Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Children with Recurrent Abdominal Pain

Abstract

Over a 3 year period from 1992 to 1995, 62 patients with recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showing normal findings in 30 patients (48.4%), gastroduodenitis 17 (27.4 %), H. pylori gastritis 11 (17.7%) and esophagitis 4 (6.5%). Duodenal or gastric ulcer was not found. This study demonstrated more evidence of increased prevalence of organic causes of RAP than previous reports. Duration of illness of more than one year and vomiting were more common in H. pylori gastritis. Other symptoms including diarrhea, constipation, nocturnal awakening and pain related to meals could not differentiate between organic and functional cause. Major cases of H. pylori gastritis and gastroduodenitis responded to triple drug therapy and H2blockers respectively.