Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders and Abdominal Visceral Fat in Children and Adolescents / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

Purpose@#Few reports have investigated the correlation between functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) and the degree of obesity in children and adolescents. Thus, this study aimed to examine the relationship between FGIDs and the degree of obesity in children and adolescents. @*Methods@#Children and adolescents (<19 years old) who had undergone abdominopelvic computed tomography and had been diagnosed with FGIDs from 2015 to 2016 were included in this retrospective case-control study in a ratio of 1:2. Abdominal visceral fat was measured using an image analysis software. @*Results@#The mean age of all 54 FGID patients was 12.9±3.4 years, and the male: female ratio was 1:1.2. We observed no difference in body mass index (BMI) between the FGID and control groups (19.5±4.6 vs. 20.6±4.3 kg/m2 , p=0.150). However, the FGID group had less abdominal visceral fat than that of the control group (26.2±20.0 vs. 34.4±26.9 cm2 , p=0.048). Boys in the FGID group had lower BMI (18.5±3.5 vs. 20.9±4.3 kg/m2 , p=0.019) and less abdominal visceral fat (22.8±15.9 vs. 35.9±31.8 cm2 , p=0.020) than those of boys in the control group. However, we found no difference in BMI (20.5±5.3 vs. 20.4±4.2 kg/m2 , p=0.960) and abdominal visceral fat (29.0±22.9 vs. 33.1±22.1 cm2 , p=0.420) between girls in both groups. @*Conclusion@#Our study revealed a difference in the relationship between FGID and the degree of obesity according to sex, which suggests that sex hormones influence the pathogenesis of FGIDs. Multicenter studies with larger cohorts are required to clarify the correlation between FGID subtypes and the degree of obesity.

Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactulose for Childhood Functional Constipation: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Background/Aims@#The effects of probiotics in children vary based on diseases and probiotic strains. We aim to investigate the effectiveness of Saccharomyces boulardii and lactulose for treating childhood functional constipation. @*Methods@#This open-label randomized controlled trial was conducted at 10 university hospitals in Korea. Children who were diagnosed with functional constipation were allocated to 3 groups (lactulose monotherapy, combination therapy, and S. boulardii monotherapy). The primary outcome was treatment success rate that was accordingly defined as ≥ 3 bowel movements without incontinence at week 12. The cumulative successful maintenance and drug maintenance rates without drug changes were calculated throughout the study period. We compared stool frequency, incontinence, consistency, and painful defecation at week 2 among the 3 groups. @*Results@#Overall, 187 children were assigned to the lactulose monotherapy (n = 69), combination therapy (n = 68), or S. boulardii monotherapy (n = 50) groups. The primary outcome was significantly higher in the lactulose monotherapy group (26.1%) or combination therapy group (41.2%) than in the S. boulardii monotherapy group (8.0%). The S. boulardii monotherapy group showed a significantly lower cumulative successful maintenance and drug maintenance rate than the other 2 groups. There were no significant intergroup differences in the frequency of defecation, incontinence, painful defecation, or stool consistency during the follow-up at week 2. @*Conclusion@#S. boulardii monotherapy was not superior to lactulose monotherapy or combination therapy and showed a higher drug change rate, supporting the current recommendation of probiotics in the treatment of childhood functional constipation.

Difference in Vitamin D Levels Between Children with Clostridioides difficile Enteritis and Those with Other Acute Infectious Enteritis / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

Purpose@#A steady increase in Clostridioides difficile enteritis (CDE) has been reported recently.CDE is associated with intestinal dysbiosis, and vitamin D receptors are known to play an important role in this microbial imbalance as immunological regulators. We investigated the difference in vitamin D levels between children with CDE and those with other acute infectious enteritis. @*Methods@#This retrospective study was conducted on children below 18 years of age who visited the Gil hospital, underwent investigation to assess vitamin D levels, and had confirmed gastrointestinal infection between January 2015 and December 2018. Patients were divided into two groups: the “CDE group” (n=18) and the “other infectious enteritis group” (n=88); their clinical characteristics, other laboratory results, and vitamin D levels were analyzed. @*Results@#There was no difference in gender, age, and seasonal distributions between the CDE and other infectious enteritis groups. Other laboratory results were not significantly different between two groups, excluding serum albumin level (4.52±0.45 g/dL vs. 4.31±0.28 g/dL, p=0.011). The mean 25-hydroxy vitamin D level in the CDE group was higher than that in the control group (18.75±8.11 ng/mL vs. 14.50±6.79 ng/mL, p=0.021). @*Conclusion@#Vitamin D levels in the CDE group were lower than normal but higher than the other infectious enteritis group. These results suggested that CDE has a different mechanism or susceptibility associated with vitamin D in children, and even marginal changes in vitamin D levels can act as a risk factor for infection.

Nationwide “Pediatric Nutrition Day” survey on the nutritional status of hospitalized children in South Korea

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES@#To evaluate the nutritional status and prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalized children at admission and during hospitalization in South Korea. @*SUBJECTS/METHODS@#This first cross-sectional nationwide “Pediatric Nutrition Day (pNday)” survey was conducted among 872 hospitalized children (504 boys, 368 girls; 686 medical, 186 surgical) from 23 hospitals in South Korea. Malnutrition risk was screened using the Pediatric Yorkhill Malnutrition Score (PYMS) and the Screening Tool Risk on Nutritional status and Growth. Nutritional status was assessed by z-scores of weight-for-age for underweight, weight-for-height for wasting, and height-for-age for stunting as well as laboratory tests. @*RESULTS@#At admission, of the 872 hospitalized children, 17.2% were underweight, and the prevalence of wasting and stunting was 20.2% and 17.3%, respectively. During hospitalization till pNday, 10.8% and 19.6% experienced weight loss and decreased oral intake, respectively.During the aforementioned period, fasting was more prevalent in surgical patients (7.5%) than in medical patients (1.6%) (P < 0.001). According to the PYMS, 34.3% and 30% of the children at admission and on pNday, respectively, had a high-risk of malnutrition, requiring consultation with the nutritional support team (NST). However, only 4% were actually referred to the NST during hospitalization. @*CONCLUSIONS@#Malnutrition was prevalent at admission and during hospitalization in pediatric patients, with many children experiencing weight loss and poor oral intake. To improve the nutritional status of hospitalized children, it is important to screen and identify all children at risk of malnutrition and refer malnourished patients to the multidisciplinary NST for proper nutritional interventions.

Difference in Vitamin D Levels Between Children with Clostridioides difficile Enteritis and Those with Other Acute Infectious Enteritis / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

Purpose@#A steady increase in Clostridioides difficile enteritis (CDE) has been reported recently.CDE is associated with intestinal dysbiosis, and vitamin D receptors are known to play an important role in this microbial imbalance as immunological regulators. We investigated the difference in vitamin D levels between children with CDE and those with other acute infectious enteritis. @*Methods@#This retrospective study was conducted on children below 18 years of age who visited the Gil hospital, underwent investigation to assess vitamin D levels, and had confirmed gastrointestinal infection between January 2015 and December 2018. Patients were divided into two groups: the “CDE group” (n=18) and the “other infectious enteritis group” (n=88); their clinical characteristics, other laboratory results, and vitamin D levels were analyzed. @*Results@#There was no difference in gender, age, and seasonal distributions between the CDE and other infectious enteritis groups. Other laboratory results were not significantly different between two groups, excluding serum albumin level (4.52±0.45 g/dL vs. 4.31±0.28 g/dL, p=0.011). The mean 25-hydroxy vitamin D level in the CDE group was higher than that in the control group (18.75±8.11 ng/mL vs. 14.50±6.79 ng/mL, p=0.021). @*Conclusion@#Vitamin D levels in the CDE group were lower than normal but higher than the other infectious enteritis group. These results suggested that CDE has a different mechanism or susceptibility associated with vitamin D in children, and even marginal changes in vitamin D levels can act as a risk factor for infection.

Nationwide “Pediatric Nutrition Day” survey on the nutritional status of hospitalized children in South Korea

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES@#To evaluate the nutritional status and prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalized children at admission and during hospitalization in South Korea. @*SUBJECTS/METHODS@#This first cross-sectional nationwide “Pediatric Nutrition Day (pNday)” survey was conducted among 872 hospitalized children (504 boys, 368 girls; 686 medical, 186 surgical) from 23 hospitals in South Korea. Malnutrition risk was screened using the Pediatric Yorkhill Malnutrition Score (PYMS) and the Screening Tool Risk on Nutritional status and Growth. Nutritional status was assessed by z-scores of weight-for-age for underweight, weight-for-height for wasting, and height-for-age for stunting as well as laboratory tests. @*RESULTS@#At admission, of the 872 hospitalized children, 17.2% were underweight, and the prevalence of wasting and stunting was 20.2% and 17.3%, respectively. During hospitalization till pNday, 10.8% and 19.6% experienced weight loss and decreased oral intake, respectively.During the aforementioned period, fasting was more prevalent in surgical patients (7.5%) than in medical patients (1.6%) (P < 0.001). According to the PYMS, 34.3% and 30% of the children at admission and on pNday, respectively, had a high-risk of malnutrition, requiring consultation with the nutritional support team (NST). However, only 4% were actually referred to the NST during hospitalization. @*CONCLUSIONS@#Malnutrition was prevalent at admission and during hospitalization in pediatric patients, with many children experiencing weight loss and poor oral intake. To improve the nutritional status of hospitalized children, it is important to screen and identify all children at risk of malnutrition and refer malnourished patients to the multidisciplinary NST for proper nutritional interventions.

Nationwide Multicenter Study of Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Korean Children / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

Purpose@#In East Asian countries, there are only a few epidemiologic studies of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and no studies in children. We investigated the incidence and compared the clinical characteristics of EoE and eosinophilic gastroenteritis involving the esophagus (EGEIE) in Korean children. @*Methods@#A total of 910 children, who had symptoms of esophageal dysfunction, from 10 hospitals in Korea were included. EoE was diagnosed according to diagnostic guidelines and EGEIE was diagnosed when there were >15 eosinophils in the esophagus per high power field (HPF) and >20 eosinophils per HPF deposited in the stomach and duodenum with abnormal endoscopic findings. @*Results@#Of the 910 subjects, 14 (1.5%) were diagnosed with EoE and 12 (1.3%) were diagnosed with EGEIE. Vomiting was the most common symptom in 57.1% and 66.7% of patients with EoE and EGEIE, respectively. Only diarrhea was significantly different between EoE and EGEIE (p=0.033). In total, 61.5% of patients had allergic diseases. Exudates were the most common endoscopic findings in EoE and there were no esophageal strictures in both groups. The median age of patients with normal endoscopic findings was significantly younger at 3.2 years, compared to the median age of 11.1 years in those with abnormal endoscopic findings (p=0.004). @*Conclusion@#The incidence of EoE in Korean children was lower than that of Western countries, while the incidence of EGEIE was similar to EoE. There were no clinical differences except for diarrhea and no differences in endoscopic findings between EoE and EGEIE.

Clinical Manifestations of Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Children and Adolescents: A Single-Center, Matched Case-Control Study / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

Purpose@#To examine the prevalence and clinical manifestations of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in Korea children. @*Methods@#The study was designed as a 1:2 matching case-control study. Using information from the endoscopic database of a tertiary center, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients aged 18 years or younger who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy between January 2014 and December 2017. A total of 21 patients were diagnosed with EoE based on current diagnostic criteria. In addition, 42 controls with normal esophageal biopsy findings matched to each EoE case by sex, age (±1 months), and season were randomly selected during the study period. @*Results@#The mean age of EoE diagnosis was 12.1±4.0 years and the male-to-female ratio was 2:1. The proportion of allergic diseases in patients with EoE (28.6%) was higher than that in the controls (6.8%) (p=0.04). Most EoE patients tested for allergy were positive for at least one antigen, which was significantly different to the controls (88.2% vs. 47.4%, p=0.01). Characteristic endoscopic findings of EoE were noted in 19 patients (90.5%), but 2 patients (9.5%) showed normal esophageal mucosa. The clinical symptoms of EoE were improved by a proton-pump inhibitor in 10 patients (50.0%), and by an H2 blocker in 9 patients (45.0%). Only one patient (5.0%) required inhaled steroids. @*Conclusion@#While EoE is rare in the Korean pediatric population, the results of this study will improve our understanding of the clinical manifestations of the disease.

Epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia in Children at a Single Center from 2002 to 2016

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in Korean children. METHODS: We retrospectively collected and analyzed data from the medical records of the patients with S. aureus bacteremia ≤18 years of age in Gil Medical Center from 2002 to 2016. RESULTS: A total of 212 SAB cases were detected. The annual incidence of SAB from 2002 to 2016 ranged from 0.77 to 1.95 per 1,000 patients hospitalized. The neonate group (<28 days of age) and the pediatric group (28–18 years of age) were 51.4% (n=109) and 48.6% (n=103), respectively. According to the origin of infection, there were 93 cases (43.9%) of community-associated (CA)-SAB and 119 cases (56.1%) of healthcare-associated (HA)-SAB. The rates of HA-SAB among the neonate group and among the pediatric group were 64.2% and 47.6%, respectively (P=0.015). There was no difference in complications between CA-SAB and HA-SAB, but mortality was higher in HA-SAB. The proportion of methicillin-resistance S. aureus (MRSA) was the highest in neonates (88.1%), decreased with age, and was 36.4%–37.5% among children aged ≥5 years. The MRSA proportion was 72.2%, showing no consistent trend over the period. CONCLUSIONS: The annual incidence of SAB and the proportion of MRSA in SAB remained constant in the recent 15 years in children. Judicious decision of antimicrobial agents for treatment considering the patient's age and the origin of infection is necessary.

Seasonality and etiology of croup in pediatric patients hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infections: A long-term study between 2009 and 2017

PURPOSE: Croup is a common respiratory disease in children. The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiology, etiology, and seasonal variations of respiratory virus infections in children with croup. METHODS: From October 2009 to September 2017, children admitted with croup to Gachon University Gil Medical Center under the age of 18 years were enrolled in this study. We retrospectively reviewed patients' medical records. RESULTS: A total of 1,053 of 27,330 patients (3.9%) infected with lower respiratory infections were diagnosed as having croup. In the age distribution, croup was most common (50.0%) in children aged 1 to <2 years. There were 2 peaks, the major in summer (July to August) and the minor in spring (March to May). Parainfluenza virus type 1 (15.8%) was most prevalent and coincided with the summer peaks of croup. Influenza virus type B and parainfluenza virus type 3 were the most frequent etiologic agents in a spring peak of croup. Although parainfluenza virus type 1 was predominant of all ages, human coronavirus was a significant cause of croup in children younger than 1 year, whereas influenza virus played an important role in children above the age of 3 years. CONCLUSION: Seasonality and epidemiology of croup varied with age and regions. Two peaks of seasonal fluctuation were in summer and spring, which were related to the seasonality of respiratory viruses in croup. These results may be helpful in planning clinical and research needs.

Association between Minimal Change Esophagitis and Gastric Dysmotility: A Single-Center Electrogastrography and Endoscopy Study in Children / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: Minimal change esophagitis (MCE) is a reflux disease without mucosal breaks, known to be partially associated with abnormal gastric motor function. Electrogastrography (EGG) is commonly applied to assess gastric motor function in a noninvasive fashion. We aimed to determine the relationship between MCE and gastric myoelectrical activity (GME) recorded on EGG in children. METHODS: We retrospectively assessed the records of 157 children without underlying disease who underwent both EGG and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at Gachon University Gil Medical Center between January 2010 and June 2015. The children were stratified according to the appearance of the esophagus (normal vs. MCE). Between-group differences in EGG parameters and their correlation with each MCE finding were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Only the power ratio, one of the EGG parameters analyzed, differed significantly between the two groups (MCE, 1.68±3.37 vs. normal, 0.76±1.06; p < 0.05), whereas the other parameters, such as dominant frequency, dominant power, and the ratio of abnormal rhythm, showed no differences. Among children with MCE, significant correlations were noted between erythema and power ratio (p < 0.05), friability and postprandial dominant frequency (p < 0.05), and edema and/or accentuation of mucosal folds and pre-prandial frequency (p < 0.05). Helicobacter pylori infection correlated with postprandial arrhythmia (MCE, 33.59±15.52 vs. normal, 28.10±17.23; p < 0.05). EGG parameters did not differ between children with normal esophagus and those with biopsy-proven chronic esophagitis. CONCLUSION: In children with MCE, gastric dysmotility may affect the development of MCE, manifesting as EGG abnormalities. H. pylori infection may also affect GME. However, larger prospective investigations are needed to confirm these findings.

Management of abdominal pain in pediatric emergency departments

Abdominal pain is one of the common complaints among children who visit pediatric emergency departments (PEDs), but aggressive management has been proven insufficient. Physicians working at PEDs must know the principles of abdominal pain management, especially the dose, lower age limitation, and adverse effects of each drug. Through this review of published literature, I would like to suggest future study topics, and aid to establish the Korean guidelines for the management of abdominal pain in PEDs.

Therapeutic Efficacy and Safety of Prolonged Macrolide, Corticosteroid, Doxycycline, and Levofloxacin against Macrolide-Unresponsive Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia in Children

BACKGROUND: We aimed to compare the therapeutic efficacy of prolonged macrolide (PMC), corticosteroids (CST), doxycycline (DXC), and levofloxacin (LFX) against macrolide-unresponsive Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) pneumonia in children and to evaluate the safety of the secondary treatment agents. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with MP pneumonia hospitalized between January 2015 and April 2017. Macrolide-unresponsiveness was clinically defined with a persistent fever of ≥ 38.0°C at ≥ 72 hours after macrolide treatment. The cases were divided into four groups: PMC, CST, DXC, and LFX. We compared the time to defervescence (TTD) after secondary treatment and the TTD after initial macrolide treatment in each group with adjustment using propensity score-matching analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,165 cases of MP pneumonia, 190 (16.3%) were unresponsive to macrolides. The proportion of patients who achieved defervescence within 48 hours in CST, DXC, and LFX groups were 96.9% (31/33), 85.7% (12/14), and 83.3% (5/6), respectively. The TTD after initial macrolide treatment did not differ between PMC and CST groups (5.1 vs. 4.2 days, P = 0.085), PMC and DXC groups (4.9 vs. 5.7 days, P = 0.453), and PMC and LFX groups (4.4 vs. 5.0 days, P = 0.283). No side effects were observed in the CST, DXC, and LFX groups. CONCLUSION: The change to secondary treatment did not show better efficacy compared to PMC in children with macrolide-unresponsive MP pneumonia. Further studies are needed to guide appropriate treatment in children with MP pneumonia.

Significance of Perianal Lesion in Pediatric Crohn Disease / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: Despite the increasing incidence of pediatric Crohn disease (CD) in Korea, data on the characteristics of perianal lesions are scarce. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the characteristics of pediatric CD with accompanying perianal lesions in Korea. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of children (age ≤18 years) with confirmed CD at Gachon University Gil Medical Center between 2000 and 2014. Patients were classified into two groups based on the presence or absence of any perianal lesions including skin tags. Additional analysis was performed according to the presence or absence of perianal perforating lesions. RESULTS: Among the 69 CD children (mean age, 15.4 years) include in the analysis, 54 (78.3%) had a perianal lesion and 29 (42.0%) had a perianal perforating lesion. The median duration of chief complaints was longer in pediatric CD with any accompanying perianal lesions (5.40 months vs. 1.89 months, p=0.02), while there was no difference between pediatric CD with and without perianal perforating lesions (5.48 months vs. 4.02 months, p=0.18). Perianal symptoms preceded gastrointestinal symptoms in 13 of 29 (44.8%) patients with perianal perforating lesions. CONCLUSIONS: CD should be suspected in children with perianal lesions, even in circumstances when gastrointestinal symptoms are absent.

Characteristics of Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Involvement in Korean Pediatric Crohn's Disease: A Multicenter Study / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: Crohn's disease (CD) can involve any site of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). However, the characteristics of upper GIT involvement in CD are unclear, especially in the Eastern pediatric population. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of upper GIT involvement and identify the clinical features of Korean children with CD. METHODS: This was a retrospective multicenter cohort study that included 52 pediatric patients with CD who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and biopsy. The clinical symptoms and endoscopic and histologic features of the upper GIT were identified according to the presence or absence of upper gastrointestinal symptoms. RESULTS: Among the 52 patients, upper GIT involvement was noted in 50.0% (26/52). The mean age at CD diagnosis was 14.1±2.1 years. Gastric ulcer was the most common lesion (19.2%) found on upper GIT endoscopy, followed by duodenal ulcers (15.4%). Chronic inflammation was the most common histopathologic feature (75.0%), followed by gastric erosion (17.3%). Granuloma was found in 9.6% of patients. Helicobacter pylori infection was identified in 5.8% of patients. Endoscopic and histologic findings were not significantly different, but the mean values of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (60.7±27.1 vs. 43.0±27.6 mm/h, p=0.037) and C-reactive protein (16.5±28.2 vs. 6.62±13.4 mg/dL, p=0.014) were significantly different between patients with and without upper gastrointestinal CD symptoms. CONCLUSION: Upper GIT involvement was relatively common in pediatric patients with CD irrespective of upper gastrointestinal symptoms, and H. pylori infection was relatively uncommon. The results of this study should aid the establishment of regional guidelines for upper GIT examination.

Characteristics of Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Involvement in Korean Pediatric Crohn's Disease: A Multicenter Study / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: Crohn's disease (CD) can involve any site of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). However, the characteristics of upper GIT involvement in CD are unclear, especially in the Eastern pediatric population. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of upper GIT involvement and identify the clinical features of Korean children with CD. METHODS: This was a retrospective multicenter cohort study that included 52 pediatric patients with CD who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and biopsy. The clinical symptoms and endoscopic and histologic features of the upper GIT were identified according to the presence or absence of upper gastrointestinal symptoms. RESULTS: Among the 52 patients, upper GIT involvement was noted in 50.0% (26/52). The mean age at CD diagnosis was 14.1±2.1 years. Gastric ulcer was the most common lesion (19.2%) found on upper GIT endoscopy, followed by duodenal ulcers (15.4%). Chronic inflammation was the most common histopathologic feature (75.0%), followed by gastric erosion (17.3%). Granuloma was found in 9.6% of patients. Helicobacter pylori infection was identified in 5.8% of patients. Endoscopic and histologic findings were not significantly different, but the mean values of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (60.7±27.1 vs. 43.0±27.6 mm/h, p=0.037) and C-reactive protein (16.5±28.2 vs. 6.62±13.4 mg/dL, p=0.014) were significantly different between patients with and without upper gastrointestinal CD symptoms. CONCLUSION: Upper GIT involvement was relatively common in pediatric patients with CD irrespective of upper gastrointestinal symptoms, and H. pylori infection was relatively uncommon. The results of this study should aid the establishment of regional guidelines for upper GIT examination.

Comparison of etiology and clinical presentation between children with laryngotracheobronchopneumonitis and croup

PURPOSE: Croup, a common childhood respiratory illness with various severities, has many unanswered questions. Laryngotracheobronchopneumonitis (LTBP) is a disease entity considered to be an extension of croup to the lower respiratory tract. The object of this study was to compare epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and viral etiologic spectrum between croup and LTBP. METHODS: Patients hospitalized with croup at Gachon University Gil Hospital from January 2010 to April 2016 were recruited. LTBP was defined as pneumonia confirmed on radiographs of patients with croup. Clinical findings and demographic data were reviewed of patients whose nasopharyngeal swabs were done for viral analysis. RESULTS: A total of 371 patients with only croup and 63 patients with LTBP were included. Croup was found to be significantly associated with parainfluenza virus type 1 (P=0.006). LTBP was related to parainfluenza virus type 3, respiratory syncytial virus, and human bocavirus (P=0.001, P=0.030, and P=0.019, respectively). The duration of fever was longer in patients with LTBP than in those with croup (3.87±1.85 days vs. 2.86±1.80 days, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Specific etiologic viruses might be associated with the progression from croup to LTBP. Pronged fever is also associated with progression from croup to LTBP.

Clostridium difficile colonization and/or infection during infancy and the risk of childhood allergic diseases / 소아과

PURPOSE: The gut microbiota can influence several diseases through immune modulation; however, the exact role of microbes such as Clostridium difficileand the relationship between microbiota colonization and allergic diseases are not well known. This study aimed to determine the relationship between C. difficilecolonization and/or infection (CDCI) during infancy and allergic diseases during early childhood. METHODS: Infants 1–12 months of age presenting changes in bowel habits for more than 2 weeks were enrolled in this study. After dividing them into 2 groups according to the presence and absence of C. difficile, the risk of allergic disease development during childhood was identified and compared. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients were included in this study; 22 (33.8%) were diagnosed with CDCI. No significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics between the C. difficile-positive and -negative groups except for antibiotic exposure (22.7% vs. 60.5%, P=0.004). Compared to the C. difficile-negative group, the risk of developing at least one allergic disease was higher in the C. difficile-positive group after adjusting other variables (adjusted odds ratios, 5.61; 95% confidence interval, 1.52–20.74; P=0.007). Furthermore, food allergies were more prevalent in the C. difficile-positive group (P=0.03). CONCLUSION: CDCI during infancy were associated with a higher risk of developing allergic diseases during early childhood. These results suggest that CDCI during infancy might reflect the reduced diversity of the intestinal microbiota, which is associated with an increased risk of allergic sensitization. To identify the underlying mechanism, further investigation and a larger cohort study will be needed.

Behçet's disease with multiple splenic abscesses in a child

We report the case of a 5-year-old male patient with multiple aseptic splenic abscesses associated with Behçet's disease. The patient visited Gachon University Gil Hospital with fever, abdominal pain, and acute watery and bloody diarrhea, and reported a 2-year history of chronic abdominal pain and intermittent watery diarrhea. He was treated with antibiotics at a local clinic for fever and cervical lymph node swelling. Additionally, he had recurrent stomatitis. A colonoscopy showed multiple well-demarcated ulcerations throughout the colon, and abdominal computed tomography showed multiple splenic abscesses. Pathergy and HLA-B51 tests were positive. Investigations did not reveal any infectious organisms in the aspirate obtained via ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration. After steroid treatment, all symptoms and multiple aseptic splenic abscesses resolved. However, oral ulcers, genital ulcers, and abdominal pain recurred after tapering the steroids. Infliximab treatment improved the patient's symptoms. However, 5 months after the treatment, the symptoms recurred. The treatment was changed to include adalimumab. Subsequently, the patient's symptoms resolved and colonoscopic findings improved. No recurrence was noted after 3 months of follow-up.

Effect of Metronidazole in Infants with Bowel Habit Change: Irrelative to the Clostridium difficile Colonization / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: Clinical symptoms associated with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) can vary widely. Carrier state without apparent symptoms is relatively common during infancy. The objective of this study was to determine the association of C. difficile colonization with bowel habit change and the effect of C. difficile colonization treatment on restoration of normal bowel habit. METHODS: Between 2006 and 2014, infants at 1 to 12 months of age with diarrhea for more than 2 weeks who did not improve with conservative care were recruited from Gachon University Gil Medical Center. Infants who were followed up for at least 7 days were included. The presence or absence of C. difficile colonization, effect of metronidazole, and other medical records were reviewed. To determine the association between CDI and bowel habit change, logistic regression analysis was used. RESULTS: Of a total of 126 infants, 74 (58.7%) were male patients. Of the 126 patients, 27 (21.4%) had C. difficile colonization. Significant (p<0.05) risk factors for C. difficile colonization included artificial milk feeding (odds ratio [OR], 4.310; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.564-11.878), prior rotavirus vaccination (OR, 4.322; 95% CI, 1.018-18.349), and antibiotic use (OR, 4.798; 95% CI, 1.430-16.101). There was improvement in bowel habit after metronidazole therapy (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.15-0.79; p<0.05), regardless of the presence or absence of C. difficile colonization, CONCLUSION: There was no significant correlation between bowel habit change and C. difficile colonization during infancy. However, metronidazole can be used as an optional method to manage functional gastrointestinal disorders.