Archive for gastroenterology
Piecing together the preterm infant microbiome
The human microbiome — the collection of microbes living in the gut — is now recognized as an important contributor to health and disease. The environment, the host, and microbe-microbe interactions are all likely to shape the microbiome’s dynamics, but the unique roles of each are not well understood. Now, a Boston Children’s Hospital infectious ... Read More
IBD surgery gives Ben a new taste for life (and hamburgers)
Ben Irland, 13, has been enjoying a lot of hamburgers lately. It’s an exciting development for him, since until recently meat — as well as most other foods — caused him pain. That’s because Ben has been dealing with the effects of Crohn’s disease, one form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), for the past decade. ... Read More
Going ‘all in’ for Khori: New hope for congenital enteropathy
Khori LeBlanc is “one of the sassiest and sweetest kids you’ll ever meet,” says her mom, Bryanna Black. Her good mood even carries over to her many hospital visits, where she can be often be found practicing her “karate” moves on the way to an appointment. It’s a resilient attitude that has served her well ... Read More
Study: Even strict gluten-free diets may not completely prevent gluten exposure
Even a strict gluten-free (GF) diet may not help people with celiac disease completely avoid gluten. That’s the finding of a recent study by Jocelyn Silvester, MD, PhD, and her colleagues at the University of Manitoba, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and the University of Seville. They sought to determine whether GF diets still contain ... Read More
Global partnership leads to improved treatment for childhood diarrhea
Diarrheal diseases remain a major childhood health problem in many parts of the world. Each year, they lead to the deaths of more than 500,000 children under age 5 globally. A new large clinical trial based in Tanzania and India, led by investigators at Boston Children’s Hospital, local research universities, and the World Health Organization ... Read More
Yoga program helps children and teens better manage IBD and stress
In a dimly lit room, about a half dozen teens stand quietly, each trying to balance on one leg. The teacher demonstrates, her other leg bent and knee pointing to the side, forming a flag shape. This could be a typical yoga class being held just about anywhere in the United States. But the room ... Read More
What’s it like to have an endoscopy?
If your child has symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux or celiac disease, has been diagnosed with esophageal atresia, or has another condition that affects their upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract, their clinician may recommend an upper endoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor passes a long, thin, flexible tube with a light on the end through your child’s ... Read More
A trip to Boston for FMT helps Isaac regain his health
For Isaac Flaming, a course of antibiotics prescribed to treat a simple ear infection led to Clostridium difficile (C. diff), a serious intestinal infection that causes diarrhea, bloody stools, weight loss, and fever. After four months of dealing with an array of debilitating symptoms, the 7-year-old traveled from his home in Oklahoma to Boston Children’s Hospital ... Read More
New research sheds light on risk of gluten exposure in the kitchen and classroom
Parents and teachers typically go to great lengths in the kitchen and in the classroom to ensure children with Celiac disease avoid gluten contact. But up until recently, little data has existed to quantify the risk that exists in a variety of scenarios. Now, new research suggests that while vigilance is key, people may be ... Read More
Dietitian Tara McCarthy cooks up a meaningful New Year’s resolution
For many people, the new year offers an opportunity to embrace fresh starts and self-improvement goals. But for Tara McCarthy, a clinical nutrition specialist at the Boston Children’s Hospital Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, her New Year’s resolution is unique. Every January, she commits to four weeks of eating the same restrictive diet followed by the ... Read More