Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy in children: indications and results

ABSTRACT

To study the profile of oesophagogastroduodenoscopy [OGD] in children, review the indication, results of biopsies, safety of the procedures and its benefits. Between June 2002 and March 2004, 88 children [54 males and 34 females] were enrolled into study. Their ages ranged from 5 years to 12 years with average age 7.5 years [S.D. +/- 3.2 years]. OGD was performed under general anesthesia, after an 8-hour fasting. The indications of OGD were chronic abdominal pain in 62 [70.4%], repeated hematemesis in 19 [21.7%] and unexplained vomiting in 7 cases [7.9%]. Tissue biopsies were obtained from all abnormal lesions as well as random biopsies from the oesophagus [one], gastric body [one], antrum [two; one for pathology and one for rapid urease test], and duodenum [one]. Positive endoscopic findings were found in 68 [77.3%] cases, while normal or no pathological abnormalities were detected in 20 [22.7%]. The commonest lesion found was superficial gastric mucosal lesions in 21 [23.9%], followed by gastric ulcers [19.3%], reflux oesophagitis [11.5%] and oesophagitis [ulcers] [10.2%].Less commonly found lesions were hemorrhagic erosive duodenitis [4.5%], oesophageal varices [4.5%] and duodenal ulcers [3.4%]. Biopsies were taken from 43 [48.9%] children. In 32 [74.4%] out of them there were histological abnormalities. The most common findings were non-specific gastritis in 15 [34.9%] followed by Helicobacter pylori [H.pylori] infections in 10 [23.2%]. Less common were eosinophilic gastroenteritis in 4 [9.3%] and nonspecific inflammations in the oesophagus in 3 [7%]. OGD in children is safe, easy procedure with moderm instruments, with excellent results which aids in diagnosis and treatment of many gastrointestinal disorders in children