Pattern of pediatric upper gastrointestinal disease: a teaching hospital experience.

During the period 1983-1993, 166 pediatric patients(91 females and 75 males) were subjected to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Epigastric pain or heart burn and vomiting were the indications in 115 (69%) patients. Gastritis. duodenitis, and esophagitis were diagnosed in 63 (38%), and duodenal ulcer in seven (4.2%) patients. Bleeding sites were identified in 10 out of 21 (47.6%) patients with a history of hematemesis. Helicobacter pylori was identified in 12 (48%) of 25 patients with chronic gastritis. Endoscopic removal of foreign bodies (FB) was required in nine patients. Endoscopic small bowel biopsy provided sufficient material to con-firm the diagnosis in seven out of 13 patients with chronic diarrhea. Endoscopic findings were normal in 78 (47%) patients. The procedure was safe and well tolerated.