A. Famiani

Indeterminate Colitis: A Distinctive Clinical Pattern of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Children

Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis are frequently clinical conditions in children. Another clinical entity, indeterminate colitis, is considered a subgroup of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease. It is generally characterized by early onset in the first years of life, and clinical behavior is rapidly progressive to pancolitis. The definition of indeterminate colitis has changed over the years, but it is usually used to identify severe colitis with overlapping features of ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease. Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is the surgical treatment of choice for patients with ulcerative colitis, but increased rates of complications have been found in indeterminate colitis. Therefore, it is better to be cautious in patients with indeterminate colitis who present with severe attacks and require surgery.

Lactobacillus reuteri in children with functional abdominal pain (FAP).

Aim:  Functional abdominal pain (FAP) is a frequent condition affecting 10–20% of children and can be considered within the classification of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID). The objective of this study was to determine the effect of daily supplementation with the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 in children with FAP.

Oral Beclomethasone Dipropionate in Pediatric Active Ulcerative Colitis: A Comparison Trial With Mesalazine

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of oral beclomethasone diproprionate (BDP) in inducing clinical and endoscopic remission in children with mild to moderate active ulcerative colitis (UC). Patients and Methods: Thirty patients with active UC (pancolitis or left-sided colitis) were enrolled in an open-labeled, randomized, head-to-head study. Group 1 (n = 15) received oral BDP (5 mg/day) for 8 weeks, followed by maintenance therapy with oral mesalazine, 5-aminosalycilate (5-ASA); group 2 (n = 15) received oral 5-ASA (80 mg · kg−1 · day−1). Assessments were carried out (at 4, 8, and 12 weeks) for clinical scores and for endoscopy (at 12 weeks), together with a final clinical assessment after 1 year follow-up. Results: Patients treated with BDP showed a significant reduced clinical activity within 4 weeks (P < 0.001 vs pretreatment values) with 80% achieving clinical remission compared with 33% treated with only 5-ASA (P < 0.025). A significant reduction in clinical activity was achieved by 5-ASA after 8 weeks. Comparing clinical activity between BDP and 5-ASA, the former did significantly better at 8 (P < 0.003) and at 12 weeks (P < 0.015). In 73% of BDP-treated patients colonoscopy showed remission compared with 27% of 5-ASA (P < 0.025). Both treatments led to better scores compared with pretreatment values (P < 0.001, both). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was significantly reduced (P < 0.025 or less) with both treatments, whereas C-reactive protein dropped significantly (P < 0.02) only in BDP. Conclusions: Oral BDP was well tolerated and acts significantly faster and more effectively than 5-ASA in inducing clinical remission and endoscopic improvement in pediatric mild-to-moderate UC.

Partially hydrolyzed guar gum in pediatric functional abdominal pain

AIM To assess the effects of partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) diet supplement in pediatric chronic abdominal pain (CAP) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). METHODS A randomized, double-blind pilot study was performed in sixty children (8-16 years) with functional bowel disorders, such as CAP or IBS, diagnosed according to Rome III criteria. All patients underwent ultrasound, blood and stool examinations to rule out any organic disease. Patients were allocated to receive PHGG at dosage of 5 g/d (n = 30) or placebo (fruit-juice n = 30) for 4 wk. The evaluation of the efficacy of fiber supplement included IBS symptom severity score (Birmingham IBS Questionnaire), severity of abdominal pain (Wong-Baker Face Pain Rating Score) and bowel habit (Bristol Stool Scale). Symptom scores were completed at 2, 4, and 8 wk. The change from baseline in the symptom severity scale at the end of treatment and at 4 wk follow-up after treatment was the primary endpoint. The secondary endpoint was to evaluate compliance to supplementation with the PHGG in the pediatric population. Differences within groups during the treatment period and follow-up were evaluated by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS The results of the study were assessed considering some variables, such as frequency and intensity of symptoms with modifications of the bowel habit. Both groups were balanced for baseline characteristics and all patients completed the study. Group A (PHGG group) presented a higher level of efficacy compared to group B (control group), (43% vs 5%, P = 0.025) in reducing clinical symptoms with modification of Birmingham IBS score (median 0 ± 1 vs 4 ± 1, P = 0.025), in intensity of CAP assessed with the Wong-Baker Face Pain Rating Score and in normalization of bowel habit evaluated with the Bristol Stool Scale (40% vs 13.3%, P = 0.025). In IBS subgroups, statistical analysis shown a tendency toward normalization of bowel movements, but there was no difference in the prevalence of improvement in two bowel habit subsets. PHGG was therefore better tolerated without any adverse effects. CONCLUSION Although the cause of pediatric functional gastrointestinal disorders is not known, the results show that complementary therapy with PHGG may have beneficial effects on symptom control.

Oral tacrolimus (FK 506) in refractory paediatric ulcerative colitis

Oral tacrolimus (FK 506) in refractory paediatric ulcerative colitis SIRS, We have read with interest the article by Yamamoto et al. on oral tacrolimus in refractory ulcerative colitis (UC). We agree with the conclusions that tacrolimus is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for UC. However, the initial high trough levels of 10–15 ng ⁄ mL suggested also by Ogata et al. are associated with more frequent side-effects. We reviewed the clinical records of six patients with moderate ⁄ severe UC (pancolitis, mean disease duration 20 months; age: 8–13 years) who were steroid-refractory (n = 2) or steroid-dependent (n = 4). Tacrolimus was administered at 0.1 mg ⁄ kg body weight, bd. Dose was adjusted to achieve trough tacrolimus levels between 7 and 10 ng ⁄ mL. Mean treatment duration treatment was 12 weeks. Response was evaluated using the PUCAI clinical score and C-reactive protein (CRP). All patients responded within 1–2 weeks. After 12 weeks of therapy, 100% of patients were in complete remission (Figure 1) and steroids were tapered (10 mg dose reduction ⁄ week) or discontinued. Thereafter, the children were switched to thiopurines. No adverse events were recorded. Oral tacrolimus appears to be effective in short-term administration in paediatric steroid-dependent ⁄ refractory UC and it may be considered an