Ari Silbermintz

Food Intake Adequacy in Children and Adolescents With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Objectives: Diet assessment is essential in the care of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to study food intake in children with IBD and evaluated the relation of dietary intake with disease activity and nutritional status in these children. Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated 68 children and adolescents with IBD (57 Crohn disease, 11 ulcerative colitis). Evaluation included clinical, laboratory, and nutritional assessment including 3 days diet record. Results: Compared with recommended daily allowance, the intake of patients with IBD was significantly poor for carbohydrates (75%, P = 0.016), calcium (49%, P < 0.05), magnesium (76%, P < 0.05), vitamin A (72%, P < 0.05), vitamin E (57%, P < 0.05), and fiber (44%, P < 0.05) and higher for protein (175%, P < 0.05), iron (112%, P < 0.05), and water-soluble vitamins (118%–189% P < 0.05). Compared with the intakes of healthy children from National Nutritional Survey, the intake of IBD group was lower for calories (78%, P = 0.012), carbohydrates (61% P < 0.05), magnesium (67% P < 0.05), vitamin C (34%, P < 0.05), and fiber (54%, P < 0.05) and high for B12 (141%, P < 0.05). Fifty subjects ate ordinary diets, 7 of 68 children were on exclusive enteral nutrition and 11 of 68 consumed regular food with different polymeric formulas supplements. Compared with children without supplements, children on exclusive enteral nutrition and nutritional supplements (18/68) had significantly better intakes of energy (1870 ± 755 vs 2267 ± 432, P < 0.05), carbohydrates (223 ± 97 vs 292 ± 99, P < 0.05), and all minerals (P < 0.05) and micronutrients (P < 0.05). Dietary intake was not different by disease status (remission or relapse). Conclusions: In the absence of nutritional supplements, food intake is inadequate for many nutrients in many children with IBD.

Incidence of Bowel Surgery and Associated Risk Factors in Pediatric-Onset Crohn's Disease.

Background:Data describing the incidence and the risk factors for surgical interventions in pediatric Crohns disease (CD) is inconsistent. Our aim was to describe the rates of intestinal surgery and to identify associated risk factors in a large cohort of children with CD. Methods:Medical charts of 482 children with CD from the Schneider Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease cohort who were diagnosed between 1981 and 2013 were carefully reviewed retrospectively. Results:Of 482 patients, 143 (29.7%) underwent intestinal surgery with a median follow-up time of 8.6 years (range, 1–30.5). Kaplan–Meier survival estimates of the cumulative probability of CD-related intestinal surgery were 14.2% at 5 years and 24.5% at 10 years from diagnosis. Of these, 14% needed more than one operation. Multivariate Cox models showed that isolated ileal disease (hazard ratio [HR] 2.39, P = 0.008), complicated behavior (penetrating or stricturing) (HR 2.44, P < 0.001) and higher severity indices, at diagnosis, including Harvey–Bradshaw (HR 1.06, P = 0.009) and short Pediatric Crohns Disease Activity Index (HR 1.02, P = 0.001) were associated with increased risk for intestinal surgery. Age, gender, family history of CD, early introduction of immunomodulators, treatment with anti–tumor necrosis factor &agr;, or diagnosis before the year 2000 did not affect the risk of bowel surgery. Conclusions:Ileal location, complicated behavior, and higher disease activity indices at diagnosis are independent risk factors for bowel surgery, whereas anti–tumor necrosis factor &agr; treatment and diagnosis during the “biological era” are not associated with diminished long-term surgical risk.

Risk of Colectomy in Patients with pediatric-onset Ulcerative Colitis.

Objectives: Data describing the incidence and risk factors for colectomy in pediatric ulcerative colitis (UC) is inconsistent. Our aim was to describe the colectomy rate and to identify risk factors associated with colectomy in a large cohort of children with UC with long-term follow-up. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of pediatric UC cases that were diagnosed at Schneider Childrens Medical Center of Israel between 1981 and 2013. Potential predictors for colectomy including age at diagnosis, sex, disease extent, severity indices, and different therapeutic regimens during disease course were assessed. Results: Of 188 patients with pediatric onset UC, 34 (18%) underwent colectomy. Median follow-up was 6.9 years (range, 1–30). Kaplan-Meier survival estimates of the cumulative probability for colectomy were 4% at 1 year and 17% at 10 years from diagnosis. Multivariate Cox models showed that male sex (hazard ratio 4.2, P = 0.001) and severe disease at diagnosis reflected by Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index score ≥65 (hazard ratio 8.9, P < 0.001) were associated with increased risk for colectomy. Age, disease extent, ethnicity, family history of inflammatory bowel disease, early introduction of immunomodulators, or treatment with antitumor necrosis factor &agr; agent did not affect the risk of colectomy. Conclusions: Male sex and higher Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index score at diagnosis are independent risk factors for colectomy.

Evolution of disease phenotype in pediatric-onset Crohn's disease after more than 10 years follow up-Cohort study.

BACKGROUND Pediatric-onset Crohns disease (CD) is a heterogeneous disorder which is subjected to progression and complications in a substantial proportion of patients. AIMS We aimed to assess the progression in pediatric-onset CD phenotype on long term follow up. METHODS Medical charts of pediatric onset CD patients with at least 10 years follow-up were analyzed retrospectively. Disease phenotype was determined at diagnosis and during follow up at different time points. Phenotype was determined according to the Paris classification. The impact of possible predictors on phenotype progression was assessed as well as the association between different therapeutic regimens during disease course and phenotype progression. RESULTS Progression of disease location, behavior, and perianal involvement was observed in 20%, 38% and 20% of patients, respectively, after a median follow-up of 16.4 (±4.4) years. Microscopic ileocolonic disease at diagnosis was significant predictors for progression of disease extent. Treatment with anti tumor necrosis factor-ɑ agents and number of flares per years of follow-up were associated with progression of disease extent, behavior and perianal involvement. CONCLUSION Disease extent, behavior and prevalence of perianal disease change significantly over time in pediatric-onset CD. In our cohort, most clinical, laboratory and endoscopic parameters do not serve as predictors for long-term disease progression.

Predictors of pouchitis after ileal pouch–anal anastomosis in pediatric-onset ulcerative colitis

Objectives Few studies have reported on the incidence and risk factors for pouchitis following colectomy and ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA) in patients with pediatric-onset ulcerative colitis (UC). We aimed to determine clinical predictors for the development of pouchitis following IPAA in this population. Patients and methods We performed a retrospective chart review of all pediatric UC cases that were diagnosed at the Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel between 1981 and 2013 and who underwent colectomy during disease course. Potential predictors for pouchitis and chronic pouchitis including various demographic, clinical, endoscopic, and histological variables at diagnosis and at the time of surgery were assessed. Results Of 188 patients with pediatric-onset UC, 33 (18%) underwent colectomy and IPAA surgery. During a median postsurgical follow-up of 7.6 (range: 1–21.5) years following IPAA, 20/33 (60%) patients developed pouchitis including 11/33 (33%) patients who developed chronic pouchitis. Kaplan–Meier survival estimates of the cumulative probability for pouchitis were 9% at 1 year and 36 and 55% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Multivariate Cox models showed that older age at colectomy (hazard ratio: 0.86, P=0.024) was a protective factor, whereas preoperative vitamin-D deficiency (⩽20 ng/ml) (hazard ratio: 4.4, P=0.021) increased the risk for pouchitis. Age at diagnosis, sex, disease extent, and preoperative therapeutic regimens did not affect the risk of pouchitis. Conclusion Long-term risk for pouchitis is significantly high in pediatric-onset UC after IPAA. Vitamin-D deficiency and younger age at colectomy may increase the risk for pouchitis.

Oesophageal eosinophilia in children with coeliac disease

Objectives An association between coeliac disease (CD) and eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE)/oesophageal eosinophilia (EE) has been suggested. We sought to characterise children with CD+EE in-depth and assess the contribution of each condition to the clinical presentation and treatment response. Study design Medical records of children with both CD+EE, or isolated EoE diagnosed between 2000 and 2014, were retrospectively reviewed and compared with patients with isolated CD or epigastric pain. Frequency of EE was calculated from endoscopy results of patients with suspected CD or epigastric pain between 2011 and 2014. Missing data were obtained via a telephone questionnaire. Setting Single large, tertiary paediatric centre. Patients 17 CD+EE, 46 EoE, 302 isolated CD and 247 epigastric pain. Results The patients with CD+EE shared characteristics of both individual conditions. While age at diagnosis, family history of autoimmunity/CD and anaemia were similar to patients with CD, other characteristics such as male gender, personal/family history of atopy, peripheral eosinophilia and oesophageal white papules were more similar to patients with EoE. Combined patients (CD+EE) tended to present with CD-associated symptoms; the majority (63%) later developed typical EoE symptoms. Only a minority (21%) of combined patients had EE that resolved after a gluten-free diet; another 21% had normalisation of EE upon proton pump inhibitor treatment. The remainder required EoE-specific treatment. Conclusion Patients with CD found to have EE share characteristics with both isolated CD and EoE. It appears that these are two coexisting entities presenting in the same patient rather than eosinophilia associated with CD, and therefore, interventions separately addressing each condition may be considered.

Hepatitis B Virus Revaccination With Standard Versus Pre-S Vaccine in Previously Immunized Patients With Celiac Disease.

Objective: Previous studies have suggested that hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccines may be less immunogenic in individuals with celiac disease (CD). A pre-S vaccine (Sci-B-Vac) has demonstrated superior immunogenicity compared with standard HBV vaccines in several diseases. We compared the short-term immunogenicity of a pre-S vaccine with a HBV vaccine (Engerix B) for repeat vaccination of seronegative, previously immunized patients with CD. Methods: Participants were 1 to 18-year-old children with CD who despite standard HBV vaccines in infancy had nonprotective hepatitis B surface antibody (HBs-Ab) concentrations (⩽10 mIU/mL). Patients were randomized to receive either Engerix B or pre-S vaccine. HBs-Ab concentrations were measured 1 month after the first dose. For those who had not responded after 1 dose, measurement was repeated after the third dose. Results: Children (n = 82) were analyzed (42 pre-S vaccine and 40 Engerix B). Baseline characteristics were similar for both groups, including gluten-free diet status. Both arms showed high response rates following the first injection: 41 (98%) versus 35 (87%) for pre-S vaccine and Engerix B recipients, respectively (P = 0.08). All other patients responded when measured after dose 3. HBs-Ab concentrations (mIU/mL) were higher in the pre-S vaccine group (median 925, interquartile range [IQR] 424–1000) than the Engerix B group (median 363, IQR 106–996, P = 0.005). Twenty (48%) of the pre-S vaccine recipients were “high responders” (>1000 mIU/mL) versus 10 (25%) in Engerix B recipients (P = 0.008). Conclusions: Both vaccines elicited adequate booster responses in most previously vaccinated patients with CD with nonprotective HBs-Ab concentrations. Pre-S vaccine administration resulted in higher Hbs-Ab concentrations. Our data suggest that a single dose of either vaccine is sufficient to raise titers to protective levels in most patients with CD.

Scalloping is a reliable endoscopic marker for celiac disease

Scalloping of duodenal folds noted on esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) has been associated with various illnesses including celiac disease (CD). The aim of the present study was to examine the frequency of scalloping in pediatric patients undergoing EGD and to assess its significance in the diagnosis of CD. We also evaluated the association of scalloping with the histopathology and celiac serology in the subgroup of celiac patients.

The natural history of pediatric-onset IBD-unclassified and prediction of Crohn’s disease reclassification: a 27-year study

Abstract Objectives: A definitive diagnosis of Crohn’s disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) in patients who were initially diagnosed as inflammatory bowel disease-unclassified (IBDU) remains challenging. Our aims were to describe the natural history of pediatric-onset IBDU patients during prolonged period of follow up and to identify associated predictors for CD reclassification among them. Materials and methods: In this retrospective single center study, out of 723 patients with pediatric onset IBD, we identified 53 patients (7.3%) diagnosed with IBDU at the Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel between 1986 and 2013. Potential predictors for CD reclassification including age at diagnosis, gender, clinical manifestations, disease extent and laboratory findings were assessed. Results: The median follow-up was 6.8 (± 6.7) years. Reclassification to CD was observed in 24/53 (45%) of patients. The median interval from diagnosis to CD reclassification was 9.4 years. In 58% of these patients, CD reclassification occurred within 5 years from diagnosis. Multivariate Cox models showed that familial history of CD and hypoalbuminemia at diagnosis were significantly associated with CD reclassification (HR 11.3, p = .02 and HR 5.3, p = .03, respectively). All other assessed clinical, laboratory and endoscopic parameters did not serve as predictors for CD reclassification later on. Conclusions: In our cohort, a substantial high proportion of pediatric onset IBDU patients were later re-diagnosed as CD. Only a family history of CD and hypoalbuminemia could predict reclassification among IBDU patients.