Diagnosis and Treatment for Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Children

• Published in: Nihon Fukubu Kyukyu Igakkai Zasshi (Journal of Abdominal Emergency Medicine) Vol. 25; no. 1; pp. 23 - 27
• Main Authors: Sugai, Michihiro, Ishido, Keinosuke, Munakata, Hirohumi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japanese Society for Abdominal Emergency Medicine 2005; 日本腹部救急医学会
• Subjects: 外科治療; 小児内視鏡; 消化管出血; 超音波診断
• ISSN: 1340-2242; 1882-4781
• DOI: 10.11231/jaem1993.25.23

We examined the diagnosis and treatment for gastrointestinal bleeding in children. In the past 24 years, 83 patients were treated in our department and an operation was performed in 49 patients. The records of 14 patients with hematoemesis and 68 patients with rectal bleeding were analyzed retrospectively. Six children with small intestinal intussusception received an operation during 3 rectal bleeding episodes. Propranolol and octreotide for prophylaxis of variceral bleeding and sclerothrapy might be the preferred modalities in portal hypertension. Abdominal scintigraphy with pertechnetate was useful in Meckel' s diverticulum, in which a laparoscopic procedure was performed. Doppler ultrasonography was useful in diagnosis of the neonatal midgut volvulus, followed by an emergency operation. Aggressive treatment for children based on the frequency of the age-related cases of gastrointestinal bleeding is warranted.