Impact of an exercise program in children with inflammatory bowel disease in remission.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of a structured exercise program on bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition parameters in children and adolescents with IBD in remission. METHODS: Patients were recruited to participate in a 6-month exercise program. Total body less head (TLBH) dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure BMD. The same method was used to assess fat mass (FM) and lean body mass (LBM) at baseline and at the completion of the program. RESULTS: Based on the baseline and endpoint TBLH DXA measurements, a total of 42 study participants (25 boys; aged 15.3 ± 2.08 years) experienced an increase in BMD (from 0.959 ± 0.023 g/cm2 to 0.988 ± 0.025 g/cm2, p < 0.001) and LBM (from 37.12 ± 1.43 kg to 38.75 ± 1.61 kg, p = 0.012). Age- and sex-based BMD Z-score increased significantly (from -0.35 ± 0.15 to -0.28 ± 0.17, p = 0.020), whilst LBM Z-score did not significantly change (from -1.78 ± 0.23 to -1.71 ± 1.49, p = 0.908). CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant improvement in BMD, age- and sex-based BMD Z-score, and LBM amongst study participants. Subgroup analysis showed that patients with CD and male study participants experienced significant improvement in all parameters, whilst patients with UC and IBD-U and female patients experienced improvement solely in BMD. IMPACT STATEMENT: Children and adolescents with IBD, regardless of disease activity, are under increased risk of secondary osteoporosis and lean body mass deficits. A 6-month home-based structured exercise program leads to a significant improvement in bone mineral density and lean body mass. Exercise therapy should be explored as a potentially adjacent to standard treatment modalities.

Dinutuximab Beta in Children with High-Risk Neuroblastoma: Experience from a Single Center in Croatia.

To determine the potential benefits and feasibility of administering maintenance therapy with dinutuximab beta for high-risk neuroblastoma (HRNB) in clinical practice, a retrospective review of charts of patients with HRNB treated at a single center in Croatia (2012-2021) was undertaken. Of 23 patients with HRNB, 11 received up to five cycles of dinutuximab beta as part of multimodal therapy; 12 patients did not (i.e., no immunotherapy). In the no immunotherapy group, one patient had complete remission (8%), and 11 patients died of tumor progression (92%). In the dinutuximab beta group, eight patients had complete remission (73%; median duration of response 5 years and 2 months), one had stable disease (9%), and two died of disease (18%). Patients who received dinutuximab beta had a higher median event-free survival (40.0 months [range: 12.5-83.0]) and median overall survival (56.0 months [range: 16.2-101.0]) than those who did not (12.9 months [range: 3.3-126.0] and 20.7 months [3.3-126.0], respectively). Dinutuximab beta was generally well tolerated; adverse events were manageable and as reported in clinical studies. These results confirm the benefits and feasibility of maintenance therapy with dinutuximab beta as part of multimodal therapy for patients with HRNB in real-world clinical practice.

Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity Is Associated With Higher Bone Mineral Density in Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

OBJECTIVES: Decreased mineral bone density (BMD) and reduced lean body mass (LBM) are common amongst children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of our cross-sectional, observational study was to evaluate the relationship between BMD, body composition and physical activity (PA) in children with IBD in remission. METHODS: Total body less head (TLBH) dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure BMD, fat mass (FM) and lean body mass (LBM). Triaxial accelerometer for five consecutive days was used to objectivize PA. RESULTS: Forty pediatric IBD patients in clinical remission (24 boys; age 15.3 ±â€Š0.4 years; Crohn disease [CD], n = 20, ulcerative colitis [UC], n = 18, inflammatory bowel disease-unclassified [IBD-U], n = 2) were recruited. Mean BMD was 0.940 g/cm2 and mean BMD z score was -0.42 ±â€Š0.14. Patients with CD had significantly lower BMD than UC counterparts (P < 0.001). Average time spent in PA was 247.24 ±â€Š16.71 min/day with 45.73 ±â€Š8.22 min/day spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). We observed a significant positive correlation between the time spent in MVPA and BMD z score (P = 0.003) and LBM z score (P = 0.026). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the positive correlation of MVPA and BMD z score. There was no significant correlation between daily protein intake and BMD. Cumulative glucocorticoid dose negatively correlated with LBM z score (P = 0.003), but not with BMD z score (P = 0.069). CONCLUSIONS: This study points to a strong positive relationship between MVPA, LBM and BMD. Longitudinal studies are required in order to elucidate the modifiable processes that determine body health and favorable body composition.

Neglected tuberculous trochanteric bursitis in an adolescent girl: A case report and literature review.

Tuberculous trochanteric bursitis (TTB) is an extremely rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Due to a low clinical suspicion and poor collaboration among medical professionals, the diagnosis of TTB can be often delayed. In this report, we describe a case of neglected TTB in an adolescent girl that initially presented with right thigh swelling and fluctuance. The patient underwent repeated unsuccessful surgical treatment; however, dull pain and periodic wound drainage remained for eight years. Complete excision of fistula and trochanteric bursa and one year of oral antituberculous drug therapy led to complete recovery. This case report highlights tuberculosis as a diagnostic challenge, when rare localizations are affected. In addition, this report addresses several diagnostic pitfalls and reviews the literature regarding TTB in adolescent patients. Orthopedic surgeons need to consider TTB, when swelling, fluctuance or repeated wound drainage are present on the thigh.

Lemierre Syndrome in Adolescent with Active Ulcerative Colitis.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a well-recognized risk factor for thrombotic events in adults but data on children are scarce. In the great majority of adult patients, thrombotic events are usually deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Other sites such as jugular veins are extremely rare. We present a case of Lemierre syndrome in an adolescent girl with active ulcerative colitis and discuss possible risk factors. This is the first reported case of severe Lemierre syndrome with thrombus extension to cranial veins in a patient with ulcerative colitis. Early recognition of Lemierre syndrome in patients who present with rapidly worsening symptoms of neck pain, fever and signs of pharyngitis is imperative because it increases a chance of favorable prognosis. It is important for pediatricians treating IBD patients not to underestimate possible thrombotic events in children with IBD. Recognition of additional risk factors is crucial for prompt diagnosis and adequate treatment.

Correction to: Melatonin as an alternative sedation method during magnetic resonance imaging in preschool children with musculoskeletal problems.

AbstractMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in preschool children is often challenging due to excessive motion artifacts. Sedation or general anesthesia (GA) are commonly used to prevent children from moving in the MRI scanner, with increased risk for cardiopulmonary complications and requirement for skilled personnel. Herein we investigated whether oral melatonin, a natural hormone implicated in circadian rhythm regulation, could be used as an alternative sedation method prior to the MRI in preschool children with musculoskeletal problems. Fifteen children with suspected juvenile idiopathic arthritis underwent a total of 16 MRI examinations following administration of 10 mg of oral melatonin; satisfactory images were obtained in all but one case, with no adverse events.Conclusion: The use of melatonin before the musculoskeletal MRI in preschool children is an effective, safe and inexpensive alternative to standard sedation and general anesthesia in preventing motion artifacts. What is known: • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a well-recognized diagnostic method to visualize synovial inflammation and changes of cartilage and bone in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.• MRI examination requires sedation or general anesthesia to ensure immobility in children who are uncooperative. What is new: • Additional to previous published studies we were able to show that melatonin for sedation for an MRI of joints, even without sleep deprivation, in the studied population may provide an alternative in children without behavioral problems, in order to avoid sedation/GA.

[CONTRAST ENHANCED VOIDING UROSONOGRAPHY (CEVUS) IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF VESICOURETERAL REFLUX]. / MIKCIJSKA UROSONOGRAFIJA POJACANA KONTRASTOM (CEVUS) U DIJAGNOSTICI VEZIKOURETERALNOG REFLUKSA.

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is one of the most common urinary tract anomalies in children and can be associated with reflux nephropathy (RN). Some patients with RN develop chronic kidney disease, hypertension and a small number of patients progress to end-stage renal disease. Early detection of children with these clinical characteristics should be the goal of clinical, biochemical, and radiological evaluation of patients presenting with prenatal hydronephrosis or febrile urinary tract infection. The goals of imaging procedure in general are to confirm the diagnosis suspected with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity, to aid treatment and allow prognosis. The diagnosis of vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) is a relatively straightforward and well-established procedure. There is increasing awareness of the risks of radiation exposure and invasivness of VUR investigation which can be unpleasant experience for both child and parents. Currently, contrast enhanced voiding urosonography (ceVUS) is a radiation free, highly sensitive imaging modality for vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and urethral imaging in children. It employs ultrasound technology (contrast-specific software) in combination with commercially available second generation ultrasound contrast administered intravesically via a bladder catheter.