Optimized Infliximab Induction Predicts Better Long-Term Clinical and Biomarker Outcomes Compared to Standard Induction Dosing.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of standard and optimized infliximab induction dosing in attaining corticosteroid (CS) free clinical remission at week 52 and the effect that post-induction trough levels have on long-term outcome.

Methods: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients ≤18 years commenced on infliximab between August 1, 2016, and August 1, 2018, from Vancouver, Canada, and Glasgow, Scotland, were included. The Glasgow cohort followed standard induction while the Vancouver cohort undertook induction optimization based on clinical, biomarker, and proactive infliximab trough levels.

Dietary triggers of gut inflammation following exclusive enteral nutrition in children with Crohn's disease: a pilot study.

Background: The anti-inflammatory effect of exclusive enteral nutrition on the gut of children with Crohn's disease is rapidly lost after food reintroduction. This study assessed disease dietary triggers following successful treatment with exclusive enteral nutrition.

Methods: Nutrient intake, dietary patterns and dietary biomarkers in faeces (gluten immunogenic peptides, undigestible starch, short chain fatty acids) were assessed in 14 children with Crohn's disease during early food reintroduction, following exclusive enteral nutrition.

Impact of COVID-19 on the diagnosis, assessment and management of children with inflammatory bowel disease in the UK: implications for practice.

The assessment and management of patients with known, or suspected, paediatric inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD) has been hugely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although current evidence of the impact of COVID-19 infection in children with PIBD has provided a degree of reassurance, there continues to be the potential for significant secondary harm caused by the changes to normal working practices and reorganisation of services. Disruption to the normal running of diagnostic and assessment procedures, such as endoscopy, has resulted in the potential for secondary harm to patients including delayed diagnosis and delay in treatment.

Epstein-Barr Virus Status and Subsequent Thiopurine Exposure Within a Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Population.

The use of thiopurine therapy in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-naïve inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients remains controversial due to a risk of EBV-associated complications. We evaluated EBV status and outcomes within our paediatric IBD population over an 8-year period; finding that 217 of 409 (53%) screened patients were seropositive for EBV at IBD diagnosis; that thiopurines were used in 189 of 217 (87%) seropositive and 159 of 192 (83%) seronegative patients (P = 0.22); and that 7 of 192 (4%) previously seronegative patients subsequently tested positive for EBV with 6 of 7 (86%) patients having concurrently recorded thiopurine use.

Point-of-care faecal calprotectin testing in patients with paediatric inflammatory bowel disease during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: Following the disruption of normal paediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) services during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, we prospectively audited the first-time use of home faecal calprotectin testing. We aimed to provide an alternative to laboratory tests and to assess the value of home testing as part of our regular services going forward.

Methods: Home test kits as well as accompanying user instructions were made available to our patients with paediatric IBD that required faecal calprotectin test between 17 April and 12 August 2020.

Severe hypophosphataemia following ferric carboxymaltose infusion in paediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

This case series describes the cases of three adolescent patients with established inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who experienced significant hypophosphataemia following intravenous infusion of ferric carboxymaltose as treatment for iron deficiency anaemia. Hypophosphataemia may cause a diverse range of symptoms and may be difficult to diagnose clinically due to their non-specific nature. Checking a baseline phosphate (PO) prior to intravenous iron infusion may identify patients at higher risk for significant hypophosphataemia and perhaps allow the selection of an alternative iron preparation.

Consensus standards of healthcare for adults and children with inflammatory bowel disease in the UK.

Objective: Symptoms and clinical course during inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) vary among individuals. Personalised care is therefore essential to effective management, delivered by a strong patient-centred multidisciplinary team, working within a well-designed service. This study aimed to fully rewrite the UK Standards for the healthcare of adults and children with IBD, and to develop an IBD Service Benchmarking Tool to support current and future personalised care models.

A Decade of Varicella Screening Within a Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Population.

Introduction: Increased risk of opportunistic infection-e.g., varicella zoster infection-secondary to therapies is a cause of morbidity in inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] patients.

Prehabilitation: The Impact of Preoperative Exclusive Enteral Nutrition on Paediatric Patients With Crohn Disease.

Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) is effective in inducing remission in paediatric Crohn Disease (CD) and has been shown to reduce inflammation and improve outcomes in adult CD patients when used before resectional surgery. This retrospective study demonstrates that preoperative EEN is achievable in paediatric CD patients undergoing right hemicolectomy and is associated with positive peri-operative outcomes. Seventeen patients (8 who received preoperative EEN and 9 who did not) were included in the study.

British Society of Gastroenterology consensus guidelines on the management of inflammatory bowel disease in adults.

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are the principal forms of inflammatory bowel disease. Both represent chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, which displays heterogeneity in inflammatory and symptomatic burden between patients and within individuals over time. Optimal management relies on understanding and tailoring evidence-based interventions by clinicians in partnership with patients.

Using a Steroid-sparing Tool in Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease to Evaluate Steroid Use and Dependency.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of steroids within the paediatric inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD) population at a tertiary paediatric centre over a year; to identify cases of steroid dependency; and assess factors associated with steroid excess.

Methods: The prevalent PIBD population (May 1, 2017-April 30, 2018) were reviewed. Data were collected retrospectively from patient records and entered into an online steroid assessment tool (modified for paediatrics).

The reduction of faecal calprotectin during exclusive enteral nutrition is lost rapidly after food re-introduction.

Background: Faecal calprotectin decreases during exclusive enteral nutrition in children with active Crohn's disease. It is unknown how faecal calprotectin changes during food re-introduction and the influence of maintenance enteral nutrition.

Aims: To study changes to faecal calprotectin during exclusive enteral nutrition and at food reintroduction, and explore associations with maintenance enteral nutrition.

Switching From Originator to Biosimilar Infliximab in Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Is Feasible and Uneventful.

The safety, clinical efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of biosimilar infliximab in adult inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have now been extensively shown. Limited data have been collected in the paediatric setting. We report nationwide, prospective, clinical safety and effectiveness data for patients from all 3 Scottish paediatric inflammatory bowel disease networks switching from originator to biosimilar infliximab.

Dietary treatment of Crohn's disease: perceptions of families with children treated by exclusive enteral nutrition, a questionnaire survey.

Background: Diet is strongly associated with the aetiology of Crohn's Disease (CD) and exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) is the primary induction treatment in paediatric CD. This study explored opinions around the use of EEN and alternative novel, solid food-based diets (SFDs) expressed by paediatric patients with CD, previously treated with EEN and their parents.

Methods: This anonymous questionnaire surveyed families of CD patients treated with EEN over 1 year.

Management of Crohn's disease.

Crohn's disease (CD) is rapidly increasing in children so an up to date knowledge of diagnosis, investigation and management is essential. Exclusive enteral nutrition is the first line treatment for active disease. The vast majority of children will need immunosuppressant treatment and around 20% will need treatment with biologics.

Decline in presumptively protective gut bacterial species and metabolites are paradoxically associated with disease improvement in pediatric Crohn's disease during enteral nutrition.

Background: The gut microbiota is implicated in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD). Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) is a successful treatment, but its mode of action remains unknown. This study assessed serial changes in the fecal microbiota milieu during EEN.

A retrospective study showing maintenance treatment options for paediatric CD in the first year following diagnosis after induction of remission with EEN: supplemental enteral nutrition is better than nothing!

Background: A limited body of research suggests that ongoing maintenance enteral nutrition (MEN) can be beneficial in maintaining disease remission in Crohn's Disease (CD). We aimed to assess how achievable MEN is and whether it helps to prolong remission.

Methods: Patients newly diagnosed with CD in 2010 and 2011 who commenced exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) for 8 weeks were followed up for a year post diagnosis.

A multidisciplinary team model of caring for patients with perianal Crohn's disease incorporating a literature review, topical therapy and personal practice.

Background: Crohn's disease (CD) is characterised by periods of relapse and remission. Over time the disease leads almost inevitably to the complications of stricturing, penetration and fistulisation. Perianal CD involves areas of chronic abscess formation, ulceration, skin tags or fistula formation.

A case of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a child with Crohn's disease treated with Infliximab.

Background And Aims: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinico-radiological entity characterised by headache, seizures, visual disturbance, altered mental status and vasogenic oedema on neuro-imaging. We report a rare case of PRES in a 8-year-old female with Crohn's disease (CD) following Infliximab administration and colectomy.

Method: Clinical case reported including a review of current literature regarding PRES and Infliximab.