Identification of underlying causes of chronic unspecific upper gastrointestinal-related symptoms in children, a pilot study

Upper gastrointestinal tract [GIT] symptoms are not disease specific and of limited value in the differentiation of GIT disorders. The present study aimed to determine the etiology of chronic unspecific symptoms in children and to test the need for upper endoscopy in diagnosis

This is a prospective study for 30 Egyptian children presented with chronic upper GIT symptoms for at least 2 months. History regarding severity and frequency of GIT symptoms were asked for. Children with known disorder that explains presenting symptoms were excluded. Upper GIT endoscopy was performed and 5 biopsies were obtained for pathological examination and for H pylori testing

The results showed that children age ranged between 2.5-18 years with mean +/- SD of 13.6 +/- 3.4 and 63.3% were females. The main complaints were epigastric pain in 43.3%, hematemesis in 30% and vomiting in 26.7%. Motility disorders were diagnosed in 66.7% children; in the form of GERD in 63.3% and achalasia in one. Complication of GERD in the form of erosive esophagitis was present in 15.8% children, while Barrett's esophagus was not observed. H. pylori infection was diagnosed in 80% histologically. Eosinophilic esophagitis was not detected

impact of sex on iron status in first year of life

Iron deficiency anemia is prevalent allover the world especially in poor countries. Normal iron status is essential for normal behavioral and mental health. Supplementation of iron in the early stages will protect the infant from the permanent psychomotor changes resulting from its deficiency. ZPP/ H ratio is found to be effective in detecting the pre-anemic state. In this study we examined the differences of iron status in female and male infants at the ages of 4, 6 and 12 months. We found that ZPP/H ratio is significantly higher in boys than in girls in the three groups studied denoting their vulnerability to have iron deficiency anemia