Saudi consensus guidance for the diagnosis and management of inflammatory bowel disease in children and adolescents.

The management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children and adolescents is challenging. Clear evidence-based guidelines are required for this population. This article provides recommendations for managing IBD in Saudi children and adolescents aged 6-19 years, developed by the Saudi Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Saudi Society of Clinical Pharmacy and the Saudi Gastroenterology Association.

Predictors of biliary atresia outcome: Saudi National Study (2000 - 2018).

Background: Outcomes in biliary atresia (BA) have been well-documented in large national cohorts from Europe, North America, and East Asia. Understanding the challenges that preclude success of the Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE) is the key to improve the overall outcomes of BA and implementing intervention strategies. Here, we analyzed the data from the Saudi national BA study (204 BA cases diagnosed between 2000 and 2018) to identify the prognostic factors of BA outcomes.

The Epidemiology and Outcome of Biliary Atresia: Saudi Arabian National Study (2000-2018).

Background: The epidemiology and outcomes of biliary atresia (BA) have been well-documented in national cohorts from two main ethnicities, namely, the Asian Orientals and Caucasians, with incidence ranging from 1 in 5,000 to 1 in 9,000 live births in East Asia and 1 in 15,000 to 19,000 live births in Europe and North America.

Objective: We report the first nationwide BA study outside North America, Europe, and East Asia to describe the epidemiology and outcomes of BA in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A national database of BA cases diagnosed between 2000 and 2018 was analyzed.

Serum pancreatic enzymes and imaging in paediatric acute pancreatitis: Does lipase diagnostic superiority justify eliminating amylase testing?

Background: In acute pancreatitis (AP), serum amylase, lipase and imaging help establish a diagnosis with recognised lipase superiority. Recent literature has debated serum amylase testing and proposed its elimination, but little is known about the diagnostic role of simultaneously measured serum amylase levels in patients with non-diagnostic lipase. This study examined the contribution of pancreatic enzymes and imaging and the role of simultaneously measured serum amylase in children with non-diagnostic serum lipase.

Frequency of bacteremia in patients with sickle cell disease: a longitudinal study.

Bacterial infections in sickle cell disease (SCD) are associated with major risks of morbidity and mortality. Here, we describe the occurrence of bacteremia in SCD patients from 2000 to 2017. This is an observational study which included children and adults with SCD and fever and had confirmed positive blood cultures.

Regional variation of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease in Saudi Arabia: Results from a multicenter study.

Background: Incidence and severity variations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been reported from Western populations between continents and regions of the same countries. However, no data were available from other countries.

Aim: To investigate the regional differences in the IBD profiles of pediatric patients from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Clinical Pattern of Early-Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Saudi Arabia: A Multicenter National Study.

Background: The objectives of this multicenter national study were to compare the clinical phenotype of early-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (EO-IBD) with IBD in older children and to examine whether there is any variability in consanguinity rate and familial aggregation in EO-IBD compared with later onset IBD.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on children aged 0 to 14 years with IBD in 17 centers located in geographically distinct regions in Saudi Arabia, from 2003 to 2012. Data of patients with EO-IBD (0 to <6 yrs) were compared with those with later onset IBD (6-14 yrs).

Nutritional status of children with inflammatory bowel disease in Saudi Arabia.

Aim: To assess the prevalence of nutritional disorders in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: The data from a national cohort of children newly diagnosed with IBD between 2003 and 2012 were analyzed. The diagnosis of IBD and the differentiation between Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) were confirmed by gastroenterologists according to the standard criteria.

Genetic defects in bile acid conjugation cause fat-soluble vitamin deficiency.

Background & Aims: The final step in bile acid synthesis involves conjugation with glycine and taurine, which promotes a high intraluminal micellar concentration to facilitate lipid absorption. We investigated the clinical, biochemical, molecular, and morphologic features of a genetic defect in bile acid conjugation in 10 pediatric patients with fat-soluble vitamin deficiency, some with growth failure or transient neonatal cholestatic hepatitis.

Methods: We identified the genetic defect that causes this disorder using mass spectrometry analysis of urine, bile, and serum samples and sequence analysis of the genes encoding bile acid-CoA:amino acid N-acyltransferase (BAAT) and bile acid-CoA ligase (SLC27A5).

Sonographic diagnosis of gastric-outlet foreign body: case report and review of literature.

The diagnosis of unsuspected foreign body ingestion is a common problem in children. We describe a toddler who presented with persistent vomiting and dehydration. A plain radiograph of the abdomen did not reveal a foreign body.