Review on sedation for gastrointestinal tract endoscopy in children by non-anesthesiologists

AIM: To present evidence and formulate recommendations for sedation in pediatric gastrointestinal(GI) endoscopy by non-anesthesiologists.METHODS: The databases MEDLINE, Cochrane and EMBASE were searched for the following keywords "endoscopy, GI", "endoscopy, digestive system" AND "sedation", "conscious sedation", "moderate sedation", "deep sedation" and "hypnotics and sedatives" for publications in English restricted to the pediatric age. We searched additional information published between January 2011 and January 2014. Searches for(upper) GI endoscopy sedation in pediatrics and sedation guidelines by non-anesthesiologists for the adult population were performed. RESULTS: From the available studies three sedation protocols are highlighted. Propofol, which seems to offer the best balance between efficacy and safety is rarely used by non-anesthesiologists mainly because of legal restrictions. Ketamine and a combination of a benzodiazepine and an opioid are more frequently used. Data regarding other sedatives, anesthetics and adjuvant medications used for pediatric GI endoscopy are also presented.CONCLUSION: General anesthesia by a multidisciplinary team led by an anesthesiologist is preferred. The creation of sedation teams led by non-anesthesiologists and a careful selection of anesthetic drugs may offer an alternative, but should be in line with national legislation and institutional regulations.

Double balloon enteroscopy in children:Diagnosis,treatment,and safety

AIM:To assess the feasibility and utility of double balloon enteroscopy(DBE)in the management of small bowel diseases in children. METHODS:Fourteen patients(10 males)with a median age of 12.9 years(range 8.1-16.7)underwent DBE; 5 for Peutz-Jeghers syndrome(PJ syndrome),2 for chronic abdominal pain,4 for obscure gastrointestinal (GI)bleeding,2 with angiomatous malformations(1 blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome)having persistent GI bleeding,and 1 with Cowden's syndrome with multiple polyps and previous intussusception.Eleven procedures were performed under general anesthesia and 3 with deep sedation. RESULTS:The entire small bowel was examined in 6 patients,and a length between 200 cm and 320 cm distal to pylorus in the remaining 8.Seven patients had both antegrade(trans-oral)and retrograde(transanal and via ileostomy)examinations.One patient underwent DBE with planned laparoscopic assistance.The remaining 6 had trans-oral examination only.The median examination time was 118 min(range 95-195). No complications were encountered.Polyps were detected and successfully removed in all 5 patients with PJ syndrome,in a patient with tubulo-villous adenoma of the duodenum,in a patient with significant anemia and occult bleeding,and in a patient with Cowden's syndrome.A diagnosis was made in a patient with multiple angiomata not amenable to endotherapy,and in 1 with a discrete angioma which was treated with argon plasma coagulation.The source of bleeding was identified in a further patient with varices.DBE was normal or revealed minor mucosal friability in the remaining 3 patients.Hence a diagnostic yield of 11/14 with therapeutic success in 9/14 was achieved. CONCLUSION:Double balloon enteroscopy can be a useful diagnostic and therapeutic tool for small bowel disease in children,allowing endo-therapeutic intervention beyond the reach of the conventional endoscope.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and gastrooesophageal reflux in neurologically impaired children

AIM:To investigate the effects of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy(PEG) feeding on gastro-oesophageal reflux(GOR) in a group of these children using combined intraluminal pH and multiple intraluminal impedance(pH/MII) . METHODS:Ten neurologically impaired children underwent 12 h combined pH/MII procedures at least 1 d before and at least 12 d after PEG placement. METHODS:Prior to PEG placement(pre-PEG) a total of 183 GOR episodes were detected,156(85.2%) were non-acidic.After PEG placement(post-PEG) a total of 355 episodes were detected,182(51.3%) were nonacidic.The total number of distal acid reflux events statistically significantly increased post-PEG placement(prePEG total 27,post-PEG total 173,P=0.028) and themean distal pH decreased by 1.1 units.The distal reflux index therefore also significantly increased post-PEG [pre-PEG 0.25(0-2) ,post-PEG 2.95(0-40) ].Average proximal pH was lower post-PEG but the within subject difference was not statistically significant(P=0.058) . Median number of non-acid GOR,average reflux height,total acid clearance time and total bolus clearance time were all lower pre-PEG,but not statistically significant. CONCLUSION:PEG placement increases GOR episodes in neurologically impaired children.

Feasibility of a finger prick-based self-testing kit in first- and second-degree relatives of children with coeliac disease

AIM:To assess feasibility of a finger prick-based kit as method for self-testing of first and second-degree relatives of coeliac disease (CD) patients. METHODS:A total number of 379 subjects were invited to participate in this study,consisting of 197 first- degree and 182 second-degree relatives of CD patients. The self-testing kit (BiocardTM) was sent out with included instructions for use. Completed tests were sent back to the study coordinator for assessment. RESULTS:One hundred and ninety-six invited relatives carried out the BiocardTM test at home. Amongst these,70% were children. In 97% of the cases the test was performed correctly. Three tests revealed a positive result,all of which were later confirmed by serology and histology as coeliac disease.CONCLUSION:Our study indicates that BiocardTM test is a reliable,easy to use and well-accepted tool for home testing of first- and second-degree relatives of CD patients.