Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Tissue Engineering of the Intestine in a Murine Model
08:45

Tissue Engineering of the Intestine in a Murine Model

Published on: December 1, 2012

Paediatric gastroenterology 1966-2000

John Walker-Smith1

  • 1Medicine, Wellcome Trust Centre for History of Medicine, University College, London. johnwalker_smith@hotmail.com

Clinical Medicine (London, England)
|July 16, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric gastroenterology saw shifts between 1966-2000, with declining infectious gastroenteritis and rising inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) diagnoses. Technological and therapeutic advancements improved diagnosis and management of pediatric gastrointestinal conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Gastrointestinal Disease Epidemiology

Background:

  • The period 1966-2000 witnessed significant epidemiological shifts in pediatric gastroenterological diseases in developed nations.
  • A notable decrease in severe infectious gastroenteritis and infections caused by common Escherichia coli serotypes was observed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the changing patterns of pediatric gastroenterological diseases.
  • To highlight advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for gastrointestinal conditions in children.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of disease patterns in pediatric gastroenterology from 1966 to 2000.
  • Review of technological advancements, including the introduction of ileocolonoscopy for tissue diagnosis.
  • Examination of therapeutic developments such as parenteral nutrition and enteral feeding.

Main Results:

  • Incidence of clinically severe infective gastroenteritis and infections by conventional Escherichia coli serotypes declined.
  • A marked increase in the diagnosis of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly Crohn's disease, was observed.
  • Emergence and recognition of new infectious agents like rotavirus, and evolving patterns in gastrointestinal allergies.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric gastroenterology has experienced a significant transformation, marked by a decrease in infectious causes and a rise in chronic inflammatory conditions.
  • Technological innovations, especially ileocolonoscopy, have been crucial for accurate diagnosis of pediatric IBD.
  • Therapeutic progress, including nutritional support, has enhanced management strategies for children with complex gastrointestinal diseases.

Related Concept Videos

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses a challenge in...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders01:20

Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders

Gastrointestinal or GI motility disorders are characterized by irregular gastrointestinal tract movements, disrupting food transit from the mouth to the anus. They are caused by damage or dysfunction in gut muscles or nerves. These disorders can cause symptoms such as severe constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and swallowing difficulties. Disorders can affect any segment of the GI tract and range widely in severity, from common conditions like GERD to life-threatening conditions like...
Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding01:15

Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding

Enteral nutrition encompasses various methods of delivering nutrition directly to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, bypassing traditional oral intake. It is particularly beneficial for patients who cannot eat by mouth but have a functioning digestive system. Key methods include nasointestinal feeding, gastrostomy, and jejunostomy, each suited to different clinical scenarios based on the patient's needs and condition.
Nasointestinal Feeding
Nasointestinal feeding involves placing a tube through...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight, compared...