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Peptic ulcers in Iranian children are diagnosed using strict radiological criteria. This study found a higher incidence in Iranian girls, suggesting regional differences in pediatric peptic ulcer disease.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Radiology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a significant gastrointestinal condition.
- PUD in children presents unique diagnostic and clinical challenges.
- Limited data exists on PUD prevalence in pediatric populations in developing countries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report on the clinical characteristics and radiological diagnosis of peptic ulcers in Iranian children.
- To determine the incidence and epidemiological features of PUD in this pediatric cohort.
- To compare PUD prevalence in Iranian children with international data.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 30 pediatric peptic ulcer cases diagnosed via strict radiological criteria.
- Review of presenting symptoms, complications (hemorrhage, perforation), and demographic data.
- Calculation of incidence rates and comparison with existing literature.
Main Results:
- Upper abdominal pain was the most frequent symptom.
- Hemorrhage (36.6%) and melena/hematemesis (16.6%) requiring transfusion were common complications.
- The incidence of PUD in Iranian children was 15.1 per 10,000, with 60% of cases in females.
- The sole fatality resulted from duodenal ulcer perforation.
- Most affected children were from lower socioeconomic backgrounds in Tehran.
Conclusions:
- Peptic ulcer disease in Iranian children exhibits distinct epidemiological patterns, with a higher incidence in females compared to Western data.
- Radiological diagnosis is crucial for accurate PUD assessment in pediatric patients.
- The findings suggest a potentially higher prevalence of PUD in Iranian children than previously reported, warranting further investigation.
Abstract:
Thirty cases of peptic ulcer were presented, all of which were diagnosed in accordance with strict radiological criteria. Upper abdominal pain was the most common presenting symptom. Hemorrhage occurred in 36.6% of the cases, and 16.6% suffered from melena and hematemesis requiring transfusions on admission. The only fatal case was due to perforation of a duodenal ulcer. Almost all of the children came from lower income groups and were inhabitants of Tehran or the suburbs. The incidence of peptic ulcer in Iranian children is 15.1 per ten thousand with 60% of the cases occurring in females. This suggests that peptic ulcer may be more common in Iran when compared to Europe or the United States and taht more cases occur in female children in Iran.