Pediatric Patients with Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Their Parents Identify Symptoms as the Most Important Treatment Outcome.

Introduction: Given the lack of data, we aimed to explore which therapeutic endpoints pediatric patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and their parents consider to be relevant.

Methods: We created an educational brochure on EoE and a questionnaire, both of which were content-validated by pediatric patients and parents. Validated documents were sent to 112 patients and parents.

The impact of changes in gadolinium-enhancement on disease progression in children with neurofibromatosis type 1-associated optic pathway glioma: a retrospective analysis.

Purpose: There has been limited investigation of imaging features associated with visual acuity (VA) decline and initiation of treatment for patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and optic pathway glioma (OPG).

Methods: To evaluate the association of increased gadolinium enhancement with decline in VA, initiation of chemotherapy, and tumor growth, we performed a retrospective cohort study of children diagnosed with NF1-OPG between January 2006 to June 2016. Two cohorts were defined: a new diagnosis and a longitudinal cohort.

Use of Health-Promoting Food and Supplements in Swiss Children.

Introduction: Our diet is the sum of many different influences and has visibly changed over the past decades. Since children also imitate their parents when it comes to eating habits, the aim of the study was to assess the current dietary habits in Swiss children.

Method: Cross-sectional study of children between 0 and 18 years of age in Switzerland.

The Role of the Pediatric Yorkhill Malnutrition Score (PYMS), Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratios in Malnutrition Prediction of Hospitalized Children.

Malnutrition in hospitalized children represents a significant burden with occasionally detrimental consequences. In this retrospective analysis of pediatric patients aged one to 16 years old, who were hospitalized in the children’s cantonal hospital of Aarau, Switzerland, we investigated the utilization of PYMS (Pediatric Yorkhill Malnutrition Score) as a routine screening tool for malnutrition in pediatric inpatients. Additionally, we explored the correlation between PYMS and NLR (neutrophil−lymphocyte ratio) and PLR (platelet−lymphocyte ratio), which are two novel biomarkers.

Effectivity of treatment for children with functional dyspepsia.

Functional dyspepsia is very common in children of all ages and has a significant impact on the patient's family and quality of life. Since the revision of the Rome IV criteria with the introduction of two subtypes, the prevalence of functional dyspepsia has increased, but currently no guidelines for the treatment are available. The aim of this study was to characterize patients, who have been diagnosed with functional dyspepsia and analyze the outcome of different treatments they received.

Coeliac disease: Evaluation of diagnosis in children and teenagers.

Background: Coeliac disease is no longer a rare disease, but has a rising prevalence, especially in children, with a shift from malabsorption syndrome to a more subtle presentation. Therefore, European guidelines regarding the diagnosis of coeliac disease were changed in 2012. If laboratory tests are positive, children can now be diagnosed without performing an endoscopy.

Parasitic infections in Swiss children: Are we overtesting?

Background: A wide variation of causes can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms in children- an infection with parasites is one of them. The expansion of international travel might lead to an increase in testing children for a correspondent infection. Currently there are no guidelines available, which patients should be tested for a possible parasitical infection.

Characteristics and resource needs in patients with vestibular symptoms: a comparison of patients with symptoms of unknown versus determined origin.

Background: Vestibular symptoms are a frequent reason for presenting at the emergency department (ED). Underlying conditions range in severity from life-threatening to benign, but often remain undiagnosed despite extensive investigations. We aimed to identify clinical characteristics that are associated with ED consultations by patients with vestibular symptoms of unknown origin (VUO) and to quantify the ED resources consumed during the investigations.

Blastocystis in Swiss children: a practical approach.

Blastocystis is a parasite with a worldwide distribution and a varying prevalence in different countries. The pleomorphic nature of the protozoon and the lack of understanding a possible pathogenesis have led to confusion regarding its clinical significance. The aim of the study was to shed light on clinical characteristics of pediatric patients in Swiss children with a positive stool sample for Blastocystis, in order to provide recommendations for a practical approach for the clinician to know whom, when, and how to test.