Purpose: This study aimed to establish and characterize patient-derived intestinal organoids (PDOs) from children with Crohn’s disease (CD). Methods: To generate PDOs, endoscopic biopsy specimens were obtained from noninflamed duodenal bulbs of normal controls and CD patients. To verify the presence of PDOs, histological staining and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RTqPCR) analyses were performed. Results: PDOs were successfully established in normal controls (n=2) and CD patients (n=2). Hematoxylin and eosin staining of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded PDO sections revealed crypt and villus structures, whereas immunofluorescence staining with EpCAM and DAPI confirmed the epithelial-specific architecture of the PDOs. RT-qPCR results revealed a significant increase in Lgr5, Si, and Chga gene expression and a decrease in Olfm4 and Muc2 expression in CD patients compared to normal controls, suggesting altered stem cell activity and mucosal barrier function (p<0.05). Conclusion We successfully established and characterized PDOs in children with CD, providing a valuable tool for understanding the pathophysiology of the disease and evaluating potential therapeutic approaches. The differential gene expression of PDOs in CD patients might be caused by the complex interplay between epithelial adaptation and inflammation in the intestinal epithelium.

Purpose: This study aimed to establish and characterize patient-derived intestinal organoids (PDOs) from children with Crohn’s disease (CD). Methods: To generate PDOs, endoscopic biopsy specimens were obtained from noninflamed duodenal bulbs of normal controls and CD patients. To verify the presence of PDOs, histological staining and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RTqPCR) analyses were performed. Results: PDOs were successfully established in normal controls (n=2) and CD patients (n=2). Hematoxylin and eosin staining of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded PDO sections revealed crypt and villus structures, whereas immunofluorescence staining with EpCAM and DAPI confirmed the epithelial-specific architecture of the PDOs. RT-qPCR results revealed a significant increase in Lgr5, Si, and Chga gene expression and a decrease in Olfm4 and Muc2 expression in CD patients compared to normal controls, suggesting altered stem cell activity and mucosal barrier function (p<0.05). Conclusion We successfully established and characterized PDOs in children with CD, providing a valuable tool for understanding the pathophysiology of the disease and evaluating potential therapeutic approaches. The differential gene expression of PDOs in CD patients might be caused by the complex interplay between epithelial adaptation and inflammation in the intestinal epithelium.

Purpose: This study aimed to establish and characterize patient-derived intestinal organoids (PDOs) from children with Crohn’s disease (CD). Methods: To generate PDOs, endoscopic biopsy specimens were obtained from noninflamed duodenal bulbs of normal controls and CD patients. To verify the presence of PDOs, histological staining and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RTqPCR) analyses were performed. Results: PDOs were successfully established in normal controls (n=2) and CD patients (n=2). Hematoxylin and eosin staining of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded PDO sections revealed crypt and villus structures, whereas immunofluorescence staining with EpCAM and DAPI confirmed the epithelial-specific architecture of the PDOs. RT-qPCR results revealed a significant increase in Lgr5, Si, and Chga gene expression and a decrease in Olfm4 and Muc2 expression in CD patients compared to normal controls, suggesting altered stem cell activity and mucosal barrier function (p<0.05). Conclusion We successfully established and characterized PDOs in children with CD, providing a valuable tool for understanding the pathophysiology of the disease and evaluating potential therapeutic approaches. The differential gene expression of PDOs in CD patients might be caused by the complex interplay between epithelial adaptation and inflammation in the intestinal epithelium.

Purpose: This study aimed to establish and characterize patient-derived intestinal organoids (PDOs) from children with Crohn’s disease (CD). Methods: To generate PDOs, endoscopic biopsy specimens were obtained from noninflamed duodenal bulbs of normal controls and CD patients. To verify the presence of PDOs, histological staining and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RTqPCR) analyses were performed. Results: PDOs were successfully established in normal controls (n=2) and CD patients (n=2). Hematoxylin and eosin staining of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded PDO sections revealed crypt and villus structures, whereas immunofluorescence staining with EpCAM and DAPI confirmed the epithelial-specific architecture of the PDOs. RT-qPCR results revealed a significant increase in Lgr5, Si, and Chga gene expression and a decrease in Olfm4 and Muc2 expression in CD patients compared to normal controls, suggesting altered stem cell activity and mucosal barrier function (p<0.05). Conclusion We successfully established and characterized PDOs in children with CD, providing a valuable tool for understanding the pathophysiology of the disease and evaluating potential therapeutic approaches. The differential gene expression of PDOs in CD patients might be caused by the complex interplay between epithelial adaptation and inflammation in the intestinal epithelium.

Purpose: This study aimed to establish and characterize patient-derived intestinal organoids (PDOs) from children with Crohn’s disease (CD). Methods: To generate PDOs, endoscopic biopsy specimens were obtained from noninflamed duodenal bulbs of normal controls and CD patients. To verify the presence of PDOs, histological staining and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RTqPCR) analyses were performed. Results: PDOs were successfully established in normal controls (n=2) and CD patients (n=2). Hematoxylin and eosin staining of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded PDO sections revealed crypt and villus structures, whereas immunofluorescence staining with EpCAM and DAPI confirmed the epithelial-specific architecture of the PDOs. RT-qPCR results revealed a significant increase in Lgr5, Si, and Chga gene expression and a decrease in Olfm4 and Muc2 expression in CD patients compared to normal controls, suggesting altered stem cell activity and mucosal barrier function (p<0.05). Conclusion We successfully established and characterized PDOs in children with CD, providing a valuable tool for understanding the pathophysiology of the disease and evaluating potential therapeutic approaches. The differential gene expression of PDOs in CD patients might be caused by the complex interplay between epithelial adaptation and inflammation in the intestinal epithelium.

Background and Objectives: It is well recognized that early detection and intervention are most important for the prevention of neonatal hearing loss. The national support policy in Korea for newborn hearing screening has been changed since October 2018; however, parent awareness of the change still needs to be increased. This study investigated how well parents, who have underwent national infant checkups of their children, were aware of the Korean national policy for neonatal and infant hearing loss in parents.Subjects and Method A survey of neonatal hearing tests and national support policies conducted for 353 parents was analyzed. The survey included questions about parent awareness of the neonatal hearing screening test period, confirmatory test period, national support for these expenses, and hearing aid support. Also evaluated were the necessity of national guidance and management system for neonatal hearing. Results: The test time of neonatal hearing screening was correctly recognized by 82.2% of the parents. The percentage increased after the national insurance coverage started in October 2018 in Korea, and the rate was higher for parents who visited an otolaryngology clinic rather than a pediatric clinic. The test time of the confirmatory test was correctly recognized only by 20.4%. National support policy for neonatal hearing screening tests, confirmatory hearing tests, and hearing aids were acknowledged by 50.7%, 43.1%, and 56.1% of the parents, respectively. Conclusion These results indicate the necessity of efforts to increase the awareness of neonatal hearing tests and relevant support policies in Korea to ultimately achieve early hearing detection and intervention of neonates and infants in Korea.

Purpose: The clinical implications of bowel wall thickening (BWT) on abdominal computed tomography (CT) among children are unknown. We aimed to suggest a new method for measuring BWT and determining its clinical significance in children. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 423 patients with acute abdomen who underwent abdominal CT; 262 were classified into the BWT group. For this group, the pediatric radiologist described the maximal bowel wall thickness (MT), normal bowel wall thickness (mm) (NT), and their ratios for each segment of the bowel wall. Results: In the thickened bowel walls, the thickness differed significantly between the small bowel (6.83±2.14 mm; mean±standard deviation) and the colon (8.56±3.46 mm; p<0.001). The ratios of MT to NT in the small bowel (6.09±3.17) and the colon (7.58±3.70) were also significantly different (p<0.001). In the BWT group, 35 of 53 patients had positive fecal polymerase chain reaction results; 6 patients infected with viruses predominantly had BWT in the small intestine, while the terminal ileum and the colon were predominantly affected in 29 patients with bacterial infections. In the initially undiagnosed 158 patients with BWT, the symptoms improved spontaneously without progression to chronic gastrointestinal disease. Conclusion This study provides a clinical reference value for BWT in the small intestine and colon using a new method in children. The BWT on abdominal CT in children might indicate nonspecific findings that can be observed and followed up without additional evaluation, unlike in adults.

Purpose: The clinical implications of bowel wall thickening (BWT) on abdominal computed tomography (CT) among children are unknown. We aimed to suggest a new method for measuring BWT and determining its clinical significance in children. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 423 patients with acute abdomen who underwent abdominal CT; 262 were classified into the BWT group. For this group, the pediatric radiologist described the maximal bowel wall thickness (MT), normal bowel wall thickness (mm) (NT), and their ratios for each segment of the bowel wall. Results: In the thickened bowel walls, the thickness differed significantly between the small bowel (6.83±2.14 mm; mean±standard deviation) and the colon (8.56±3.46 mm; p<0.001). The ratios of MT to NT in the small bowel (6.09±3.17) and the colon (7.58±3.70) were also significantly different (p<0.001). In the BWT group, 35 of 53 patients had positive fecal polymerase chain reaction results; 6 patients infected with viruses predominantly had BWT in the small intestine, while the terminal ileum and the colon were predominantly affected in 29 patients with bacterial infections. In the initially undiagnosed 158 patients with BWT, the symptoms improved spontaneously without progression to chronic gastrointestinal disease. Conclusion This study provides a clinical reference value for BWT in the small intestine and colon using a new method in children. The BWT on abdominal CT in children might indicate nonspecific findings that can be observed and followed up without additional evaluation, unlike in adults.

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) is known to have a low incidence among the pediatric population, but it can result in serious complications, such as gastric outlet obstruction. In previously published EGE cases with the obstruction in adults, surgeries were often performed. In this report, we present a 14-year-old girl who came to our facility with severe abdominal pain and vomiting. On the initial abdominal physical examination, diffuse tenderness and severe epigastric pain were noted. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen showed the findings of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome. However, she had no history of recent weight loss, and the medical history was inconsistent with SMA syndrome. We planned upper gastrointestinal series with barium, and then verified gastric outlet obstruction. We performed esophagogastroduodenoscopy and obtained a final diagnosis of EGE through mucosal biopsy specimen. Corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory medications were administered. Dietary modification and education were done as well. The symptoms resolved, and the follow-up esophagogastroduodenoscopy and ultrasonography showed improvements in the obstruction. Our case emphasizes that gastric outlet obstruction due to EGE must be carefully differentiated from SMA syndrome because of their similarities in clinical features and radiologic images. In doing so, we can avoid surgical intervention and perform medical/dietary treatment for gastric outlet obstruction.

Acute bacterial sinusitis is one of the most common diseases in children, and 5–13% of patients with viral upper respiratory infection experience secondary bacterial sinusitis as a complication. Isolated sphenoid sinusitis is rarer than frontal, maxillary, and ethmoid sinusitis. However, it presents potentially devastating complications, such as cranial nerve involvement, brain abscess, and meningitis, owing to its anatomical location. Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) commonly causes acute bacterial sinusitis but rarely causes bacteremia, particularly in immunocompetent patients. We present a rare case of a 14-year-old boy with bacteremia due to isolated sphenoid sinusitis caused by NTHi.