Acquired noncaustic esophageal strictures in children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Esophageal Diseases
• Clinical Pediatrics

Background:

• Esophageal stricture (ES) is an uncommon pediatric condition, with acquired noncaustic ES being particularly rare.
• Clinical features and outcomes of acquired noncaustic ES in children are not well-defined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical findings and outcomes of pediatric patients diagnosed with acquired noncaustic ES.
• To assist physicians in the early referral of at-risk children to gastroenterology specialists.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of medical data for pediatric patients with acquired noncaustic ES.
• Data collected from patients seen in a gastroenterology clinic between January 2009 and December 2019.

Main Results:

• Acquired noncaustic ES occurred in 0.24% of pediatric endoscopy patients (12/4,950).
• Key symptoms included dysphagia (58.3%) and vomiting (33.3%); 66.6% experienced malnutrition.
• Etiologies included radiotherapy, peptic reflux, achalasia, chemotherapy, squamous-cell carcinoma, eosinophilic esophagitis, and epidermolysis bullosa.

Conclusions:

• Solid dysphagia, malnutrition, and co-existing diseases are potential indicators of esophageal stricture in children.
• Diverse etiologies necessitate tailored treatment approaches, ranging from endoscopic dilation and medical therapy to surgical interventions.