ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal symptoms in children may be, but are not always due to disease. Endoscopy in general anaesthesia may be necessary in children with long-term symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present a retrospective study of all children under the age of 15 who underwent endoscopy at the Central Hospital in Akershus (SIA) in the period 1993-98. 254 gastro-, 123 colono- and 43 sigmoideoscopies were performed. A conclusive diagnosis was made following endoscopy. There were few complications to the endoscopies. RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION: Our results indicate a higher incidence of inflammatory bowel disease than in similar studies, but with the same relative rates. Celiac disease occurs at a rate similar to the Swedish epidemic in the 1980s.
