Research in the Department of Pediatrics:

Clinical projects:

The Department of Pediatrics encourages clinical research. As the largest pediatric facility in Southern West Virginia, the Department of Pediatrics serves as the medical center for the tri-state area, accepting patients referrals from Southern Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Southern West Virginia. The large disease diversity of our patient population enables the faculty members to offer various clinical studies on different pediatric subjects such as: ADHD, GERD, H. pylori infection, obesity, and more.

The current clinical research projects available including:

Subject Title Principal Investigator

• Obesity Diagnosis and treatment - Dr. James Bailes
• Obesity Liver complication and metabolic syndrome  - Dr. Yoram Elitsur
• GERD Efficacy of various PPI in children - Dr. Yoram Elitsur
• H. pylori Accuracy of various diagnostic tests -  Dr. Yoram Elitsur
• IBD Effect of 5-ASA derivatives on UC -  Dr. Yoram Elitsur
• ADHD The efficacy of Concerta for ADHD - Dr. James Lewis

Research and the Pediatric Residents:

The pediatric residents are encouraged and obligated to participate in one research project per year in 2 out of 3 years of their residency. The residents are mentored by the faculty members who are experienced in this area. During their research projects, the residents gain  important experience and knowledge in the academic facet of medicine. Our residents participate in the annual Medical School Research Day meeting, the annual AAP-WV chapter meeting, and the annual Pediatric Academic Society national meeting. Our residents research is very successful nationally and they gain a significant competitive advantage at the time of graduation,  for future job application or fellowship program.

The following are some recent examples of our residents’ achievement:

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Recent manuscripts published:

1. Bhasin A and Elitsur Y.:  Esophageal stenosis - A rare complication of coin ingestion: A case report.
Gastrointest Endo 59: 152-4, 2004.

2. Morales A, DiFilippo M, McKeand C., and Y. Elitsur.:  Treatment of constipation in children- A survey of primary care physicians in West Virginia.
WV Med J. 2006 (in press)

3. Safder S., Rewalt M. and Y. Elitsur.:  Digital (rectal) examination for constipation: A lost art?
Clin Pediatr, 2006 (in press)

4. Safder S., Rewalt M., and Y. Elitsur.:  Polyethylene glycol (PEG 3350) cleaning protocol for colonoscopy in children- A weekend ordeal?
JPGN (submitted)

5. Safder S., Chirico P., Rewalt M., and Y. Elitsur.:  Calcium and Vitamin D supplementation for bone loss in children with IBD: Does it help?
JPGN (submitted)