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Failure to thrive associated with chronic ulcer disease in a 9-year-old boy
Insights
Chronic peptic ulcer disease can cause failure to thrive in children. Treating the ulcer led to catch-up growth and resolved abdominal pain in a 9-year-old patient.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders
Background:
- Chronic peptic ulcer disease is rarely associated with failure to thrive.
- Pediatric abdominal pain and failure to thrive warrant thorough investigation.
Abstract:
Chronic peptic ulcer disease is not generally considered to cause failure to thrive. We are reporting a 9-year-old child who suffered from chronic recurrent abdominal pain and failure to thrive. Investigation revealed that the child also had bacterial overgrowth and evidence of malabsorption. These findings were considered to be due to chronic peptic ulcer disease which caused intermittent small bowel obstruction and gastric outlet obstruction. Successful treatment of the ulcer alone resulted in catch-up growth and an end to the chronic recurrent pain. Recurrent abdominal pain when associated with atypical features or failure to thrive should be adequately investigated. Although rare, chronic peptic ulcer disease with its sequelae should be considered in the differential diagnosis of failure to thrive.