[Intestinal polyps in childhood]

From 1965 to 1987, 230 polypectomies were performed in patients between 8 month to 16 years old, 147 boys and 83 girls. The most frequent symptom was rectal bleeding and the most frequent location was the rectosigmoid (96%). The polyps measured from 0.8 to 2 cm., in only one case the polyp measured more than 5 cm. causing duodenal obstruction and it was associated with a gastric polyp. Solitary polyps represented 93.9% of all cases, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome 1.73 and juvenile polyposis 0.87%. In that period 3 cases of colonic carcinoma in children over 9 years old were diagnosed. The histology of 200 polyps were reviewed. In 21 cases the diagnosis was modified (10.5%). The juvenile polyp (J.P.) was the most frequent type (93%). The usual histopathological pattern was observed in 71.5% of the J.P., early lesions (26.3%) and hyperplastic changes (2.1%). Six cases were tubular adenoma and one tubulovillous. The multiple juvenile polyposis was found in girls (13 and 14 years old). None of the patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome had gonadal tumor. Endoscopic polypectomy in children is a safe and effective treatment for colorectal polyps. This study provides information on the clinicopathologic findings in argentinian children with intestinal polyps treated by polypectomy over a 22 year period. It emphasizes that juvenile polyps is the most frequent pattern however other lesions can be present in gastrointestinal tract and also associated with others tumors. Patients with polyps should be followed at regular intervals which can be modified according to the histologic type and family history.