Fecal Myeloperoxidase Levels Reflect Disease Activity in Children With Crohn's Disease.

Background: Crohn's disease (CD) is a major form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which has relapsing and remitting symptoms. Better ways to detect and monitor active disease are required for early diagnosis and optimal outcomes. We assessed fecal myeloperoxidase (fMPO), a neutrophil-derived enzyme that produces hypochlorous acid, as a marker of disease activity in children with CD.

Australasian paediatric gastroenterologist practices of coeliac disease diagnosis before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aim: To explore the perceptions and practices of Australasian paediatric gastroenterologists in diagnosing coeliac disease (CD) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Paediatric gastroenterologists in Australasia were invited via email to complete an anonymous online questionnaire over a 2-week period in 2021.

Results: The questionnaire was completed by 39 respondents: 33 from Australia and six from New Zealand (NZ) equating to a 66% response rate.

Children With Cystic Fibrosis Have Elevated Levels of Fecal Chitinase-3-like-1.

Although chitinase-3-like-1 (CHI3L1), predominately produced by epithelial cells and macrophages, is relevant to pulmonary disease in cystic fibrosis (CF), fecal levels have not yet been assessed in children with CF. Fecal CHI3L1 was measured with a commercial immunoassay using fecal samples provided by children with CF and healthy control (HC) children. Higher median (interquartile range) fecal CHI3L1 levels were seen in the 52 children with CF than in the 35 controls: 15.

Australasian Pediatric Gastroenterologists' Perspectives and Practices of Celiac Disease Diagnosis and Management.

Background: The application of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) celiac disease (CeD) guidelines by pediatric gastroenterologists in Australia and New Zealand (Australasia) is unknown. Similarly, long-term management practices for patients with CeD are also unknown in this region.

Aims: This study aimed to explore the perceptions and practices of Australasian pediatric gastroenterologists in diagnosing and managing patients with CeD.

Patient perceptions of current and potential inflammatory bowel disease diagnostic and monitoring tests.

Background: Less invasive inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) tests are increasingly being incorporated into clinical practice as adjuncts to endoscopy to monitor disease activity and guide optimal care. Little is known about patient perspectives of these tests.

Aims: To assess patient perspectives of the current IBD tests and potential future tests, such as saliva, urine or breath.

Fecal Calprotectin in Combination With Standard Blood Tests in the Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Children.

Fecal calprotectin (FC) is a useful non-invasive screening test but elevated levels are not specific to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of FC alone or FC in combination with other standard blood tests in the diagnosis of IBD. Children aged <17 years who had FC (normal range <50 μg/g) measured and underwent endoscopy over 33 months in Christchurch, New Zealand were identified retrospectively (consecutive sampling).

Parent Perspectives of Diagnostic and Monitoring Tests Undertaken by Their Child with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Purpose: To assess parent perspectives of the current and potential future tests for their child with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: New Zealand parents of a child with IBD were invited to complete an anonymous online survey. Experiences relating to their child's blood or faecal tests, medical imaging (abdominal ultrasound [US], abdominal computerised tomography [CT] and magnetic resonance enterography) and colonoscopy were collected.

The Role of Gastrointestinal-Related Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins as Biomarkers in Gastrointestinal Diseases.

The fatty acid-binding proteins play a major role in intracellular transportation of long-chain fatty acids. Nine fatty acid-binding proteins have been identified, with each having individual tissue-specific functions in addition to regulation of fatty acids. This review focuses on the three fatty acid-binding proteins found in the gastrointestinal tract and discusses their role as diagnostic or disease monitoring markers in neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis, acute mesenteric ischemia, celiac disease, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Exclusive enteral nutrition in children with inflammatory bowel disease: Physician perspectives and practice.

Background And Aim: Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) is recognized internationally as the first line of treatment for children with active Crohn's disease (CD). A survey conducted a decade ago demonstrated that 40% of Australian pediatric gastroenterologists did not think EEN to be an appropriate treatment for CD. This study aimed to explore the current attitudes of Australian and New Zealand (NZ) pediatric gastroenterologists toward the use of EEN in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Burkholderia multivorans septicemia in a pediatric liver transplant patient.

"Cepacia syndrome", caused by Burkholderia cepacia complex and often associated with cystic fibrosis, carries a high mortality rate. It is rare for Burkholderia multivorans, a species within the B. cepacia complex, to cause cepacia syndrome even among patients with cystic fibrosis.

Yellow is pale: the complications and challenges of late diagnosis of extrahepatic biliary atresia.

Extrahepatic biliary atresia classically presents in the neonatal period with jaundice and pale stools. The lack of bile pigment in stool can be unrecognised, delaying diagnosis and surgical treatment. Vitamin K is given at birth to reduce the risk of haemorrhagic disease of the newborn, but this may be inadequate to prevent the development of coagulopathy secondary to fat soluble vitamin malabsorption.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux in children--what's the worry?

Background: Gastro-oesophageal reflux is common and benign in children, especially during infancy. Distinguishing between gastrooesophageal reflux, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and other illnesses presenting as chronic vomiting can be difficult. The general practitioner has a key role to play in identifying if a child requires referral for further investigation.