Purpose: Pediatric gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy significantly contributes to the diagnosis and management of GI diseases in children. Global data on pediatric GI endoscopy in the Asia-Pacific region are limited. We aimed to report the findings of a regional survey on pediatric endoscopy in the Asia-Pacific region. Methods: A questionnaire-based survey involving GI endoscopy centers in 13 Asia-Pacific countries (June to November 2021). The questionnaires included annual procedure volumes (from basic diagnostics to advanced therapeutic endoscopy), endoscopists, sedation procedures, and national training programs. Results: A total of 162 GI endoscopy centers completed the survey. All centers performed basic endoscopies (esophagogastroduodenoscopy and ileocolonoscopy); however, 45.1% and 59.1% of the centers performed less than 50 esophagogastroduodenoscopies and ileocolonoscopies per year, respectively. Small bowel evaluation (capsule endoscopy or balloon-assisted enteroscopy) was performed in 59.3% of the centers. Foreign body removal, polypectomy, and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy were performed in 89.5%, 85.8%, and 52.5% of centers, respectively. Endoscopic hemostatic interventions, which are lifesaving procedures, included glue injection (30.9%), hemostasis of nonvariceal bleeding (65.4%), and endoscopic variceal ligation (70.4%). Pediatric GI endoscopy is performed not only by pediatric gastroenterologists but also by adult gastroenterologists in 21–50% of centers for many kinds of procedures. Sedation was provided by anesthesiologists in 65.4% of the centers. Most centers offer both adult and pediatric endoscopy training. Conclusion The study highlights regional disparities in pediatric GI endoscopy services. It emphasizes the need for expanded pediatric GI training and improved access to therapeutic endoscopy, particularly for life-saving procedures.

Purpose: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a chronic disorder characterized by upper abdominal symptoms in the absence of an identifiable organic cause. Although the efficacy of acotiamide has been demonstrated in adults with FD, its effectiveness in pediatric patients remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of acotiamide in pediatric patients with FD. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 33 patients with FD, aged <16 years, who received acotiamide at a single children’s hospital between August 2013 and March 2022. Results: Symptomatic improvement was observed in 57.6% (19/33) of patients one month after acotiamide administration. The improvement rates were 63.6%, 20.0%, and 66.7% among patients with epigastric pain syndrome (EPS), postprandial distress syndrome (PDS), and overlap PDS-EPS, respectively. No statistically significant differences in symptomatic improvement rates were noted among the subtypes (p=0.213). Two patients discontinued acotiamide because of abdominal pain, but no serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion Acotiamide demonstrated efficacy in pediatric FD, which is consistent with previously reported outcomes in adults. Acotiamide may be a beneficial treatment option for pediatric FD across all subtypes.

Purpose: Pediatric gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy significantly contributes to the diagnosis and management of GI diseases in children. Global data on pediatric GI endoscopy in the Asia-Pacific region are limited. We aimed to report the findings of a regional survey on pediatric endoscopy in the Asia-Pacific region. Methods: A questionnaire-based survey involving GI endoscopy centers in 13 Asia-Pacific countries (June to November 2021). The questionnaires included annual procedure volumes (from basic diagnostics to advanced therapeutic endoscopy), endoscopists, sedation procedures, and national training programs. Results: A total of 162 GI endoscopy centers completed the survey. All centers performed basic endoscopies (esophagogastroduodenoscopy and ileocolonoscopy); however, 45.1% and 59.1% of the centers performed less than 50 esophagogastroduodenoscopies and ileocolonoscopies per year, respectively. Small bowel evaluation (capsule endoscopy or balloon-assisted enteroscopy) was performed in 59.3% of the centers. Foreign body removal, polypectomy, and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy were performed in 89.5%, 85.8%, and 52.5% of centers, respectively. Endoscopic hemostatic interventions, which are lifesaving procedures, included glue injection (30.9%), hemostasis of nonvariceal bleeding (65.4%), and endoscopic variceal ligation (70.4%). Pediatric GI endoscopy is performed not only by pediatric gastroenterologists but also by adult gastroenterologists in 21–50% of centers for many kinds of procedures. Sedation was provided by anesthesiologists in 65.4% of the centers. Most centers offer both adult and pediatric endoscopy training. Conclusion The study highlights regional disparities in pediatric GI endoscopy services. It emphasizes the need for expanded pediatric GI training and improved access to therapeutic endoscopy, particularly for life-saving procedures.

Purpose: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a chronic disorder characterized by upper abdominal symptoms in the absence of an identifiable organic cause. Although the efficacy of acotiamide has been demonstrated in adults with FD, its effectiveness in pediatric patients remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of acotiamide in pediatric patients with FD. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 33 patients with FD, aged <16 years, who received acotiamide at a single children’s hospital between August 2013 and March 2022. Results: Symptomatic improvement was observed in 57.6% (19/33) of patients one month after acotiamide administration. The improvement rates were 63.6%, 20.0%, and 66.7% among patients with epigastric pain syndrome (EPS), postprandial distress syndrome (PDS), and overlap PDS-EPS, respectively. No statistically significant differences in symptomatic improvement rates were noted among the subtypes (p=0.213). Two patients discontinued acotiamide because of abdominal pain, but no serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion Acotiamide demonstrated efficacy in pediatric FD, which is consistent with previously reported outcomes in adults. Acotiamide may be a beneficial treatment option for pediatric FD across all subtypes.

Purpose: Pediatric gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy significantly contributes to the diagnosis and management of GI diseases in children. Global data on pediatric GI endoscopy in the Asia-Pacific region are limited. We aimed to report the findings of a regional survey on pediatric endoscopy in the Asia-Pacific region. Methods: A questionnaire-based survey involving GI endoscopy centers in 13 Asia-Pacific countries (June to November 2021). The questionnaires included annual procedure volumes (from basic diagnostics to advanced therapeutic endoscopy), endoscopists, sedation procedures, and national training programs. Results: A total of 162 GI endoscopy centers completed the survey. All centers performed basic endoscopies (esophagogastroduodenoscopy and ileocolonoscopy); however, 45.1% and 59.1% of the centers performed less than 50 esophagogastroduodenoscopies and ileocolonoscopies per year, respectively. Small bowel evaluation (capsule endoscopy or balloon-assisted enteroscopy) was performed in 59.3% of the centers. Foreign body removal, polypectomy, and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy were performed in 89.5%, 85.8%, and 52.5% of centers, respectively. Endoscopic hemostatic interventions, which are lifesaving procedures, included glue injection (30.9%), hemostasis of nonvariceal bleeding (65.4%), and endoscopic variceal ligation (70.4%). Pediatric GI endoscopy is performed not only by pediatric gastroenterologists but also by adult gastroenterologists in 21–50% of centers for many kinds of procedures. Sedation was provided by anesthesiologists in 65.4% of the centers. Most centers offer both adult and pediatric endoscopy training. Conclusion The study highlights regional disparities in pediatric GI endoscopy services. It emphasizes the need for expanded pediatric GI training and improved access to therapeutic endoscopy, particularly for life-saving procedures.

Purpose: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a chronic disorder characterized by upper abdominal symptoms in the absence of an identifiable organic cause. Although the efficacy of acotiamide has been demonstrated in adults with FD, its effectiveness in pediatric patients remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of acotiamide in pediatric patients with FD. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 33 patients with FD, aged <16 years, who received acotiamide at a single children’s hospital between August 2013 and March 2022. Results: Symptomatic improvement was observed in 57.6% (19/33) of patients one month after acotiamide administration. The improvement rates were 63.6%, 20.0%, and 66.7% among patients with epigastric pain syndrome (EPS), postprandial distress syndrome (PDS), and overlap PDS-EPS, respectively. No statistically significant differences in symptomatic improvement rates were noted among the subtypes (p=0.213). Two patients discontinued acotiamide because of abdominal pain, but no serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion Acotiamide demonstrated efficacy in pediatric FD, which is consistent with previously reported outcomes in adults. Acotiamide may be a beneficial treatment option for pediatric FD across all subtypes.

Purpose: Pediatric gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy significantly contributes to the diagnosis and management of GI diseases in children. Global data on pediatric GI endoscopy in the Asia-Pacific region are limited. We aimed to report the findings of a regional survey on pediatric endoscopy in the Asia-Pacific region. Methods: A questionnaire-based survey involving GI endoscopy centers in 13 Asia-Pacific countries (June to November 2021). The questionnaires included annual procedure volumes (from basic diagnostics to advanced therapeutic endoscopy), endoscopists, sedation procedures, and national training programs. Results: A total of 162 GI endoscopy centers completed the survey. All centers performed basic endoscopies (esophagogastroduodenoscopy and ileocolonoscopy); however, 45.1% and 59.1% of the centers performed less than 50 esophagogastroduodenoscopies and ileocolonoscopies per year, respectively. Small bowel evaluation (capsule endoscopy or balloon-assisted enteroscopy) was performed in 59.3% of the centers. Foreign body removal, polypectomy, and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy were performed in 89.5%, 85.8%, and 52.5% of centers, respectively. Endoscopic hemostatic interventions, which are lifesaving procedures, included glue injection (30.9%), hemostasis of nonvariceal bleeding (65.4%), and endoscopic variceal ligation (70.4%). Pediatric GI endoscopy is performed not only by pediatric gastroenterologists but also by adult gastroenterologists in 21–50% of centers for many kinds of procedures. Sedation was provided by anesthesiologists in 65.4% of the centers. Most centers offer both adult and pediatric endoscopy training. Conclusion The study highlights regional disparities in pediatric GI endoscopy services. It emphasizes the need for expanded pediatric GI training and improved access to therapeutic endoscopy, particularly for life-saving procedures.

Purpose: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a chronic disorder characterized by upper abdominal symptoms in the absence of an identifiable organic cause. Although the efficacy of acotiamide has been demonstrated in adults with FD, its effectiveness in pediatric patients remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of acotiamide in pediatric patients with FD. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 33 patients with FD, aged <16 years, who received acotiamide at a single children’s hospital between August 2013 and March 2022. Results: Symptomatic improvement was observed in 57.6% (19/33) of patients one month after acotiamide administration. The improvement rates were 63.6%, 20.0%, and 66.7% among patients with epigastric pain syndrome (EPS), postprandial distress syndrome (PDS), and overlap PDS-EPS, respectively. No statistically significant differences in symptomatic improvement rates were noted among the subtypes (p=0.213). Two patients discontinued acotiamide because of abdominal pain, but no serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion Acotiamide demonstrated efficacy in pediatric FD, which is consistent with previously reported outcomes in adults. Acotiamide may be a beneficial treatment option for pediatric FD across all subtypes.

Purpose: Pediatric gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy significantly contributes to the diagnosis and management of GI diseases in children. Global data on pediatric GI endoscopy in the Asia-Pacific region are limited. We aimed to report the findings of a regional survey on pediatric endoscopy in the Asia-Pacific region. Methods: A questionnaire-based survey involving GI endoscopy centers in 13 Asia-Pacific countries (June to November 2021). The questionnaires included annual procedure volumes (from basic diagnostics to advanced therapeutic endoscopy), endoscopists, sedation procedures, and national training programs. Results: A total of 162 GI endoscopy centers completed the survey. All centers performed basic endoscopies (esophagogastroduodenoscopy and ileocolonoscopy); however, 45.1% and 59.1% of the centers performed less than 50 esophagogastroduodenoscopies and ileocolonoscopies per year, respectively. Small bowel evaluation (capsule endoscopy or balloon-assisted enteroscopy) was performed in 59.3% of the centers. Foreign body removal, polypectomy, and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy were performed in 89.5%, 85.8%, and 52.5% of centers, respectively. Endoscopic hemostatic interventions, which are lifesaving procedures, included glue injection (30.9%), hemostasis of nonvariceal bleeding (65.4%), and endoscopic variceal ligation (70.4%). Pediatric GI endoscopy is performed not only by pediatric gastroenterologists but also by adult gastroenterologists in 21–50% of centers for many kinds of procedures. Sedation was provided by anesthesiologists in 65.4% of the centers. Most centers offer both adult and pediatric endoscopy training. Conclusion The study highlights regional disparities in pediatric GI endoscopy services. It emphasizes the need for expanded pediatric GI training and improved access to therapeutic endoscopy, particularly for life-saving procedures.

Purpose: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a chronic disorder characterized by upper abdominal symptoms in the absence of an identifiable organic cause. Although the efficacy of acotiamide has been demonstrated in adults with FD, its effectiveness in pediatric patients remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of acotiamide in pediatric patients with FD. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 33 patients with FD, aged <16 years, who received acotiamide at a single children’s hospital between August 2013 and March 2022. Results: Symptomatic improvement was observed in 57.6% (19/33) of patients one month after acotiamide administration. The improvement rates were 63.6%, 20.0%, and 66.7% among patients with epigastric pain syndrome (EPS), postprandial distress syndrome (PDS), and overlap PDS-EPS, respectively. No statistically significant differences in symptomatic improvement rates were noted among the subtypes (p=0.213). Two patients discontinued acotiamide because of abdominal pain, but no serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion Acotiamide demonstrated efficacy in pediatric FD, which is consistent with previously reported outcomes in adults. Acotiamide may be a beneficial treatment option for pediatric FD across all subtypes.