The 14th International Congress of Jordan Pediatric Society 2013 is dedicated to topics related to the health of children and youth.
The 14th International Congress of Jordan Pediatric Society 2013 brings together paediatricians and others involved in providing health care to children and youth.
Mohammad Shatnawi, MD *; Naif Rawabdeh, MD; Faisal Foudeh, RN; Eftikar Shara’an, RN; Asma’a Ababneh, RN
Abstract
Background: it was thought that peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a disease of adults, but the development of pediatric gastroenterology and endoscopy in the last few decades uncovered the truth. PUD is a common pediatric problem. As in adults, PUD In children is mainly linked to Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection. Although HP infection is significantly higher in the developing countries, the lack of endoscopy facility and the wide use of antibiotics and acid suppressor therapy make the difficulty in detecting PUD prevalence in our country.
Purpose: to identify how common is PUD in children and the relation to HP infection.
Patients and methods: we conducted this retrospective study over two year’s duration. The place was Prince Rashid Bin Al-Hasan military hospital in north of Jordan. 356 diagnostic upper endoscopies over the examined period were reviewed and information was obtained from patients’ records, endoscopy and histopathology reports. At least 2 antral gastric biopsies were taken from all patients. Specimens were examined using hematoxyllin and eosin and Giemsa stains and HP status was determined histopathologically.
Results: 29 children were found to have PUD (8% of total). Duodenal erosions were the most common. HP infection was positive in 25 patients (86%). 18 children were females (62%).dyspepsia was the commonest presenting symptom.
Conclusion: PUD is not uncommon in children especially if dyspepsia is the main complaint. HP infection is the major risk factor.
* Fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology, prince Rashid Bin Al-Hasan military hospital, Royal Medical Services, Jordan
