The influence of supragastric belching severity on esophageal acid exposure and motility.

Background: Supragastric belching (SGB) is a phenomenon where air is rapidly sucked from the pharynx into the esophagus and immediately expelled through abdominal straining. It is considered a behavior disorder and is increasingly recognized not only in patients with excessive belching, but also in those with reflux-like symptoms. Increased prevalence of esophageal hypomotility and increased acid exposure were previously reported in small cohorts of SGB patients.

Eosinophilic esophagitis in children: current knowledge to open new horizons.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic immune/antigen-mediated condition which is also driven by genetic and environmental factors. It has been deeply investigated over the last years and its incidence is widely increasing in childhood. Although atopic diseases are closely linked with EoE, it does not recognize a classical IgE-mediate immune pathogenesis but it is rather a T helper type 2 inflammatory process.

Cerebrospinal fluid protein and glucose levels in neonates with a systemic inflammatory response without meningitis.

Background: It has been estimated that paediatric meningitis without elevated CSF white cell count (pleocytosis) accounts for 0.5-12% of all cases of bacterial meningitis. CSF protein and glucose measurements are therefore essential in management but may be neglected in clinical practice.