Airway hyperresponsiveness, remodeling and inflammation in infants with wheeze.

Background: The relationship of airway hyperresponsiveness to airway remodeling and inflammation in infants with wheeze is unclear.

Objective: To investigate airway hyperresponsiveness, remodeling and inflammation in infants with wheeze and troublesome breathing.

Methods: Inclusion criteria were as follows: full-term, 3-23 months of age; doctor -diagnosed wheeze and persistent recurrent troublesome breathing; without obvious structural defect, suspicion of ciliary dyskinesia, cystic fibrosis, immune deficiency or specified use of corticosteroids.

Long-term outcomes of oesophageal atresia without or with proximal tracheooesophageal fistula - Gross types A and B.

Purpose: Because of an extended gap between esophageal pouches a variety of methods are employed to treat oesophageal atresia (OA) without (type A) or with (type B) proximal tracheooesophageal fistula. This retrospective observational study describes their single centre long-term outcomes from 1947 to 2014.

Methods: Of 693 patients treated for OA 68 (9.

Endoscopic Surveillance After Repair of Oesophageal Atresia: Longitudinal Study in 209 Patients.

Aim: After repair of oesophageal atresia (OA), the need for endoscopic follow-up (EFU) remains unclear. To end this, we assessed the trends of oesophageal mucosal changes in successive follow-up biopsies.

Methods: EFU records of 264 patients including histological grades of oesophagitis (from 0 to III), gastric (GM) or intestinal (IM) metaplasia and dysplasia (mild to severe) at 1, 3, 5 10, 15, and >15 years after repair of OA were reviewed.

A population-based, complete follow-up of 146 consecutive patients after transanal mucosectomy for Hirschsprung disease.

Objective: The objective of the study is to define the population-based bowel functional outcomes and enterocolitis following transanal endorectal pull-through (TEPT) in patients with Hirschsprung disease (HD) treated at our institution between 1986 and 2011.

Methods: 146 consecutive patients who had undergone primary surgical treatment for HD were included. The median follow-up time was 15 (3-33) years.

Revisional surgery for recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula and anastomotic complications after repair of esophageal atresia in 258 infants.

Aim: We assessed the occurrence and outcome of major reoperations following repair of esophageal atresia with or without tracheoesophageal fistula (TOF). Major outcome measures were survival, preservation of native esophagus, and long-term esophageal function.

Methods: Hospital charts of 258 consecutive patients treated for esophageal atresia from 1980 to 2013 were reviewed.

Lung function, airway remodeling, and inflammation in infants: outcome at 8 years.

Background: Associations between early deficits of lung function, infant airway disease, and outcome at school age in symptomatic infants are still unclear.

Objective: To report follow-up data on a unique cohort of children investigated invasively in infancy to determine predictive value of airway disease for school-aged respiratory outcomes.

Methods: Fifty-three infants previously studied using bronchoscopy and airway conductance were approached at 8 years of age.

Increasing occurrence of choledochal malformations in children: a single-center 37-year experience from Finland.

Objective: Few reports on choledochal malformations (CMs) in European populations exist.

Materials And Methods: The medical records of pediatric CM patients managed in our nationwide referral center for pediatric hepatobiliary surgery between 1976 and 2013 (n = 38; 71% females) were reviewed.

Results: Over follow-up time, the relative proportion of fusiform CMs increased significantly (p = 0.

Resection of the stenotic segment with individually tailored anastomosis for symptomatic congenital tracheal stenosis in infants.

Objectives: To analyse retrospectively population-based results of congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) repair in infants in Finland.

Methods: Data on infants who were operated on for CTS in Helsinki Children's Hospital between August 1988 and May 2013 were analysed retrospectively. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy was performed perioperatively and in follow-up of all the surviving patients.

Bronchoalveolar lavage in infants with recurrent lower respiratory symptoms.

Background: Few data are available about the inflammatory cytokine profile of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from young children with frequent wheeze. The first aim was to investigate the BAL cellular and cytokine profiles in infants with recurrent lower respiratory symptoms in whom bronchoscopy was indicated for clinical symptom evaluation. The second aim was to relate the BAL results with the histological findings of the endobronchial carina biopsies.

Cultural bias in the AAP's 2012 Technical Report and Policy Statement on male circumcision.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently released its new Technical Report and Policy Statement on male circumcision, concluding that current evidence indicates that the health benefits of newborn male circumcision outweigh the risks. The technical report is based on the scrutiny of a large number of complex scientific articles. Therefore, while striving for objectivity, the conclusions drawn by the 8 task force members reflect what these individual physicians perceived as trustworthy evidence.

Outcomes of early infancy laryngeal reconstruction on health- and voice-related quality of life.

Objective: We aimed to study the voice, voice-related quality of life (VRQoL) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of children who in early infancy underwent a laryngeal split (cotton plasty operation) at the Helsinki University Central Hospital between January 1990 and December 2005.

Methods: A retrospective review identified 17 children, of whom 10 fulfilled the inclusion criteria and participated in the study. Age- and gender-matched volunteers formed a control group.

Lung function, airway remodelling and inflammation in symptomatic infants: outcome at 3 years.

Background: Relationships between early deficits of lung function, infant airway pathology and outcome in symptomatic infants are unclear. A study was undertaken to determine the associations between early lung function, airway histology and inflammation in symptomatic infants with the continuance of respiratory symptoms, lung function and subsequent use of inhaled asthma medication at the age of 3 years.

Methods: 53 children who underwent lung function measurements and bronchoscopy following referral to a specialist children's hospital for recurrent lower respiratory symptoms at a mean age of 1 year were followed up at 3 years of age.

Esophageal morbidity and function in adults with repaired esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula: a population-based long-term follow-up.

Objective: We assessed esophageal morbidity and relationships between surgical complications, symptoms, endoscopic findings, immunohistochemistry, and esophageal motility in adults with repaired esophageal atresia (EA).

Summary Of Background Data: There exist no previous population-based long-term follow-up studies on EA.

Methods: Participants were interviewed, and they underwent esophageal endoscopy and manometry.

Tumor markers AFP, CA 125, and CA 19-9 in the long-term follow-up of sacrococcygeal teratomas in infancy and childhood.

Given the tendency of a proportion of sacrococcygeal teratomas (SCT) to recur, we evaluated whether serial tumor marker measurements are helpful in the management of these children. Between 1985 and 2006, 32 children with SCT were followed up for 1-15 years, and a total of 344, 197, and 193 serial samples for serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), CA 125, and CA 19-9 were analyzed, respectively. Six children with neonatal SCT developed eight recurrences.

Longitudinal follow-up of bronchial inflammation, respiratory symptoms, and pulmonary function in adolescents after repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula.

Objective: To characterize symptoms, pulmonary function tests (PFT) and bronchial responsiveness (BR) in adolescents after repaired esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula and correlate these with endobronchial biopsy findings.

Study Design: After a primary operation, 31 patients underwent endoscopies and bronchoscopies at the age of <3, 3 to 7, and >7 years. A questionnaire on respiratory and esophageal symptoms was sent to patients at a mean age of 13.

Cancer after repair of esophageal atresia: population-based long-term follow-up.

Objective: Esophageal atresia (EA) predisposes to gastroesophageal reflux that is associated with intestinal metaplasia and may result in development of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. To date, the literature has reported 5 cases of esophageal cancer in adult patients treated for EA. The aim of this study was to find out the incidence of esophageal cancer in adult patients with repaired EA.

The cumulative incidence of significant gastroesophageal reflux in patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia-a systematic clinical, pH-metric, and endoscopic follow-up study.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is common in patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Gastroesophageal reflux may occur early after the primary repair of CDH and require antireflux surgery (ARS). It is unknown how many patients will be severely affected later on.

Prospective controlled long-term follow-up for functional outcome after anoplasty in boys with perineal fistula.

Background: Functional outcomes after treatment of low anorectal anomalies remain controversial. To address this, we conducted a controlled, prospective single-center long-term follow-up study of functional outcome in boys treated for perineal fistula with anoplasty.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-four consecutive boys treated exclusively for perineal fistula from 1992 to 2001 underwent prospective follow-up after completion of toilet training.

Human rhinovirus in bronchial epithelium of infants with recurrent respiratory symptoms.

Background: Human rhinoviruses (HRVs) are a common cause of upper respiratory tract infections. There is growing evidence that HRVs are also important in lower respiratory tract infections and often induce asthma exacerbations.

Objective: We evaluated the presence of HRV in the lower respiratory tract by obtaining bronchial biopsies from infants with recurrent asthmalike respiratory symptoms.

Fecal calprotectin remains high during glucocorticoid therapy in children with inflammatory bowel disease.

Objective: Fecal calprotectin is a promising marker for the assessment of gastrointestinal inflammation. Fecal calprotectin levels were followed-up in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who were introduced to glucocorticoid therapy. The aim of this study was to assess whether the changes in fecal calprotectin levels reflect therapeutic responses.

Increased incidence of medullary thyroid carcinoma in patients treated for Hirschsprung's disease.

Background/purpose: Mutations of the RET proto-oncogene are responsible for the development of inherited multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). RET mutations are encountered in patients with Hirschsprung's disease (HD). We hypothesized that the incidence of MTC is increased in patients with HD.

Health-related quality of life in adults after repair of congenital diaphragmatic defects--a questionnaire study.

Background And Aim: Long-term respiratory, gastrointestinal, and vertebral sequelae are common after repair of congenital diaphragmatic defects (CDDs). The aim of this study was to assess the effect of these sequelae on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of adult survivors after CDD repair.

Materials And Methods: A questionnaire, including 36-Item Health Survey Form (SF-36), 36-item Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI), 55-item Psychosocial Survey, 9-item survey for Respiratory Symptoms-Related Quality of Life Index, and a symptoms query, was sent to 94 adult survivors of CDD and to 400 healthy control subjects.

Health-related quality of life in adult patients with esophageal atresia--a questionnaire study.

Background/purpose: Long-term sequelae caused by associated anomalies or respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders are common after the repair of esophageal atresia (EA). The aim of this study was to assess the effect of these sequelae on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with EA.

Methods: A questionnaire including a 36-item Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index, a 15-item Respiratory Symptoms-Related Quality of Life Index, and a 36-item psychosocial survey and a symptoms query was sent to 159 patients with EA with or without tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), who were operated on between 1949 and 1979, and to 400 healthy control subjects.