Publications by authors named "Vaidotas Urbonas"
Article Synopsis
- - The study analyzed treatment decisions for H. pylori infection in children using data from the EuroPedHp Registry, focusing on various factors influencing whether or not therapy was administered, especially regarding gastrointestinal (GI) comorbidities.
- - Out of 1165 pediatric patients, those with GI comorbidities were significantly less likely to receive eradication treatment (only 57%) compared to those with no comorbidities (89%) despite having similar symptoms and conditions.
- - The findings suggest that H. pylori-infected children with GI issues had a much lower chance (75% reduced) of receiving treatment, indicating no rationale for different management approaches based on GI comorbidities in pediatric patients with confirmed infections.
Objectives: The current study examined the links and interactions among headaches, screen-based media use, physical activity, sleep, and the family environment in Lithuanian school-aged children during the second COVID-19 lockdown.
Methods: The study comprised data of 541 children aged 7-14 years from different Lithuania regions, and without chronic health conditions or developmental disorders. Information about the child was provided by their parents or caregivers who filled questionnaire on child's screen time, sleep duration and quality, physical activity, parental distress, parent-child relationship, history of child's headaches and infectious diseases.
Diagnosis and management of eosinophilic esophagitis in children: An update from the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN).
J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr
August 2024
Article Synopsis
- Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic condition affecting the esophagus, characterized by inflammation and eosinophil infiltration, necessitating updates to existing guidelines due to new medical knowledge.
- A group of pediatric gastroenterologists reviewed recent studies to create 52 statements and 44 recommendations related to EoE, focusing on diagnostics, treatment options, and diet changes from 2014 to 2022.
- The updated guidelines highlight the emergence of biologics for treatment, the potential role of steroids for esophageal strictures, and the importance of addressing quality of life and transitioning patients to adult care.
Background: Helicobacter pylori may be found during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE) performed to diagnose celiac disease (CeD), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). We aimed to describe the frequency of H. pylori in children undergoing UGE for CeD, IBD, and EoE and the number of children receiving eradication treatment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- - Pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) is a serious condition with up to 50% of cases remaining unexplained, hindering effective treatment options like liver transplantation.
- - In a study involving 260 children from 19 countries, whole-exome sequencing (WES) identified genetic causes in 37% of indeterminate PALF cases, with a particularly high diagnostic rate in infants and those with recurrent liver failure.
- - The research uncovered 36 distinct genes associated with PALF, highlighting mitochondrial diseases as the most common cause and underscoring the need for advanced genetic testing in diagnosing and treating this condition.
Population-Based Screening for Coeliac Disease in Lithuanian Children from 2009 to 2014.
Medicina (Kaunas)
September 2023
Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder provoked by a dietary group of proteins called gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. Over the past several decades, the prevalence of coeliac disease has been steadily growing and it is now recognized to be occurring worldwide. The prevalence varies greatly between ethnic, racial groups and regionally.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: There is considerable variation in vaccination practices between pediatric transplant centers. This study aims to evaluate active immunization attitudes and practices among ERN-TransplantChild centers and identify potential areas of improvement that could be addressed by shared evidence-based protocols.
Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire of attitudes and practices toward immunization of pediatric SOT and HSCT candidates and recipients was sent to a representative member of multidisciplinary teams from 27 European centers belonging to the ERN-TransplantChild.
Purpose: The EuroPedHp-registry aims to monitor guideline-conform management, antibiotic resistance, and eradication success of 2-week triple therapy tailored to antibiotic susceptibility (TTT) in Helicobacter pylori-infected children.
Methods: From 2017 to 2020, 30 centres from 17 European countries reported anonymized demographic, clinical, antibiotic susceptibility, treatment, and follow-up data. Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with treatment failure.
The ability to perform endoscopy procedures safely and effectively is a key aspect of quality clinical care in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (PGHN). The aim of this survey, which was part of a global survey on PGHN training in Europe, was to assess endoscopy training opportunities provided across Europe. Responses to standardized questions related to endoscopy training were collected from training centers across Europe through the presidents/representatives of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition National Societies from June 2016 to December 2019.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The pEEr registry was created to gather and analyze data on children with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) from various centers in Europe and Israel, focusing on phenotypic characteristics.
- A total of 582 children were analyzed, revealing a median diagnosis age of 10.5 years and a common delay in diagnosis, especially in children under 6, with variations in symptoms based on age.
- Older children more frequently experienced dysphagia and food impaction, while younger children showed non-specific symptoms; treatments differed, with many unresponsive patients receiving topical steroids or elimination diets.
Background: Pediatric gastrointestinal motility disorders present significant challenges for diagnosis and management, emphasizing the need for appropriate training in Pediatric Neurogastroenterology and Motility (PNGM). The aim of this survey, part of a comprehensive survey on training in pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition, was to evaluate training related to PNGM across European training centers.
Method: Standardized questionnaires were collected from training centers through the National Societies Network of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN), from June 2016 to December 2019.
Association of training standards in pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition in European training centers with formal national recognition of the subspecialty: a survey of the ESPGHAN National Societies Network 2016-2019.
Ann Gastroenterol
April 2022
Background: This survey evaluated the effects of the recognition of pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition (PGHN) on European PGHN training centers.
Method: Standardized questionnaires were collected from training centers via the presidents/representatives of the National Societies Network of the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, from June 2016 to December 2019.
Results: A total of 100 training centers from 19 countries participated in the survey: 55 from 12 countries where PGHN is formally recognized (Group 1) and 45 from 7 countries where it is not (Group 2).
Training in pediatric hepatology across Europe: a survey of the National Societies Network (2016-2019) of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.
Ann Gastroenterol
February 2022
Background: The widely recognized burden of liver diseases makes training in pediatric hepatology (PH) imperative. The aim of this survey, which was part of a global survey on training in pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition (PGHN) across Europe, was to assess the PH and liver transplantation (LT) infrastructure, staff and training programs in PGHN training centers.
Method: Standardized questionnaires were collected from training centers via the presidents/representatives of the National Societies Network of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) from June 2016 to December 2019.
DRESS syndrome is defined as drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome with rash, eosinophilia, and systemic symptoms. This syndrome is mostly associated with anticonvulsants, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs. DRESS syndrome is a rare disease and is more frequently seen in adults.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe reported prevalence of autoantibodies (AAB) (ANA, SMA, LKM, SLA) after pediatric liver transplantation (pLTX) varies considerably from 26-75%, but their clinical impact on outcome is uncertain. We aimed to study the prevalence of AAB after pLTX, their association with donor-, transplant-, and recipient-characteristics, and their relation to outcome. In our multicenter retrospective study, we aimed to clarify conflicting results from earlier studies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTraining in Paediatric Clinical Nutrition Across Europe: A Survey of the National Societies Network (2016-2019) of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.
J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr
May 2022
Objectives/background: Disease-related malnutrition is common in patients with chronic diseases and has detrimental effects, therefore, skills in nutrition care are essential core competencies for paediatric digestive medicine. The aim of this survey, conducted as part of a global survey of paediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition (PGHN) training in Europe, was to assess nutrition care-related infrastructure, staff, and patient volumes in European PGHN training centres.
Methods: Standardized questionnaires related to clinical nutrition (CN) care were completed by representatives of European PGHN training centres between June 2016 and December 2019.
Background: Primary health care is the foundation of a health system and has a strong influence on the efficiency of the health system as a whole. For children in Europe, it is defined by three primary health care models: paediatric; mixed paediatrician and family physician; and family physician. There is much debate in Europe about which model is most appropriate for children.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInfection is a serious concern in the short and long term after pediatric liver transplantation. Vaccination represents an easy and cheap opportunity to reduce morbidity and mortality due to vaccine-preventable infection. This retrospective, observational, multi-center study examines the immunization status in pediatric liver transplant candidates at the time of transplantation and compares it to a control group of children with acute liver disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: A descriptive and comparative study of gastric histological aspects according to the updated Sydney classification (USC), obtained from Helicobacter pylori-positive versus H pylori-negative children referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.
Methods: The Prisma method was used to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis. Selection criteria were based on following key words USC, H pylori, children, endoscopy, or biopsy.
As a result of the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 and consequent restrictions in spring 2020, children in many countries might be engaged in more sedentary behavior and have limited possibilities to access the necessary level of physical activity to maintain their physical and mental health. The aim of this study was to explore the relationships between child sedentary behavior, physical activity, mental and physical health, and parental distress in a sample of Lithuanian children aged 6-14 years during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in March-June 2020. Parents of 306 children (52.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: The aim of the study was to assess clinical presentation, endoscopic findings, antibiotic susceptibility and treatment success of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infected pediatric patients.
Methods: Between 2013 and 2016, 23 pediatric hospitals from 17 countries prospectively submitted data on consecutive H.
Article Synopsis
- - The study evaluated how pediatric (PG) and adult gastroenterologists (AG) in Europe and the UAE diagnose and manage eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), focusing on their adherence to clinical guidelines.
- - Results showed that PG are more likely to take biopsies and perform endoscopic follow-ups compared to AG; they also prefer elimination diets over steroids as a second-line therapy after proton-pump inhibitors fail.
- - The findings highlight significant practice differences between PG and AG, as well as regional variations across countries, suggesting that educational initiatives could help improve alignment with current guidelines.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates vaccination rates and immunization status in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) across two groups based on diagnosis timing (before and after June 2012).
- A total of 430 children were analyzed, revealing unsatisfactory vaccination rates for several key diseases, with only 8.8% fully immunized at diagnosis and inconsistent screening practices for infections like EBV and TB.
- The findings indicate that despite existing guidelines, immunization and screening for opportunistic infections in pediatric IBD patients are insufficient, highlighting the need for improved healthcare practices.