Search

Introduction Anal sphincter botulinum toxin injections (BTIs) are used in the treatment of children with severe defecation disorders, including Hirschsprung disease (HD) and functional constipation (FC). Our objective was to evaluate the outcomes of BTI in these children. Materials and Methods We performed a prospective cohort study of children undergoing BTI from July 2018 to December 2018. We recorded perceived effect of the BTI, including effectiveness ranging from 0 (not at all effective) to 4 (extremely effective). In addition, we recorded symptoms and the Cleveland Clinic Constipation Score (CCCS). Data were collected at baseline and at 2 weeks, 2 months, and 4 months post-injection. Results Forty-two children (HD = 25, FC = 17) were included in the study (median age 4.3 years, IQR 2.4–7.2, 52% male). Twenty-two (88%) children with HD and eight (47%) children with FC had previously undergone a BTI. BTIs were perceived effective in 16 (76%) and 12 (71%) children with HD and eight (47%) and seven (47%) children with FC at 2-week and 2-month follow-up, respectively. Effectiveness was not rated differently between groups except at the 2-month follow-up, when patients with HD rated the BTI more effective compared to those with FC (median 2 [HD] vs. median 1 [FC], p = 0.022). Over the course of the study, 17/39 (44%) children reported self-limiting adverse effects such as fecal incontinence and pain at the injection site. Conclusion Anal sphincter BTIs can be effective in the treatment of constipation in both HD and FC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recently, a new high‐definition (or three‐dimensional "3D") high‐resolution anorectal manometry (3D‐ARM) catheter has been introduced. This catheter allows for a more detailed visualization of the anal canal. However, its clinical utility and tolerability in children with constipation are unknown. Our primary objective was to evaluate the agreement between findings from solid‐state high‐resolution anorectal manometry (HR‐ARM) and 3D‐ARM. Secondary objectives were to investigate if 3D‐ARM has additional value over HR‐ARM and to evaluate patient and provider experience. Methods: Prospective pilot study including children (8–18 years of age) with functional constipation scheduled for anorectal manometry. Children underwent HR‐ARM and 3D‐ARM consecutively. We compared manometry results of both procedures and collected data on patient and provider experience via self‐developed questionnaires. Key Results: Data of ten patients were analyzed (60% female, median age 14.9 years). In the majority of patients, ARMs were performed awake (n = 8, 80%). In two patients, the recto‐anal inhibitory reflex (RAIR) was visualized during HR‐ARM but not during 3D‐ARM. Anal canal resting pressures were significantly higher during 3D‐ARM compared to HR‐ARM (median 77 mmHg [IQR 59–94] vs. 69 mmHg [IQR 51–91], respectively, p = 0.037). No significant anatomical or muscular abnormalities were visualized during the 3D‐ARM. The majority of children identified the 3D‐ARM as the more unpleasant (5/7 [71%]) and more painful procedure (6/7 [86%]) and therefore preferred the HR‐ARM (4/7 [57%]). Conclusions & Inferences: In our patient sample, 3D‐ARM was associated with more discomfort without providing more useful information and even resulted in an inconsistent visualization of the RAIR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims To assess the effectiveness and feasibility of a brief session of hypnosis to reduce distress in children with functional constipation undergoing anorectal manometry (ARM). Methods A partially-blinded randomized controlled pilot trial was conducted in children 4-18 years old scheduled for ARM. Children were randomized to receive a brief session of hypnosis prior to ARM or standard care. Non-blinded and blinded observers rated the child's level of distress using the Observation Scale of Behavioral Distress and a 4-point-Likert scale, respectively. Differences between groups were analyzed using Fisher's exact test or Mann-Whitney U test as appropriate. Results Data from 32 children (15 hypnosis and 17 standard care) were analyzed. Prior to insertion of the catheter, the observed mean levels of distress were lower in the hypnosis group according to both the non-blinded observer (median 0.0 [interquartile range {IQR} 0.0-0.3] vs 1.4 [IQR 0.3-2.4]; P = 0.009) and the blinded observer (median 0.0 [IQR 0.0-0.0] vs 0.5 [IQR 0.0-1.0]; P = 0.044). During ARM, observed and reported levels of distress did not differ significantly. In the hypnosis group, 92.9% of parents and children reported that hypnosis helped the child to relax. There were no significant differences in resting pressure, squeeze pressure, or duration of the procedure between both groups. Conclusion A brief session of hypnosis for children before ARM is an easily incorporable intervention that lowers distress levels prior to the procedure and is positively perceived by children and parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims To investigate the intra-rater (test-retest) reliability of the diagnosis of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) as measured by the Questionnaire on Pediatric Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, Rome IV version (QPGS-IV) in children. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted in a public school in Cali, Colombia. Children and adolescents between 11 and 18 years of age were given the self-report Spanish version of the QPGS-IV at day 0 (baseline) and at day 2 (48 hours later). Results The study protocol was completed by 215 children, of which 97 (45%) were excluded from analysis due to the inability to follow the questionnaire's instructions. The final analysis included data of 118 children (mean age 15.0 ± SD 1.8 years old, 58.5% boys). The most common diagnoses were functional dyspepsia, functional constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome. We found a moderate intra-rater reliability (κ = 0.61-0.65) for diagnosing an FGID in general, a functional abdominal pain disorder, and the diagnosis of functional dyspepsia. We found a weak intra-rater reliability (κ = 0.46-0.54) for diagnosing a functional defecation disorder, functional constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and the postprandial distress syndrome subtype of functional dyspepsia. Conclusions Our study shows that a large proportion of children cannot adequately complete the QPGS-IV and that the intra-rater reliability among those who did adequately follow the instructions is moderate. We advise to test the children's understanding of the instructions prior to completion of questionnaires and recommend to not rely exclusively on a self-reported questionnaire to select, recruit, or evaluate pediatric patients for FGIDs for research purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Our objective is to describe the prevalence of patients with internal anal sphincter achalasia (IASA) without Hirschsprung disease (HD) among children undergoing anorectal manometry (ARM) and their clinical characteristics. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of high‐resolution ARM studies performed at our institution and identified patients with an absent rectoanal inhibitory reflex (RAIR). Clinical presentation, medical history, treatment outcomes, and results of ARM and other diagnostic tests were collected. We compared data between IASA patients, HD patients, and a matched control group of patients with functional constipation (FC). Key results: We reviewed 1,072 ARMs and identified 109 patients with an absent RAIR, of whom 28 were diagnosed with IASA. Compared to patients with FC, patients with IASA had an earlier onset of symptoms and were more likely to have abnormal contrast enema studies. Compared to patients with HD, patients with IASA were more likely to have had a normal timing of meconium passage, a later onset of symptoms, and were diagnosed at an older age. At the latest follow‐up, the majority of patients diagnosed with IASA (54%) were only using oral laxatives. Over half of patients with IASA had been treated with anal sphincter botulinum toxin injection, and 55% reported a positive response. Conclusions and Inferences: Patients diagnosed with IASA may represent a more severe patient population compared to patients with FC, but have a later onset of symptoms compared to patients with HD. They may require different treatments for their constipation and deserve further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colonic manometry with intraluminal bisacodyl infusion can be used to assess colonic neuromuscular function in children with treatment‐refractory constipation. If bisacodyl does not induce high‐amplitude propagating contractions (HAPCs), this can be an indication for surgical intervention. A detailed characterization of the colonic response to intraluminal bisacodyl in children with constipation may help to inform clinical interpretation of colonic manometry studies. Methods: Studies were performed in five pediatric hospitals. Analysis included identification of HAPCs, reporting HAPCs characteristics, and an area under the curve (AUC) analysis. Comparisons were performed between hospitals, catheter type, placement techniques, and site of bisacodyl infusion. Results: One hundred and sixty‐five children were included (median age 10, range 1‐17 years; n = 96 girls). One thousand eight hundred and ninety‐three HAPCs were identified in 154 children (12.3 ± 8.8 HAPCs per child, 0.32 ± 0.21 HAPCs per min; amplitude 113.6 ± 31.5 mm Hg; velocity 8.6 ± 3.8 mm/s, propagation length 368 ± 175 mm). The mean time to first HAPC following bisacodyl was 553 ± 669 s. Prior to the first HAPC, there was no change in AUC when comparing pre‐ vs post‐bisacodyl (Z = −0.53, P =.60). The majority of HAPCs terminated in a synchronous pressurization in the rectosigmoid. Defecation was associated with HAPCs (χ2(1)=7.04, P <.01). Site of bisacodyl administration, catheter type, and hospital location did not alter the response. Conclusions and Inferences: Intraluminal bisacodyl induced HAPCs in 93% of children with treatment‐refractory constipation. The bisacodyl response is characterized by ≥1 HAPC within 12 minutes of infusion. The majority of HAPCs terminate in a synchronous pressurization in the rectosigmoid. Optimal clinical management based upon colonic manometry findings is yet to be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: To evaluate the impact of the implementation of the Rome IV criteria on pediatric gastrointestinal practice. Recent Findings: In 2016, the Rome IV criteria were published, providing an update of symptom-based criteria to diagnose children with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). Summary: For neonates and toddlers, Wessel's criteria for diagnosing infant colic were abandoned, and a differentiation was made between toilet-trained and non-toilet-trained children in the diagnosis of functional constipation. For children and adolescents, two new disorders (functional nausea and functional vomiting) are described, and in the diagnosis of functional dyspepsia, pain does not have to be the chief complaint anymore. This change has made functional dyspepsia the most common functional abdominal pain disorder, exceeding the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Lastly, the diagnosis of abdominal migraine was narrowed, causing an appropriate drop in its prevalence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of nonpharmacologic interventions for the treatment of childhood functional constipation.Study Design: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating nonpharmacologic treatments in children with functional constipation which reported at least 1 outcome of the core outcome set for children with functional constipation.Results: We included 52 RCTs with 4668 children, aged between 2 weeks and 18 years, of whom 47% were females. Studied interventions included gut microbiome-directed interventions, other dietary interventions, oral supplements, pelvic floor-directed interventions, electrical stimulation, dry cupping, and massage therapy. An overall high risk of bias was found across the majority of studies. Meta-analyses for treatment success and/or defecation frequency, including 20 RCTs, showed abdominal electrical stimulation (n = 3), Cassia Fistula emulsion (n = 2), and a cow's milk exclusion diet (n = 2 in a subpopulation with constipation as a possible manifestation of cow's milk allergy) may be effective. Evidence from RCTs not included in the meta-analyses, indicated that some prebiotic and fiber mixtures, Chinese herbal medicine (Xiao'er Biantong granules), and abdominal massage are promising therapies. In contrast, studies showed no benefit for the use of probiotics, synbiotics, an increase in water intake, dry cupping, or additional biofeedback or behavioral therapy. We found no RCTs on physical movement or acupuncture.Conclusions: More well-designed high quality RCTs concerning nonpharmacologic treatments for children with functional constipation are needed before changes in current guidelines are indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]