Gastric emptying of solids in children: reference values for the (13) C-octanoic acid breath test.

Background: (99m) Technetium scintigraphy ((99m) TS) is the 'gold standard' for measuring gastric emptying (GE), but it is associated with a radiation exposure. For this reason, the (13) C-octanoic acid breath test ((13) C-OBT) was developed for measuring GE of solids. The objective of this study was to determine normal values for gastric half-emptying time (t1/2 GE) of solids in healthy children.

Gastric Emptying of Liquids in Children.

Objectives: The present study was performed to determine normal values for gastric half-emptying time (t1/2GE) of liquids in healthy children.

Methods: Gastric emptying (GE) of a standardized test milk-drink measured with technetium scintigraphy and the C-acetate breath test (C-ABT) was compared in 19 children ages between 4 and 15 years with upper gastrointestinal symptoms. The C-ABT was subsequently used to determine normal values for GE of the same liquid test meal in 133 healthy children ages between 1 and 17 years.

Benefits of a Dedicated Breastfeeding Facility and Support Program for Exclusive Breastfeeding among Workers in Indonesia.

Purpose: A mother's working environment is believed to be a major determinant of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practice. We aimed to define the influence of a facility dedicated to breastfeeding and a breastfeeding support program at the workplace on breastfeeding practice.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in five workplaces.

An extensively hydrolysed rice protein-based formula in the management of infants with cow's milk protein allergy: preliminary results after 1 month.

Background: Guidelines recommend extensively hydrolysed cow's milk protein formulas (eHF) in the treatment of infants diagnosed with cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA). Extensively hydrolysed rice protein infant formulas (eRHFs) have recently become available, and could offer a valid alternative.

Methods: A prospective trial was performed to evaluate the clinical tolerance of a new eRHF in infants with a confirmed CMPA.

Regurgitation and gastroesophageal reflux disease in six to nine months old indonesian infants.

Purpose: Regurgitation is known to peak at the age of 3-4 months, with a sharp decrease around the age of 6 months. Little is known about the natural evolution of infants who still regurgitate after the age of 6 months.

Methods: Hundred thirty-one infants older than 6 months regurgitating more than once a day were followed for a period of 3 months.

A pilot study on the application of a symptom-based score for the diagnosis of cow's milk protein allergy.

Objective: A challenge is the recommended test to diagnose cow's milk protein allergy. However, many parents and physicians prefer to not challenge because the procedure may cause (severe) symptoms. In clinical routine, diagnostic testing is only available for IgE-mediated allergy.

Treating cow's milk protein allergy: a double-blind randomized trial comparing two extensively hydrolysed formulas with probiotics.

Aim: The treatment for cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) is a diet with an extensive hydrolysate. This study aimed to determine whether a whey (eWH) or casein hydrolysate (eCH) is the best option.

Methods: Infants with suspected CMPA were treated with an eWH or eCH, and efficacy was assessed with a symptom-based score developed by the authors.

Cost/benefit of synbiotics in acute infectious gastroenteritis: spend to save.

The cost/benefit ratio of probiotics in the ambulatory treatment of acute infectious gastro-enteritis with or without a synbiotic food supplement (containing fructo-oligosaccharides and probiotic strains of Streptoccoccus thermophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis and Bifidobacterium infantis) has been studied. 111 children (median age 37 and 43 months for the synbiotic and placebo group, respectively) with acute infectious gastroenteritis were included in a randomised, prospective placebo-controlled trial performed in primary health care. All children were treated with an oral rehydration solution and with the synbiotic food supplement (n=57) or placebo (n=54).

Esophageal impedance baseline according to different time intervals.

Background: The impedance baseline has been shown to reflect esophageal integrity, and to be decreased in patients with esophagitis. However, different methods for the determination of the impedance baseline have not been compared.

Methods: The median impedance baseline was calculated in 10 consecutive multichannel intraluminal impedance recordings in children with non-erosive reflux disease.

Electronic medical file exchange between on-duty care providers and the attending paediatrician: a Belgian paediatric pilot project.

The authors propose the introduction of a pilot project: "paediatric core file exchange in emergencies" (PCF-EXEM) which enables the exchange of medical data between the attending paediatrician (AP), holder of the medical record, and on-duty medical units (i.e. general practitioners, paediatricians, surgeons, emergency physicians,.

Randomised clinical trial: the synbiotic food supplement Probiotical vs. placebo for acute gastroenteritis in children.

Background: Some probiotic strains reduce the duration of acute diarrhoea. As a result of strain and product specificity, each product needs support by clinical data.

Aim: In children with acute diarrhoea, to test the efficacy of the synbiotic food supplement Probiotical (Streptoccoccus thermophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium infantis, fructo-oligosaccharides).

The surgeon and the law on patient's rights for minors.

The law of August 22nd, 2002 concerning patients' rights (LPR) gave a new dimension to the relationship between the physician and the patient. According to this law, it is up to the physician to judge if a patient is able to exercise his own rights or if the patient needs assistance from a representative. In the particular case of the patient being a minor, this often leads to a difficult situation because of the absence of validated criteria to evaluate the capacity of judgment of a minor patient.

Probiotics and prebiotics in prevention and treatment of diseases in infants and children.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of probiotics and prebiotics on the health of children.

Sources: MEDLINE and LILACS were searched for relevant English and French-language articles.

Summary Of The Findings: Human milk is rich in prebiotic oligosaccharides and may contain some probiotics.

Intestinal microbiota and health in childhood.

Western medicine has only recently discovered that the intestinal microbiota is a major determinant of the well-being of the host. Although it would be oversimplifying to limit the benefits of breastfeeding compared to cow milk based infant formula to differences in gastrointestinal flora, the impact of the latter has been demonstrated beyond doubt. As a consequence, gastro intestinal flora manipulation with pre- and probiotics added to infant formula or food (mainly milk based products) and/or with food supplements have become a priority area of high quality research.

Soy infant formula: is it that bad?

Unlabelled: The objective of this study is to review the indications of soy infant formula (SIF). Structured review of publications is made available through standard search engines (Pubmed,…). The medical indications for SIF are limited to galactosaemia and hereditary lactase deficiency.