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Bezoar types in children and aetiological factors affecting bezoar formation: A single-centre retrospective study
Mustafa Erman Dorterler1, Tansel Günendi1, Mehmet Çakmak1
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey.
Insights
Congenital gastrointestinal anomalies are the primary cause of bezoar formation in children, with phytobezoars being the most common type. This study investigates pediatric bezoar types and their causes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Digestive Health
Background:
- Bezoars are masses of undigested material in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Understanding pediatric bezoar formation is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the types of bezoars found in children.
- To determine the etiological factors contributing to bezoar formation in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 16 pediatric patients treated for bezoars between 2011-2019.
- Inclusion of demographic, laboratory, and radiological data from patient records.
- Review of endoscopic and/or surgical treatment outcomes.
Main Results:
- Phytobezoars were the most common type (10/16 patients).
- Congenital gastrointestinal anomalies were the leading etiological factor (6/16 patients).
- Other causes included trichobezoars, lactobezoar, trichotillomania, mental retardation, foreign body ingestion, high-fiber fruit intake, and postoperative dysmotility.
Conclusions:
- Congenital gastrointestinal anomalies are the predominant cause of bezoars in children.
- Phytobezoars represent the most frequent bezoar type in the pediatric population.
- Early identification of etiological factors is key for managing pediatric bezoars.
Background:
Bezoar is formed as a result of the accumulation of undigested food or foreign substances in the gastrointestinal tract (GIS). The present study aims to investigate the bezoar types seen in children and the aetiological factors involved in bezoar formation.
Methods:
A total of 16 patients who underwent an endoscopy and/or surgical treatment for bezoar at Harran University, Faculty of Medicine Pediatric Surgery Clinic between 2011 and 2019 were included in the study. The demographic information, laboratory and radiological findings were obtained from the patients' file records.
Results:
A total of ten patients (62.5%) were female with a mean age of 7.8 ± 4.9 years. Phytobezoars were detected in ten patients, trichobezoars in two patients, lactobezoar in one patient, and other types in three patients. The aetiological factors were determined to be congenital GIS anomaly in 6 (37.5%) patients; trichotillomania in 2 (12.5%) patients; mental retardation in 2 (12.5%) patients; ingestion of a foreign body during infancy in 2 (12.5%) patients; high intake of high-fibre fruit in 3 (18.5%) patients; and postoperative dysmotility in 2 (12.5%) patients.
Conclusions:
Congenital GIS anomalies are mostly responsible for bezoar etiology in children and phytobezoar is the most common type of bezoar.
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