Characteristics and management of eosinophilic esophagitis in Australasian children: a decade of experience.

Background: The frequency of EoE has been increasing in Northern Hemisphere cohorts, yet there is a scarcity of data in our region. Regional climatic factors, and lifestyle habits may influence the presentation of EoE, and appropriate management is crucial to prevent complications. WIth this is mind we undertook the first comprehensive multisite study of EoE in Australasian children.

A questionnaire-based assessment of gastrointestinal symptoms in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Children commonly report gastrointestinal symptoms. Limited evidence suggests that children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) report more gastrointestinal symptoms than healthy children without diabetes. The aim of this study was to ascertain the pattern and severity gastrointestinal symptoms reported by children with diabetes and healthy children without diabetes.

Paediatric eosinophilic oesophagitis in New Zealand: A 3-year prospective study.

Aim: Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) is a rare, chronic, relapsing immune/antigen-mediated disease characterised by symptoms of oesophageal dysfunction, with a paucity of data among New Zealand (NZ) children. This 3-year prospective study aimed to characterise EoE diagnosed nationally and to describe initial treatment strategies adopted.

Methods: Information on new diagnoses of paediatric EoE was obtained via the New Zealand Paediatric Surveillance Unit, through monthly questionnaires.

Transition clinics: an observational study of themes important to young people with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Transition from paediatric to adult services can be stressful and potentially disruptive for adolescents diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aimed to ascertain transition-related factors relevant to young people in New Zealand.

Methods: Adolescents diagnosed with IBD prior to their 16 birthday were asked to participate in focus groups to generate transition-related themes.

Gastric emptying in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus: A pilot study.

Aim: Delayed gastric emptying (GE) has been demonstrated in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Little is known about GE in children with T1DM. Most methods to measure GE are invasive, that is, scintigraphy, or are only indirectly related to GE, that is, electrogastrography.

Looking for coeliac disease in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Aim: To establish how clinicians in New Zealand (NZ) approach screening for and management of coeliac disease (CD) in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in their paediatric patients.

Methods: All clinicians caring for children under 15 years with T1DM in NZ in 2010 were asked to complete an online survey detailing their personal and departmental approach to diagnosing and managing patients with CD and T1DM.

Results: Thirty-four from 37 clinicians responded to the survey.

Effectiveness of the surgical safety checklist in correcting errors: a literature review applying Reason's Swiss cheese model.

Approximately 2,700 patients are harmed by wrong-site surgery each year. The World Health Organization created the surgical safety checklist to reduce the incidence of wrong-site surgery. A project team conducted a narrative review of the literature to determine the effectiveness of the surgical safety checklist in correcting and preventing errors in the OR.