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Abstract Background and study aims The ability to perform endoscopy procedures safely and effectively is a key aspect of quality clinical care in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (PGHN). The aim of this survey, which was part of a global survey on PGHN training in Europe, was to assess endoscopy training opportunities provided across Europe. Methods Responses to standardized questions related to endoscopy training were collected from training centers across Europe through the presidents/representatives of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition National Societies from June 2016 to December 2019. Results A total of 100 training centers from 19 countries participated in the survey. In 57 centers, the endoscopy suit was attached to the PGHN center, while in 23, pediatric endoscopies were performed in adult endoscopy facilities. Ninety percent of centers reported the availability of specialized endoscopy nurses and 96 % of pediatric anesthetists. Pediatric endoscopies were performed by PGHN specialists in 55 centers, while 31 centers reported the involvement of an adult endoscopist and 14 of a pediatric surgeon. Dividing the number of procedures performed at the training center by the number of trainees, ≤ 20 upper, lower, or therapeutic endoscopies per trainee per year were reported by 0 %, 23 %, and 56 % of centers, respectively, whereas ≤ 5 wireless capsule endoscopies per trainee per year by 75 %. Only one country (United Kingdom) required separate certification of competency in endoscopy. Conclusions Differences and deficiencies in infrastructure, staffing, and procedural volume, as well as in endoscopy competency assessment and certification, were identified among European PGHN training centers limiting training opportunities in pediatric endoscopy.

Gastroezofagealni refluks predstavlja vraćanje sadržaja želuca u jednjak, ponekad praćeno regurgitacijom i/ili povraćanjem. Refluks je patološki ako dovodi do značajnih (zabrinjavajućih) simptoma i/ili komplikacija (gastroezofagealna refluksna bolest, GERB). Simptomi refluksne bolesti nisu specifični, ovise o dobi djeteta i povezanost s refluksom je ponekad teško dokazati. U svakog djeteta sa simptomima refluksne bolesti i upozoravajućim znacima trebalo bi obradom isključiti mogući drugi uzrok tegoba. Višekanalna intraluminalna impedancija jednjaka koristi se u određivanju korelacije simptoma s refluksnim događajima, procjene učinkovitosti antisekretorne terapije i razlikovanja ne-erozivne refluksne bolesti, hipersenzitivnog jednjaka i funkcijske žgaravice. Pasaža probavnog sustava i ultrazvuk abdomena koriste se u isključivanju anatomskih anomalija. Ezofagogastroduodenoskopija s biopsijama sluznice glavna je pretraga za procjenu komplikacija refluksne bolesti i isključivanja druge bolesti sluznice gornjeg dijela probavnog sustava, a manometrija jednjaka u slučaju sumnje u poremećaj motiliteta. Pokusna primjena inhibitora protonske pumpe (IPP) tijekom 4 – 8 tjedana moguća je u djece s tipičnim simptomima refluksne bolesti (žgaravica, retrosternalna ili epigastrična bol), ali se ne preporučuje u dojenčadi i djece s ekstraezofagealnim simptomima. Nefarmakološko liječenje refluksne bolesti uključuje zagušćivanje obroka, položajne mjere, modifikaciju volumena i učestalosti obroka i primjenu ekstenzivnog hidrolizata tijekom 2 – 4 tjedna u dojenčadi koja su na prehrani dojenačkim mliječnim pripravkom. Antacide/alginate ne bi trebalo koristiti za kronično liječenje dojenčadi i djece s refluksnom bolesti. Inhibitori protonske pumpe preporučuju se kao prva linija terapija erozivnog ezofagitisa povezanog s refluksom, a inhibitori H2-receptora u slučaju njihove nedostupnosti ili kontraindikacije za njihovu primjenu. Isključenje drugih uzroka tegoba preporučuje se u djece koja ne reagiraju na optimalnu terapiju tijekom 4 – 8 tjedana. Terapiju baklofenom trebalo bi razmotriti prije kirurškog liječenja nakon neuspjele primjene drugih farmakoloških mjera. Antirefluksnu operaciju (uključujući fundoplikaciju) trebalo bi razmotriti u djece sa životno ugrožavajućim komplikacijama refluksne bolesti nakon neuspjeha farmakološkog liječenja, refraktornim simptomima i u slučaju neophodne dugotrajne farmakoterapije GERB-a.

Cistična fibroza najčešća je nasljedna bolest, koja skraćuje životni vijek, a uzrokuje je defekt u genu za transmembranski regulator provodljivosti cistične fibroze (eng. cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator – CFTR). Poremećena je homeostaza elektrolita, što se očituje simptomima u više organskih sustava. Plućne manifestacije, s kroničnim infekcijama, upalom i, na kraju, respiratornim zatajenjem, ostaju i dalje najvažnija prijetnja životnom vijeku bolesnika. Do prije jednog desetljeća bilo je dostupno samo simptomatsko liječenje. Od 2012. g. dostupno je liječenje tzv. modulatorima CFTR-proteina i njihovim kombinacijama za osobe s cističnom fibrozom koje nose različite varijante CFTR-gena. Pojavom tih lijekova uvelike se promijenila perspektiva i kvaliteta života ljudi s cističnom fibrozom, ali postavljeni i novi izazovi u vezi s dugoročnim komplikacijama, pitanje eventualnog smanjenja konvencionalnog liječenja, ali i financiranja terapije, koja je mnogim bolesnicima nedostupna. Iznesene su bazične spoznaje o cističnoj fibrozi i funkciji CFTR-proteina, klasifikaciji varijanata CFTR-gena, mogućnostima liječenja CFTR-modulatorima te osnovni ishodi liječenja bolesnika s cističnom fibrozom u Hrvatskoj, gdje se ta terapija primjenjuje od jeseni 2021. godine.

The characteristics of Helicobacter (H.) pylori infection in children differ from the infection in adults, so diagnostic and treatment approaches are different. In addition, numerous data point to a worrying increase of antibiotic resistance and unsatisfactory eradication rate of H. pylori in children. Due to all this, and since there are only guidelines for adults in Croatia, there is a need for recommendation on diagnosis and treatment of H. pylori infection in children and adolescents. The approach “test and treat” is not justified in children. Diagnostic tests should focus on detecting the cause of symptoms, and not on searching for H. pylori. The diagnosis of infection should be based on positive culture or a combination of finding bacteria on histopathology and one more positive biopsy-based test. The eradication treatment should be based on antimicrobial sensitivity/resistance, using adequate therapy dosages for 14 days. If sensitivity for antibiotics is not known, the first line of therapy includes high dosage of proton pump inhibitors, amoxicillin and metronidazol for 14 days. After treatment, the eradication should be checked using C13-urea breath test or stool antigen test, at least four weeks after therapy. In case of unsuccessful eradication, the second line treatment is used, taking into account antibiotics already used as the first line, duration of therapy, and if possible the treatment should be based on culture and antibiotic sensitivity.

Aim To analyse available breastfeeding data in Croatia and to describe the process of gathering, collecting, recording and reporting on them to the official institutions. Methods Infant nutrition data collected at maternity wards and infant nutrition data from primary health care units during the period 2005 to 2016 have been used. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the data and to show the trends in breastfeeding. Results More than 85% of newborns were exclusively breastfed in the maternity wards. Data on breastfeeding from primary health care showed growth in exclusive breastfeeding up to 2011, followed by a fall in 2013. From 2012, paediatric teams had the obligation to join information system (CEZIH), but electronic forms did not contain infant nutrition information. Similarly in the E-Newborn project (E-novorođenče) the question on the feeding method in the application was not designated as mandatory. Conclusion The routinely collected data on breastfeeding did not allow us to draw any conclusion regarding breastfeeding trends in Croatia. In order to improve the process of gathering, recording and reporting data on breastfeeding to the proper authorities, it would be necessary to clearly align definitions, employ a uniform methodology, and upgrade the computer applications in primary health-care. Only then may the reports required for compulsory health insurance be obtained via the CEZIH, as well as the public health reports necessary to monitor preventive work in care of children’s health, and monitoring public health indicators.

Background: Pediatric gastrointestinal motility disorders present significant challenges for diagnosis and management, emphasizing the need for appropriate training in Pediatric Neurogastroenterology and Motility (PNGM). The aim of this survey, part of a comprehensive survey on training in pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition, was to evaluate training related to PNGM across European training centers., Method: Standardized questionnaires were collected from training centers through the National Societies Network of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN), from June 2016 to December 2019., Results: In total, 100 training centers from 19 countries participated in the survey. Dedicated PNGM clinics were available in 22 centers; pH-monitoring in 60; pH/impedance in 66; standard manometry in 37; and high-resolution manometry in 33. If all motility studies were performed partially or fully by the trainees, the median (range) annual numbers/per trainee were as follows: pH-monitoring 30 (1-500); pH/impedance 17 (1-131); standard manometries 10 (1-150); and high-resolution manometries 8 (1-75). The motility assessment was performed by pediatric gastroenterologists (43 centers); adult gastroenterologists (10 centers); pediatric surgeons (5 centers); and both pediatric gastroenterologists and pediatric surgeons (9 centers). Annual numbers ≤10 for pH-monitoring, pH/impedance, standard manometries and high-resolution manometries were reported by 7 (12%), 15 (23%), 11 (30%) and 14 (42%) centers, respectively., Conclusions: Significant differences exist in PNGM-related infrastructure, staff and procedural volumes at training centers across Europe. ESPGHAN and the National Societies should take initiatives to ensure the acquisition of competence in PNGM-related knowledge and skills, and develop strategies for assessment and accreditation.An infographic is available for this article at: http://www.annalsgastro.gr/files/journals/1/earlyview/2022/Infographic-AG6486.pdf., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: None, (Copyright: © Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology.)

Background: This survey evaluated the effects of the recognition of pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition (PGHN) on European PGHN training centers., Method: Standardized questionnaires were collected from training centers via the presidents/representatives of the National Societies Network of the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, from June 2016 to December 2019., Results: A total of 100 training centers from 19 countries participated in the survey: 55 from 12 countries where PGHN is formally recognized (Group 1) and 45 from 7 countries where it is not (Group 2). Training centers in Group 2 were less likely to have an integrated endoscopy suite, a written training curriculum and a training lead (P=0.059, P<0.001 and P=0.012, respectively). Trainees in Group 2 were less likely to be exposed to an adequate number of diagnostic endoscopies, while no differences were found in relation to liver biopsies. Half of the training centers in both Groups do not have dedicated beds for PGHN patients, while in 64% and 58%, respectively, trainees do not participate in on-call programs for PGHN emergencies. Research training is mandatory in 26% of the centers. The duration of training, as well as the assessment and accreditation policies, vary between countries., Conclusions: This study has revealed significant discrepancies and gaps in infrastructure and training programs, training leadership, and assessment of training and certification across European training centers in PGHN. Strategies to support the recognition of PGHN and to standardize and improve training conditions should be developed and implemented.An infographic is available for this article at: http://www.annalsgastro.gr/files/journals/1/earlyview/2022/Infographic&#95;AG-6496.pdf., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: None, (Copyright: © Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology.)

Background: The widely recognized burden of liver diseases makes training in pediatric hepatology (PH) imperative. The aim of this survey, which was part of a global survey on training in pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition (PGHN) across Europe, was to assess the PH and liver transplantation (LT) infrastructure, staff and training programs in PGHN training centers., Method: Standardized questionnaires were collected from training centers via the presidents/representatives of the National Societies Network of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) from June 2016 to December 2019., Results: A total of 100 PGHN training centers participated in the survey (14/100 were national referral centers in PH and/or LT). Dedicated PH clinics were available in 75%, but LT clinics in only 11%. Dedicated beds for PGHN inpatients were available in 47/95 (49%) centers. Full-time or part-time specialists for PH care were available in 31/45 (69%) and 11/36 (31%) centers, respectively. Liver biopsies (LB) were performed in 93% of centers by: a PGHN specialist (35%); an interventional radiologist (26%); a pediatric surgeon (4%); or a combination of them (35%). Dividing the annual number of LBs in the centers performing LBs by the number of trainees gave a median (range) of 10 (1-125) per trainee. Transient elastography was available in 60/92 (65%) of centers., Conclusions: The survey highlighted the differences and shortcomings in PH training across Europe. ESPGHAN should take initiatives together with National Societies to ensure the acquisition of PH knowledge and skills according to the ESPGHAN curriculum.An infographic is available for this article at: http://www.annalsgastro.gr/files/journals/1/earlyview/2022/Infographic-Hepatology-training-paper.pdf., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: None, (Copyright: © Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology.)