Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition

We have published clinical and epidemiological studies to better understand the etiology and course of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, as well as studies on gastrointestinal motility and functional disorders. We have studied different therapeutic strategies in patients with functional abdominal pain in randomized, prospective and placebo-controlled clinical studies. We have implemented different nutritional programs, (parenteral nutrition included) respective to the golden standards for hospitalized and ambulatory patients. We were very active in the development of guidelines, position papers and multicenter-studies of ESPGHAN/ NASPGHAN. Several studies drew high attention to our Pediatric Endsocopy Quality Improvement Network (PEnQuIN). The scientific results were recently published as a supplement in the Journal for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition (JPGN). The PEnQuIN process has led to international agreement on clinically meaningful metrics that can be used to assess safety and quality of endoscopic care for children. We have further started a research project, in cooperation with ETH Zürich. Since there are no specific instruments being developed for an easy and quick endoscopic retrieval of foreign bodies and there are still major challenges to the current lack of paediatric gastroenterology instruments, the overall objectives of this new research project are to develop and provide practical solutions for the detection and removal of metallic foreign bodies from the esophagus of children.