Characterization of upper digestive tract endoscopy in a Colombian pediatric population

Abstract

Upper digestive tract endoscopy in pediatric patients is a low-risk diagnostic tool that helps to visualize findings and important elements for therapeutic decision making. Objective. To characterize the findings in patients under 18 years old who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, in a period of four years, between 2011 and 2015, at two endoscopy centers in the city of Neiva. Materials and methods. It is a documentary retrospective study, based to reports of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy studies. It was performed in children under 18 years in database of two endoscopy centers at Neiva (Colombia). The study was carried out between from January 2011 to January 2015, We documented 258 patients and data such as gender, age, endoscopic diagnosis were obtained. Data analysis was done by using SPSS version 19.0 through descriptive statistics. Results. 258 records endoscopies between zero and 18 years were found, the distribution by gender was female with 59.3% and female 39.5%, the distribution by age group was: kids 40%, followed by toddlers 26%, teenagers 21% and babies13%. endoscopic diagnoses more frequent were esophagitis in toddlers (8, 9%, n = 6). Gastritis occurred in 79% (n = 203) of all patients, chronic gastritis were 50, 2% (n = 102) of them. Biopsies were taken in 77% of all cases. Conclusions. Endoscopic findings in pediatric population showed that esophagitis was presented more frecuently in kids and toddlers, it could be related to multiple factors. Chronic gastritis was presented in 80% of patients and sedation was used in 100% of patients, It cases was performed most often by nonanesthesiologists.