Scoring the therapeutic effects of oral propranolol for infantile hemangioma: A prospective study comparing the Hemangioma Activity Score (HAS) with the Hemangioma Severity Scale (HSS).

Background: Validated and reliable instruments to measure disease severity are needed to substantiate the benefit of therapies for infantile hemangioma. Two purpose-made systems have been described: the Hemangioma Activity Score (HAS) and the Hemangioma Severity Scale (HSS).

Objective: We sought to compare the HAS with the HSS in terms of ease of use, accuracy, and outcome in infants treated with oral propranolol.

Children With Anorectal Malformations, Hirschsprung Disease, and Their Siblings: Proxy Reports and Self-Reports.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to compare parent proxy reports with that of self-reports of children with anorectal malformations (ARMs) or Hirschsprung disease (HD) and healthy siblings and thereafter was examine whether these comparisons differed between patients and their siblings.

Methods: Parents (n = 98) of either children with ARM (n = 44) or HD (n = 54) and a healthy sibling (n = 98) recruited from the 6 Dutch pediatric surgical centers and from the ARM and HD patient societies were included in this cross-sectional multilevel study. Agreement between child self-reports and parent proxy reports was compared through mean differences and through (intraclass) correlations.

Educational paper: therapy of infantile haemangioma--history and current state (part II).

Unlabelled: Infantile haemangioma (IH) is the most frequent tumour of infancy. Although it is benign and self-limiting, severe complications can arise due to localisation and fast tumour growth. Also, IHs leave scars after regression in more than half of the cases.

Educational paper: Pathogenesis of infantile haemangioma, an update 2014 (part I).

Unlabelled: Infantile haemangioma (IH) is the most frequent childhood tumour. Although it is benign and self-limiting, severe complications can arise due to localisation and fast tumour growth. Management and therapy of IH has changed greatly after 2008 with propranolol.

Effects of reconstructive surgery on bladder function in patients with anorectal malformations.

Purpose: Bladder dysfunction is common in patients with anorectal malformations and can be congenital or acquired as a consequence of surgery. We investigated the effects of surgical correction of anorectal malformations on bladder function.

Materials And Methods: The charts of all 341 patients who underwent surgery at our center between 1990 and 2010 were retrospectively analyzed for preoperative and postoperative videourodynamics.

Educational paper: parenting a child with a disfiguring condition-how (well) do parents adapt?

Unlabelled: Studies indicate serious levels of stress among parents of children with a medical condition. Moreover, adaptation seems to be a specific challenge for parents of children with a disfiguring condition because of the visible nature of the condition. In the present overview, we performed a literature search in PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO to identify both qualitative and quantitative studies concerning psychological distress among parents of children with a disfiguring condition.

Infantile hemangioma: treatment with short course systemic corticosteroid therapy as an alternative for propranolol.

Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are increasingly being treated with propranolol or other beta-blockers, but before this therapeutic option was available, oral glucocorticosteroids (GCSs) were the criterion standard treatment and are still the alternative modality in problematic cases. Nevertheless, there is no standard treatment protocol for the dose and duration of GCSs. Long-term treatment with GCSs is associated with unwanted side effects such as growth suppression, behavioral changes, and reflux.

Late vs early ostomy closure for necrotizing enterocolitis: analysis of adhesion formation, resource consumption, and costs.

Background: Surgeons prefer to close ostomies at least 6 weeks after the primary operation because of the anticipated postoperative abdominal adhesions. Limited data support this habit. Our aim was to evaluate adhesion formation-together with an analysis of resource consumption and costs-in patients with necrotizing enterocolitis who underwent early closure (EC), compared with a group of patients who underwent late closure (LC).

Evaluation of intra-lesional corticosteroids in the treatment of peri-ocular haemangioma of infancy: still an alternative besides propranolol.

Purpose: Haemangioma of infancy (HOI) is the most frequently occurring benign tumour of infancy. Alarming HOI require treatment. Current therapy is empirically based; corticosteroids are often administered but in recent publications propranolol was reported to be more effective.

Rhabdoid tumor mimicking hemangioma.

We report a young boy with a malignant tumor, which remained unrecognized for 8 months because it was assumed to be a hemangioma. The presentation of a rhabdoid tumor mimicking hemangioma is very rare. It was reported only on two earlier occasions.

Thoracoscopic repair in congenital diaphragmatic hernia: patching is safe and reduces the recurrence rate.

Purpose: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) has traditionally been repaired via a laparotomy. More and more reports on thoracoscopic repair are being published. The aim of this study was to evaluate our series of thoracoscopic CDH repair and compare this group to an open repair group treated during the same period in the same institute.

A prospective comparative evaluation of persistent respiratory morbidity in esophageal atresia and congenital diaphragmatic hernia survivors.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to compare long-term respiratory morbidity in children after repair of esophageal atresia (EA) or congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Patients And Methods: Children were seen at 6, 12, and 24 months and 5 years within a prospective longitudinal follow-up program in a tertiary children's hospital. Respiratory morbidity and physical condition were evaluated at all moments.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in children is not a minor procedure: risk factors for major complications.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) provides for enteral nutrition in children with feeding problems. PEG, however, is not without complications. The present study has a twofold aim: (1) comparing our incidence of major complications after PEG with the incidence in other centers, and (2) identifying risk factors for major complications.

Factors affecting quality of life of children and adolescents with anorectal malformations or Hirschsprung disease.

Objectives: First, to compare the quality of life (QL) and perceived self-competence of children and adolescents with anorectal malformations or Hirschsprung disease with that of reference groups. Second, to identify predictors of QL.

Patients And Methods: A total of 491 patients with anorectal malformations or Hirschsprung disease were sent a questionnaire, which assessed QL (mental, physical), disease-specific functioning (defecation-related), perceived self-competence (self-esteem, athletic competencies, school attitude), and demographic characteristics (sex, age).

Nonpalpable testes: is there a relationship between ultrasonographic and operative findings?

Background: Ultrasonography (US) as a diagnostic tool in the work-up of boys with nonpalpable testes (NPT) is still controversial.

Objective: To evaluate the relation between US and operative findings in boys with NPT.

Materials And Methods: During a 7-year period we saw 135 boys with 152 NPT.

Explaining change in quality of life of children and adolescents with anorectal malformations or Hirschsprung disease.

Objectives: The purpose of this work was to examine changes in quality of life, disease-specific functioning, and psychosocial competencies of children and adolescents (8-16 years of age) with anorectal malformations or Hirschsprung disease and to identify predictors of change in quality of life by testing an explanatory model in which background variables explained changes in quality of life via changes in disease-specific functioning and psychosocial competencies.

Methods: Questionnaires were administered to 129 patients with anorectal malformations and 121 patients with Hirschsprung disease within a 3-year interval. Clinical and sociodemographic background variables were measured on the first occasion.

Hirschsprung's disease: healthcare meets the needs.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the types of healthcare services used by children, adolescents, and adults with Hirschsprung Disease (HD) in relation to the severity of the initial defect (mild, severe), whether additional care was needed, the provision of information, transfer to adult care, and satisfaction with the care provided.

Methods: Three hundred twenty (71%) HD patients, ages 6 to 54, completed a questionnaire that assessed the use of healthcare services, the need for more healthcare, the provision of information, the transfer to adult care and satisfaction with the provided care.

Results: In 6 months, 45% of the children, 14% of the adolescents, and 15% of the adults consulted a medical specialist.

Study of the factors associated with recurrence in children with sacrococcygeal teratoma.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore effects of (1) histological involvement of resection margins with microscopic residue, (2) incomplete removal of coccyx, and (3) tumor spillage on recurrence and on survival in children operated upon for sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT).

Methods: Retrospective review of 70 patients treated between 1960 and 2003.

Results: Fifty-four girls and 16 boys presented with SCT diagnosed prenatally (12), at birth (37), or later (21).

Explaining change over time in quality of life of adult patients with anorectal malformations or Hirschsprung's disease.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine changes in the quality of life of adult patients with anorectal malformations or Hirschsprung's disease over a three-year interval and to identify demographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables that explain possible quality-of-life changes. Understanding the factors that affect changes in quality of life over time is particularly important to provide adequate care.

Methods: Questionnaires were administered to 261 patients (77 percent), with a three-year interval.

Ovarian germ cell tumors in children: a clinical study of 66 patients.

Background: Ovarian germ cell tumors are rare in childhood. The aim of this study is to review clinical presentation, management, and outcome in a two-center series of girls with ovarian germ cell tumor.

Procedure: The records of 66 patients (median age 9 years) with histologically proven ovarian germ cell tumor (either benign or malignant), treated over a 44-year-span, were reviewed.

Retroperitoneal germ cell tumors: a clinical study of 12 patients.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to examine the clinical presentation, method(s) of treatment, complications, and results in newborns and infants with retroperitoneal germ cell tumors (GCTs).

Methods: A retrospective chart review of all patients treated between 1974 and 2002 for GCT located in the retroperitoneum in 2 institutions identified 12 patients with histologically proven retroperitoneal GCT. Vital data concerning pregnancy and delivery were analyzed.

Anorectal malformations: does healthcare meet the needs?

Objectives: The first aim was to identify the types of healthcare services used by children, adolescents, and adults with anorectal malformation (ARM) in relation to the severity of their disease and to examine whether additional care was needed. The second aim was to evaluate specific areas in the healthcare system, including provided information, transfer from pediatric to adult care, and satisfaction with the provided care.

Methods: Three hundred eighty-six (61%) patients with ARM, ages 6 to 52, completed a questionnaire that assessed their use of healthcare services and the need for additional services.

Strategy for management of newborns with cervical teratoma.

Background: Cervical teratomas are extremely rare tumors with high perinatal mortality and morbidity rates.

Objective: To compare our experience and outcome in newborns with cervical teratoma with similar reports from the literature, in order to propose a structured approach.

Methods: A retrospective review of seven patients treated between 1986 and 2000 was performed.

Critical factors affecting quality of life of adult patients with anorectal malformations or Hirschsprung's disease.

Objectives: The first objective was to compare the quality of life of adult patients with anorectal malformations (ARM) or Hirschsprung's disease (HD) and to compare both groups with healthy people. And the second objective was to examine the factors that affect the quality of life of patients with ARM or HD, using a theoretical model in which patients' background characteristics explain quality of life via mediating disease-specific functioning and psychosocial functioning.

Methods: Three hundred and forty-one patients completed a questionnaire, which assessed sociodemographic characteristics, disease-specific and psychosocial functioning, and quality of life.