Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

11/14/2025

🧬 Open Access Original Article: DNA methylation and celiac disease susceptibility
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1002/jpn3.70124?utm_source=fb_page&utm_medium=Journal+of+Pediatric+Gastroenterology+and+Nutrition&utm_campaign=publer

Researchers examined whether placental or blood DNA methylation (DNAm) mediates genetic risk for celiac disease (CeD).

📊 Findings:

248 CpGs in placenta and 215 in blood linked to CeD risk.

Placental DNAm had limited overall impact, but signals near ZFP57 and AHSA2 may mediate prenatal susceptibility.

Peripheral blood DNAm near HLA-DPA1 showed strong association, potentially influencing CeD risk independent of HLA-DQ2.

💡 Suggests that blood-based epigenetic regulation may play a more significant role than placental methylation in CeD susceptibility.

11/14/2025

Pediatric IBD in Middle Eastern/Chaldean youth—new U.S. cohort data
This 10-year study used a validated surname algorithm to identify ME/Chaldean patients and found similar IBD types/phenotypes to non-ME peers, but a significantly higher rate of complications (65.9% vs 48.8%). Extra-intestinal manifestations were tied to more hospitalizations and need for biologics/surgery. The study underscores the importance of accurate demographic identification and proactive complication monitoring to ensure equitable care.
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1002/jpn3.70127?utm_source=fb_page&utm_medium=Journal+of+Pediatric+Gastroenterology+and+Nutrition&utm_campaign=publer

Click on the article title to read more.

11/14/2025

🧠 Research Report: Overlapping inflammatory bowel and irritable bowel — Time to screen for parental catastrophizing
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1002/jpn3.70126?utm_source=fb_page&utm_medium=Journal+of+Pediatric+Gastroenterology+and+Nutrition&utm_campaign=publer

In this study of youth with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and IBD-IBS overlap, parents completed questionnaires assessing their psychological responses to their child’s symptoms.

📊 Findings:

Parents of youth with IBD-IBS reported higher catastrophizing, greater perceived threat, and more protective behaviors than parents of youth with IBD alone.

Catastrophizing remained the key factor distinguishing the two groups.

💬 Addressing parental catastrophizing through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or family-based interventions may help improve youth outcomes and reduce symptom-related disability.

Click on the article title to read more.

11/14/2025

🥗 Original Article: Diet quality and outcomes in pediatric ulcerative colitis (UC)
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1002/jpn3.70146?utm_source=fb_page&utm_medium=Journal+of+Pediatric+Gastroenterology+and+Nutrition&utm_campaign=publer

This cross-sectional study of 47 children with UC explored how dietary patterns relate to disease activity and healing.

📊 Highlights:

Better diet quality—more unprocessed foods, fiber, and micronutrients—was linked to clinical remission and mucosal healing.

Ultra-processed food (UPF) and saturated fat intake predicted ongoing inflammation and worse outcomes.

Machine learning models accurately predicted disease activity based on dietary habits.

These findings highlight the importance of nutritional strategies as part of comprehensive UC management in children.

11/14/2025

🩻 Original Article: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in pediatric Crohn’s disease
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1002/jpn3.70120?utm_source=fb_page&utm_medium=Journal+of+Pediatric+Gastroenterology+and+Nutrition&utm_campaign=publer

In this open access study of 76 children with Crohn’s disease, POCUS was added to routine assessment alongside f***l calprotectin (FC) and the MINI-index.

📊 Key findings:

POCUS led to a different disease severity classification in over half of patients compared to FC and MINI-index.

Clinical management changed in 58% of cases after POCUS results.

Prediction of flares within 4 months improved (PPV 71%, NPV 74%).

💡 POCUS offers a valuable, noninvasive, and immediate tool to complement biomarkers in the outpatient management of pediatric Crohn’s disease.

11/13/2025

🧬 Clinical Trial: Calcium butyrate efficacy in pediatric irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1002/jpn3.70154?utm_source=fb_page&utm_medium=Journal+of+Pediatric+Gastroenterology+and+Nutrition&utm_campaign=publer

This open access randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated calcium butyrate (500 mg/day) in 51 children with IBS (ages 4–17).

✅ Results:

73% of children receiving butyrate had ≥50% reduction in symptom scores (vs. 3.8% with placebo)

Gut microbiota: Increase in beneficial SCFA-producing bacteria and decrease in pro-inflammatory species

Metabolomic a**lysis: Confirmed positive biochemical changes

These findings highlight butyrate’s promise as a potential therapeutic option for pediatric IBS.

11/13/2025

🧠 Original Article: Vulnerability factors for pediatric disorders of gut–brain interaction (DGBI)
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1002/jpn3.70155?utm_source=fb_page&utm_medium=Journal+of+Pediatric+Gastroenterology+and+Nutrition&utm_campaign=publer

Among 252 pediatric patients with pain-predominant DGBIs (functional abdominal pain, IBS, or functional dyspepsia):

91% had at least one vulnerability factor (avg. 2.2 per patient).

Common factors: early life events, mental health conditions, or family history of pain.

Functional disability worsened with more vulnerabilities, suggesting a cumulative impact.

New reported triggers included extra-intestinal infections, psychological stress, concussion, and surgery.

The findings reinforce the biopsychosocial model of DGBIs and emphasize early recognition of modifiable vulnerability factors.

11/13/2025

🧠 Original Article: Children with disorders of gut–brain interaction in primary care versus hospital care—A comparison of characteristics
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1002/jpn3.70129?utm_source=fb_page&utm_medium=Journal+of+Pediatric+Gastroenterology+and+Nutrition&utm_campaign=publer

This open access study compared 367 children (8–17 years) with functional abdominal pain (FAP) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) seen in primary care vs. hospital care.

📊 Results:

Children in primary care were younger, had lower pain intensity, fewer somatisation symptoms, and less school absenteeism.

Hospital care patients showed more severe disease profiles.

🩺 These differences highlight the need for early, setting-specific interventions and more primary care research on disorders of gut–brain interaction.

11/13/2025

📊 Original Article: Outcome reporting in studies of paediatric achalasia—A systematic review
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1002/jpn3.70128?utm_source=fb_page&utm_medium=Journal+of+Pediatric+Gastroenterology+and+Nutrition&utm_campaign=publer

In this open access review of 62 pediatric achalasia studies, researchers found that:

Only 19% specified a primary outcome

The Eckardt score was most common but not validated for children

Key outcomes on pathophysiology, quality of life, and survival were under-reported

The study underscores the need for a Core Outcome Set (COS) to improve consistency, comparability, and clinical relevance in future research.

11/13/2025

🦠 Original Article: Evolution of antibiotic resistance pattern of Helicobacter pylori in Spanish children—A 10-year multicenter study
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1002/jpn3.70123?utm_source=fb_page&utm_medium=Journal+of+Pediatric+Gastroenterology+and+Nutrition&utm_campaign=publer

In this multicenter study from Madrid (2011–2020), 1,205 children with H. pylori infection were a**lyzed.
Key findings:
🔹 Clarithromycin resistance: 42.9%
🔹 Metronidazole resistance: 24%, decreased over time
🔹 Double resistance: 12.2%, also declined
🔹 Eradication rates increased significantly after the adoption of ESPGHAN/NASPGHAN guideline–based regimens.

Ongoing resistance monitoring remains critical for guiding pediatric H. pylori treatment.

11/12/2025

🧬 Invited Review: Advances in prognostic biomarkers for biliary atresia—current insights and future directions
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1002/jpn3.70131?utm_source=fb_page&utm_medium=Journal+of+Pediatric+Gastroenterology+and+Nutrition&utm_campaign=publer

This open access review highlights progress in identifying biomarkers and models that predict outcomes in biliary atresia, the leading cause of pediatric end-stage liver disease.

Key advances include:
🔹 Serum markers of inflammation, fibrosis, and bile acids
🔹 Hepatic gene expression profiles revealing distinct subtypes
🔹 Imaging tools such as ultrasound elastography
🔹 Integrative clinical + omics + imaging approaches

A step closer to personalized prognosis and management for infants with BA.

11/12/2025

💉 Original Article: Accuracy and outcomes of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guided a**l botulinum toxin injections for pediatric constipation
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1002/jpn3.70122?utm_source=fb_page&utm_medium=Journal+of+Pediatric+Gastroenterology+and+Nutrition&utm_campaign=publer

This pilot study compared standard landmark-guided versus EUS-guided botulinum toxin injections into the internal a**l sphincter for children with chronic constipation.

📊 Findings:

The internal a**l sphincter was accurately targeted only ~50% of the time with the standard technique.

Symptom improvement occurred at similar rates with both approaches through 6 months.

EUS guidance may improve accuracy, but both techniques remain clinically effective.