• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.10-15
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• 2009

Purpose: The manner of rectal bleeding of auto-amputated polyps (AP) is similar to juvenile polyps (JP) or Meckel's diverticula (MD). We conducted this study to characterize the clinical spectrum of AP. Methods: Fourteen patients were enrolled this study who were diagnosed AP due to painless rectal bleeding. The clinical data of AP was assessed and then compared with the clinical data of JP and MD retrospectively. Results: The prevalence of AP was 10.4% (14/135) and high in younger patients compared with that of JP (p=0.042 below 2 years). Whereas JP was more common in patients aged 2 to 5 years (p=0.005). Male was predominant in AP (p=0.008 AP vs JP). The manner of rectal bleeding in AP group was sudden and transient. There was no significant difference in time interval between onset of rectal bleeding and diagnosis between the 3 groups. However AP was diagnosed in 9 patients (64.3%) within 7 days after onset of rectal bleeding, but JP was diagnosed in 5 patients (4.1%) in the same period (p<0.001). All of AP were located in the rectum and the sigmoid colon. The mean hemoglobin was 11.3${\pm}$1.5 g/dL in AP, 11.8${\pm}$1.3 g/dL in JP, and 8.4${\pm}$1.2 g/dL in MD (p<0.001, only significant in MD). Conclusion: AP may be considered in male older than 1 year with transient and sudden onset or increase of painless rectal bleeding without drop of hemoglobin level.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.236-241
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• 2003

Purpose : This study was performed to know the clinical profile and effectiveness of colonoscopic polypectomy in patients with solitary juvenile polyp. Methods : This study included 19 children, aged 1.8 to 11.4 years, who underwent colonoscopic polypectomy and histologically proven solitary juvenile polyps between March 1998 and August 2002. We analyzed their detailed history, clinical manifestations, colonoscopic examination, method of anesthesia and results of colonoscopic polypectomy. Results : The mean age of the 19 cases was $4.7{\pm}2.8year$. The male to female ratio was 1 : 1.1. Hematochezia, the main indication of colonoscopy, was present in all cases. Combined symptoms were mucoid stool or diarrhea(42%), abdominal pain(26%), constipation(11%) and anal fissure(11%). Anemia(Hb <10 g/dL) in four cases recovered spontaneously after polypectomy. Complications associated with premedication, sedation and colonoscopy itself did not occur. Bleeding developed in two cases(11%) after polypectomy. One of them was controlled with hemoclipping. The main site of polyps was the rectosigmoid colon in 15 cases(79%). The size of the polyps ranged from 0.5 to 3.5 cm. The interval between the onset of symptoms and polypectomy was from 0.1 to 42 months. Conclusion : Juvenile polyps are a common cause of benign, chronic and recurrent rectal bleeding. Colonoscopic polypectomy is a simple, safe and effective therapeutic method. So earlier colonoscopy might avoid uneffective treatment and prevent untoward problems such as fear of parents and anemia.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.107-111
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• 2006

Crohn disease (CD) is rare, but the incidence of CD has been increasing over the past ten years. We found two cases of CD, associated with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), for the first time in children. In the first patient, MDS was diagnosed at three years of age and CD developed later at eight years of age. The patient presented with recurrent abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloody stools and failure to thrive. Colonoscopy revealed cobble stone like mucosa and mass like lesions with superficial ulceration and inflammatory exudates, observed from the cecum to ascending colon. Ileo-cecal biopsy samples showed ulcers with skipped areas and lymphoid infiltrations. The patient was started on treatment with mesalazine and deflazacort, and symptoms remitted. In the second patient, MDS was diagnosed at nine years of age and CD developed at 13 years of age. This patient has recurrent hematochezia, abdominal pain, vomiting and fever. Colonoscopy revealed a large, deep indurative ulceration on the cecal side of the ileo-cecal valve. Ileocecectomy was done, and histology revealed ulceration with transmural inflammation and lymphoid aggregates. Symptoms improved after ileocecectomy.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 2007

Purpose: This study was performed to review the recent experiences of pediatric gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy done in one university hospital. Methods: A retrospective review of medical records was conducted of 1,040 pediatric cases who underwent GI endoscopy at the Pusan National University Hospital between January 2001 to June 2005. Results: A total of 1,040 endoscopies (upper 840 and lower 200) were performed. The male/female ratio was 1.25:1. Neonates and infants accounted for 6.0% and 16.5% respectively. Half of the children were below 5 years (mean age $8.5{\pm}2.1$ years). Upper and lower GI diagnostic endoscopies were performed in 634 and 163 children respectively. Abdominal pain (38.8%), vomiting (19.4%), foreign body (17.7%), and hematemesis (10.3%) were the main reasons for esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Hematochezia (56.0%), abdominal pain (27.5%) and diarrhea (3.0%) were the main reasons for colonoscopy. Upper GI therapeutic procedures included retrieval of foreign bodies, balloon dilatations of esophageal stricture, PEG, and variceal ligation in 148, 27, 15, and 3 children, respectively. Therapeutic lower GI endoscopies were performed in 37 children (polypectomy in 92%, argon lazer cauterization for angiodysplasia in 4%). Conclusion: GI endoscopy played an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of GI diseases in children. Procedures in younger aged children, cases evaluated by colonoscopy and therapeutic endoscopies are increasing in pediatric practice.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.138-143
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• 1998

Chronic diarrhea in children is a common problem with numerous causes. Although most of these causes are benign, critical illness may present as chronic diarrhea. In a patient of chronic diarrhea, gastrointestinal infections are the most common causes in children of all ages and antibiotics may cause chronic diarrhea by altering intestinal microflora, which can result in the emergence of bacterial overgrowth. Overgrowth of Clostridium difficile may cause pseudomembranous colitis. We experienced 25-month-old boy who suffered from chronic diarrhea and partially treated with antibiotics irregularly. Colonoscopic findings of this child showed multiple plaques with white to yellowish exudate which adhere to the mucosal surface of a variable length of rectum. Histollogically, each plaque comprised a pseudomembrane of mucous debris, inflammatory cells, and exudate overlying groups of partially disrupted glands. A latex agglutination test on patient's stool was positive to toxin A of Clostridium difficile. He was recovered after stopping the antibiotics he has been prescribed, and being given vancomycin for 2 weeks. We report this case with brief review of literature.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 2005

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the clinical features and natural history of dietary protein induced proctocolitis (DPIPC) and to detect the causative foods of DPIPC, and to evaluate the effect of elimination of the foods on the course of the disease. Methods: Between March 2003 and July 2004, data from 30 consecutive patients with DPIPC who were followed for over 6 months, was reviewed. The diagnostic criterion used for DPIPC was an increase in the number of eosinophils in the lamina propria (${\geq}60per$ 10 high-power fields). In breast feeding mothers, 5 highly allergenic foods were eliminated from the maternal diet for 7 days, namely, allergenic food groups such as dairy products, eggs, nuts and soybean, fish and shellfish, and wheat and buckwheat. We observed the disappearance or appearance of hematochezia after elimination or challenge with the offending foods. Results: Before diagnosis infants were breast-fed (93.3%) or formula-fed (6.7%). Mean age at symptom onset was $11.5{\pm}5.1$ (5~24) weeks, and mean age at diagnosis was $17.8{\pm}9.5$ (8~56) weeks. Duration from symptom onset to diagnosis was $6.3{\pm}6.7$ (0~36) weeks. Mean peripheral blood eosinophil count was $478{\pm}320$ (40~1,790)/$mm^3$ and eosinophilia (> $250/mm^3$) was observedin 90.0% of patients. None of patients were found to have an increased serum IgE level. Of 15 patients that received sigmoidoscopy, nodular hyperplasia with erosion was observed in 93.3%. Of 27 patients whose mother ate the diet eliminated the 5 food groups, hematochezia diappeared in 74.1% of patients. Offending foods were identified as dairy products (37.5%), wheat and buckwheat (27.5%), fish and shellfish (20.0%), nuts and soybean (7.5%) and eggs (7.5%). A free maternal diet without patient's clinical symptoms was achieved at $29.4{\pm}8.7$ (9~44) weeks of patient's age, and a free baby diet without blood in stools was achieved at $37.5{\pm}9.7$ (12~56) weeks of age. Conclusion: DPIPC commonly occurs in exclusively breast-fed babies. Elimination of the above-mentioned 5 hyper-allergenic food groups from the maternal diet for 7days enables the detection of the offending foods. DPIPC is a transient disorder and 96.0% of patients can tolerate the offending foods at 12 months of age.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.314-317
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• 2011

A 16-year-old, spayed female, Maltese dog weighing 4.3 kg was presented with a 2-week history of yellowish nose-and oral-discharge, anorexia and lethargy. In physical examination, indefinite ulcerative mass about $3{\times}3$ cm in size in the left sublingual region, severe gingivoperiodontitis, halitosis, moderate dental calculus, fever and swelling of mandible soft tissue were noted. In radiographic view, periodontitis and bone lysis findings on the left rostral part of maxilla and mandible were observed. In complete blood count and blood chemistry test, thrombocytosis, increased levels of serum $NH_3$, AST and ALP were obtained. Urinalysis revealed hematuria and proteinuria. In histological examination, squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed. No surgery was performed, but combined treatment with carboplatin and piroxicam was initiated. Five days after initiation of medication, because of insistent vomiting, piroxicam was substituted to meloxicam. Although the therapeutic efficacy of meloxicam could not be known; administration of meloxicam might be less potential to gastrointestinal side-effects than piroxicam. The dog totally received 3 times of carboplatin infusion. Five days after third infusion of carboplatin, the dog was hospitalized with severe lethargy, vomiting and bloody diarrhea. In examination, severe renal failure signs were noted, and the dog was euthanized.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.64-69
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• 2009

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) is a rare disorder in children. There are few investigations about the exact incidence and effective treatment of SRUS in children. We describe a 12-year-old male patient who had rectal prolapse for 9 years, hematochezia for 7 months, and was diagnosed with polypoid solitary rectal ulcer syndrome with rectal prolapse by colonoscopy. Anorectal manometry was also performed to evaluate the cause of frequent relapses.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.36-41
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• 2008

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the clinical significance of food-specific IgE antibody tests in detecting triggering antigens in food protein-induced proctocolitis (FPIPC). Methods: Between February 2006 and May 2007, data from 16 consecutive FPIPC patients that underwent MAST and Uni-CAP tests on initial visits, were reviewed. The endoscopic criterion used for establishing a diagnosis of FPIPC was an increase in the number of eosinophils in the lamina propria (${\geq}60$ per 10 high power fields). Offending foods were suspected clinically based on elimination and challenge testing to mother or patient diets with the following five highly allergenic foods: dairy products, eggs, nuts and soybean, fish and shellfish, and wheat and buckwheat. We compared the results of initial MAST or Uni-CAP tests with clinically suspected offending foods. Results: For the 16 FPIPC patients, MAST tests showed positive results in 2 patients (12.5%), and Uni-CAP tests showed positive results in 3 patients (18.8%). Through clinical elimination and challenge, the 33 offending foods were identified: 7 fish and shellfish (21.2%), 6 eggs (18.2%), 6 wheat and buckwheat (18.2%), 4 dairy products (12.1%), 3 soybean (9.1%), 3 pork (9.1%), 2 nuts (6.1%), 1 beef (3.0%), and 1 mushroom (3.0%). Clinically suspected offending foods and MAST and Uni-CAP test results were found to be correlated in 1 patient (6.7%) each. Conclusion: Food specific IgE antibody tests are inappropriate for predicting offending foods in FPIPC. Clinical food elimination and challenge testing provide useful means of detecting offending foods.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.153-161
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate rotavirus infection by comparing the clinical characteristics in neonates and infants. Methods: We enrolled 104 neonates and 250 infants wiht gastroenteritis and a rotazyme test positive reaction at the Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital from February 2001 to January 2003. Results: The seasonal peaks of infection in infants occurred from February to June. However, in neonates, it occurred from October to December due to nursery outbreaks. Diarrhea, vomiting, fever and convulsions were significant symptoms in infants; however, metabolic acidosis with dehydration, jaundice, irritability, apnea, bloody stool, gastric residual, grunting, poor oral intake, lethargy as well as fever and diarrhea were more common in the neonates. Upper respiratory infection, pneumonia and bronchitis were present in the infants; however, necrotizing enterocolitis was more commonly observed in the in neonates. Among the patients with rotaviral infection, formula feeding was more popular than breast milk feeding in both the neonates and infants; however, this finding was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Rotavirus can be a significant pathogen in neonates as well as infants. Neonates suffering from fever, poor oral intake, lethargy and apnea should be investigated for rotaviral infection. A new vaccine, rotaviral specific immunoglobulin and treatment guidelines are needed for eradicating rotavirus infection. Further studies on isolation, infection pathway, immune response and treatment of rotavirus are needed.