Objective:To investigate the pathogenic mechanism and clinical characteristics of the novel splicing variant of ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 4 (ABCB4) and provide a basis for subsequent genetic diagnosis.Methods:The clinical data of a 5-year-old child with cholestatic liver disease admitted to the Beijing Children′s Hospital of Capital Medical University was retrospectively analyzed. The pathogenic variations were detected by whole exome sequencing and verified by Sanger sequencing, and bioinformatics was used to predict the pathogenicity of the mutation sites. Possible pathogenic variations were verified in vitro by Minigene assay. The clinical outcome was followed after discharge from hospital.Results:The 5-year-old boy had developed cholestasis at the age of 11 months. His physical examination showed obvious enlargement of the liver and spleen. Cholestatic cirrhosis was diagnosed by liver function tests, abdominal ultrasonography, liver biopsy and pathology. The results of genetic analysis showed that the patient was a complex heterozygote of the ABCB4 gene, with a pathogenic mutation c.2860G>A and a novel mutation c.2065-8T>G, derived from the mother and father respectively. The conservative prediction of the c.2065-8T>G site showed that this region was highly conserved and may affect splicing. Minigene assay results confirmed that the c.2065-8T>G mutation resulted in a 7 bp retention of intron 16 in the mature mRNA. In the absence of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay, the amino acid frameshift forms a truncated protein, which is represented by p.Glu689ValfsTer19. The patient was diagnosed as progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 3 (PFIC3) and treated with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). His clinical symptoms improved during 18 months of follow-up.Conclusions:The c.2065-8T>G variant is confirmed to affect the splicing process and exhibits complex heterozygosity with c.2860G>A, which is identified as the cause of the disease. PFIC3 children with this variant showed cholestatic liver disease as the main manifestation with a slow progression and was sensitive to treatment with UDCA.

Objective:To analyze the etiology of chronic pancreatitis(CP) and evaluate the impact of different intervention methods on the prognosis.Methods:This is a retrospective analysis conducted on clinical data of pediatric patients with CP admitted to Beijing Children's Hospital between January 2010 and December 2023,including etiology,clinical manifestations,imaging data and treatments.Follow-up assessments included height,weight,complications occurrence,and long-term nutritional status evaluated by using Z scores.Results:A total of 98 patients with CP were included in the study,containing 51 males and 47 females,with an age range of 1.95 to 15.96 years (median 8.49 years).The etiological contained the gene mutation (39.8%,39/98) (involving PRSS1, SPINK1, CFTR),the anatomical abnormality (26/98,26.5%),idiopathic pancreatitis (33.7%,33/98).Predominant clinical manifestations included abdominal pain (79/98,79.6%),nausea/vomit(48/98,49.0%),chest tightness/chest pain (10/98,10.2%),with malnutrition (44/98,44.9%) and the serum amylase increased in some patients.Imaging findings revealed heterogeneous pancreatic echoes,dilated pancreatic ducts and pancreatic stones via abdominal ultrasound,and a full or atrophic pancreas with irregular margins,tortuous or dilated pancreatic ducts through abdominal magnetic resonance imaging.Compared with CP caused by other reasons,hereditdry CP had a higher rate of pancreatic morphological changes(100.0% vs.88.1%, P<0.05).By March 2024,follow-up showed all 98 patients underwent initial medical treatment,followed by surgical intervention in 13 cases,endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography intervention in 51 cases,and no surgical or endoscopic intervention in 34 cases.Six children developed diabetes,six had reduced fecal pancreatic elastase-1 but without fat diarrhea.Long-term follow-up indicated improved nutritional status among children who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography intervention(Z score,-1.22 vs.0.74, P<0.001). Conclusion:Gene mutations and anatomical abnormalities is the main etiological factors in pediatric patients with CP.Early endoscopic intervention can significantly improve the long-term prognosis of the children.

Objective:To assess the value of double-balloon enteroscopy(DBE)in the treatment of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome(PJS)polyp with intussusception in children.Methods:A total of 14 cases with PJS polyp with intussusception were collected in Gastroenterology Department of Beijing Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from July 2019 to January 2023.The general information, clinical manifestations, history of surgeries, abdominal ultrasound, enteroscopy and postoperative outcomes were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Fourteen cases with intussusception of PJS(including nine boys and five girls) were enrolled, and the average age was(10.25±2.52)years.There were 21 small intestinal intussusceptions in 14 cases, including eight cases of single intussusception and six cases of multiple intussusceptions.All the patients underwent DBE examination and treatment.A total of 215 small intestinal polyps were removed, no direct complications such as bleeding or perforation were found during the operation.Twelve cases were confirmed intussusception relieved by DBE, and the average maximum diameter of polyps causing intussusception was(4.38±1.43)cm.In addition, DBE did not reach the site of intussusception polyp in one case, and another case developed intestinal obstruction after DBE operation, which were treated by surgery.Conclusion:DBE provides a relatively effective method for the treatment of PJS polyps with intussusception without complete ileus in children.

Objective:To investigate the clinical features and risk factors of the extraintestinal manifestations(EIM)in children with ulcerative colitis(UC).Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted.The clinical data of 99 children with UC diagnosed in Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2016 to December 2021 were analyzed.According to whether the patients had EIM or not, they were divided into EIM-positive group and EIM-negative group.Rank sum test, χ2test or Fisher′s exact test were used to compare the variables between the 2 groups, including the clinical features, laboratory examination results and treatments.The Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of EIM in children with UC. Results:A total of 99 children with UC were enrolled, including 57 males and 42 females; the age of onset was 10.3(6.4, 12.6)years, and the course of disease was 4.2(1.6, 10.1)months.The patients were mainly characterized by extensive disease(E3)and pancolitis(E4)(69/99, 69.7%), moderate to severe activity(63/99, 63.6%)and moderate to severe inflammation of colonic mucosa(89/99, 89.9%). There were 77 patients(77.8%)in the EIM-negative group and 22 patients(22.2%)in the EIM-positive group, of which 5 patients had two types of EIMs; the most common EIMs were oral ulcers(9 cases), joint lesions(7 cases), and skin lesions(6 cases). Compared with the EIM-negative group, those in the EIM-positive group, such as the E4 type(77.3% vs 44.2%, χ2=7.513, P=0.006), moderate to severe activity(81.8% vs 58.4%, χ2=4.041, P=0.044), pediatric ulcerative colitis activity index score[47.5(35.0, 57.5)score vs 35.0(25.0, 50.0)score, Z=-2.260, P=0.024], the proportion of C-reactive protein≥8mg/L at diagnosis(54.5% vs 19.5%, χ2=10.607, P=0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate[30.0(13.8, 47.8)mm/h vs 10.0(4.0, 19.5)mm/h, Z=-3.918, P<0.001], the proportion of glucocorticoid treatment within one year after diagnosis(77.3% vs 49.4%, χ2=5.403, P=0.020)and the proportion of biological agents treatment(45.5% vs 23.4%, χ2=4.112, P=0.043)were significantly higher; the E3 type were significantly lower than those in the EIM-negative group(0 vs 23.4%, χ2=4.813, P=0.028), and the differences were statistically significant.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that erythrocyte sedimentation rate at diagnosis was an independent risk factor of EIM in children with UC( OR=1.063, 95% CI: 1.025~1.103, P=0.001). Conclusion:The UC patients with EIM had more extensive lesions, more severe disease activity, significantly increased inflammatory indicators, and more commom glucocorticoid and biologic therapy.Increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate was an high risk factor of EIM in children with UC.

Objective:To investigate the value of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)and related techniques in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pancreatitis in children.Methods:The clinical data of 16 children with chronic pancreatitis diagnosed in the Department of Gastroenterology at Beijing Children′s Hospital from January 2021 to January 2022, who had ERCP indications were analyzed retrospectively, including age, sex, operation time, postoperative complications and follow-up data.Results:Thirty nine ERCP operations were performed in 16 children, with the age of (7.20±2.51) years old, and the minimum weight of 13 kg.There were 7 males and 9 females.The clinical manifestations were upper abdominal pain in all cases, 3 patients with dyspnea, 1 patient with gastrointestinal bleeding, and 1 patient with diabetes.In terms of etiology, 16 cases were diagnosed by ERCP including, 7 cases with pancreatic divisum, 1 case with abnormal pancreaticobile duct confluence.Among the 16 children, 11 had gene examination with 9 gene mutations (including 7 cases SPINK1 mutation, 1 case PRSS mutation, and 1 case CFTR mutation).The operation time was 30 to 65 minutes, and the median was 43 minutes.The operation time was negative correlation with age, while there was no correlation with the anatomical structure abnormality or the gene mutation.Among the 16 children, 15 were placed with pancreatic duct stents, with a success rate of 93.8%.Three children had postoperative pancreatitis, the rest had hyperamylasemia.Postoperative complications were not related with the age, the anatomical structure abnormality or the gene mutation.All children had been followed up for more than one year.All children have not suffered from pancreatitis again, and the body mass index had increased significantly after operation than before( P<0.05).The ERCP operation was performed 2 to 4 times in children after stent replacement, and the time of stent replacement ranged from 3 months to 12 months. Conclusion:The main causes of chronic pancreatitis in children are anatomical abnormalities or gene mutations.ERCP and related techniques are minimally invasive, safe and effective in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis.

Objective:To investigate the clinical features of pediatric ulcerative colitis (UC) and analyze the risk factors of disease relapse.Methods:The clinical data of 79 children with UC diagnosed in Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2016 to February 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into early relapse group and non-early relapse group according to the clinical relapse within 12 months after diagnosis. T-test, rank sum test, χ 2 test or Fisher′s exact test were used to compare the variables between the 2 groups, including the clinical features, laboratory examination results and treatments. The Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of early relapse. The cumulative relapse rate during follow-up was calculated by Kaplan-Meier method. Results:Among the 79 UC children, 46 were males and 33 were females, and the age of onset was 10.6 (6.4, 12.7) years. The children were mainly characterized by extensive disease (E3) and pancolitis (E4) (51/79, 65%), moderate to severe activity (48/79, 61%) and moderate to severe inflammation of colonic mucosa (71/79, 90%). Thirty-eight (48%) patients had atypical phenotype and 17 (22%) had extraintestinal manifestations. The follow-up period was 43.9 (22.8, 61.3) months, and of the 41 patients rechecked with colonoscopy, 7 (17%) had disease progression. According to Kaplan-Meier analysis, the cumulative relapse rate of the 79 cases at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years after diagnosis were 27% (21/79), 47% (37/79), 57% (45/79) and 73% (53/73), respectively. There were 45 children (57%) in early relapse group and 34 (43%) in non-early relapse group. In early relapse group, hemoglobin and mucosal healing rate were both significantly lower (105 (87, 122) vs. 120 (104, 131) g/L, 28% (7/25) vs. 7/9, Z=-2.38, χ2=4.87, both P<0.05). The rate of steroid-dependent, E3 and step-up therapy during the induction period were all significantly higher than those in non-early relapse group (11/19 vs. 1/12, 24% (11/45) vs. 6% (2/34), 29% (13/45) vs. 6% (2/34), χ2=5.67, 4.85, 6.66, all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that extraintestinal manifestations ( OR=4.33, 95% CI 1.05-17.83), E3 ( OR=8.27, 95% CI 1.47-46.46) and step-up therapy during the induction period ( OR=5.58, 95% CI 1.01-30.77) were independent risk factors for early relapse. Conclusions:Pediatric UC is usually extensive and severe, with atypical phenotype, a high rate of relapse and a risk of disease progression. Extraintestinal manifestations, E3 and step-up therapy during the induction period are independent risk factors for early relapse.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of combination therapy on cyclic vomiting syndrome(CVS)in children, and improve the efficacy of CVS treatment in the future.Methods:This study retrospectively analyzed patients′ medical records of CVS, which were admitted to Digestive Department of Beijing Children′s Hospital from 2012 to 2019.The treatment regimen was A(Cyproheptadine+ Doxepin+ Valproate), B(Propranolol+ Cyproheptadine), or C(Propranolol+ Amitriptyline). Meanwhile, the patients should take drugs more than three months.The clinical data of 42 cases were analyzed retrospectively, and the treatment effect after discharge was followed up by telephone until October, 2020.Results:Among the 42 cases, 17 were male and 25 were female, whose mean age of onset was (4.65±3.23) years, and the age of diagnosis was (6.79±3.58) years.The main accompanied symptoms were abdominal pain and upper gastrointestinal bleeding.Forty-two patients were moderate/severe CVS.The regimens A, B and C were observed in 7, 11, and 24 patients, respectively.The age at improvement was(8.17±4.12)years.The course of treatment was(1.37±0.96)years.The age at follow-up was(10.32±4.03)years.During the 1-year follow-up, 35 cases were effective, and the efficiency was 83.3%.Among them, 23 cases had no paroxysmal vomiting and 7 cases had no effect.There was no significant difference in therapy effects among group A, B and C. Between the effective group and non-effective group, there were statistical differences in the personal history of hiatus hernia( P=0.024), the weight at follow-up ( P=0.042), and the course of medication( P=0.020). Conclusion:The combination regimen has a higher effective rate in the treatment of CVS.There was no significant difference among the three regimens in the treatment of CVS.For children with refractory CVS, who can not be treated with combination therapy, individualized therapy should be further developed.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of Epstein-Barr(EB)virus associated gastroenteritis, aiming to improve the diagnosis and treatment.Methods:The clinical data of 8 patients diagnosed as EB virus associated gastroenteritis in Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Children′s Hospital were retrospectively analyzed from January 2017 to December 2021 including the clinical data, laboratory examination, endoscopic and imaging findings, medications and clinical prognosis.Results:There were eight cases with the male: female ratio 6: 2, the average age 7.46 years, and history 20 d to 3 years.Main clinical manifestations were abdominal pain(7/8), diarrhea(4/8), bloody stools(3/8), fever(2/8), hematemesis(1/8), with the high load of serum EB virus DNA in 4 cases.The endoscopic features were rough mucosa, edema, erosion, boundary clear shallow ulcer.The EB virus-encoded small RNA(EBER)was positive in situ hybridization(8/8).The frequently affected sites were upper gastrointestinal tract(3/8), small intestine(2/8)and colon(4/8).The common complications were sepsis(3/8)and mild malnutrition(3/8).All patients became better by the enteral nutrition and antiviral therapy.Conclusion:The EB virus associated gastroenteritis is rare with the serious complications, the non-specific clinical manifestations.The clinical doctors should improve the understanding of this disease in order to improve the diagnosis and therapy.Clinicians should pay more attention to the test of EB virus in serum and membrane, then carry out the accurate treatment.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Adalimumab(ADA) in the treatment of pediatric Crohn′s disease (CD).Methods:The clinical data of 20 CD patients treated with ADA at Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University from September 2016 to September 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.The disease activity status and mucosal inflammation in CD patients were evaluated using the Pediatric Crohn′s Disease Activity Index (PCDAI) and Crohn′s Disease Endoscopic Severity Index(CDEIS). Data were compared between groups using the rank sum test or Fisher′ s exact test. Results:A total of 20 CD patients were recruited, including 12 males and 8 females.The mean age at diagnosis of CD was (9.5 ± 4.9) years old, ranging from 0.9-15.1 years old.The mean age of the first use of ADA was (10.4 ± 4.8) years old, ranging from 1.2-16.7 years old.The median duration of CD symptoms before ADA treatment was 0.9 (0.4, 1.7) years.The mean PCDAI score of 20 CD patients before ADA treatment was (28.5±19.8) points (range: 0-65.0 points). Of the 20 cases, 8 cases (40.0%) had severe disease activity, and 4 cases (20.0%) were in remission.A total of 15 CD patients underwent CDEIS assessment.The results showed that 9 patients had moderate to severe disease activity, and the symptoms were improved in 1 case under endoscopy.Ten patients (10/20 cases, 50.0%) received Infliximab (IFX) treatment preceding ADA treatment.IFX discontinuation was due to the loss of response(8/10 cases, 80.0%) and allergic reactions (2/10 patients, 20.0%). After 6 weeks of ADA treatment, the median PCDAI score of the 20 CD patients was 5.0 (0, 10.0) points, which was significantly lower than that before ADA treatment ( P<0.001). The clinical remission rate and clinical response rate of 16 patients with active CD treated with ADA for 6 weeks were 62.5% (10/16 cases) and 87.5% (14/16 cases), respectively.There were no significant differences in the clinical remission rate and clinical response rate between the patients who did not receive IFX and those who had previously received IFX(all P> 0.05). The median ADA treatment period was 5.5 (2.6, 17.8) months.During the follow-up period, 6 patients (6/20 cases, 30.0%) suffered from clinical recurrence of CD.At the end of the follow-up visit, seventeen patients(17/20 cases, 85.0%) maintained clinical remission, one had primary non-response and two experienced secondary non-response.Adverse events were reported in 7 patients, mainly including pneumonia (4 cases) or upper respiratory tract infection (2 cases). No tumor or other serious adverse events were recorded. Conclusions:ADA has good efficacy in inducing and maintaining clinical remission in pediatric CD patients, and does not cause serious adverse events.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of infliximab(IFX)in pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis(UC).Methods:The clinical data of 17 UC patients who received IFX treatment at Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2017 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, and the pediatric ulcerative colitis activity index(PUCAI)and laboratory data were compared before and after treatment to evaluate the efficacy and safety of IFX.Results:A total of 17 UC patients were included, and among them there were 9 boys and 8 girls.The age of onset was 12.1(10.7, 12.8)years old, and median age at IFX initiation was 12.5(11.8, 13.6)years old.The duration of IFX medication was 46.1(17.4, 56.9)weeks, and the times of IFX injections was 8.0(4.5, 10.5). The mean PUCAI score of the 17 UC patients at start of IFX treatment was (50.6±21.2) points, and the Mayo endoscopic score showed: ten severe activity, six moderate activity, and one mild activity.IFX efficacy analysis: the clinical response rate was 87.5%(14/16), and the clinical remission rate was 56.3%(9/16) at the 14th week.The sustained response rate was 81.8%(9/11), and the sustained remission rate was 36.4%(4/11) at the 30th week.At the 14th week of IFX treatment, PUCAI score[2.5(0, 10.0)points vs.50.0(41.3, 70.0)points] and white blood cell count[5.7(4.8, 8.6)×10 9/L vs.8.7(6.4, 13.5)×10 9/L] significantly decreased(all P<0.05), hemoglobin[(113.8±20.4)g/L vs.(99.3 ± 19.4)g/L] and albumin level[42.2(40.0, 44.4)g/L vs.36.6(28.6, 40.2)g/L] significantly increased compared with those before IFX treatment, and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05). The Mayo endoscopic scores at 14 weeks of IFX treatment in 12 active UC patients showed: only 2 patients achieved mucosal healing, 5 patients had reduced from severe to moderate mucosal inflammation, and 5 patients had no improvement.Seven patients had 10 adverse events, 2 cases had 4 times acute infusion reactions, and 5 cases had 6 times infections. Conclusion:IFX is effective and relatively safe in inducing and maintaining clinical remission in pediatric UC patients.