade, resulting in increased health care expenditures. Our objective was to determine outpatient costs for the first year after primary discharge.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed in pediatric intestinal failure (PIF) patients between 2010 and 2012.

Prevalence of renal abnormality in pediatric intestinal failure.

Background: Outcomes of children with intestinal failure have improved over the last decade. However, with improved survival, other co-morbidities have become evident. The goal of our study was to evaluate the presence of renal nephrocalcinosis or increased echogenicity in a cohort of patients with pediatric intestinal failure (PIF).

Use of a Loading Dose of Vitamin D for Treatment of Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients With Intestinal Failure.

Vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with intestinal failure and short bowel syndrome who have been weaned of parenteral nutrition. Dietary supplementation with vitamin D is necessary to correct this deficiency. In certain cases, routine supplementation strategy may be ineffective.

Plasma Aluminum Concentrations in Pediatric Patients Receiving Long-Term Parenteral Nutrition.

Background: Patients receiving long-term parenteral nutrition (PN) are at increased risk of aluminium (Al) toxicity because of bypass of the gastrointestinal tract during PN infusion. Complications of Al toxicity include metabolic bone disease (MBD), Al-associated encephalopathy in adults, and impaired neurological development in preterm infants. Unlike the United States, there are no regulations regarding Al content of large- and small-volume parenterals in Canada.

A CARD9 polymorphism is associated with decreased likelihood of persistent conjugated hyperbilirubinemia in intestinal failure.

Recently, genetic associations have been described in intestinal transplants. Namely, Crohn's disease susceptibility gene NOD2 polymorphisms have been reported to be more prevalent in patients with graft failure following intestinal transplantation (IT). Therefore, we sought to determine if polymorphisms in the NOD2 signaling cascade, including NOD2, CARD9, RAC1 and ATG16L1 are associated with intestinal failure (IF) or its complications.

Decreased bone turnover markers in children on long-term parenteral nutrition (PN) for intestinal failure (IF).

Background: Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a well-recognized but poorly understood complication of long-term parenteral nutrition (PN). Bone histomorphometry in adults has provided useful information but does not provide quantitative measures of bone resorption and is to invasive for children. Measurement of bone turnover markers provides an alternative less invasive approach.

Ethanol lock therapy to reduce the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infections in home parenteral nutrition patients with intestinal failure: preliminary experience.

Background: Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) cause morbidity and mortality in patients with intestinal failure dependent on parenteral nutrition. Ethanol lock of central venous catheters may decrease CRBSI, but limited pediatric data are available.

Methods: Home parenteral nutrition patients with at least one previous CRBSI were initiated on a 70% ethanol lock protocol for a minimum of 4 hours.