[Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in neonates--experience of pediatric gastroenterology unit]

The aim of our study was to assess the frequency of the different lesions occurring as well as to precise indications of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in neonates.

We have achieved a retrospective study about 128 neonatal gastrointestinal endoscopies. Three groups were constituted according to macroscopic findings: Group I: normal aspect (n=11); Group II: isolated esophagitis (n=19); Group III: esogastritis or gastroduodenitis or esogastroduodenitis (n=92).

The neonates undergoing endoscopy for malaise were more frequent in group I than in group II and III, respectively 36.5% versus 15.8% and 9.8% (P = 0.04). Digestive hemorrhage (hematemesis and/or melena) was more frequent in group III than in group II and I, respectively 90.2% versus 78.9% and 63.6% (P = 0.03). Digestive hemorrhage was in our study the main indication of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in neonates (85.9%) which showed a macroscopic lesion in 93.5% of cases.

Hematemesis and suspicion of esophagitis are good indications for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in neonates.