Craniosynostosis as a cause of intracranial hypertension in Alagille syndrome: a case series of 6 consecutive pediatric patients.

Objective: Craniosynostoses are an underrecognized cause of intracranial hypertension (ICH), especially when associated with congenital syndromes. Alagille syndrome (ALGS) is a multisystem disorder with typical facial features and hepatobiliary, cardiac, vascular, skeletal, and ocular manifestations. The occurrence of craniosynostosis in ALGS is rare and can be associated with chronic ICH, requiring craniofacial surgery to increase the intracranial volume.

Disrupted BMP-9 Signaling Impairs Pulmonary Vascular Integrity in Hepatopulmonary Syndrome.

Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a severe complication of liver diseases characterized by abnormal dilation of pulmonary vessels, resulting in impaired oxygenation. Recent research highlights the pivotal role of liver-produced BMP-9 (bone morphogenetic protein-9) in maintaining pulmonary vascular integrity. This study aimed to investigate the involvement of BMP-9 in human and experimental HPS.

∆-3-oxo-5β-reductase deficiency: favorable outcome in 16 patients treated with cholic acid.

Background: Oral cholic acid therapy is an effective therapy in children with primary bile acid synthesis deficiencies. Most reported patients with this treatment have 3β-hydroxy-Δ-C-steroid oxidoreductase deficiency. The aim of the study was the evaluation of cholic acid therapy in a cohort of patients with the rarer Δ-3-oxosteroid 5β-reductase (Δ-3-oxo-R) deficiency.

Outcomes of 38 patients with PFIC3: Impact of genotype and of response to ursodeoxycholic acid therapy.

Background & Aims: Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 3 (PFIC3) is a rare liver disease caused by biallelic variations in . Data reporting on the impact of genotype and of response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) therapy on long-term outcomes are scarce.

Methods: We retrospectively describe a cohort of 38 patients with PFIC3 with a median age at last follow-up of 19.

Prognosis of Children Undergoing Liver Transplantation: A 30-Year European Study.

Objectives: The European Liver Transplant Registry has been collecting data on virtually all pediatric liver transplant (PLT) procedures in Europe since 1968. We analyzed patient outcome over time and identified parameters associated with long-term patient outcome.

Methods: Participating centers and European organ-sharing organizations provided retrospective data to the European Liver Transplant Registry.

ATP7B variant spectrum in a French pediatric Wilson disease cohort.

Background/aim: The spectrum of ATP7B variants varies significantly according to geographic distribution, and there is insufficient data on the variants observed in the French population.

Methods: Clinical data of 113 children included in the French WD national registry were gathered from March 01, 1995 to July 01, 2020. Data included epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, genetics.

Pediatric Wilson's Disease: Phenotypic, Genetic Characterization and Outcome of 182 Children in France.

Objectives: To describe a cohort of Wilson disease (WD) pediatric cases, and to point out the diagnostic particularities of this age group and the long-term outcome.

Methods: Clinical data of 182 pediatric patients included in the French WD national registry from 01/03/1995 to 01/06/2019 were gathered.

Results: Diagnosis of WD was made at a mean age of 10.

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Infants: Availability Under Threat: A Survey on Availability, Need, and Clinical Practice in Europe and Israel.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in infants (younger than 1 year of age) is a highly specialized procedure. Since 2014 opportunities to maintain or purchase duodenoscopes for ERCP in infants have disappeared. In a survey among European hepatology centers (including Israel) we evaluated the availability, need, indications, and practice of ERCP procedures in infants.

International clinical guidelines for the management of phosphomannomutase 2-congenital disorders of glycosylation: Diagnosis, treatment and follow up.

Phosphomannomutase 2 (PMM2-CDG) is the most common congenital disorder of N-glycosylation and is caused by a deficient PMM2 activity. The clinical presentation and the onset of PMM2-CDG vary among affected individuals ranging from a severe antenatal presentation with multisystem involvement to mild adulthood presentation limited to minor neurological involvement. Management of affected patients requires a multidisciplinary approach.

CCDC115-CDG: A new rare and misleading inherited cause of liver disease.

Congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) linked to defects in Golgi apparatus homeostasis constitute an increasing part of these rare inherited diseases. Among them, COG-CDG, ATP6V0A2-CDG, TMEM199-CDG and CCDC115-CDG have been shown to disturb Golgi vesicular trafficking and/or lumen pH acidification. Here, we report 3 new unrelated cases of CCDC115-CDG with emphasis on diagnosis difficulties related to strong phenotypic similarities with mitochondriopathies, Niemann-Pick disease C and Wilson Disease.

Oral Tocofersolan Corrects or Prevents Vitamin E Deficiency in Children With Chronic Cholestasis.

Objectives: D-Alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (Tocofersolan, Vedrop), has been developed in Europe to provide an orally bioavailable source of vitamin E in children with cholestasis. The aim was to analyze the safety/efficacy of Vedrop in a large group of children with chronic cholestasis.

Methods: Two hundred seventy-four children receiving Vedrop for vitamin E deficiency or for its prophylaxis were included from 7 European centers.

Serum Autotaxin Activity Correlates With Pruritus in Pediatric Cholestatic Disorders.

Objective: Pruritus is a common symptom of cholestatic liver disorders. The present study aimed at evaluating autotaxin (ATX), a lysophospholipase recently identified as potential cause for cholestatic pruritus, in pediatric cholestatic diseases presenting with or without itching.

Methods: A cohort of 45 children consisting of 14 patients experiencing itching (Alagille syndrome [n = 10], complete extrahepatic biliary atresia [n = 2], neonatal sclerosing cholangitis (n = 1), progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 2 [n = 1]), 9 patients with bile acid synthesis defects (3β-hydroxy-C27-steroid-oxidoreductase [n = 7] and Δ-3-oxosteroid-5β-reductase deficiency [n = 2]), and 22 healthy children were studied.

Bioavailability of oral vitamin E formulations in adult volunteers and children with chronic cholestasis or cystic fibrosis.

Purpose: To test bioequivalence of oral vitamin E formulations, water-soluble tocofersolan (test) and water-miscible (reference), in healthy adult volunteers, and their bioavailability in children with chronic cholestasis or cystic fibrosis.

Methods: In a two-way open randomized single dose cross-over design, 1200 IU were administered in 12 healthy volunteers and 100 IU/kg in 12 children with chronic cholestasis or cystic fibrosis.

Results: In healthy volunteers, formulations were not bioequivalent with a higher exposure to tocofersolan.