Helicobacter pylori infection had a high prevalence among Saudi children in the cities of Jeddah and Riyadh. It was a relatively common cause of abdominal pain and anorexia. In this cohort of children, H. pylori infection was associated with variables indicative of a crowded environment and poor living conditions, further supporting the conclusion that improving socioeconomic conditions and designing a preventive health strategy in Saudi Arabia will likely protect children against this infection.
Although the incidence of pediatric IBD in Saudi Arabian children is lower than suggested in the Western literature, there is a significantly increasing trend over time. However, decreased trend in the younger age group over time is identified. Prospective studies will be important to identify the risk factors for IBD in different age groups.
Congenital short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a rare condition of the newborn, with several reports demonstrating high mortality. A six-week-old boy presented with chronic diarrhea and failure to thrive. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a straight duodenum, and multiple small bowel biopsies were histologically normal. An upper gastrointestinal series showed malrotation. At laparotomy, the small bowel was 50 cm in length, confirming the diagnosis of congenital SBS. Parenteral nutrition was initiated and enteral feeding with an amino acid-based formula containing long-chain fatty acids was introduced early and gradually advanced. At the last follow-up examination at 24 months, he was thriving on a regular diet, with normal growth and development. Long-term survival of children with congenital SBS is now possible if enteral feeds are introduced early to promote intestinal adaptation, with subsequent weaning off parenteral nutrition.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.