Related Experiment Videos
Symptoms of acid-peptic disease in children
1Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile 36640-0130.
Insights
Pediatric acid-peptic disease evaluation using esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) identified key symptoms. Epigastric pain and nocturnal pain are the most sensitive indicators in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Digestive Diseases
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is crucial for diagnosing pediatric gastrointestinal issues.
- Symptoms of acid-peptic disease in children may differ from adults, necessitating specific symptom identification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify symptoms significantly associated with acid-peptic disease in pediatric patients undergoing EGD.
- To determine the most sensitive and specific symptoms for diagnosing acid-peptic disease in children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for 114 pediatric patients who underwent EGD with biopsy.
- Histologic findings were used to diagnose conditions including esophagitis, gastritis, duodenitis, and ulcers.
Main Results:
- Six symptoms significantly correlated with acid-peptic disease: epigastric pain, nocturnal pain, postprandial pain, water brash, weight loss, and family history of peptic ulcer disease.
- Epigastric pain and nocturnal pain demonstrated the highest sensitivity for acid-peptic disease in pediatric patients.
- Fecal occult blood and hematemesis were specific but not sensitive indicators.
Conclusions:
- Specific symptoms like epigastric and nocturnal pain are vital for identifying acid-peptic disease in children.
- Accurate symptom assessment can aid in the early diagnosis and management of pediatric acid-peptic disease.
Abstract:
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a useful procedure for the evaluation of gastrointestinal disease in pediatric patients. Indications for EGD in children are similar to those for adults. However, symptoms of acid-peptic disease reported by children may differ from those expressed by adults. Therefore, we sought to identify symptoms associated with acid-peptic disease in pediatric patients. The medical records of 114 children having EGD with biopsy were reviewed. The diagnosis, which included esophagitis, gastritis, duodenitis, ulcer, or normal, was based on histologic findings. Six symptoms correlated significantly with acid-peptic disease: epigastric pain, nocturnal pain, postprandial pain, water brash, weight loss, and a family history of peptic ulcer disease. Epigastric pain and nocturnal pain are the most sensitive symptoms of acid-peptic disease in pediatric patients. Fecal occult blood and hematemesis, although specific, are not sensitive indicators of acid-peptic disease in children.