Barriers in Neurogastroenterology and Motility Training Experience for Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellows.

BACKGROUND: Neurogastroenterology and motility (NGM) disorders are common and have a high health care burden. Although pediatric gastroenterology fellows are expected to obtain comprehensive training in the diagnosis and management of NGM disorders, there is ongoing concern for unmet training needs and lack of exposure in treating patients who suffer from NGM problems. METHODS: We conducted a cross-section survey of trainees listed as pediatric gastroenterology fellows in North American training programs in 2018 via direct E-mail and the pediatric gastroenterology listserv. Eighty-one pediatric gastroenterology fellows responded to the anonymous survey. RESULTS: A total of 53.1% of the fellows reported interest in NGM; however, 75.1% of the fellows believed they had not been adequately trained in NGM during their fellowship. Eighty percent of fellows with 2 weeks or less of dedicated motility training reported that they received inadequate NGM training, compared to 46.2% fellows who received 1 or more months of dedicated motility training (P = 0.0148). The majority of fellows reported not being comfortable in performing gastrointestinal (GI) motility studies. The majority of fellows also reported not being comfortable in interpreting GI motility studies. CONCLUSIONS: Although most pediatric gastroenterology fellows expressed interest in NGM, the lack of exposure and dedicated training in motility during fellowship were identified as barriers to pursuing motility-focused careers. Furthermore, most fellows reported limited comfort with performing and/or interpreting motility studies. Changes are needed to encourage fellows to develop their interest and expertise in NGM.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease in 2006. The imperfect diagnosis.

There continues to be significant controversy related to diagnostic testing for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Clearly, barium contrast fluoroscopy is superior to any other test in defining the anatomy of the upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract. Although fluoroscopy can demonstrate gastroesophageal reflux (GER), this observation does not equate to GERD. Fluoroscopy time should not be prolonged to attempt to demonstrate GER during barium contrast radiography. There are no data to justify prolonging fluoroscopy time to perform provocative maneuvers to demonstrate reflux during barium contrast UGI series. Symptoms of GERD may be associated with physiologic esophageal acid exposure measured by intraesophageal pH monitoring, and a significant percentage of patients with abnormal esophageal acid exposure have no or minimal clinical symptoms of reflux. Abnormal acid exposure defined by pH monitoring over a 24-h period does not equate to GERD. In clinical practice presumptive diagnosis of GERD is reasonably assumed by substantial reduction or elimination of suspected reflux symptoms during therapeutic trial of acid reduction therapy.

Chronic abdominal pain in children: a clinical report of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.

Children and adolescents with chronic abdominal pain pose unique challenges to their caregivers. Affected children and their families experience distress and anxiety that can interfere with their ability to perform regular daily activities. Although chronic abdominal pain in children is usually attributable to a functional disorder rather than to organic disease, numerous misconceptions, insufficient knowledge among health care professionals and inadequate application of knowledge may contribute to a lack of effective management. This clinical report accompanies a technical report on childhood chronic abdominal pain and provides guidance for the clinician in the evaluation and treatment of children with chronic abdominal pain. The conclusions are based on the evidence reviewed in the technical report and on consensus achieved among subcommittee members.

Chronic Abdominal Pain In Children: a Technical Report of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.

Chronic abdominal pain, defined as long-lasting intermittent or constant abdominal pain, is a common pediatric problem encountered by primary care physicians, medical subspecialists and surgical specialists. Chronic abdominal pain in children is usually functional-that is, without objective evidence of an underlying organic disorder. The Subcommittee on Chronic Abdominal Pain of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition has prepared this report based on a comprehensive, systematic review and rating of the medical literature. This report accompanies a clinical report based on the literature review and expert opinion. The subcommittee examined the diagnostic and therapeutic value of a medical and psychologic history, diagnostic tests, and pharmacological and behavioral therapy. The presence of alarm symptoms or signs (such as weight loss, gastrointestinal bleeding, persistent fever, chronic severe diarrhea and significant vomiting) is associated with a higher prevalence of organic disease. There was insufficient evidence to state that the nature of the abdominal pain or the presence of associated symptoms (such as anorexia, nausea, headache and joint pain) can discriminate between functional and organic disorders. Although children with chronic abdominal pain and their parents are more often anxious or depressed, the presence of anxiety, depression, behavior problems or recent negative life events does not distinguish between functional and organic abdominal pain. Most children who are brought to the primary care physician's office for chronic abdominal pain are unlikely to require diagnostic testing. Pediatric studies of therapeutic interventions were examined and found to be limited or inconclusive.

Diagnostic laparoscopy with planned appendectomy: an integral step in the evaluation of unexplained right lower quadrant pain.

Recurrent right lower quadrant (RLQ) abdominal pain is often difficult to diagnose and treat. We reviewed our experience with diagnostic laparoscopy with planned appendectomy for children with unexplained RLQ pain. This procedure was performed when the cause of atypical RLQ pain could not be diagnosed by comprehensive medical and radiological evaluation. Outcome data was obtained at office visits and by telephone. From 1997 to 2000, 30 children (22 female) presented with unexplained RLQ pain. Ages ranged from 5 to 16 years (mean 11 years). Symptoms had been present from 6 days to 2 years (median 6 weeks). Gross and/or histological appendiceal abnormalities were found in 26 children (87%). Incidental findings included patent processus vaginalis in one and adnexal cysts in six. Two complications occurred: pelvic fluid collection and umbilical suture reaction. At initial follow-up, 29 patients (97%) were pain-free. Long-term follow-up was continued through 2002. At a median of 19 months (range 2-47 months), 25 of 28 patients (89%) reported no recurrence of their original pain. Our results confirm that the appendix is an important source of unexplained recurrent RLQ pain in children. Diagnostic laparoscopy with planned appendectomy is highly effective and should be considered an integral step in the management of these patients.

Acid secretion from birth to adulthood.

All infants, including premature infants as young as 24 weeks' gestational age, are able to maintain an intragastric pH below 4 from the first day of life. By 24 weeks, maximal acid output approaches that in adults. In adult studies, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are highly effective in relieving reflux symptoms and healing reflux esophagitis. Studies are needed to evaluate PPI efficacy and appropriate dosing in infants and children. Consequences such as hypergastrinemia, bacterial overgrowth, and other potential adverse events associated with long-term PPI use also warrant evaluation in the pediatric population.

Sigmoid irrigation tube for the management of chronic evacuation disorders.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Antegrade colonic irrigation, in which the right colon is accessed via appendicostomy or cecostomy, now is an important adjunct in the management of children with chronic evacuation disorders. However, in most children, the major area of dysfunction is the left rather than the right colon. The authors developed a simple, percutaneous endoscopic, laparoscopically controlled sigmoid irrigation tube placement and evaluated the results in 4 children. METHODS: A rigid sigmoidoscope is advanced into the upper sigmoid and the loop brought in contact with the abdominal wall under laparoscopic control. A small skin incision is made and a needle pushed across the abdominal and sigmoid walls into the lumen of the sigmoidoscope. A guide wire is advanced through the needle into the scope and retrieved. After the scope is removed, a PEG-type catheter is attached to the guide wire and pulled back, securing the sigmoid loop to the abdominal wall. The tube is subsequently converted to a skin-level device by simply adding an external port valve. RESULTS: All 4 patients achieved prompt evacuation in the sitting position. CONCLUSIONS: Sigmoid tube for antegrade irrigation is an appealing alternative to conventional cecal access. The procedure is simple and may offer physiologic advantages.