Esophageal Varices In Children Research Articles

Assessment of Chronic Liver Disease (CLD) Based on Esophageal Varices in Children

Assessment of Chronic Liver Disease (CLD) Based on Esophageal Varices in Children

Minimal invasive prophylaxis of bleeding from esophageal varices in children with extrahepatic portal hypertension

The objective of the work was to study the efficacy of minimally invasive endoscopic treatment of esophageal varices (EV) in children with extrahepatic portal hypertension (EHPH).Methods and Materials. Eighty children aged 3 to 17 years of age with EHPH included in this study. The patients were divided into three analysis groups. The group I (n=14) included children with EHPH who had not previously undergone any surgical interventions and endoscopic ligation of EV was performed against the background of acute bleeding or after medical hemostatic treatment. The group II (n=37) included patients who had undergone the endoscopic treatment of EV after an unsatisfactory outcome of previously performed surgical interventions. The group III included 29 children who underwent only azygos-portal disconnection procedures. We performed the comparative analysis of the severity of EV before and after sessions of the endoscopic treatment of EV, as well as the analysis of the frequency of recurrent bleedings in comparison groups.Results. According to the research results, recurrent gastroesophageal hemorrhages were noted in 44.4 % of cases in the group I. In the group II, 37 patients underwent a total of 68 sessions of the stage endoscopic treatment of EV. According to the control endoscopic examinations, there was a significant reduction in the risk of bleeding from EV between ligation sessions (p=0.001) of the endoscopic treatment of EV. During the follow-up period, in the group II, recurrent bleedings from EV were noted in 6 (16.2 %) patients. Whereas in 10 (34.5 %) children of the group III, recurrent gastroesophageal hemorrhages were noted in the postoperative period. The analysis showed a significant correlation of the presence of «red flags» with recurrent episodes of bleedings in children of the group II after the endoscopic treatment of EV (r=0.32 p=0.05). Analysis of the causes of recurrent gastroesophageal bleedings in children of the group III did not reveal significant differences in such parameters as the degree of EV and «red flags».Conclusion. Thus, the endoscopic treatment of EV is a safe and effective method of secondary prevention of bleedings from EV. The question concerning the primary prevention of gastroesophageal hemorrhages require further study.

Blood Ammonia Concentration in Children with Chronic Liver Disease: A Tool for Prediction of Esophageal Varices

Background: Esophageal varices (EVs) are a serious complication of portal hypertension in patient with chronic liver disease (CLD). The major portion of ammonia carried by portal blood is shunted into systemic circulation in chronic liver disease. The upper GI endoscopy is currently the best reliable method to diagnose the presence of esophageal varices. But it is invasive, relatively expensive and not easily available. Blood ammonia is a noninvasive and easily accessible laboratory parameter that can predict the presence of esophageal varices.
 Objectives: To observe the blood ammonia concentration in children with chronic liver disease: a tool for prediction of esophageal varices.
 Methods: This cross sectional observational study was conducted at the Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, BSMMU, Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2018 to December 2019. A total of 63 cases of CLD were selected. Study sample were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Along with proper clinical history, examination & initial investigation, fasting venous blood ammonia level and upper GI endoscopy were done in all patients. Receiver-Operator Characteristic (ROC) curve was analysis to set up a cut-off value of blood ammonia for prediction of esophageal varices. Sensivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were determined to see the performance of blood ammonia value as a diagnostic test for esophageal varices.
 Results: Among the 63 patients, (74.6%) had esophageal varices. Wilson disease was the most common etiology of CLD (43; 68.3%) among the studied patients. The mean blood ammonia level were 40.5± 18.0 (µmol/L), 50.5± 14.3 (µmol/L), 50.7± 9.9 (µmol/L), 53.1± 26.9 (µmol/L) and 71.9± 19.0 (µmol/L) in absent esophageal varices, grade-I, grade-II, grade-III and grade-IV esophageal varices respectively. The difference was statistically significant (<0.05). Moderate correlation (r= 0.452; p value = 0.001) between blood ammonia level and grades of esophageal varices was found. It was observed that wasting of thenar and hypothenar muscle was the most common stigmata, seen in 15 (23.8%) cases, 2 (3.2%) had clubbing, 7 (11.1%) had leuconychia, 1 (1.6%) had palmer erythema, 3 (4.8%) had gynacomasia and 1 (1.6%) had testicular atrophy. Wilson disease was the most common 43 (68.3%). It was observed that 45 (71.4 %) patients had raised serum ALT and 45 (71.4%) had low serum albumin (<3.5 g/dl). Low haemoglobin (<9 gm/dl) was found in 47 (74.6%) cases, raised serum bilirubin level (>1.2 mg/dl) in 29 (46.03%) cases, thrombocytopenia (platelet count <1.50×109/mm3) in 36 (57.1%) patients and prolonged INR (>1.5) in 29 (46.03%) cases, blood ammonia was raised (>32 µmol/L) in 52 (82.5%) cases. It was observed that the mean ± SD blood ammonia level was 56.2± 17.9 µmol/L in esophageal varices present group (n = 47) and 40.5± 18.0 µmol/L in absent esophageal varices group (n = 16). Here p value is 0.004, which is statistically significant.
 Conclusion: Blood ammonia concentration is a biochemical predictor for assessing the grading of esophageal varices. In the present study, a moderate positive correlation was found between blood ammonia concentration and grades of esophageal varices in children with CLD.

Sclerotherapy of oesophageal varices may induce chronic constrictive pericarditis in children.

Constrictive pericarditis is rare in children and can be difficult to diagnose. It has been described in adults after sclerotherapy of oesophageal varices but not in children. We report two cases of chronic constrictive pericarditis after sclerotherapy of oesophageal varices in children with portal cavernoma. Constrictive pericarditis should be considered as a cause of refractory ascites.

Association between severity of chronic liver disease with grading of oesophageal varices in children

Chronic liver disease is a uncommon manifestation in the children and many of them presents with oesophageal varices. The aim of this study was to observe the association between severity of chronic liver diseases determined by Child- Pugh score with grading of oesophageal varices. 62 cases (male, 34) were included in the present study. Mean age of the study population was 9.5±3.3 years. Male to female ratio was 1.2:1. Wilson’s disease was the most common etiology of chronic liver disease (64.5%). Of the 62 children, 30.7% had Child class A, 16.1% had Child class B and the remaining 53.2% had Child class C cirrhosis. Oesophageal varices were found in 43 (69.3%) children. On univariate ananlysis low platelet count and splenomegaly were found to be associated with the presence of esophageal varices. Splenomegaly was found as independent predictor for presence of varices on multivariate analysis (OR; 15.51, 95% CI, 3.7-63.5). Furthermore, splenomegaly was also independent risk factor for large esophageal varices. No association was found between Child-Pugh classification (child A, B, C) with grading of oesophageal varices (Grade - I, II, III, IV). Our study showed no positive association between Child-Pugh classifications with grading of esophageal varices. Splenomegaly predicts the presence of oesophageal varices as well as the presence of large esophageal varices. BSMMU J 2022; 15(1): 29-34

Non-invasive diagnostics of extrahepatic portal hypertension in children

BACKGROUND: The primary method for diagnosing gastroesophageal bleeding in varicose veins of the esophagus and stomach in children is fibroesophagogastroduodenoscopy. This study investigates the possibilities of 2D shear wave elastography stiffness of the spleen to determine esophageal varicose veins in children with extrahepatic portal hypertension.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the effectiveness of the method of two-dimensional elastography by shear wave stiffness of the spleen was conducted in children with extrahepatic portal hypertension in 39 children (main group) and 11 healthy children (control group). All patients initially underwent fibroesophagogastroduodenoscopy followed by ultrasound, including 2D shear wave stiffness elastography of the spleen. Spleen stiffness was then compared with clinical symptoms, the degree of esophageal varices, and other sonographic parameters.
 RESULTS: According to elastography data, the spleen stiffness index in children with extrahepatic portal hypertension was 43.98 3.8 kPa, significantly higher than in the control group children (p = 0.006). Spleen stiffness measurements significantly correlated with the degree of esophageal varices in children with extrahepatic portal hypertension (r = 0.57, p = 0.0002). According to the endoscopy results in seven patients after vascular bypass surgery, esophageal varicose veins were not detected. Nevertheless, spleen stiffness in these children remained significantly higher than in the control group (27 3.9 kPa and 18 1.2 kPa, respectively, p = 0.05).
 CONCLUSIONS: The study results indicate that 2D stiffness shear wave elastography of the spleen effectively assesses esophageal varices in children with extrahepatic portal hypertension. This method is also convenient to monitor the reduction of varicose veins after surgical treatment and is a possible alternative to endoscopy, especially in young children.

Prospective Evaluation of Predictive Indexes for Esophageal Varices in Children and Adolescents with Portal Hypertension

Prospective Evaluation of Predictive Indexes for Esophageal Varices in Children and Adolescents with Portal Hypertension

Laboratory Predictors of Esophageal Varices in Children with Chronic Liver Disease

Variceal bleeding results as a consequence of portal hypertension and it is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality of children with chronic liver disease (CLD). Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is the only confirmatory tool for detecting esophageal varices but due to its invasive nature, high cost and lack of available facilities for pediatric endoscopy, alternative laboratory predictors are essential. In this study, we aimed at identifying laboratory predictors that may predict the presence of esophageal varices in children with CLD. This cross-sectional study was done at the department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from July 2008 to June 2010. Fifty consecutive children with CLD, aged 3-15 years of both sexes, who had no history of active/recent variceal bleeding, taking beta blockers or surgery for esophageal varices were included in the study. All patients underwent history and physical examination. Venous blood of the patients was taken for laboratory analysis of serum bilirubin, serum alanine aminotransferase, serum albumin, platelet count and International Normalization Ratio (INR). Later, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy of the patients were done. Based on endoscopic findings children were divided into two groups. Group-I: CLD with esophageal varices included 29 children and Group-II: CLD without esophageal varices included 21 children. A univariate analysis was initially done on laboratory variables followed by a logistic regression analysis to identify the independent variables associated with presence of esophageal varices. Then performance of these independent variables were analyzed using upper gastrointestinal endoscopy as the gold standard test. Out of 50 patients 30 were male. Male-female ratio was 1.5:1. Fifty eight percent (29 out of 50) had esophageal varices. Amongst all the laboratory variables, thrombocytopenia (platelet count <150000/mm3) was an independent predictor of esophageal varices (p=0.018). Thrombocytopenia showed good sensitivity and specificity (82.7% and 80.9% respectively) to be used as a screening test for predicting esophageal varices in children with chronic liver disease. Thrombocytopenia can be used as an independent predictor for esophageal varices in children with chronic liver disease. Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2021;16(1):3-7

Noninvasive markers for esophageal varices in children with cirrhosis.

Background The diagnosis of esophageal varices (EV) is based on the findings of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), biopsy, and serum markers. Thus, noninvasive cost-effective tests through which high-risk EV children can be diagnosed are needed.Purpose This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the noninvasive markers for EV in children with liver cirrhosis.Methods A total of 98 children with liver cirrhosis were evaluated in this study. The spleen size, platelet count, serum albumin, liver function test results, and risk scores were evaluated prior to endoscopy. The endoscopic investigations aimed to identify the presence of EV and red signs, and determine varices sizes.Results Endoscopy revealed varices in 43 subjects (43.9%). The spleen size, platelet count, international normalized ratio, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), platelet count to spleen size ratio, and risk score differed significantly between patients with and without EV on univariate analysis; however, the logistic regression analysis showed no differences, indicating that none of these parameters were independently associated with the presence of EV.Conclusion Platelet count, risk score, platelet count to spleen size, and APRI can be useful tools for the identification of high-risk patients with EV and might reduce the need for invasive methods like EGD.

Esophageal Capsule Endoscopy in Children and Young Adults With Portal Hypertension.

Variceal hemorrhage (VH) is a serious complication of portal hypertension (PH). We evaluated the feasibility, safety, and clinical impact of esophageal capsule endoscopy (ECE) in pediatric and young adult patients with known or suspected PH. Children and young adults with PH at Boston Children's Hospital (2005-2017) were offered ECE for variceal screening or surveillance. Patient histories, ECE findings, and clinical outcomes were reviewed retrospectively. One hundred and forty-nine ECE studies were performed in 98 patients (57.1% male patients) using 3 ECE devices for variceal screening (66.5%) or surveillance (33.5%). Three readers interpreted the studies (88.3%, 10.3%, and 1.4%, respectively). Median age was 16 years (IQR 13.7-18.5). One hundred and three ECE studies involved patients <18 years (69.1%). Fifteen patients (29 ECE studies) had a gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding (GIB) history, 5 in the preceding 12 months.Sixty-two ECE studies (44.9%) detected varices: 59 esophageal (40 small, 19 medium/large), 17 gastric, 6 duodenal. Other findings included: portal gastropathy (25, 18.1%), esophagitis (20, 14.5%), ulcers (5, 3.6%), erosions (31, 22.5%), heterotopic tissue (13, 9.4%), blood flecks (23, 16.7%), and mucosal scars (17, 12.3%). There were 2 transient capsule retentions and no major adverse events.ECE led to follow-up EGD in 11 (7 variceal banding) and medication initiation in 12 (4 proton-pump inhibitor, 7 nonselective beta blocker, 2 other) cases. Four patients had GIB within 12 months of ECE. ECE is a feasible alternative to EGD for screening and surveillance of esophageal varices in children and young adults.

Non-endoscopic predictors of esophageal varices in children with chronic liver disease and their utility in resource-constrained countries.

Although endoscopy is the standard diagnostic screening test to identify esophageal varices in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD), selective endoscopy in patients who are at higher risk of having varices may be cost-effective in a resource-constrained country. The aim of this prospective study was to identify non-endoscopic parameters that may predict the presence of varices, especially high-risk esophageal varices in children with CLD. From January 2016 through March 2018, consecutive children with CLD without a history of variceal bleeding were prospectively included. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy was done in all the children to detect and to grade esophageal varices. Both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done using SPSS version 22 to identify factors associated with esophageal varices. The mean age of 84 children was 9.7 ± 3.2years (male 44). Esophageal varices were present in 71.4% of children and 55% of them had large varices. On univariate analysis, low platelet count (< 100,000/mm3) and splenomegaly were found to be associated with the presence of esophageal varices (p = 0.006 and 0.001, respectively) and large varices (p = 0.03 and 0.01, respectively). On multivariate analysis, both low platelet count and splenomegaly were independent predictors for the presence of esophageal varices (respectively, OR 11.21, 95% CI 1.2-96.9; and OR 11.39, 95% CI 3.19-40.59). Splenomegaly and low platelet count independently predict the presence of any grade of esophageal varices and can be used as screening tests to select children for endoscopy. This strategy may help in relieving medical, social, and economic costs in resource-constrained countries.

Primary prophylaxis of esophageal varices in children with non-shuntable portal hypertension

Primary prophylaxis of esophageal varices in children with non-shuntable portal hypertension

Surgical treatment for rebleeding caused by bypass failure after Rex shunt: re-Rex shunt or Warren shunt?

Although Rex shunt is an effective treatment for extrahepatic portal venous obstruction (EHPVO), 4-20% children develop rebleeding postoperatively. This study was used to evaluate the surgical treatment of rebleeding after Rex shunt in our center. From June 2008 to Jan 2017, 12 of 122 children with EHPVO underwent a second operation due to graft stenosis and occlusion after Rex shunt in our center. The abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) showed the occlusion of bypass vein in nine children, stenosis of bypass vein in two children, and the patency of bypass vein in one child with dysplasia of intrahepatic portal vein. A re-Rex shunt was performed in eight children, of which one child required conversion to Warren shunt due to postoperative rebleeding. Five children underwent Warren shunt due to a narrowed left portal vein shown by intraoperative portal angiography and surgical exploration. All patients were followed up in this study. The postoperative incidences of re-bleeding and esophageal varices in children with Warren shunt were significantly lower than those in children undergoing re-Rex shunt (P = 0.027 and 0.015). After a second operation, the rate of bypass vein patency in children with re-Rex shunt was lower than that in children with Warren shunt (50 vs. 100%). The postoperative reduced size of spleen in children undergoing Warren shunt was significantly higher than that of children undergoing re-Rex shunt (P < 0.05). Comparing to re-Rex shunt, Warren shunt was a better treatment for rebleeding caused by bypass failure after Rex shunt.

Noninvasive Methods of Predicting Large Esophageal Varices in Children With Intrahepatic Portal Hypertension.

Esophageal variceal bleeding is a severe complication of portal hypertension. The standard diagnostic screening test and therapeutic procedure for esophageal varices (EV) is endoscopy, which is invasive in pediatric patients. This study aimed to evaluate the role of noninvasive parameters as predictors of large varices in children with intrahepatic portal hypertension. Participants included in this cross-sectional study underwent a screening endoscopy. Variceal size, red marks, and portal gastropathy were assessed and rated. Patients were classified into two groups: Group 1 (G1) with small or no varices and Group 2 (G2) with large varices. The population consisted of 98 children with no history of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, with a mean age of 8.9 ± 4.7 years. The main outcome evaluated was the presence of large varices. The first endoscopy session revealed the presence of large varices in 32 children. The best noninvasive predictors for large varices were platelets (Area under the ROC Curve [AUROC] 0.67; 95% CI 0.57-0.78), the Clinical Prediction Rule (CPR; AUROC 0.65; 95% CI 0.54-0.76), and risk score (AUROC 0.66; 95% CI 0.56-0.76). The logistic regression model showed that children with a CPR value under 114 were 8.59 times more likely to have large varices. Risk scores higher than -1.2 also increased the likelihood of large varices (OR 6.09; P = 0.014), as did a platelet count/spleen size z score lower than 25 (OR 3.99; P = 0.043). The combination of these three tests showed a high negative predictive value. The CPR, the risk score, and the platelet count/spleen size z score could be helpful in identifying cirrhotic children who may be eligible for endoscopy.

Doppler assessment of children with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension in comparison with a healthy control group: An analytical cross-sectional study.

Background:Doppler ultrasonography (Doppler US) plays an important role in evaluating patients with liver cirrhosis. This study aims to investigate the hemodynamic alterations of hepatic artery and portal vein among children with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension (esophageal varices).Materials and Methods:We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study in Imam Hossein Children's Hospital, Isfahan, Iran, in 2016. A number of 33 cirrhotic children with or without esophageal varices were selected through convenience sampling method to be compared with 19 healthy children as controls using color and spectral Doppler US.Results:Portal vein mean velocities were 15.03 ± 7.3 cm/s in cirrhotics, 16.47 ± 6.4 cm/s in controls (P = 0.51), 11.6 ± 4.7 cm/s in patients with varices, and 17.9 ± 7.3 cm/s in patients without varices (P = 0.015). Mean diameters of caudate lobe, portal vein, and splenic vein, as well as the mean values of liver and spleen span, were significantly higher in cirrhotic children. The frequency of flow reversal (hepatofugal flow) was not detected significantly different in cirrhotics. Peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity, pulsatility index, and resistive index for hepatic artery as well as liver vascular index were not significantly different in cirrhotics in comparison with controls.Conclusion:Alterations in Doppler parameters of portal vein including diameter and velocity may be the helpful indicators of liver cirrhosis and esophageal varices in children, respectively. Parameters of hepatic artery may not differentiate children with liver cirrhosis.

Absence of Oesophageal Varices in Children with Splenomegaly and Advanced Intestinal Failure Associated Liver Disease

Objectives of the study: Children with splenomegaly and portal hypertension due to primary liver disease demonstrate presence of gastro- oesophageal varices (GOV) on oesophago-gastroduodenoscopy (OGD). Intestinal failure – associated liver disease (IFALD) is a secondary liver disease developing in 40% to 60% of infants requiring long term parenteral nutrition for irreversible intestinal failure. A proportion of these children develop life threatening complications of cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Assessment of portal hypertension is important to determine the type of intestinal transplantation (ITx) offered as a life saving option. Intestinal transplantation is the only life saving option for these children. During intestinal transplant assessment within our programme, we assessed the children for the presence of GOV. Aim: To evaluate the incidence of GOV in children with IFALD referred for small bowel transplant assessment. Methods: Medical records of 122 patients who underwent assessment for small bowel transplant (SBtx) over the last 12 years (Sept 04 to Dec 16) were reviewed. Data detailing spleen size, splenomegaly, liver biopsy with staging of hepatic fibrosis and presence of GOV on oesophago-gastroduodenoscopy (OGD) was recorded. Results: 118/122 children assessed were included in the study as 4 children did not have ultrasound scan (USS). 98/118 (83 %) children had splenomegaly on USS. 54/98 (55.1%) children underwent OGD and oesophageal varices were present in 11 children (20.3%), of which only 10 had Grade 1 and one had Grade 3 varices. Of the 20 patients with a normal sized spleen, 15 underwent an OGD- no varices have been detected. 56 children had an OGD and a liver biopsy performed at the same time. 51/56 patients had fibrosis, 26/51 (50.9 %) were graded as mild fibrosis on liver biopsy, and 8/56 (14.2 %) of them had oesophageal varices (grade 1). Moderate to severe fibrosis was noted in 25/51 (49%) children and only 2/25 (8%) children had GOV, all Grade I. Summary and Conclusion: Children with IFALD, who have a normal size spleen did not have varices at OGD and therefore do not require endoscopy to stage their liver disease. In children with IFALD, splenomegaly is common and GOV are infrequent. Their presence does also not correlate with the degree of liver-fibrosis. In conclusion, USS evidence of splenomegaly alone is a poor predictor for GOV and additional tests such as platelet count, hepatic elastography may improve the assessment of portal hypertension in children with intestinal failure associated liver disease.

Factors Associated With Bleeding Secondary to Rupture of Esophageal Varices in Children and Adolescents With Cirrhosis.

Bleeding of esophageal varices is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in children with portal hypertension. It is important to understand the factors related with a bleeding episode to evaluate more effective primary prophylaxis. The present study aims to describe the endoscopic and laboratory findings associated with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) secondary to esophageal varices. A cross-sectional study with 103 children and adolescents with cirrhosis, divided into a group that had experienced an episode of upper UGIB (35 patients) and a group without a history of UGIB (68 patients), was carried out. The esophageal and gastric varices were classified, and the portal hypertensive gastropathy, laboratory findings, and Child-Pugh classification were measured. Factors observed in univariate analysis to be associated with UGIB were the presence of esophageal varices of medium caliber or larger, portal hypertensive gastropathy, presence of red spots on esophageal varices, Child-Pugh class B or C, and hypoalbuminemia (P < 0.05). After multivariate logistic regression analysis, the significant factors were the presence of red spots on esophageal varices and the presence of gastric varices. When separated the autoimmune hepatitis, nonbiliary atresia patients (all patients except the patients with biliary atresia), and biliary atresia groups the findings in the univariate analysis were the presence of esophageal varices of medium or larger caliber, presence of red spots on varices, and presence of gastric varices in the autoimmune hepatitis patients and nonbiliary atresia patients and presence of red spots on esophageal varices, presence of gastric varices, and Child-Pugh classification B or C in biliary atresia group (P < 0.05). After multivariate logistic regression analysis, no statistical significance was found for any factor analyzed in any groups. The presence of gastric varices and red spots on esophageal varices were related to episodes of UGIB secondary to rupture of esophageal varices. When these findings are observed, indications for endoscopic primary prophylaxis should be evaluated. More studies are, however, necessary to better understand this problem.

Management of pediatric patients with esophageal varices

There is a paucity of good quality research about the diagnosis of esophageal varices and the prophylaxis and treatment of variceal bleeding in pediatric patients with portal hypertension There is little consensus and practically no evidence-based approach about the management of these patients. To describe the behavior and preferences of pediatric gastroenterologists in Chile in the management of portal hypertension in children. An online survey was sent to Chilean pediatric gastroenterologists, with questions evaluating the physicians’ approaches to screening of esophageal varices in children with portal hypertension, and their preferred methods of prophylaxis and initial management of variceal bleeding. Thirty five of 69 contacted physicians answered the survey (51%). Twenty nine pediatric gastroenterologists (83%) screen for esophageal varices in patients with clinical evidence of portal hypertension, and 12 (34%) in every patient with chronic liver disease. Twenty eight respondents (80%) use primary prophylaxis, mainly beta blockers. Octreotide, proton pump inhibitors and endoscopy are the most common practices in the initial management of an esophageal varix bleed. The methods mostly used as secondary prophylaxis are band ligation and beta blockers. In the case of recurrent hemorrhage, besides band ligation, management with Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS) and hepatic transplantation are more likely. Even though most pediatric gastroenterologists in this survey are inclined to offer endoscopic screening of esophageal varices and prophylaxis to patients with portal hypertension, this is not a universal behavior. There are different approaches mainly in the election of secondary prophylaxis and the initial management of variceal bleeding.

Can platelet count/spleen diameter ratio be used for cirrhotic children to predict esophageal varices?

AIMTo determine the laboratory and radiologic parameters, including the platelet count (PC)-to-spleen diameter (SD) ratio as a non-invasive marker that may predict the presence of esophageal varices (EV) in children with cirrhosis.METHODSEighty-nine patients with cirrhosis, but without a history of variceal bleeding were prospectively included. The children were grouped into 6-12 and 12-18 years of age groups. These groups were also divided into 2 sub-groups (presence and absence of EV). All of the patients underwent a complete biochemical and radiologic evaluation. The PC (n/mm3)-to-SD (mm) ratio was calculated for each patient.RESULTSSixty-nine of 98 (70.4%) patients had EV. The presence of ascites in all age groups was significantly associated with the presence of EV. There were no differences in serum albumin levels, PC, SD and the PC-to-SD ratio between the presence and absence of EV groups in both age groups (P > 0.05).CONCLUSIONLaboratory and radiologic parameters, including the PC-to-SD ratio as a non-invasive marker (except for the presence of ascites), was inappropriate for detecting EV in children with cirrhosis.

Beta-blockers versus placebo or no intervention for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal varices in children

Beta-blockers versus placebo or no intervention for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal varices in children