Can the Prognosis of COVID-19 Disease Be Determined by Fecal Markers and Cytokines?

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the entire world, and has a variety of clinical presentations. The aim of this study is to determine the relationships of fecal cytokines and markers with the symptoms and prognosis of children with COVID-19 infection, and to identify noninvasive markers during follow-up. In a cohort of 40 COVID-19-positive children and 40 healthy controls, fecal cytokines and markers were examined in stool samples.

The effects of nutritional status and intervention on pulmonary functions in pediatric cystic fibrosis patients.

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) causes malabsorption of nutrients that exacerbate pulmonary problems. Nutritional interventions can improve pulmonary functions. We aimed to evaluate the effects of nutritional intervention in CF patients with malnutrition, and to determine if there is a correlation between nutritional status and pulmonary functions.

Clinical characteristics and genetic analysis of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance reseptor-related disease.

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance receptor (CFTR)-related disease is diagnosed in patients affected by CFTR dysfunction who do not fully meet the CF diagnostic criteria. Only 2% of all CF patients have CFTR-related disease. We define the demographic characteristics of such patients, described the performance of mutational analyses, and describe the clinical findings.

Paediatricians play a key role in preventing early harmful events that could permanently influence the development of the gut microbiota in childhood.

Aim: The development of the gut microbiota occurs primarily during infancy, and growing evidence has emphasised its positive role and implications for human health. The aim of this review was to provide essential knowledge about the gut microbiota and to describe and highlight the importance of the factors that influence the gut microbiota in early life and their potential harmful effects later in life.

Methods: The European Paediatric Association, the Union of the National European Paediatric Societies and Associations, convened a panel of independent European experts to summarise the research on microbiota for general paediatricians.

Serological screening for coeliac disease in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Background And Study Aims: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is characterized by autoimmune aetiology. A gene locus 4q27 related to rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and coeliac disease is associated with susceptibility to JIA. There are reports indicating several patients with JIA had been diagnosed with CD.

Serological screening for celiac disease in children with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of celiac disease (CD) in patients with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) and the potential association of JSLE and CD.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study performed from October 2015 to October 2017. A total of 50 patients with JSLE were included in the study.

Wilkie's syndrome admitted for acute abdomen: A case presentation.

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome, also known as Wilkie's Syndrome, is a life threatening clinical entity which developes as a result of obstructed second or third part of duodenum compressed between aorta and superior mesenteric artery. In this rare syndrome, a rapid weight loss is accompanied by stomach ache, abdominal distension, lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting after meals. In patients admitted for acute abdomen, superior mesenteric artery syndrome should be included in the differential diagnosis in case of a preceeding rapid weight loss.

SEROLOGICAL SCREENING FOR CELIAC DISEASE IN CHILDREN WITH COLCHICINE-RESISTANT FAMILIAL MEDITERRANEAN FEVER.

Background: Familial Mediterranean fever and celiac disease share some common clinical features such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, arthralgia and arthritis. Also, both of the diseases are associated with many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Previous studies have shown the association between familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and different clinical conditions.

A rare cause of vomiting: annular pancreas.

Annular pancreas is a rare congenital anomaly that consists of a ring of pancreatic tissue partially or completely encircling the second part of the duodenum. It can affect anyone from neonates to adults, and is difficult to diagnose because it can present in a wide range of clinical conditions. Although cases have also been reported in adults, symptomatic cases are often referred in infancy or early childhood.

Evaluation of malnutrition development risk in hospitalized children.

Objectives: Many screening methods, such as the Screening Tool Risk on Nutritional Status and Growth (STRONGkids) and the Pediatric Yorkhill Malnutrition Score (PYMS), have been developed to detect malnutrition in pediatric patients. We aimed to explore the prevalence of malnutrition risk in hospitalized children via symptoms and identification of contributing factors, and to examine the efficacy of malnutrition screening tools for hospitalized children.

Methods: STRONGkids and PYMS were applied to 1513 inpatients at 37 hospitals in 26 cities from different regions of Turkey.

Guidance on the use of probiotics in clinical practice in children with selected clinical conditions and in specific vulnerable groups.

Aim: The use of probiotics has been covered by many guidelines, position papers and evidence-based recommendations, but few have referred to specific patient groups or clinical indications. This review summarises recommendations and scientifically credited guidelines on the use of probiotics for children with selected clinical conditions and provides practice points.

Methods: An expert panel was convened by the European Paediatric Association in June 2017 to define the relevant clinical questions for using probiotics in paediatric health care and review and summarise the guidelines, recommendations, position papers and high-quality evidence.

Association of familial Mediterranean fever in Turkish children with inflammatory bowel disease.

Aim: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) carry similar clinical and biological properties. Both are characterized with chronic inflammation attacks and neutrophil migration and impaired apoptosis mechanism are present in the areas of damage in both conditions. In our study, we aimed to determine the frequency of association of FMF in patients with IBD, to compare the demographic, clinical, laboratory and treatment response properties in these patients with the ones in other IBD patients and to determine association of FMF especially in treatment-resistant patients.

Clinical features of interleukin 10 receptor gene mutations in children with very early-onset inflammatory bowel disease.

Objectives: In the present study, we studied a cohort of patients with very early onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to determine the frequency of mutations in the interleukin 10 (IL10) receptor genes as a cause of early-onset IBD.

Methods: Sanger sequencing was performed to determine the presence of IL10 and/or IL10 receptor mutations in 17 patients with a diagnosis of very early onset IBD (disease onset <2 years of age in 15 patients, between 3 and 4 years in the other 2). Mutation screening was performed including all of the coding regions of the IL10, IL10RA, and IL10RB genes.

High doses of methylprednisolone in the management of caustic esophageal burns.

Objective: Caustic substance ingestion in childhood is a public health issue in developing countries, and several management protocols have been proposed to prevent the resulting esophageal strictures. The role of corticosteroids in preventing corrosive-induced strictures is controversial. Our aim was to study the influence of high doses of corticosteroids in preventing esophageal strictures.

Shear wave elastography in the evaluation of liver fibrosis in children.

Background: Shear-wave elastography (SWE) is a novel noninvasive method that involves application of local mechanical compression on soft tissue using focused ultrasonography and acquiring strain images that show tissue response. In this study, our goal was to assess the performance of SWE in the staging of liver fibrosis in children with chronic liver disease.

Methods: The study involved measuring SWE values in the right lobe of the liver in a patient group of 76 children with chronic liver disease and a control group of 50 healthy subjects.

Can Fecal Calprotectin Level Be Used as a Markers of Inflammation in the Diagnosis and Follow-Up of Cow's Milk Protein Allergy?

Purpose: Calprotectin is a cytosolic protein with immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and antiproliferative actions. The concentration of calprotectin increases in infection, inflammation, and malignancy. We determined if calprotectin can be used as a marker for the diagnosis and follow-up of bowel inflammation in cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA).

The Incidence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children Using the Rome III Criteria and the Effect of Trimebutine Treatment.

Background/aims: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders and when compared to the vast knowledge pertaining to adults with IBS, very little is known about IBS in children and adolescents. We aimed to explore the prevalence of IBS, identify symptoms and contributing factors and also to examine the efficacy of trimebutine maleate in children and adolescents.

Methods: The study involved 345 children and adolescents (4-18 years) and parents were requested to fill in a questionnaire, Rome III criteria was used to diagnose IBS.

Association of inflammatory bowel disease with familial Mediterranean fever in Turkish children.

Background And Aims: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) share common clinical and biological features. The prevalence of other inflammatory diseases, including IBD, is increased in FMF. We investigated the presence of IBD accompanying FMF in patients who were being followed up with a diagnosis of FMF and the relation of IBD with the MEFV gene mutation.