Exploring potential noninvasive biomarkers in eosinophilic esophagitis in children.

Background And Aims: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) continues to present clinical challenges, including a need for noninvasive tools to manage the disease. To identify a marker able to assess disease status in lieu of repeated endoscopies, we examined 3 noninvasive biomarkers, serum interleukin (IL)-5, serum eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN), and stool EDN, and examined possible correlations of these with disease phenotype and activity (symptoms and histology) in a longitudinal study of children with EE.

Subjects And Methods: Children with EE were studied for up to 24 weeks (12 weeks on 1 of 2 corticosteroid therapies and 12 weeks off therapy).

Accuracy and tolerability of the Bravo catheter-free pH capsule in patients between the ages of 4 and 18 years.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine if the Bravo pH capsule is comparable to the nasally placed pH catheter in terms of pH-metry, safety, and tolerability in children.

Methods: Ten patients each in the age ranges of 4 to 6 years, 7 to 10 years, and >10 years were tested simultaneously with the catheter and the capsule. Six each were tested with the catheter alone or the capsule alone.

Severe liver injury after initiating therapy with atomoxetine in two children.

Two children presented with acute hepatitis after starting therapy with atomoxetine (Strattera). In one child, no competing diagnosis could be identified, and liver injury resolved completely on withdrawal of the medication. In the second child, the evaluation was suggestive of type 1 autoimmune hepatitis; she subsequently improved with removal of atomoxetine and concomitant immunosuppressive therapy.

Cysteinyl leukotriene levels in esophageal mucosal biopsies of children with eosinophilic inflammation: are they all the same?

Objectives: Allergic eosinophilic esophagitis (AEE) is characterized by intense eosinophilic inflammation of the esophageal mucosa. Cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLT) are eosinophil chemoattractants. We studied CysLT levels in esophageal mucosa of children with AEE and controls.

White specks in the esophageal mucosa: An endoscopic manifestation of non-reflux eosinophilic esophagitis in children.

Background: White specks in the esophageal mucosa have been observed in children with eosinophilic esophagitis. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between white specks in the esophageal mucosa and allergic (non-reflux) eosinophilic esophagitis.

Methods: Endoscopic data, pH probe results, and histopathology reports for children with esophageal endoscopic abnormalities seen during a 17-month period were reviewed.