This blog entry has abbreviated/summarized these presentations. Though not intentional, some important material is likely to have been omitted; in addition, transcription errors are possible as well.

Here is a link to postgraduate course syllabus: NASPGHAN PG Syllabus – 2017

The child with refractory constipation

Jose Garza   GI Care for Kids & Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Key points:

• Polyethylene glycol is a first-line agent and many patients require cleanout at start of therapy
• Adequate dose of laxative is needed for sure regular painless stools
• Don’t stop medicines before toilet training and until pattern of regular stooling established. “All symptoms of constipation should resolve for at least one month before discontinuation of treatment”
• Gradually reduce laxatives when improved
• An abdominal xray is NOT recommended to make the diagnosis of constipation
• Do you have the right diagnosis? Irritable bowel is often confused with constipation.  With constipation, the pain is relieved after resolution of constipation.
• Outlet dysfunction. Stimulant laxatives (eg. Senna) are probably underutilized. Biofeedback may help in older children.
• Slow transit constipation. Newer prosecretory agents may be helpful –lubiprostone and linaclotide.
• Organic constipation. Hirschsprung’s, Spina bifida, anorectal malformations etc. Testing: anorectal manometry, rectal biopsy (for Hirschsprung’s)
• For refractory disease, consider rectal therapy –suppositories, transanal irritagations/enemas (~78% success for fecal incontinence/constipation). These treatments should be used prior to surgical therapy (eg. Malone antegrade continence enema/cecostomy)

 

 

The quest for the holy grail: Accurately diagnosing and treating extraesophageal reflux

Rachel Rosen   Boston Children’s Hospital

Key points:

• It is frequent that EGD or impedance study will be abnormal, though this may not be causally-related.
• No correlation with ENT exams/red airways and reflux parameters
• No correlation with lipid laden macrophages and reflux parameters
• No correlation with salivary pepsin and reflux parameters

Treatment:

• Lansoprazole was not effective for colic or extraesophageal symptoms (Orenstein et al J Pediatrics 2009)
• PPIs can increase risk of pneumonia/respiratory infections
• Macrolides have been associated with increased risk of asthma but may be helpful for pulmonary symptoms
• Fundoplication has not been shown to be effective for reducing aspiration pneumonia.  Fundoplication could increase risk due to worsened esophageal drainage.
• ALTEs (BRUEs -brief resolved undefined events) need swallow study NOT PPIs

POTS and Joint Hypermobility: what do they have to do with functional abdominal pain?

Miguel Saps  University of Miami

Key points:

• Patients with POTS and joint hypermobility have frequent functional abdominal pain as well as other comorbidities
• Beighton Score can determine if joint hypermobility is present
• Brighton Score determines if hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is present
• Patients with frequent fatigue.  Gradual progressive and regular exercise is important part of therapy.  Can start with recombant exercise – training bicycle exercise, swimming
• Need to push salt intake and fluds

Do I need to test that C.R.A.P.?

Rina Sanghavi   Children’s Medical Center Dallas

This basic talk reviewed a broad range of issues related to functional abdominal pain.

Key points:

• Carnett’s sign can help establish abdominal pain as due to abdominal wall pain rather than visceral pain
• What is an appropriate evaluation?  Limited diagnostic testing for most patients.
• Alarm symptoms include: Fevers, Nocturnal diarrhea, Dysphagia, Significant vomiting, Weight Loss/poor growth, Delayed Puberty, and Family history of IBD