Cholestasis results from impairment in the excretion of bile, which may be due to mechanical obstruction of bile flow or impairment of excretion of bile components into the bile canaliculus. When present, cholestasis warrants prompt diagnosis and treatment. The differential diagnosis of cholestasis beyond the neonatal period is broad and includes congenital and acquired etiologies. It is imperative that the clinician differentiates between intrahepatic and extrahepatic origin of cholestasis. Treatment may be supportive or curative and depends on the etiology. Recent literature shows that optimal nutritional and medical support also plays an integral role in the management of pediatric patients with chronic cholestasis. This review will provide a broad overview of the pathophysiology, diagnostic approach, and management of cholestasis beyond the neonatal and infancy periods.
Alagille Syndrome ; Bile ; Bile Canaliculi ; Cholelithiasis ; Cholestasis* ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hepatitis ; Hepatolenticular Degeneration ; Humans ; Jaundice ; Pruritus

Congenital antral webs are a rare but relevant cause of gastric outlet obstruction in infants and children. The condition may lead to feeding refusal, vomiting, and poor growth. Due to the relative rarity of the disease, cases of congenital antral web are frequently misdiagnosed or diagnosed with significant delay as physicians favorably pursue diagnoses of pyloric stenosis and gastric ulcer disease, which are more prevalent. We report a case of an eight-month-old female who presented with persistent non-bilious emesis, feeding difficulties, and failure to thrive and was discovered to have an antral web. The web was successfully treated with endoscopic balloon dilation, which resolved her symptoms. Two years later, the patient remains asymptomatic and is thriving with weight at the 75th percentile for her age.
Child ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopy ; Failure to Thrive ; Female ; Gastric Outlet Obstruction ; Humans ; Infant ; Pediatrics ; Pyloric Stenosis ; Stomach Ulcer ; Vomiting

Foreign body ingestions pose a significant health risk in children. Neodymium magnets are high-powered, rare-earth magnets that is a serious issue in the pediatric population due to their strong magnetic force and high rate of complications. When multiple magnets are ingested, there is potential for morbidity and mortality, including gastrointestinal fistula formation, obstruction, bleeding, perforation, and death. Many cases require surgical intervention for removal of the magnets and management of subsequent complications. However, we report a case of multiple magnet ingestion in a 19-month-old child complicated by gastroduodenal fistula that was successfully treated by endoscopic removal and supportive care avoiding the need for surgical intervention. At two-week follow-up, the child was asymptomatic and upper gastrointestinal series obtained six months later demonstrated resolution of the fistula.
Child ; Eating ; Endoscopy ; Fistula* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foreign Bodies ; Gastric Fistula ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Infant ; Intestinal Fistula ; Mortality ; Neodymium*

Purpose: Malnutrition is a significant issue for pediatric patients with cancer. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness and complication rate of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement in pediatric oncology patients. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on 49 pediatric oncology patients undergoing PEG placement at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital between 2000 and 2016.Demographic and clinical characteristics, complications, absolute neutrophil count at time of PEG placement and at time of complications, length of stay, and mortality were identified.Weight-for-age Z-scores were evaluated at time of- and six months post-PEG placement. Results: The overall mean weight-for-age Z-score improved by 0.73 (p<0.0001) from pre-(–1.11) to post- (–0.38) PEG placement. Improvement in Z-score was seen in patients who were malnourished at time of PEG placement (1.14, p<0.0001), but not in those who were not malnourished (0.32, p=0.197). Site infections were seen in 12 (24%), buried bumper syndrome in five (10%), and tube dislodgement in one (2%) patient. One patient (2%) with fever was treated for possible peritonitis. There were no cases of other major complications, including gastric perforation, gastrocolic fistula, clinically significant bleeding, or PEGrelated death documented. Conclusion Consistent with previous studies, our data suggests a relationship between site complications (superficial wound infection, buried bumper syndrome) and neutropenia.Additionally, PEG placement appears to be an effective modality for improving nutritional status in malnourished pediatric oncology patients. However, larger prospective studies with appropriate controls and adjustment for potential confounders are warranted to confirm these findings.

Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Appetite ; Child ; Deglutition Disorders ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopy ; Gastritis ; Helicobacter pylori ; Histiocytes ; Humans ; Incidental Findings ; Male ; Nausea ; Pediatrics ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Vomiting ; Xanthomatosis