Parents' attitudes toward childhood COVID-19 immunization in Croatia: a multicenter cross-sectional study.

Aim: To assess parents' attitudes toward childhood COVID-19 immunization in Croatia.

Methods: In this multicenter cross-sectional study, we collected data from four tertiary care facilities in Zagreb, Split, and Osijek between December 2021 and February 2022. During the visit to the Pediatric Emergency Departments, parents were asked to fill out a highly-structured questionnaire about their attitudes toward COVID-19 immunization in children.

Gut Microbiota Composition Changes following Discontinuation of Exclusive Enteral Nutrition in Children with Crohn's Disease.

This study aims to determine changes in the intestinal microbiota of children with Crohn's disease (CD) before and during exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) and after its discontinuation. A total of 14 newly diagnosed children with CD (median age 16.0 years; 43% female) were included in this study.

Impact of an exercise program in children with inflammatory bowel disease in remission.

Background: The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of a structured exercise program on bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition parameters in children and adolescents with IBD in remission.

Methods: Patients were recruited to participate in a 6-month exercise program. Total body less head (TLBH) dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure BMD.

Diet and Pediatric Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Mediterranean Countries.

Background: The increased intake of FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyol) rich foods has been suggested as a possible trigger of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). Despite the high FODMAP content, the Mediterranean diet (MD) appears to have beneficial effects on health. Our aim was to evaluate whether the prevalence of FGIDs in different Mediterranean countries may be influenced by FODMAP consumption and adherence to the MD.

Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Mediterranean Countries According to Rome IV Criteria.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in children of Mediterranean area using Rome IV criteria and to compare the prevalence of FGIDs using Rome IV and Rome III criteria.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study enrolling children and adolescents living in Croatia, Greece, Israel, Italy, Macedonia, and Serbia. Subjects were examined in relation to the presence of FGIDs, using the Rome IV criteria.

Pediatric tertiary emergency care departments in Zagreb, Rijeka, and Split before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: a Croatian national multicenter study.

Aim: To assess the number of visits to pediatric emergency departments in Croatia and reasons for visiting before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of pediatric patients visiting emergency departments of four tertiary medical centers between February 25 and April 25, 2018 and 2019, and between February 25 and April 24, 2020. Antimicrobial prescription was analyzed as well.

Clinical and Electrophysiological Characteristics of Ventricular Tachycardias From the Basal Septum in Structural Heart Disease.

Objectives: This study describes the clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of basal-septal ventricular tachycardias (VTs) in patients with structural heart disease (SHD).

Background: The basal septum is a common source of VT in patients with SHD.

Methods: Data from 312 consecutive patients with SHD undergoing catheter ablation of ventricular arrhythmias were reviewed.

Modified Crohn's disease exclusion diet is equally effective as exclusive enteral nutrition: Real-world data.

Background: Data on the efficacy of the newly established dietetic treatment of Crohn's disease (CD), the CD exclusion diet (CDED), are scarce. The aim of this study was to provide real-world data on the efficacy of CDED in comparison with exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) for remission induction.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of children diagnosed with CD who were treated with CDED + partial EN (PEN) or with EEN was performed.

Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity Is Associated With Higher Bone Mineral Density in Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Objectives: Decreased mineral bone density (BMD) and reduced lean body mass (LBM) are common amongst children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of our cross-sectional, observational study was to evaluate the relationship between BMD, body composition and physical activity (PA) in children with IBD in remission.

Methods: Total body less head (TLBH) dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure BMD, fat mass (FM) and lean body mass (LBM).

Epicardial-Endocardial Reentry in Ischemic Cardiomyopathy.

In ischemic cardiomyopathy, endocardial reentry has traditionally been the mechanistic paradigm for understanding ventricular tachycardia (VT). However, recognition is growing that epicardial myocardium is a critical component for VT substrate, even in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. In this report, we present a novel case of a three-dimensional VT reentry involving epicardial components and an endocardial exit.

Use of probiotics in the treatment of functional abdominal pain in children-systematic review and meta-analysis.

Functional abdominal pain is a very frequent functional gastrointestinal disorder but still without adequate treatment options. Therefore, the main aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate strain-specific probiotic effects on functional abdominal pain in children. This was a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials published in a period up to 1st of April 2020 that analyzed probiotic interventions for pediatric functional abdominal pain.

Healthy Siblings of Children With Crohn's Disease Exhibit More Rapid Changes in Microbiota Composition as a Response to Exclusive Enteral Nutrition.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) on the microbiota composition of the newly diagnosed Crohn's disease (CD) patients and to determine the effect of EEN received for 2 days in siblings of patients with CD.

Methods: Newly diagnosed pediatric CD patients (n = 17) and unaffected healthy siblings (n = 10) participated in the study. In CD patients, stool samples were collected at 3 time points: prior to therapy introduction, the second day of EEN therapy, and the last day of EEN therapy.

Incidence and Geographical Variability of Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Croatia: Data From the Croatian National Registry for Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

The aim of this study was to determine the annual incidence and geographic distribution of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Croatia. This is a prospective, cohort, multicenter observational study based on the data obtained from the Croatian national registry for children with IBD. Children and adolescents younger than 18 years diagnosed with IBD, in time period between June 1, 2016, and May 31, 2017, were recruited.

Position Statement on the Management of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices in Australia During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Living Document.

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a significant stress on health resources in Australia. The Heart Rhythm Council of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand aims to provide a framework for efficient resource utilisation balanced with competing risks when appropriately treating patients with cardiac arrhythmias. This document provides practical recommendations for the electrophysiology (EP) and cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) services in Australia.

Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 is effective in the treatment of functional abdominal pain in children: Results of the double-blind randomized study.

Background & Aims: Possible therapeutic effect of Lactobacillus (L.) reuteri DSM 17938 has been reported in children with functional abdominal pain (FAP) but data are inconclusive.

Methods: This is a randomized double-blinded controlled trial (RCT) which assessed effect of L.

IBD phenotype at diagnosis, and early disease-course in pediatric patients in Croatia: data from the Croatian national registry.

Background: Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) presents with extensive phenotype. The aim of this study was to determine the phenotype of pediatric IBD patients in Croatia at diagnosis and follow-up.

Methods: Children were prospectively recruited into Croatian IBD national registry.

Development of a sheep model of atrioventricular block for the application of novel therapies.

Introduction: Sheep have been adopted as a pre-clinical large animal for scientific research as they are good models of cardiac anatomy and physiology, and allow for investigation of pathophysiological processes which occur in the large mammalian heart. There is, however, no defined model of atrioventricular block in sheep to allow for pre-clinical assessment of new cardiac treatment options. We therefore aimed to develop an adult sheep model of atrioventricular block with the focus on future novel applications.

Correction to: Nutritional status and food intake in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease at diagnosis significantly differs from healthy controls.

The authors of the published original version of the above article wanted to correct the below text in the Abstract section.

Focal Ventricular Tachycardias in Structural Heart Disease: Prevalence, Characteristics, and Clinical Outcomes After Catheter Ablation.

Objectives: This study sought to summarize the procedural characteristics and outcomes of patients with structural heart disease (SHD) who have focal ventricular tachycardia (VT).

Background: Scar-mediated re-entry is the predominant mechanism of VT in SHD. Some SHD patients may have a focal VT mechanism that remains poorly described.

Catheter ablation of ventricular arrhythmia guided by a high-density grid catheter.

Introduction: Minimal data exist on the Advisor HD Grid (HDG) catheter and the Precision electroanatomic mapping (EAM) system for ventricular arrhythmia (VA) procedures. Using the HDG catheter, the EAM uses the high-density (HD) wave mapping and best duplicate software to compare the maximum peak-to-peak bipolar voltages within a small zone independent of wavefront direction and catheter orientation. This study aimed to summarize the procedural experience for VAs using the HDG catheter.

Altered Gut Microbiota Is Present in Newly Diagnosed Pediatric Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background And Aims: Clinical and experimental data suggest that gut microbiota plays an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to determine intestinal microbiota in newly diagnosed patients with IBD and to compare it with patients' healthy siblings who share same genetic and environmental background and to healthy unrelated controls.

Methods: Molecular approach targeting 16S ribosomal RNA was employed for analyzing the gut microbiota of participants' stool samples.

Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation in Non-ischemic Cardiomyopathy.

Non-ischemic cardiomyopathies are a heterogeneous group of diseases of the myocardium that have a distinct proclivity to ventricular arrhythmias. Of these, ventricular tachycardias pose significant management challenges with the risk of sudden cardiac death and morbidity from multiple causes. Catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardias is becoming an increasingly utilised intervention that has been found to have significant benefits with improving symptoms, reducing anti-arrhythmic drug burden and debilitating device therapies, thereby improving quality of life.

Central Catheter-related Bloodstream Infection Rates in Children on Home Parenteral Nutrition.

Reliable venous access is prerequisite for patients receiving long-term parenteral nutrition (PN). Central venous catheters are, however, an important risk factor for the development of potentially lethal complications, including catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). We have retrospectively assessed the incidence of CRBSIs in children on long-term PN who were treated at the Children's Hospital Zagreb from January 2011 until January 2019 and the cost effectiveness of the use of taurolidine line locks in children at home PN (HPN).