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Special Issue "Pediatric Gastrointestinal Diseases: Diagnosis and Management"

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A special issue of Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418). This special issue belongs to the section "Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 16 June 2023 | Viewed by 7068

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Prof. Dr. Cristina Oana Marginean

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Guest Editor

Department of Pediatrics I, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
Interests: diagnosis; nutrition assessment; child nutrition; childhood obesity; metabolic diseases; metabolism

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The purpose of this Special Issue is to allow researchers from around to the world to report on new insights in pediatric gastrointestinal diseases. Therefore, we aim to include papers related to both the diagnosis and management of a wide-spectrum of pediatric gastrointestinal diseases, such as celiac disease, acute and chronic diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, food allergies, nutritional disorders, gastritis, and other functional gastrointestinal disorders. Assessing and reporting novel information regarding different gastrointestinal disorders is highly important, as it is a major concern of pediatricians in clinical practice. It is a well-documented fact that gastrointestinal diseases represent the most important cause of morbidity in pediatric patients. The proper diagnosis and management of these pathologies independently of their organic or functional etiology will create healthier adult populations, decreasing the costs related to health services and improving the care that might be individualized for each patient.

Prof. Dr. Cristina Oana Marginean
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diagnostics is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

celiac disease
acute diarrhea
chronic diarrhea
inflammatory bowel disease
food allergies
nutritional disorders
gastritis
functional gastrointestinal disorders
gastro-esophageal reflux

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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Open AccessArticle

Helicobacter pylori Infection in Children: A Possible Reason for Headache?

Andrei Tudor Cernomaz

Iuliana Magdalena Starcea

and

Diagnostics 2023, 13(7), 1293; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics13071293 - 29 Mar 2023

Viewed by 637

Abstract

(1) Background: The correlation between infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and headache has been argued and explored for a long time, but a clear association between the simultaneous presence of the two in children has not been established yet. In this study, we aimed to explore this relationship in children from the Northeast region of Romania. (2) Methods: A retrospective study exploring the correlation between children having H. pylori infection and headache or migraine was conducted on a batch of 1757 children, hospitalized over 3 years in a pediatric gastroenterology department in Northeast Romania. (3) Results: A total of 130 children of both sexes had headache. From 130 children, 54 children (41.5%) also presented H. pylori infection. A significant association between headache and H. pylori infection (χ2; p < 0.01) was noticed. (4) Conclusions: More studies are needed on this relationship, and we emphasize the importance of further analyses, as they present great clinical importance for both prompt diagnosis and treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Gastrointestinal Diseases: Diagnosis and Management)

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Open AccessArticle

Omicron in Infants—Respiratory or Digestive Disease?

Anca Cristina Drăgănescu

Roxana Gabriela Sandu

Adrian Marinescu

Deniz Gunșahin

Karina Ioana Hoffmann

Daria Ștefana Horobeț

Daniela Pițigoi

Adrian Streinu-Cercel

and

Doina Anca Pleșca

Diagnostics 2023, 13(3), 421; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics13030421 - 23 Jan 2023

Viewed by 826

Abstract

The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 has caused a large number of cases and hospitalizations in the pediatric population. Infants due to their age are susceptible to viral infections that may have a worse prognosis. Therefore, the aim of the current study has been to characterize the clinical features and the outcome of infants hospitalized with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection during the Omicron wave. We conducted a retrospective study of all consecutive infants hospitalized with symptomatic COVID-19 and no other co-infections, from January to September 2022 in one of the largest infectious diseases hospitals from Bucharest, Romania. A total of 613 infants were included in the analysis. The median age was 5 months (IQR: 3, 8 months). The clinical features were dominated by fever (96.4%), cough (64.8%) and loss of appetite (63.3%), and overall, respiratory symptoms were the most numerous (76.0%). Infants between 1-3 months old had a 1.5-fold increased risk of elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values, and a longer length of hospitalization as compared to older infants. Infants between 7-9 months of age had 1.5-fold higher odds of loss of appetite, 1.7-fold more frequent cough and 1.6-fold more frequent digestive symptoms compared to infants in other age groups. The presence of digestive symptoms increased the probability of hepatic cytolysis (increased ALT) by 1.9-fold. Continued monitoring of COVID-19 among infants is very necessary, given the progressive character of SARS-CoV-2, in order to take correct and rapid therapeutic measures and to adapt to clinical changes driven by viral variant change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Gastrointestinal Diseases: Diagnosis and Management)

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Open AccessArticle

Epidemiological Characteristics of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Children in Northeast Romania

Ancuta Lupu

Ingrith Crenguta Miron

Andrei Tudor Cernomaz

Cristina Gavrilovici

Vasile Valeriu Lupu

Iuliana Magdalena Starcea

and

Diagnostics 2023, 13(3), 408; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics13030408 - 23 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 991

Abstract

(1) Background: Although gastritis has been associated with multiple etiologies, in pediatrics the main etiology is idiopathic. Many studies have reported mild-to-severe gastritis Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) as an etiological factor. We evaluated the distribution of the infection with H. pylori by age, gender and place of living; (2) Methods: A retrospective study was conducted over a period of 3 years, over a cohort of 1757 patients of both sexes, aged between 1 and 18 years, admitted to a regional gastroenterology center in Iasi, Romania, with clinical signs of gastritis which underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The research was based on the analysis of data from patient observation charts and hospital discharge tickets, as well as endoscopy result registers; (3) Results: Out of the 1757 children, in 30.8% of cases the H. pylori infection was present. Out of them, 26.8% were males and 73.2% females. The average age of children with an H. pylori infection was higher (14.1 + 2.8 DS), compared with children without H. pylori (12.8 + 3.7 SD), an average difference of 1.3 years (95% confidence interval 0.96 to 1.66; p < 0.001). By place of living, children with H. pylori infection were from urban areas at 24.7% and from rural areas at 75.3%; (4) Conclusions: H. pylori infection incidence is still high in children, especially in teenagers, so extensive prevention and treatment programs are needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Gastrointestinal Diseases: Diagnosis and Management)

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Open AccessArticle

Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pediatric Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Iuliana Magdalena Starcea

Andrei Tudor Cernomaz

Adriana Mocanu

and

Ancuta Lupu

Diagnostics 2023, 13(1), 63; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics13010063 - 26 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2234

Abstract

(1) Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause several complications as a result of the acidic pH over various cellular structures, which have been demonstrated and evaluated over time. Anemia can occur due to iron loss from erosions caused by acidic gastric content. In children, anemia has consequences that, in time, can affect their normal development. This study evaluates the presence of anemia as a result of pediatric gastroesophageal reflux disease. (2) Methods: 172 children were diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux in the gastroenterology department of a regional children’s hospital in northeast Romania by esophageal pH-metry and they were evaluated for presence of anemia. (3) Results: 23 patients with GERD from the studied group also had anemia, showing a moderate correlation (r = −0.35, p = 0.025, 95% confidence interval) and lower levels of serum iron were found in cases with GERD, with statistical significance (F = 8.46, p = 0.012, 95% confidence interval). (4) Conclusions: The results of our study suggest that there is a relationship between anemia or iron deficiency and gastroesophageal reflux due to reflux esophagitis in children, which needs to be further studied in larger groups to assess the repercussions on children’s development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Gastrointestinal Diseases: Diagnosis and Management)

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Review

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Open AccessReview

Association between Childhood Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Psychiatric Comorbidities in Adulthood

Andreea Sălcudean

Andreea Georgiana Nan

Cristina Raluca Bodo

Marius Cătălin Cosma

Elena Gabriela Strete

and

Maria Melania Lica

Diagnostics 2023, 13(11), 1868; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics13111868 - 26 May 2023

Viewed by 172

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and unspecified inflammatory bowel disease, is a chronic, unpredictable and immune-mediated condition of the gastrointestinal tract. In pediatric populations, the diagnosis of a chronic and debilitating pathology significantly reduces quality of life. Children diagnosed with IBD may cope with physical symptoms such as abdominal pain or fatigue, but mental and emotional well-being are also important for preventing and reducing the risk of developing psychiatric conditions. Short stature, growth delay and delayed puberty can contribute to poor body image and low self-esteem. Furthermore, treatment per se can alter psycho-social functioning due to the side effects of medication and surgical procedures such as colostomy. It is essential to acknowledge and treat early signs and symptoms of psychiatric distress in order to prevent the development of serious psychiatric disorders in adult life. The literature underlines the importance of incorporating psychological and mental health services as part of the management of inflammatory bowel disease. Diagnosing mental health problems in pediatric patients with IBD can improve their adherence to treatment and pathology course and, consequently, reduce long-term morbidity and mortality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Gastrointestinal Diseases: Diagnosis and Management)

Open AccessReview

The Crosstalk between Vitamin D and Pediatric Digestive Disorders

Cristina Oana Mărginean

and

Diagnostics 2022, 12(10), 2328; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics12102328 - 27 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1679

Abstract

Vitamin D is a cyclopentane polyhydrophenanthrene compound involved mainly in bone health and calcium metabolism but also autophagy, modulation of the gut microbiota, cell proliferation, immune functions and intestinal barrier integrity. The sources of vitamin D include sunlight, diet and vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D3, the most effective vitamin D isoform is produced in the human epidermis as a result of sunlight exposure. Vitamin D undergoes two hydroxylation reactions in the liver and kidney to reach its active form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. Recent studies highlighted a complex spectrum of roles regarding the wellbeing of the gastrointestinal tract. Based on its antimicrobial effect, it was recently indicated that vitamin D supplementation in addition to standard eradication therapy might enhance H. pylori eradication rates. Moreover, it was suggested that low levels of vitamin D might also be involved in the acquisition of H. pylori infection. In terms of celiac disease, the negative effects of vitamin D deficiency might begin even during intrauterine life in the setting of maternal deficiency. Moreover, vitamin D is strongly related to the integrity of the gut barrier, which represents the core of the pathophysiology of celiac disease onset, in addition to being correlated with the histological findings of disease severity. The relationship between vitamin D and cystic fibrosis is supported by the involvement of this micronutrient in preserving lung function by clearing airway inflammation and preventing pathogen airway colonization. Moreover, this micronutrient might exert anticatabolic effects in CF patients. Inflammatory bowel disease patients also experience major benefits if they have a sufficient level of circulating vitamin D, proving its involvement in both induction and remission in these patients. The findings regarding the relationship between vitamin D, food allergies, diarrhea and constipation remain controversial, but vitamin D levels should be monitored in these patients in order to avoid hypo- and hypervitaminosis. Further studies are required to fill the remaining gaps in term of the complex impact of vitamin D on gastrointestinal homeostasis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Gastrointestinal Diseases: Diagnosis and Management)

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