Characteristics and Diagnostic Yield of Pediatric Colonoscopy in Taiwan

Colonoscopy of the lower gastrointestinal tract has diagnostic and therapeutic value. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the indications, complications, and diagnostic yield of diagnostic colonoscopy among Taiwanese children.

The application of colonoscopy performed on children aged < 18 years between 1998 and 2010 in a referral tertiary center in Southern Taiwan was reviewed. Data on age, gender, indications, complications, and colonoscopic and final diagnoses were collected and analyzed.

One hundred and ninety-two children with 201 colonoscopies and 27 sigmoidoscopies were enrolled. The rate of successful ileocecal approach was 77.5%. The most common indication was lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB; 53.5%), followed by chronic abdominal pain (20.6%), iron deficiency anemia (IDA; 11.8%), and chronic diarrhea (11.4%). There were 144 patients (75%) with a conclusive diagnosis in their first colonoscopy, including nonspecific colitis (23.4%), polyp (20.4%), and inflammatory bowel disease (8.3%). The diagnostic yields of colonoscopy according to the major indications were 77.3% in LGIB, 68.1% in chronic abdominal pain, 66.7% in IDA, and 79.2% in chronic diarrhea. Among the patients with LGIB, juvenile polyp (26.4%) was the most common etiology. There were no major procedure-related complications.

LGIB is the most common indication for pediatric colonoscopy. Pediatric colonoscopy is most effective in diagnosing pediatric LGIB and chronic diarrhea.