Abstract
PURPOSE
This study was performed to review the recent experiences of pediatric gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy done in one university hospital.
METHODS
A retrospective review of medical records was conducted of 1,040 pediatric cases who underwent GI endoscopy at the Pusan National University Hospital between January 2001 to June 2005.
RESULTS
A total of 1,040 endoscopies (upper 840 and lower 200) were performed. The male/female ratio was 1.25 : 1. Neonates and infants accounted for 6.0% and 16.5% respectively. Half of the children were below 5 years (mean age 8.5±2.1 years). Upper and lower GI diagnostic endoscopies were performed in 634 and 163 children respectively. Abdominal pain (38.8%), vomiting (19.4%), foreign body (17.7%), and hematemesis (10.3%) were the main reasons for esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Hematochezia (56.0%), abdominal pain (27.5%) and diarrhea (3.0%) were the main reasons for colonoscopy. Upper GI therapeutic procedures included retrieval of foreign bodies, balloon dilatations of esophageal stricture, PEG, and variceal ligation in 148, 27, 15, and 3 children, respectively. Therapeutic lower GI endoscopies were performed in 37 children (polypectomy in 92%, argon lazer cauterization for angiodysplasia in 4%).