Reduced Presentation of Biliary Atresia During the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Population Based Observational Study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether there has been a change in presentations of biliary atresia (BA) in England and Wales during the first and second coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdowns (January-June 2020 and 2021).

Design: This population study assessed all confirmed cases of BA, from January 2020 to December 2021 across the 3 UK pediatric liver centers originating from England and Wales. Data was then compared to the incidence of confirmed BA cases from January to December 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Severe acute hepatitis and acute liver failure of unknown origin in children: a questionnaire-based study within 34 paediatric liver centres in 22 European countries and Israel, April 2022.

To detect potential concern about severe acute hepatitis in children, we conducted a survey among 50 ERN RARE-LIVER centres. By 26 April 2022, 34 centres, including 25 transplant centres, reported an estimated median of 3-5, 0-2 and 3-5 cases in 2021, 2020 and 2019 and a mean of 2 (range: 0-8) cases between January and April 2022 (mean in 10 large liver transplant centres: 3). Twelve centres reported suspicion of an increase, but no rise.

Sofosbuvir and Ribavirin Therapy for Children Aged 3 to <12 Years With Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 2 or 3 Infection.

Currently, the only approved hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment for children aged <12 years is pegylated interferon plus ribavirin. In an open-label study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of sofosbuvir plus ribavirin for 12 weeks in children aged 3 to <12 years chronically infected with genotype 2 or for 24 weeks in patients with genotype 3. Patients aged 3 to <6 years weighing <17 kg received sofosbuvir 150 mg, and patients aged 3 to <6 years weighing ≥17 kg and all patients aged 6 to <12 years received sofosbuvir 200 mg once daily.

Mutation detection in cholestatic patients using microarray resequencing of ATP8B1 and ABCB11.

Background : Neonatal cholestasis is a common presentation of childhood liver diseases and can be a feature of various conditions including disorders of bile acid biogenesis and transport, various inborn errors of metabolism and perinatal infections. Some inherited metabolic diseases can be easily screened using biochemical assays, however many can only be accurately diagnosed by DNA sequencing. Fluorescent capillary Sanger sequencing (FS) is the gold standard method used by clinical laboratories for genetic diagnosis of many inherited conditions; however, it does have limitations.

Combined liver-intestine grafts compared with isolated intestinal transplantation in children: a single-center experience.

Background: Intestinal transplantation is known to be associated with a high risk of early complications and mortality.

Methods: We analyzed prospective data of 51 primary small bowel transplantations from December 1999 to August 2009 and identified perioperative factors that impact on early mortality (≤6 months after transplantation) after isolated intestinal (IITx; n=12) and combined liver-intestinal transplantation (CLITx group; n=39).

Results: Ten patients died during the first 6 months after transplantation, all of them in CLITx group (n=10/51, 19%).

Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance in liquid-based cytologic specimens: results of reflex human papillomavirus testing and histologic follow-up in routine practice with comparison of interpretive and probabilistic reporting methods.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing for high-risk types after Papanicolaou (Pap) smear interpretations of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) is a sensitive method for identifying women who harbor underlying high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). To the authors' knowledge, the application of HPV testing to ASCUS smears in routine practice with comparison of probabilistic and interpretive models of cytologic reporting has not been reported.

Methods: HPV DNA testing was performed reflexively on 216 liquid-based Pap smears that initially were interpreted as ASCUS.

Transplantation for cystic fibrosis: outcome following early liver transplantation.

Background And Aim: Life expectancy in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) has recently improved due to numerous factors, including a multidisciplinary approach to their management. Prolonged survival may have led to an increasing impact of liver disease on the prognosis of CF patients. The aim of this study was to assess the role of liver transplantation in patients with CF.