In recent years, attention has been given to the role potentially played by gut microbiota in the development of obesity. Several studies have shown that in individuals with obesity, the gut microbiota composition can be significantly different from that of lean individuals, that faecal bacteria can exert a fundamental role in modulating energy metabolism, and that modifications of gut microbiota composition can be associated with increases or reductions of body weight and body mass index. Based on this evidence, manipulation of the gut microbiota with probiotics has been considered a possible method to prevent and treat obesity. However, despite a great amount of data, the use of probiotics to prevent and treat obesity and related problems remains debated. Studies have found that the probiotic effect on body weight and metabolism is strain specific and that only some of the species included in the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera are effective, whereas the use of other strains can be deleterious. However, the dosage, duration of administration, and long-term effects of probiotics administration to prevent overweight and obesity are not known. Further studies are needed before probiotics can be rationally prescribed for the prevention or treatment of obesity. Control of the diet and environmental and life-style factors that favour obesity development remain the best solution to problems related to weight gain.

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Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) is one of the most common health complaints in both children and adults. Although RAP is considered a functional disorder rather than an organic disease, affected children and their families can still experience anxiety and concerns that can interfere with school, sports, and regular daily activities and lead to frequent attendances at pediatric emergency departments or pediatric gastroenterology clinics. Our review shows experts do not agree on a universally proven management that will work on every child presenting with functional abdominal pain (FAP). Treatment strategies include both non-pharmacological and pharmacological options. Non-pharmacological treatments are usually very well accepted by both children and their parents and are free from medication side effects. Nevertheless, they may be as effective as the pharmacological interventions; therefore, according to many experts and based on the majority of current evidence, a non-pharmacological approach should be the first intervention attempt in children with RAP. In particular, the importance of the bio-psychosocial approach is highlighted, as a majority of children will improve with counselling and reassurance that no serious organic pathologies are suspected, especially when the physician establishes a trustful relationship with both the child and their family. Placebo and pharmacological interventions could be attempted when the bio-psychosocial approach is not applicable or not efficacious. In some difficult cases, finding an effective treatment for FAP can be a challenge, and a number of strategies may need to be tried before symptoms are controlled. In these cases, a multidisciplinary team, comprising a pediatric gastroenterologist, dietician, psychologist, and psychotherapist, is likely to be successful.

Valproic acid (VPA) is one of the most prescribed drugs in children with newly diagnosed epilepsy. Weight gain and obesity have been observed as side effects of VPA. These are often linked with other metabolic disturbances such as development of insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome (MetS) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD refers to a group of liver disorders with marked hepatic steatosis. It is associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases and overall reduced life expectancy. NAFLD occurs in 20%-25% of the general population and it is known to be the most common cause of chronic liver disease. NAFLD therefore represents a major public health issue worldwide. This study reviews and summarizes relevant literature that supports the existence of an association between VPA therapy and the development of NAFLD in children. Long-term VPA-therapy appears to be associated with an increased risk of developing NAFLD. Further studies are needed to clarify the pathogenic mechanisms that lie behind this association and to standardize the options for the use of this drug in overweight patients and in those with risks for developing MetS and NAFLD.

Introduction Among neonates and infants <3 months of age with fever without a source (FWS), 5% to 15% of cases are patients with fever caused by a serious bacterial infection (SBI). To favour the differentiation between low- and high-risk infants, several algorithms based on analytical and clinical parameters have been developed. The aim of this review is to describe the management of young infants with FWS and to discuss the impact of recent knowledge regarding FWS management on clinical practice. Materials and Methods PubMed was used to search for all of the studies published over the last 35 years using the keywords: “fever without source” or “fever of unknown origin” or “meningitis” or “sepsis” or “urinary tract infection” and “neonate” or “newborn” or “infant <90 days of life” or “infant <3 months”. Results and Discussion The selection of neonates and young infants who are <3 months old with FWS who are at risk for SBI remains a problem without a definitive solution. The old Rochester criteria remain effective for identifying young infants between 29 and 60 days old who do not have severe bacterial infections (SBIs). However, the addition of laboratory tests such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) can significantly improve the identification of children with SBI. The approach in evaluating neonates is significantly more complicated, as their risk of SBIs, including bacteremia and meningitis, remains relevant and none of the suggested approaches can reduce the risk of dramatic mistakes. In both groups, the best antibiotic must be carefully selected considering the clinical findings, the laboratory data, the changing epidemiology, and increasing antibiotic resistance of the most common infectious bacteria.