Protocol for an international multicenter randomized controlled trial assessing treatment success and safety of peroral endoscopic myotomy vs endoscopic balloon dilation for the treatment of achalasia in children.

Introduction: Achalasia is a rare neurodegenerative esophageal motility disorder characterized by incomplete lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation, increased LES tone and absence of esophageal peristalsis. Achalasia requires invasive treatment in all patients. Conventional treatment options include endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) and laparoscopic Heller's myotomy (LHM).

Development of a Core Outcome Set for Children Aged 1-18 Years with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

Objective: To develop a core outcome set for clinical studies assessing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in children.

Study Design: This core outcome set was developed using a 2-round Delphi technique and adhering to the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Initiative (OMERACT 2.0) recommendations.

Clinical Experience With Performing Esophageal Function Testing in Children.

Objectives: Pediatric high-resolution manometry (HRM) and 24-hour pH-impedance with/without ambulatory manometry (pH-MII+/-mano) tests are generally performed using adult-derived protocols. We aimed to assess the feasibility of these protocols in children, the occurrence of patient-related imperfections and their influence on test interpretability.

Methods: Esophageal function tests performed between 2015 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed.

Neonatal microbiota development and the effect of early life antibiotics are determined by two distinct settler types.

The neonatal period, during which the initial gut microbiota is acquired, is a critical phase. The healthy development of the infant's microbiome can be interrupted by external perturbations, like antibiotics, which are associated with profound effects on the gut microbiome and various disorders later in life. The aim of this study was to investigate the development of intestinal microbiota and the effect of antibiotic exposure during the first three months of life in term infants.

Definitions of Pediatric Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders and Outcome Measures: A Systematic Review.

Objective: To systematically review definitions of functional abdominal pain orders (FAPDs) and outcome measures used in therapeutic randomized controlled trials in pediatric FAPDs adhering to the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology recommendations.

Study Design: Cochrane, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cinahl databases were systematically searched from inception to April 2018. English-written therapeutic randomized controlled trials concerning FAPDs in children aged 4-18 years were included.

Prevalence of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms in Infants and Children: A Systematic Review.

Objectives: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is defined as gastroesophageal reflux causing troublesome symptoms or complications. In this study we reviewed the literature regarding the prevalence of GERD symptoms in infants and children.

Methods: Databases of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane were systematically searched from inception to June 26, 2018.

Development of a Core Outcome Set for Infant Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

Objective: In therapeutic trials for infant gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ways to define GERD and measure and report study outcomes vary widely. The aim of this study was to develop a core outcome set (COS) for infant GERD.

Methods: The COS was developed using the Delphi technique, adhering to the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Initiative 2.

Oesophageal atresia.

Oesophageal atresia (EA) is a congenital abnormality of the oesophagus that is caused by incomplete embryonic compartmentalization of the foregut. EA commonly occurs with a tracheo-oesophageal fistula (TEF). Associated birth defects or anomalies, such as VACTERL association, trisomy 18 or 21 and CHARGE syndrome, occur in the majority of patients born with EA.

Clinical Management of Pediatric Achalasia: A Survey of Current Practice.

Objectives: Pediatric achalasia is a rare neurodegenerative disorder of the esophagus that requires treatment. Different diagnostic and treatment modalities are available, but there are no data that show how children can best be diagnosed and treated. We aimed to identify current practices regarding the diagnostic and therapeutic approach toward children with achalasia.

High-resolution impedance manometry parameters in the evaluation of esophageal function of non-obstructive dysphagia patients.

Background: High-resolution impedance manometry (HRIM) allows evaluation of esophageal bolus retention, flow, and pressurization. We explored novel HRIM measures and assessed their temporal relationship to dysphagia symptoms for boluses of different volume and consistency in non-obstructive dysphagia (NOD) patients.

Methods: Thirty-three NOD patients (n = 19 minor or no disorder of peristalsis ("Normal") and n = 14 esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction ("EGJOO")) were evaluated with HRIM.

Measurement of Salivary Pepsin to Detect Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Is Not Ready for Clinical Application.

A noninvasive test for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is desirable for adults and children. Salivary pepsin measurement has been proposed as such a test. A previous study from our group demonstrated that a maximal salivary pepsin cutoff of >210 ng/mL using the PepTest device (RD Biomed, Hull, United Kingdom) had excellent specificity of 96% but modest sensitivity of 44% to diagnose GERD, leading to optimism about its potential use.

Thickened infant formula: What to know.

Objectives: This study aimed to provide an overview of the characteristics of thickened formulas to aid health care providers manage infants with regurgitations.

Methods: The indications, properties, and efficacy of different thickening agents and thickened formulas on regurgitation and gastroesophageal reflux in infants were reviewed. PubMed and the Cochrane database were searched up to December 2016.

Pediatric Gastroesophageal Reflux Clinical Practice Guidelines: Joint Recommendations of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.

This document serves as an update of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) and the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) 2009 clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in infants and children and is intended to be applied in daily practice and as a basis for clinical trials. Eight clinical questions addressing diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic topics were formulated. A systematic literature search was performed from October 1, 2008 (if the question was addressed by 2009 guidelines) or from inception to June 1, 2015 using Embase, MEDLINE, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials.

Clinical management of pediatric achalasia.

Achalasia is a rare esophageal motility disorder. Much of the literature is based on the adult population. In adults, guidance of therapeutic approach by manometric findings has led to improvement in patient outcome.

Pediatric Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Systematic Review on Prognosis and Prognostic Factors.

In this systematic review, we summarize the evidence on prognosis and prognostic factors of pediatric gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A structured search of Embase and MEDLINE/PubMed (inception to April 2016) yielded 5365 references; 4 publications met our inclusion criteria (risk of bias moderate-high). Definitions and outcome measures varied widely between studies.

Variations in Definitions and Outcome Measures in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Systematic Review.

Context: Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is defined as GER disease (GERD) when it leads to troublesome symptoms and/or complications. We hypothesized that definitions and outcome measures in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on pediatric GERD would be heterogeneous.

Objectives: Systematically assess definitions and outcome measures in RCTs in this population.

Novel Pressure-Impedance Parameters for Evaluating Esophageal Function in Pediatric Achalasia.

Objective: In achalasia, absent peristalsis and reduced esophagogastric junction (EGJ) relaxation and compliance underlie dysphagia symptoms. Novel high-resolution impedance manometry variables, that is, bolus presence time (BPT) and trans-EGJ-bolus flow time (BFT) have been developed to estimate the duration of EGJ opening and trans-EGJ bolus flow. The aim of this study was to evaluate esophageal motor function and bolus flow in children diagnosed with achalasia using these variables.

Reliability of the reflux finding score for infants in flexible versus rigid laryngoscopy.

Objectives: The Reflux Finding Score for Infants (RFS-I) was developed to assess signs of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in infants. With flexible laryngoscopy, moderate inter- and highly variable intraobserver reliability was found. We hypothesized that the use of rigid laryngoscopy would increase reliability and therefore evaluated the reliability of the RFS-I for flexible versus rigid laryngoscopy in infants.

Pressure-flow characteristics of normal and disordered esophageal motor patterns.

Objective: To perform pressure-flow analysis (PFA) in a cohort of pediatric patients who were referred for diagnostic manometric investigation.

Study Design: PFA was performed using purpose designed Matlab-based software. The pressure-flow index (PFI), a composite measure of bolus pressurization relative to flow and the impedance ratio, a measure of the extent of bolus clearance failure were calculated.

Development of the reflux finding score for infants and its observer agreement.

Objective: It is hypothesized that laryngeal edema is caused by laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) (ie, gastroesophageal reflux extending into the larynx and pharynx). The validated reflux finding score (RFS) assesses LPR disease in adults. We, therefore, aimed to develop an adapted RFS for infants (RFS-I) and assess its observer agreement.

Upper gastrointestinal motility: prenatal development and problems in infancy.

Deglutition, or swallowing, refers to the process of propulsion of a food bolus from the mouth into the stomach and involves the highly coordinated interplay of swallowing and breathing. At 34 weeks gestational age most neonates are capable of successful oral feeding if born at this time; however, the maturation of respiration is still in progress at this stage. Infants can experience congenital and developmental pharyngeal and/or gastrointestinal motility disorders, which might manifest clinically as gastro-oesophageal reflux (GER) symptoms, feeding difficulties and/or refusal, choking episodes and airway changes secondary to micro or overt aspiration.

Low rates of adherence for tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors in Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis: results of a systematic review.

Aim: To investigate adherence rates in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-inhibitors in Crohn's disease (CD) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by systematic review of medical literature.

Methods: A structured search of PubMed between 2001 and 2011 was conducted to identify publications that assessed treatment with TNF-α inhibitors providing data about adherence in CD and RA. Therapeutic agents of interest where adalimumab, infliximab and etanercept, since these are most commonly used for both diseases.