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School of Medicine- Course Introduction

Department of Pediatrics

Departments of Clinical Sciences (Clinical Medicine)

1. Neurological, muscular, metabolic and endocrine disorders
We are investigating the molecular pathology of muscular dystrophy, developing treatments, and conducting clinical trials and research. We are also working to elucidate the mechanism of epilepsy development based on the analysis of brainstem and spinal cord neural networks. Regarding congenital metabolic disorders, we are conducting Molecular biological analysis of the disease while closely examining cases that test positive in mass screening. We also provide multidisciplinary genetic treatment for hereditary diseases.

2. Pediatric gastrointestinal diseases
We provide medical care and research mainly on the diagnosis and treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection, as well as functional gastrointestinal disorders such as chronic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and functional dyspepsia. We provide medical care for inflammatory bowel diseases in cooperation with the IBD Center.

3. Kidney disease and bedwetting
We are conducting research into the involvement of IL-18 in renal tubular cell damage, and the use of urinary liver-type fatty acid binding protein as a biomarker. We also provide aggressive treatment for bedwetting based on international standards, and provide multidisciplinary bedwetting treatment in collaboration with pediatric neurologists and pediatric urologists.

4. Neonatal diseases
We are currently investigating the relationship between periventricular leukomalacia and IL-18, elucidating the cause of neonatal eosinophilic disease, and establishing an evaluation system for circulatory and respiratory failure using serum and urinary BNP.

5. Allergic diseases
We are working to establish new methods for managing childhood food allergies, conduct multi-center collaborative research into anaphylactic treatment cases, and elucidate the immune mechanisms involved in the development of H. pylori-infected gastritis.

6. Nationwide Survey on Children's Health and the Environment (Eco-Children's Survey)
The department has been selected as one of 15 unit centers nationwide for the Ministry of the Environment's "Eco-Children Survey," and is responsible for operating the Hyogo Unit Center together with the Department of Public Health and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Current status of research

Overview

While providing emergency medical care, advanced lifesaving medical care, and advanced medical care across the full range of pediatric and neonatal diseases, we are also conducting research to elucidate pathological conditions, including molecular mechanisms, and to develop treatments based on pathological conditions, focusing on neurological and muscular diseases, pediatric digestive diseases, kidney diseases, blood and tumor diseases, neonatal and premature infant care, allergies, and metabolic and endocrine diseases.
Additionally, we are working on the diagnosis and treatment of childhood Helicobacter pylori infection with a view to preventing gastric cancer.

Subject

  1. Development and implementation of molecular therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy:
    We are conducting basic research into exon skipping induction therapy using antisense oligonucleotides and nonsense mutation read-through induction therapy, and are also promoting the clinical application of these new therapies through clinical trials and research. We are also elucidating the molecular pathology of individual cases of muscular dystrophy and developing new therapies.
  2. Multidisciplinary genetic treatment for intractable genetic diseases:
    We provide multidisciplinary genetic treatment for intractable genetic diseases, and while developing new treatments, we also accept consultations regarding carrier testing and prenatal testing for some diseases.
  3. Evaluating the efficacy of new treatments for spinal muscular atrophy:
    We are currently investigating the establishment of a method for evaluating the effectiveness of new treatments for spinal muscular atrophy.
  4. Epidemiological survey of Helicobacter pylori infection:
    The study is mainly focused on Tanba Sasayama City, and is examining infection rates, infection routes, and infection dynamics.
  5. Helicobacter pylori infection test and treat:
    We are investigating the safety and effectiveness of "Helicobacter pylori infection test and treat" for junior and senior high school students to prevent stomach cancer. We are also investigating specific implementation methods, such as follow-up after eradication.
  6. Epidemiology of functional gastrointestinal disorders in children:
    We are currently investigating the epidemiology of functional gastrointestinal disorders in children.
  7. Assessment of damage in children with IgA nephropathy:
    We are investigating treatments for pediatric IgA nephropathy by staining for CD68, myeloid-related protein (MRP) 8, MRP14, and α-SMA in kidney biopsy tissue and examining the effects of macrophages and the degree of fibrosis histologically for each treatment method.
  8. Factors associated with renal tubular damage:
    Renal tubular cell injury occurs either alone or in association with glomerular injury. We are investigating the involvement of cytokines such as IL-18 in the development of renal tubular cell injury in various pathological conditions.
  9. Research into factors related to the onset of bedwetting:
    He is participating in a national-level study centered on the Department of Urology at Sapporo Medical University regarding the relationship between bladder hypersensitivity and acetylcholine, and is working to clarify the pathology. He is also analyzing factors related to bedwetting and awakening disorders, and is conducting research to develop new treatments.
  10. Early prognostic assessment of neonatal brain injury using MR spectroscopy:
    With the development of 3T MRI devices, MR spectroscopy is becoming more and more common again, and we are investigating the prognosis of neonatal brain damage and developmental disorders in the early stages of neonatal asphyxia using standard values for the developmental process from the neonatal period.
  11. Epidemiological survey of perinatal background factors related to gastrointestinal dysfunction in low birth weight infants:
    In cooperation with the pediatric surgery department, we are analyzing perinatal factors and clarifying risk factors for neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), meconium associated ileus (MRI), idiopathic intestinal perforation (FIP), and meconium peritonitis (MP) at 11 facilities across Japan.
  12. Investigation of cytokines and biomarkers in neonatal gastrointestinal allergy:
    We are investigating eosinophils, cytokines, and biomarkers to clarify the etiology of neonatal gastrointestinal allergies. We found a causal relationship between eosinophilia and elevated serum IL-5, and the incidence of infantile allergic diseases was low in infants receiving therapeutic milk. We are investigating preventive measures for infantile allergic diseases using fecal calprotectin, an activity marker for inflammatory bowel disease, to evaluate disease progression and treatment.
  13. Clinical study of mothers and children with IBD (inflammatory bowel disease):
    We are investigating the relationship between maternal disease severity and developmental prognosis in children of mothers with IBD.
  14. Establishing a new method for managing childhood food allergies:
    We are conducting oral immunotherapy for intractable food allergies for which natural recovery is not expected, and investigating the mechanism of resistance acquisition. We are participating in a multi-center study on oral immunotherapy (desensitization) therapy, and are working to establish a new treatment method.
  15. Considerations for treating pediatric anaphylaxis:
    We participate in multi-center studies of anaphylaxis treatment cases, clarifying the issues and applying them to clinical practice. We identify causative factors that differ from patient to patient, and consider measures to prevent the onset of the condition.
  16. Elucidating the pathology and developing treatments for pediatric neurological disorders:
    We conduct multi-institutional collaborative research on pediatric neurological disorders, particularly in the areas of rare, intractable diseases and extremely severely ill children, and conduct clinical research aimed at analyzing the clinical pathology and establishing treatment methods.
  17. Development of a diagnostic and treatment system for chronic headache in children:
    We are currently working to establish diagnostic and treatment systems for chronic pediatric headaches, particularly orthostatic intolerance and psychogenic headaches, which are difficult to distinguish from primary headaches.
  18. Eco-Children Study (How environmental risks affect children's growth and development):
    As a member of the Hyogo Eco-Children Survey Unit Center, in order to clarify the central hypothesis, "Do environmental factors, including exposure to chemicals from fetal to childhood, affect pregnancy/reproduction, congenital malformations, neuropsychiatric development, immunity/allergies, metabolism/endocrine systems, etc.", we conduct regular health surveys from pregnancy until the child reaches the age of 13, and investigate exposure to chemicals using biological samples such as blood, urine, and breast milk. We also conduct a wide range of research and analysis on various environmental, genetic, social, and lifestyle factors.

Self-evaluation, inspection and future prospects

Department of Pediatrics Department continues to conduct research with a primary focus on elucidating the pathology of intractable childhood diseases and developing treatments. Patients exhibit symptoms that cannot be explained by currently understood pathophysiology. By analyzing the pathology observed in such patients at various levels, from the individual to the molecular level, new pathologies will become clear and treatments can be developed. Research will continue from this perspective. Furthermore, research will be conducted that includes measures for children with a view to preventing diseases in adulthood.

Course Information

Person in Charge
Yasuhiro Takeshima (Chief Professor)
Specialty: Muscles, metabolism, endocrinology
Professor
Okuda Masami
Specialty: Gastroenterology, infectious diseases
Clinical Associate Professor
Hideki Shimomura and Tomoko Lee
Lecturer
Akio Shibata and Tsuyoshi Utsunomiya
TEL
0798-45-6352
FAX
0798-45-0137
Course dedicated site
https://www.hyo-med.ac.jp/department/ped/
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