Pediatric Bowel Diseases: The Present and a Challenge for Future

A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067). This special issue belongs to the section "Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 December 2025) | Viewed by 3239

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Guest Editor
Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Children’s Hospital Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
Interests: pediatric surgery; Hirschsprung’s disease; anorectal malformations; surgery; gastroenterology
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Pediatric bowel diseases include a broad spectrum of inborn and acquired disorders with a high impact on quality of life.

Treatment guidelines for pediatric bowel diseases are often missing from care practice due to limited evidence. This Special Issue will give the reader an update on pediatric bowel disorders with a particular focus on surgical and non-surgical treatment options, as well as the transition period from childhood to adulthood. The need to develop an interdisciplinary therapy approach for children with fecal elimination disorders is indisputable. We invite you to submit your manuscripts on the topic of intestinal diseases in children from a wide range of specializations.

Clinical, basic science, and translational studies related to pediatric bowel diseases are all welcome.

Requested paper types: Studies addressing pathophysiology, epidemiology, and/or treatment (including the confirmation or refutation of conventional therapies, novel treatments, and treatment guidelines) are highly appreciated.

Prof. Dr. Stefan Holland-Cunz
Guest Editor

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • inborn intestinal malformations
  • fecal incontinence in pediatrics
  • chronic constipation in pediatrics
  • inflammatory bowel disease in children
  • transition in patients with chronic intestinal diseases

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 821 KB  
Article
Parental Attitudes Towards Vaccination in Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Comparative Study
by Svetlana I. Erdes, Ivan S. Samolygo, Mikhail P. Kostinov, Olga L. Lomakina, Ekaterina A. Yablokova, Anton S. Antishin, Albina S. Pestova, Viktoria S. Krikun, Yulia A. Drozdova, Elena V. Borisova and Marina A. Manina
Children 2026, 13(2), 238; https://doi.org/10.3390/children13020238 - 7 Feb 2026
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Abstract
Objective: To evaluate parental attitudes towards vaccination in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), assess the level of adherence to immunization schedules, and identify key barriers hindering vaccination. Materials and Methods: A comparative survey was conducted involving 215 respondents, divided into an IBD [...] Read more.
Objective: To evaluate parental attitudes towards vaccination in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), assess the level of adherence to immunization schedules, and identify key barriers hindering vaccination. Materials and Methods: A comparative survey was conducted involving 215 respondents, divided into an IBD group (109 parents of children with IBD) and a control group (106 parents of healthy children). The majority of respondents were mothers (96%) with higher education (81% and 79%, respectively) residing in a major metropolitan area. We assessed demographic data, vaccination history of both children and parents, sources of medical information, and reasons for vaccine refusal. Results: Routine vaccination coverage in children under 6 years of age was high and comparable in both groups (>93%). The majority of parents in the IBD group (n = 68; 62%) expressed a positive attitude towards vaccination. However, following the onset of IBD, only 24 (22%) continued vaccination, while 85 (78%) reported a categorical refusal to continue immunization. It was found that parents tend to misinterpret normal post-vaccination reactions as vaccine complications. A significant factor contributing to refusal is the lack of information from attending physicians and reliance on the Internet as a primary information source. Additionally, low rates of adult revaccination were noted, with over 30% of parents in both groups not being vaccinated in adulthood. Conclusions: The low vaccination rate in children with IBD after disease onset is driven not by initial anti-vaccination sentiment, but by acquired fears and a lack of professional communication from primary care providers and specialists. Improving immunization coverage requires the active implementation of educational programs for parents regarding vaccine safety during immunosuppressive therapy, as well as the development of specific guidelines for attending physicians. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Bowel Diseases: The Present and a Challenge for Future)
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23 pages, 4076 KB  
Systematic Review
Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Shenqu Xiaoshi Oral Liquid for Functional Constipation in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Shen Li, Haobo Xu, Tian Geng and Zhongyue Li
Children 2026, 13(4), 464; https://doi.org/10.3390/children13040464 - 27 Mar 2026
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Abstract
Aim: We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Shenqu Xiaoshi Oral Liquid in the treatment of functional constipation in children. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted from inception to 20 October 2025, across PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, [...] Read more.
Aim: We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Shenqu Xiaoshi Oral Liquid in the treatment of functional constipation in children. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted from inception to 20 October 2025, across PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Chinese VIP Information Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wan Fang Med Database. For quantitative analysis, the mean difference (MD) was used for continuous outcomes and the risk ratio (RR) for dichotomous outcomes. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Statistical analyses were performed using RevMan 5.3 and Stata 13 software. Results: Eight studies involving 692 pediatric patients were included (Shenqu Xiaoshi Oral Liquid group: 345; control group: 347). Compared to the control group, Shenqu Xiaoshi Oral Liquid demonstrated superior clinical effectiveness [RR = 1.36, 95% CI: (1.25, 1.47); z = 7.11, p < 0.00001] and a lower recurrence rate [RR = 0.49, 95% CI: (0.26, 0.93); z = 2.18, p = 0.03]. Both the post-treatment [WMD = −0.91, 95% CI: (−0.97, −0.86); z = 31.94, p < 0.00001] and post-recurrence [WMD = −1.49, 95% CI: (−1.56, −1.41); z = 40.12, p < 0.00001] defecation intervals were shorter in the Shenqu Xiaoshi Oral Liquid group. No significant difference was observed in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups [RR = 0.67, 95% CI: (0.35, 1.29); z = 1.20, p = 0.23]. Furthermore, serum levels of motilin [WMD = 41.66, 95% CI: (34.17, 49.16); z = 10.90, p < 0.00001] and gastrin [WMD = 23.74, 95% CI: (7.30, 40.19); z = 2.83, p = 0.005] were significantly higher in the Shenqu Xiaoshi Oral Liquid group. Conclusions: Shenqu Xiaoshi Oral Liquid shows favorable clinical efficacy and an acceptable safety profile for treating functional constipation in children. However, these outcome measures are influenced by the limited sample size and potential heterogeneity of the included studies, warranting cautious interpretation of the results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Bowel Diseases: The Present and a Challenge for Future)
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40 pages, 821 KB  
Systematic Review
Factors Influencing the Colostrum’s Microbiota: A Systematic Review of the Literature
by Aimilia Tzani, Nikoleta Aikaterini Xixi, Rozeta Sokou, Eleni Karapati, Zoi Iliodromiti, Paraskevi Volaki, Styliani Paliatsiou, Nikoletta Iacovidou and Theodora Boutsikou
Children 2025, 12(10), 1336; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12101336 - 4 Oct 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1683
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Human colostrum plays a crucial role in early microbial colonization, immune development, and gut health of newborns. Its microbiota is highly dynamic and influenced by numerous factors, yet the determinants remain poorly understood. This systematic review aims to investigate the composition of [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Human colostrum plays a crucial role in early microbial colonization, immune development, and gut health of newborns. Its microbiota is highly dynamic and influenced by numerous factors, yet the determinants remain poorly understood. This systematic review aims to investigate the composition of colostrum microbiota and the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influence its diversity and abundance. Methods: PubMed and Scopus were systematically searched using a prespecified search phrase. Data on microbial composition, diversity, and influencing factors were extracted and analyzed. The systematic review is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42025644017). Results: A total of 44 eligible studies involving 1982 colostrum samples were identified. Colostrum microbiota consists predominantly of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, with core genera including Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium. Some studies reported higher diversity in colostrum compared to mature milk, while others noted elevated bacterial abundance in the former. Factors influencing colostrum microbiota include maternal BMI, delivery mode, gestational age, diet, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), maternal stress, maternal age, secretor status, perinatal antibiotic exposure, neonatal gender, geographic location, feeding type, milk collection method, and mastitis. Conclusions: Colostrum hosts a diverse and dynamic microbiota shaped by multiple maternal, neonatal, and environmental factors. Understanding these influences is crucial for optimizing infant health outcomes, emphasizing the need for further research on the functional roles of colostrum’s microbiota. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Bowel Diseases: The Present and a Challenge for Future)
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