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Outcomes of children after esophagogastroduodenoscopy for chronic abdominal pain

Kalpesh Thakkar1, Leon Chen1, Mary E Tessier1

  • 1Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.

Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology : the Official Clinical Practice Journal of the American Gastroenterological Association
|September 11, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) accurately diagnosed 38% of children with chronic abdominal pain. This procedure identified treatable conditions, with 67% of patients responding well to medical therapy within a year.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Diagnostic Endoscopy

Background:

  • Chronic abdominal pain is a common reason for pediatric esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD).
  • Limited data exists on the diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes following EGD for this indication.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the diagnostic yield of EGD in children with chronic abdominal pain.
  • To assess the short-term outcomes of pediatric patients undergoing EGD for abdominal pain.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study included 290 children (4-18 years) with chronic abdominal pain undergoing EGD.
  • Data collected included demographics, alarm features, Rome III criteria, and EGD findings.
  • Patients with diagnostic lesions were followed for at least one year for outcomes.

Main Results:

  • EGD provided an accurate diagnosis in 38% of children.
  • Common diagnoses included esophagitis (21.0%), eosinophilic gastroenteritis (4.1%), and H. pylori infection (2.0%).
  • Medical therapy was effective in approximately 67% of patients with diagnostic findings.

Conclusions:

  • EGD is a valuable diagnostic tool for pediatric chronic abdominal pain, with a 38% diagnostic yield.
  • The procedure identifies treatable gastrointestinal disorders, leading to effective medical management in a majority of cases.
Abstract

Keywords:
EvaluationGastrointestinal EndoscopyManagementPediatrics

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