Ghrelin Levels in Children With Intestinal Failure Receiving Long-Term Parenteral Nutrition.

Background: Children with intestinal failure (IF) require parenteral nutrition (PN). Transition to oral and enteral nutrition (EN) can be difficult also due to abnormal gastrointestinal motility. The gut hormone ghrelin is increased in states of negative energy balance, functioning to preserve euglycemia, and also has appetite stimulating and prokinetic properties.

Microbiome and paediatric gut diseases.

In the human gut resides a vast community of microorganisms which perform critical functions for the maintenance of whole body homeostasis. Changes in the composition and function of this community, termed microbiome, are believed to provoke disease onset, including non-communicable diseases. In this review, we debate the current evidence on the role of the gut microbiome in the pathogenesis, outcomes and management of paediatric gut disease.

Anthropometrics and fat mass, but not fat-free mass, are compromised in infants requiring parenteral nutrition after neonatal intestinal surgery.

Background: Children with intestinal failure (IF) receiving long-term parenteral nutrition (PN) have altered body composition (BC), but data on BC changes from start of PN onwards are lacking.

Objectives: We aimed to assess growth and BC in infants after neonatal intestinal surgery necessitating PN and at risk of IF, and to explore associations with clinical parameters.

Methods: A prospective cohort study in infants after intestinal surgery.

Gut microbiota and its diet-related activity in children with intestinal failure receiving long-term parenteral nutrition.

Background: This study characterized gut microbiota and its diet-related activity in children with intestinal failure (IF) receiving parenteral nutrition (PN) compared with those of healthy controls (HC) and in relation to disease characteristics.

Methods: The fecal microbiota and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were measured in 15 IF patients (n = 68) and 25 HC (n = 25).

Results: Patients with IF had a lower bacterial load (P = .

Early weight gain trajectories and body composition in infancy in infants born very preterm.

Background: Concerns are raised about the influence of rapid growth on excessive fat mass (FM) gain in early life and later cardiometabolic health of infants born preterm.

Objectives: To study the association between postnatal weight gain trajectories and body composition in infancy in infants born very preterm.

Methods: In infants born <30 weeks gestation, we evaluated associations between weight Z-score trajectories for three consecutive timeframes (NICU stay, level-II hospital stay and at home) and body composition, measured at 2 and 6 months corrected age by air-displacement plethysmography.

Body Composition Using Air Displacement Plethysmography in Children With Intestinal Failure Receiving Long-Term Home Parenteral Nutrition.

Background: Children with intestinal failure (IF) are at risk of growth failure, but little information about body composition is available. Our aim was to assess body composition using air displacement plethysmography (ADP) and relate it to clinical and growth parameters.

Methods: In this prospective descriptive observational 2-center cohort study, children aged 2-18 years receiving home parenteral nutrition (PN) for ≥6 months underwent ADP measurement.

The Gut Microbiome in Patients with Intestinal Failure: Current Evidence and Implications for Clinical Practice.

Intestinal failure (IF) is the reduction of gut function or mass below a minimum needed to absorb nutrients and fluids, such that patients are dependent on parenteral nutrition (PN). Patients with IF have an altered gut microbiome. Our aim was to review and evaluate the current evidence on gut microbiome and its metabolic activity, as well as its association with disease characteristics in adults and children with IF.

Growth, Body Composition, and Micronutrient Abnormalities During and After Weaning Off Home Parenteral Nutrition.

Objectives: The aim of the study is to assess growth, body composition, and micronutrient abnormalities in children with intestinal failure (IF) over time, both during and after weaning off parenteral nutrition (PN).

Methods: Retrospective study in children on home PN between 2001 and 2015. Weight-for-age (WFA) and height-for-age (HFA) SD scores (SDS) were calculated, as well as fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) SDS obtained by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry.

Health-related quality of life, anxiety, depression and distress of mothers and fathers of children on Home parenteral nutrition.

Background & Aims: Parents of children with intestinal failure, dependent on Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN), may experience psychosocial problems due to the illness and intensive treatment of their child. Literature concerning psychosocial problems is scarce. Therefore, we aimed to investigate Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL), levels of anxiety, depression, distress and everyday problems of these mothers and fathers.

Wide variation in organisation and clinical practice of paediatric intestinal failure teams: an international survey.

Background & Aims: We aimed to assess the current organisation and clinical practice of teams treating children with intestinal failure (IF) across Europe and compare the results with the current guideline.

Methods: A two-part online survey was sent to all the major European specialist IF services. The first part concerned general information about the team and patients monitored.

Bone health of children with intestinal failure measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and digital X-ray radiogrammetry.

Background & Aims: Children with intestinal failure (IF) receiving long-term parenteral nutrition (PN) are at risk of developing low bone mineral density (BMD). Next to the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) method, digital X-ray radiogrammetry (DXR) using the BoneXpert software has become available to obtain the Bone Health Index (BHI) in hand radiographs. In this study we 1) evaluated the prevalence of low BMD in children with IF using DXA and DXR, 2) compared DXA and DXR results, and 3) aimed to identify factors associated with low BMD.

Intestinal rehabilitation for children with intestinal failure is cost-effective: a simulation study.

Background: Children with intestinal failure (IF) depend on parenteral nutrition (PN). The goal in the treatment of IF is to wean children off PN through intestinal rehabilitation (IR). Although the healthcare burden of IF is enormous, to our knowledge there has been no previous cost-effectiveness analysis in pediatric IF including IR.

[Treatment of children with intestinal failure: intestinal rehabilitation, home parenteral nutrition or small intestine transplantation?].

Intestinal failure is characterised by inadequate absorption of food or fluids, which is caused by insufficient bowel surface area or functioning. Children with chronic intestinal failure are dependent on parenteral nutrition (PN), which can be provided at home (HPN). In the Netherlands, HPN for children is coordinated by special HPN and intestinal failure teams from the Emma Children's Hospital, the Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital and the Radboud University Medical Center.