Endoscopic Findings of Upper GI Bleedings in Full Term Newborn Infants / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We are going to establish the efficacy of endoscopic examinations in diagnosing and treating upper GI bleeding in full term neonates. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed newborns who underwent endoscopic examination because of hematemesis from July 1998 to April 2001. RESULTS: Gestational ages were between 38 and 41weeks, and birth weights were between 2,730 and 3,400 gm. Total of 9 patients were reviewed. Endoscopic examination revealed gastric ulcer in 6 cases, multiple erosions in 2 cases and negative finding in 1 case. All 6 gastric ulcers were multiple and among them 2 patients endoscopic hemostatic therapy. No complication due to the procedure was noticed. Five patients recieved transfusions. All 9 cases were cured through conservative and endoscopic therapy without recurrence. CONCLUSION: The common cause of upper GI hemorrhage in newborns with no preceding disease turns out to be multiple gastric ulcers and the prognosis is good. The endoscopic approach is useful in diagnosing and treating upper GI bleeding in newborns.