[Esophagogastroduodenitis in the newborn. Apropos of 32 cases]

Inflammatory lesions involving esophagus, stomach and duodenum are frequent in neonates and run a benign course. Thirty-two cases of esophagogastritis associated with duodenitis in 28% of cases were studied. Presenting symptoms included nonspecific symptoms such as feeding difficulties (15 cases), G-I bleeding (14 cases), regurgitation (14 cases) and/or impaired weight gain (4 cases). No precipitating factor could be identified. The diagnosis was established by endoscopy. Gastro-esophageal reflux, which seemed to be secondary to the mucosal lesions, required an anti-reflux treatment, which led to a rapid clinical recovery. Repeat endoscopy invariably showed an improvement or complete recovery of the mucosal lesions which did not seem to be influenced by antacid treatment. The etiology and pathogenesis of neonatal esophagogastroduodenitis remain undetermined.