Author Archives: gutsandgrowth

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About gutsandgrowth

I am a pediatric gastroenterologist at GI Care for Kids (previously called CCDHC) in Atlanta, Georgia. The goal of my blog is to share some of my reading in my field more broadly. In addition, I wanted to provide my voice to a wide range of topics that often have inaccurate or incomplete information. Before starting this blog in 2011, I would tear out articles from journals and/or keep notes in a palm pilot. This blog helps provide an updated source of information that is easy to access and search, along with links to useful multimedia sources. I was born and raised in Chattanooga. After graduating from the University of Virginia, I attended Baylor College of Medicine. I completed residency and fellowship training at the University of Cincinnati at the Children’s Hospital Medical Center. I received funding from the National Institutes of Health for molecular biology research of the gastrointestinal tract. During my fellowship, I had the opportunity to work with some of the most amazing pediatric gastroenterologists and mentors. Some of these individuals included Mitchell Cohen, William Balistreri, James Heubi, Jorge Bezerra, Colin Rudolph, John Bucuvalas, and Michael Farrell. I am grateful for their teaching and their friendship. During my training with their help, I received a nationwide award for the best research by a GI fellow. I have authored numerous publications/presentations including original research, case reports, review articles, and textbook chapters on various pediatric gastrointestinal problems. In addition, I have been recognized by Atlanta Magazine as a "Top Doctor" in my field multiple times. Currently, I am the vice chair of the section of nutrition for the Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. In addition, I am an adjunct Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine. Other society memberships have included the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN), American Academy of Pediatrics, the Food Allergy Network, the American Gastroenterology Association, the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, and the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. As part of a national pediatric GI organization called NASPGHAN (and its affiliated website GIKids), I have helped develop educational materials on a wide-range of gastrointestinal and liver diseases which are used across the country. Also, I have been an invited speaker for national campaigns to improve the evaluation and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, celiac disease, eosinophilic esophagitis, hepatitis C, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Some information on these topics has been posted at my work website, www.gicareforkids.com, which has links to multiple other useful resources. I am fortunate to work at GI Care For Kids. Our group has 17 terrific physicians with a wide range of subspecialization, including liver diseases, feeding disorders, eosinophilic diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, cystic fibrosis, DiGeorge/22q, celiac disease, and motility disorders. Many of our physicians are recognized nationally for their achievements. Our group of physicians have worked closely together for many years. None of the physicians in our group have ever left to join other groups. I have also worked with the same nurse (Bernadette) since I moved to Atlanta in 1997. For many families, more practical matters about our office include the following: – 14 office/satellite locations – physicians who speak Spanish – cutting edge research – on-site nutritionists – on-site psychology support for abdominal pain and feeding disorders – participation in ImproveCareNow to better the outcomes for children with inflammatory bowel disease – office endoscopy suite (lower costs and easier scheduling) – office infusion center (lower costs and easier for families) – easy access to nursing advice (each physician has at least one nurse) I am married and have two sons (both adults). I like to read, walk/hike, bike, swim, and play tennis with my free time. I do not have any financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies or other financial relationships to disclose. I have helped enroll patients in industry-sponsored research studies.

Food-borne Outbreaks and Lack of FDA Transparency

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A recent opinion piece from FoodSafetyNews highlights the lack of transparency from the FDA regarding food-borne outbreaks (several more listed below).

Bill Marler: Publisher’s Platform: A bit more about the FDA and lack of Transparency

Here’s an excerpt:

The Halloween disclosure of a multistate E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce raises another concern about the FDA and transparency — the failure to disclose where consumers purchased the tainted product..

Under the Freedom of Information Act and Title 21 of the Code of Regulations, government agencies — and specifically, the FDA — are told to exempt trade secrets and commercial information from any of their releases…

Formulations, ingredients and how products are made are trade secrets.  Who supplied the tainted raw material, who made the tainted product and where the tainted product was sold are not a trade secrets – especially during an outbreak.  Simplicity, transparency and consistency allows for a visible supply chain and one that consumers can have confidence in. 

Recent outbreaks (thanks to colleague for these references):

Multistate Salmonella Outbreak Linked To Ground Beef Causes One Death, Eight Hospitalizations

  • Reuters (11/1, Maddipatla) reported, “A multistate outbreak of salmonella linked to ground beef has caused one death in California and eight hospitalizations, U.S. health officials said on Friday. A total of 10 people in six U.S. states were infected with a strain of the bacteria called Salmonella Dublin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
  • TIME (11/2, Carlisle) reported, “Officials have not yet identified a single common source of the ground beef that is believed to be spreading the Salmonella Dublin based on epidemiological and laboratory evidence. According to the CDC, the sick individuals reported eating different brands of ground beef at different locations.”
  • CNN (11/1, Christensen) also reported the story.

Previously Undisclosed E. Coli Outbreak Linked To Romaine Lettuce Sickened Nearly Two Dozen People, FDA Says

  • The Washington Post (11/1, Brice-Saddler) reported, “A previously undisclosed E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce sickened nearly two dozen people between July and early September, the Food and Drug Administration said Thursday – a delayed announcement one food safety lawyer called a ‘lie to the public in all respects.’” The piece added, “Illnesses associated with the outbreak infected 23 people across 12 states from July 12 to Sept. 8, according to the FDA. No patients died of their illnesses, and officials say there is no ongoing public health risk.”

Dozens more fresh vegetable products because of Listeria monocytogenes risk (11/4) (FoodSafetyNews.com)

  • A (Canadian) nationwide recall of freshcut vegetables continues to expand with dozens of products and multiple brands now on the list. Products potentially contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes are cole slaw, riced cauliflower, green beans, noodles, kale salads and more.  Some of the products do not expire for 10 days or more, so consumers and businesses are urged to check their supplies for the recalled products listed here by the Canadian government

My take: Food-borne illnesses cause 48 million cases in U.S. each year (CDC estimates) and 3000 deaths (MMWR 64:2, 2015). More transparency is needed.

Related blog post: Food Safety Lecture-It’s Still A Jungle Out There

 

Prevalence of Bloodstream Infections in Children with SBS and Fever

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Abstract Link: Prevalence of Bloodstream Infections in Children With Short‐Bowel Syndrome With a Central Line Presenting to Emergency Department With Fever

AC Fifi et al JPEN; https://doi.org/10.1002/jpen.1701

This retrospective study with 246 encounters identified the rate of bloodstream infections (BSI) in children with short bowel syndrome (SBS).

Key findings:

  • The adjusted calculated prevalence rate for BSI in children with SBS and fever was 55% (95% CI, 42.3%–65.4%)
  • There were 114 gram‐negative infections (72.6%), 46 gram‐positive infections (29.3%), and 17 fungal infections (10.8%)
  • Each additional 10 units above 20 mg/L CRP increased the odds of BSI by 26%. There was no association between WBC count and the presence of BSI

My take: This study supports the practice of using broad‐spectrum antibiotics in children with SBS and fever.

Related blog posts:

Atlanta Botanical Garden

In the News, New Cystic Fibrosis Study

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More information related to today’s earlier post: In the News: Big Therapeutic Advance for Cystic Fibrosis

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Cystic fibrosis is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein, and nearly 90% of patients have at least one copy of the Phe508del CFTR mutation. In a phase 2 trial involving patients who were heterozygous for the Phe508del CFTR mutation and a minimal-function mutation (Phe508del–minimal function genotype), the next-generation CFTR corrector elexacaftor, in combination with tezacaftor and ivacaftor, improved Phe508del CFTR function and clinical outcomes.

METHODS

We conducted a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to confirm the efficacy and safety of elexacaftor–tezacaftor–ivacaftor in patients 12 years of age or older with cystic fibrosis with Phe508del–minimal function genotypes. Patients were randomly assigned to receive elexacaftor–tezacaftor–ivacaftor or placebo for 24 weeks. The primary end point was absolute change from baseline in percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) at week 4.

RESULTS

A total of 403 patients underwent randomization and received at least one dose of active treatment or placebo. Elexacaftor–tezacaftor–ivacaftor, relative to placebo, resulted in a percentage of predicted FEV1 that was 13.8 points higher at 4 weeks and 14.3 points higher through 24 weeks, a rate of pulmonary exacerbations that was 63% lower, a respiratory domain score on the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire–Revised (range, 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating a higher patient-reported quality of life with regard to respiratory symptoms; minimum clinically important difference, 4 points) that was 20.2 points higher, and a sweat chloride concentration that was 41.8 mmol per liter lower (P<0.001 for all comparisons). Elexacaftor–tezacaftor–ivacaftor was generally safe and had an acceptable side-effect profile. Most patients had adverse events that were mild or moderate. Adverse events leading to discontinuation of the trial regimen occurred in 1% of the patients in the elexacaftor–tezacaftor–ivacaftor group.

CONCLUSIONS

Elexacaftor–tezacaftor–ivacaftor was efficacious in patients with cystic fibrosis with Phe508del–minimal function genotypes, in whom previous CFTR modulator regimens were ineffective. (Funded by Vertex Pharmaceuticals; VX17-445-102 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03525444. opens in new tab.)

In the News: Big Therapeutic Advance for Cystic Fibrosis

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Washington Post: Long-Awaited Drug Could Turn Deadly Disease into Manageable Condition

An excerpt:

A new cystic fibrosis therapy dramatically improved patients’ lung function and showed clear signs of targeting the genetic root of the disease, instead of just alleviating symptoms — a breakthrough so long-sought that many doctors and patients are moved to tears when talking about it.

The data, being unveiled Thursday at a national conference in Tennessee and simultaneously published in two leading medical journals, was so persuasive that the Food and Drug Administration last week approved the three-drug combination, called Trikafta — five months ahead of the agency’s deadline. The drug could benefit 90 percent of patients with the disease, a major advance over previous drugs that worked in a tiny fraction of the people with the disease or had more modest effects…

Sarah Carollo, 28, a special needs teacher in Lee’s Summit, Mo., started Trikafta through a clinical trial in late 2018. Carollo… couldn’t walk down a hallway without stopping to rest and catch her breath…

A few days after she began taking the pill, her doctors tested her lung function and were so stunned at the improvement that they had to check whether they were really looking at the results from the right patient. Two weeks ago, Carollo ran a 5K race with another patient, Laurana Blackburn, who was also taking the drug through the clinical trial…

There are more than 1,700 gene mutations that can cause the protein to malfunction, but in the most common mutation, the protein is misfolded and can’t reach the right spot in the cell — and even if it does reach that spot, it doesn’t work properly. The new combination therapy includes one drug that corrects the misfolded protein and two that activate the correctly folded protein when it reaches the right spot in the cell.

In the largest trial, reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, 403 patients who had at least one copy of the most common gene mutation underlying cystic fibrosis received either Trikafta or a placebo. There were improvements in objective tests of lung function, decreases in lung problems and hospitalizations and an increase in people’s quality of life…

It also remains to be seen whether patients have an easy time gaining access to the drug, which will cost $311,000 a year. While that is a tremendous amount, orphan drugs for small patient populations typically carry very large price tags, and physicians are optimistic that insurers will cover the drug.

The NY Times reported on the FDA approval (October 2019), Studies Yield ‘Impressive’ Results in Fight Against Cystic Fibrosis, and noted that the “Institute for Clinical and Economic Review, which evaluates the cost-effectiveness of drugs, found that the cystic fibrosis drugs the company sells should cost as much as 77 percent less. ”

How Reliable is an Acetaminophen Level in Patients with Acetaminophen Overdose?

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A recent study (TM Leventhal et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 17: 2110-6) provides more data indicating that acetaminophen levels are frequently undetectable even in patients suspected of developing acute liver failure (ALF) due to acetaminophen overdose.

The authors performed a retrospective study with 434 subjects from the ALF study group who met criteria for either ALF (coagulopathy and hepatic encephalopathy w/in 26 weeks of first symptoms) or Acute Liver Injury (ALI) (severe liver injury with coagulopathy but no encephalopathy).  In this group, all of the patients had liver disease attributed to acetaminophen (APAP) toxicity.

Key findings:

  • 227 patients (52%) had undetectable acetaminophen levels
  • Transplant-free survival rate was 79.5% (including both ALF and ALI patients)
  • APAP-protein adduct data was available for 37 patients in cohort; all patients with this assay had evidence of APAP toxicity regardless of whether APAP level was detected

Discussion Points:

  • Symptoms from APAP toxicity frequently emerge >24 hours after ingestion.  APAP, though, has a short half-life, approximately 2-2.5 hours.  Thus, most patients will have APAP clearance from plasma in 18 hours
  • Unintentional overdose, often with multiple doses over therapeutic limit of 4 g/day (in adults), more frequently is associated with an undetectable APAP level than a single large intentional overdose which results in a higher peak level

My take: This study shows that APAP levels are unreliable in determining APAP ingestions and not predictive of ALF.  The use of N-acetylcysteine should not be determined by APAP levels in patients with suspected overdose.

Related blog posts:

Disclaimer: These blog posts are for educational purposes only. Specific dosing of medications/diets (along with potential adverse effects) should be confirmed by prescribing physician/nutritionist.  This content is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a condition

Atlanta Botanical Garden

How Good Are Our Tests for Acute Pancreatitis?

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A recent cross-sectional pediatric study (SH Orkin et al. J Pediatr 2019; 213: 143-8),  with a prospective clinical database, provides data on children presenting with acute pancreatitis, n=112 (2013-16).

Acute pancreatitis (AP): requires at least 2 of 3 criteria:

  1. Abdominal pain consistent with AP
  2. Serum amylase and/or lipase activity at least 3 times ULN
  3. Imaging findings compatible with AP

Key points:

  • Among AP patients who had a lipase level, the sensitivity was 95% whereas the sensitivity for amylase was 39%.
  • Among AP patients who had an ultrasound, the sensitivity was 52%.  In those with either CT or MRI, the sensitivity was 78%.
  • In this cohort, 5.4% did not meet diagnostic criteria based on biochemical elevation (amylase or lipase) and instead relied on imaging along with signs/symptoms.

The authors note that lipase has a delayed peak and longer duration of elevation with AP.   Amylase normalizes more rapidly.

My take: This study reinforces the view that an elevated lipase is more sensitive than amylase and that imaging (especially ultrasound) is frequently normal in AP.

Related blog posts:

Island Ford Park, Chattahoochee River

 

Georgia AAP Nutrition Symposium 2019: Care of the NICU (Premature Infant) Graduate

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This year’s Georgia AAP Nutrition Symposium featured lectures targeting the NICU graduates and children with allergies (tomorrow). My notes from these lectures could contain errors of omission or transcription.

Greg Sysyn

Link to slides: The Care and Feeding of the Tertiary NICU October 10 2019

Key points:

When can NICU graduates take a standard formula?  ‘When at normal weight at term or beyond for 2-3 months (tracking along a good percentile)’ –but keep in context (how big are parents); otherwise use preterm formula up to 52 weeks post-conceptional age. Studies have shown that formula-fed VLBW infants use of a transitional formula should continue until 3-6 months of age, possibly as long as 12 months of age.

Related blog posts:

 

Disclaimer: These blog posts are for educational purposes only. Specific dosing of medications (along with potential adverse effects) and changes in diet should be confirmed by prescribing physician.  This content is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a condition.

Georgia AAP Nutrition Symposium 2019: Food Allergy Immunotherapy

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This year’s Georgia AAP Nutrition Symposium featured lectures targeting the NICU graduates (yesterday) and children with allergies. My notes from these lectures could contain errors of omission or transcription.

Luqman Seidu — Food Allergy Immunotherapy: it’ll drive you nutty

Key Points:

  • Currently, it is hard to quantitate food-related mortality/anaphylaxis. It is much more common to have anaphylaxis due to medications.
  • Immunotherapy –can establish tolerance but needs to be considered in terms of efficacy, safety, ease of compliance.   Goal is sustained unresponsiveness so that there is an end in sight to treatment.
  • Multiple modalities, SLIT (sublingual and then swallowed), OIT (oral), EPIT (Epicutaneous therapy), OIT with anti-IgE therapy
  • 1 peanut =250-300 mg (important number to keep in mind, as many studies aim for ~1000 mg, which is ability to ingest ~3 peanuts).
  • EPIT -peanut patch.  1-yr study –goal was 1000 mg or 10-fold increase in tolerance without reaction.  97% compliance with study. Safer approach and better adherence but takes longer to get response.  Lower response at 1 yr –takes ~2 yr to get similar response
  • OIT therapy allows more rapid attainment of tolerance but lower compliance and higher rates of systemic reactions compared to EPIT.  A standardized product will be available soon; an FDA advisory committee has approved a peanut product (Palforzia). (NPR has reported on this as well: Peanut Allergy Treatment Palforzia)
  • Anti-IgE therapy (eg. Xolair).  Can use to desensitize for multiple foods at the same time.

Though not discussed in this talk, it is important for GI physicians to recognize that oral immunotherapy has been shown to trigger new onset EoE in 2.7% (AJ Lucendo et al. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2014; 113: 624-9).

Related blog posts:

 

Disclaimer: These blog posts are for educational purposes only. Specific dosing of medications (along with potential adverse effects) and changes in diet should be confirmed by prescribing physician.  This content is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a condition.

#NASPGHAN19 Intestinal Failure Session Part 2

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Our Spooky Pumpkin

Here are some notes and a few slides from NASPGHAN’s plenary session.  There could be errors of transcription in my notes.

Benjamin Gold, NASPGHAN president and part of our GI group, GI Care For Kids, welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Link to NASPGHAN_Annual_Meeting_Program 2019

Beth Carter  Trophic Growth Factors: A Practical View

Key Points:

  • GLP-2 has been approved as agent for intestinal failure for children (May 2019)
  • Studies thus far have shown good safety but concerns remain (?increased risk of polyposis, increased growth of neoplasm) and as such increased surveillance needed for patients receiving GLP-2
  • Cost in adults ~$295,000 per year
  • Most patients need to continue GLP-2 to maintain effect

Arthur Kasti  Abstract 218  Microbial Metabolites as Markers of Intestinal Dysbiosis in Pediatric Short Bowel Syndrome

This was a terrific presentation. Key points:

  • Microbiome in SBS patients is less diverse
  • Current diagnosis of bacterial overgrowth is difficult and definitive diagnosis is often impractical
  • Several metabolites may be helpful in diagnosis of bacterial overgrowth

Disclaimer: This blog, gutsandgrowth, assumes no responsibility for any use or operation of any method, product, instruction, concept or idea contained in the material herein or for any injury or damage to persons or property (whether products liability, negligence or otherwise) resulting from such use or operation. These blog posts are for educational purposes only. Specific dosing of medications (along with potential adverse effects) should be confirmed by prescribing physician.  Because of rapid advances in the medical sciences, the gutsandgrowth blog cautions that independent verification should be made of diagnosis and drug dosages. The reader is solely responsible for the conduct of any suggested test or procedure.  This content is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a condition.

#NASPGHAN19 Intestinal Failure Session Part 1

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Here are some notes and a few slides from NASPGHAN’s plenary session.  There could be errors of transcription in my notes.

Benjamin Gold, NASPGHAN president and part of our GI group, GI Care For Kids, welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Link to NASPGHAN_Annual_Meeting_Program 2019

John Kerner  Potential Role of New Fat Emulsions

Key points:

  • Both SMOFlipid and Omegaven help prevent and/or treat parenteral nutrition associated cholestasis.
  • SMOFlipid is much less expensive (see slide below) -50 gm of SMOFlipid ~$5 compared to 10 gm of Omegaven at $35, thus omegaven costs more than 30 times SMOFlipid.
  • Though SMOFlipid is not FDA approved in children, it is being used widely and allows for increased calories compared to lipid minimization with intralipid and could improve neurocognitive outcomes.
  • SMOF dosing (listed below) with goal of 3 g/kg in preterm infants.
  • Resolution of cholestasis does not mean reversal of cirrhosis.  Thus, lipid emulsion intervention at earlier stage may be important.

Bram Raphael  Getting In Line: Towards a Clinical Practice Guideline For CVC Salvage

Key points:

  • Several infections are very difficult to clear, especially yeast, enterococcus, and pseudomonas
  • Salvaging central lines may obviate the need for multi-visceral transplant which carries a 5-year ~50% mortality rate
  • Cefepime provides good gram-negative coverage; consider meropenem in those with septic shock

Disclaimer: This blog, gutsandgrowth, assumes no responsibility for any use or operation of any method, product, instruction, concept or idea contained in the material herein or for any injury or damage to persons or property (whether products liability, negligence or otherwise) resulting from such use or operation. These blog posts are for educational purposes only. Specific dosing of medications (along with potential adverse effects) should be confirmed by prescribing physician.  Because of rapid advances in the medical sciences, the gutsandgrowth blog cautions that independent verification should be made of diagnosis and drug dosages. The reader is solely responsible for the conduct of any suggested test or procedure.  This content is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a condition.