Diagnostic Yield of Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in the Evaluation of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Older Children and Adolescents

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is frequent in childhood. Inadequate nutrition and gastrointestinal malabsorption are the frequent causes of IDA in children. But reduced iron absorption and insidious blood loss from the gastrointestinal tract has been identified as the most frequent causes of IDA in older children and adolescents. Therefore the authors evaluated the frequency and etiologies of the upper gastrointestinal system pathologies causing IDA in older pediatric population. Patients with known hematological or chronic diseases, heavy menstrual flow, and obvious blood loss were excluded from the study. Forty-four children between the ages of 9.5 and 17.5 years and diagnosed with IDA were enrolled. They underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and biopsy from esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Mean age and hemoglobin (Hb) levels of study group (32 boys, and 12 girls) were 14.6 ± 2.0 years and 7.9 ± 1.8 g/dL, respectively. Only 1 patient had a positive serology testing with anti-tissue transglutaminase and small bowel biopsy correlating with celiac disease. Endoscopy revealed abnormal findings in 25 (56.8%) patients (21 endoscopic antral gastritis, 2 active duodenal ulcers, and 2 duodenal polyps). Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection was identified by using antral histopathological evaluation in 19 of 44 children (43.2%). In 2 of duodenal samples, one patient had celiac disease, and the other one was diagnosed as giardiasis. In conclusion, there are different etiologies resulting in IDA in older children and adolescents. When older children and adolescents are found to have iron deficiency, HP infection and other gastrointestinal pathologies should be ruled out before iron deficiency treatment.     

Diagnostic yield of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in the evaluation of iron deficiency anemia in older children and adolescents

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is frequent in childhood. Inadequate nutrition and gastrointestinal malabsorption are the frequent causes of IDA in children. But reduced iron absorption and insidious blood loss from the gastrointestinal tract has been identified as the most frequent causes of IDA in older children and adolescents. Therefore the authors evaluated the frequency and etiologies of the upper gastrointestinal system pathologies causing IDA in older pediatric population. Patients with known hematological or chronic diseases, heavy menstrual flow, and obvious blood loss were excluded from the study. Forty-four children between the ages of 9.5 and 17.5 years and diagnosed with IDA were enrolled. They underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and biopsy from esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Mean age and hemoglobin (Hb) levels of study group (32 boys, and 12 girls) were 14.6 ± 2.0 years and 7.9 ± 1.8 g/dL, respectively. Only 1 patient had a positive serology testing with anti-tissue transglutaminase and small bowel biopsy correlating with celiac disease. Endoscopy revealed abnormal findings in 25 (56.8%) patients (21 endoscopic antral gastritis, 2 active duodenal ulcers, and 2 duodenal polyps). Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection was identified by using antral histopathological evaluation in 19 of 44 children (43.2%). In 2 of duodenal samples, one patient had celiac disease, and the other one was diagnosed as giardiasis. In conclusion, there are different etiologies resulting in IDA in older children and adolescents. When older children and adolescents are found to have iron deficiency, HP infection and other gastrointestinal pathologies should be ruled out before iron deficiency treatment.     

Duodenal hematoma after upper endoscopy and biopsy in a 4-year-old girl

We describe a 4-year-old girl who developed a duodenal hematoma after upper endoscopy and biopsy. Although rare, duodenal hematoma formation can occur after upper endoscopy and biopsy in otherwise healthy children. A young child presenting with a duodenal hematoma in the absence of a clear mechanism of either previous gastrointestinal procedures or injury to the abdomen should have an extensive evaluation to exclude child abuse. A thorough evaluation for other medical causes, such as a coagulopathy, should be performed simultaneously.     

A Clinical Study of Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Japanese Children

A total of 370 children who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (534 procedures) were retrospectively studied. All procedures were performed successfully. Side effects were demonstrated in only one case (0.2%), which was complicated by perioral cyanosis during the procedure. As to preendoscopic medication, it was thought that topical pharyngeal anesthesia alone may well be used for school-age children over 7 years of age, general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation for neonates, and intravenous sedation for infants and younger children. Of 370 patients studied, 70.8% had endoscopic diagnoses. The most common diagnosis was gastritis (136 cases), followed by peptic ulcer (75), duodenitis (29), and esophagitis (20). Several conclusions for indications were drawn from the present study. Pediatric upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is a safe and useful method for diagnostic and therapeutic approach, if adequate preendoscopic medication is chosen.     

Gastroduodenal endoscopic-histologic correlation in pediatric patients

The histopathologic abnormalities in endoscopic biopsies from the stomach and duodenal bulb were correlated with the visual findings of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in 94 children (mean age, 8.4 years; 51 boys and 43 girls) with a variety of complaints. Histology was graded by observers blinded to the endoscopic findings, and both endoscopy and histology were graded using scales reflecting increasing severity with increasing grade. In all three locations studied (gastric body, antrum, and duodenal bulb), endoscopic grade was significantly higher than the histologic grade. Correlation was especially poor with mild endoscopic findings such as erythema and granularity/nodularity, which had little predictive value for histologic inflammation. Few patients had severe disease with eight of 94 having ulcer by endoscopy and seven of 94 having greater than grade 2 histologic disease in any location. We conclude that endoscopy without biopsy should not be used to diagnose gastroduodenal inflammation in pediatric patients.     

THE GASTROINTESTINAL ABSORPTION OF PENICILLIN V IN CHILDREN WITH SUSPECTED COELIAC DISEASE

Abstract. The gastrointestinal absorption of penicillin V (pc-V) was investigated in 6 children, 6–12 months old, with suspected coeliac disease. The diagnosis was set after small bowel biopsy and absorption tests of vitamin A and d -xylose. As control groups served 7 children with diarrhoea but with normal small bowel biopsy and/or absorption tests and a group of 9 children with upper respiratory tract infection of the same ages as the children in the test group. The absorption of calcium pc-V in oil suspension (Penicals®) was impaired in the patients with suspected coeliac disease compared to that of the control groups. There was no significantly different absorption of pc-V between the control children with diarrhoea and those with upper respiratory tract infection. After 6–8 months of gluten free diet in the children with suspected coeliac disease their absorptive ability of oral calcium pc-V in suspension form was equal with that of a control group.     

Comparison of fiberendoscopy and Watson capsule for small intestinal biopsy in infants and children

We analyzed the results of 607 small bowel biopsies performed over a seven-year period: 284 biopsies were obtained using a fiberendoscope and 323 biopsies using a Watson capsule. Three to six specimens were removed during endoscopy. The biopsy fragments obtained with the fiberendoscope were deeper than those obtained with the Watson capsule (p less than 0.0001) and were more often located in the duodenum (p less than 0.0001). The failure rate of the fiberendoscope biopsies (1%) was lower than for the Watson capsule biopsies (9%) (p less than 0.0001). Multiple biopsies increased the diagnostic value of fiberendoscopy which was 95% versus 85% for Watson capsule. The mean duration of the endoscopic procedure recorded in 30 children was 6.5 min for four to six samples, i.e. 1.5 min per biopsy specimen. Fiberendoscopy appears to be an efficient and safe method for performing small bowel biopsies in infants and children.     

Crohn's disease lesions in the upper gastrointestinal tract: correlation between clinical, radiological, endoscopic, and histological features in adolescents and children

The incidence of Crohn's disease (CD) lesions in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract of both adults and children is frequently underestimated. In this prospective study, a total of 31 children suspected of having Crohn's disease were systematically examined to identify upper digestive tract lesions. They all underwent barium transit endoscopy with multiple-level biopsies. Typical clinical symptoms suggestive of upper GI tract involvement were found in 5 children (16%), radiological signs in only one child (3%), endoscopic lesions in 13 children (42%), and specific granulomas in 12 children (39%). In eight of these 12 children, the biopsies were taken from macroscopically normal areas of the esophagogastroduodenal mucosa. One of the 31 children had no abnormal radiological and endoscopic features suggestive of CD on the distal small bowel and the colon. There was no correlation between the clinical, radiological, and histological data. Endoscopy plus biopsy provided a positive diagnosis in 39% of cases and a confirmation of the diagnosis in 87% of cases. Endoscopic and histological evidence of CD of the upper GI tract is often present despite an absence of clinical symptoms or radiological changes. Upper GI tract endoscopy with multiple biopsies may be important in the evaluation of this condition and even in some cases for the establishment of the diagnosis.     

ANAEROBIC BACTERIA AND DECONJUGATED BILE SALTS IN THE UPPER SMALL INTESTINE OF INFANTS WITH GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS

ABSTRACT. Challacombe, D. N., Richardson, J. M. and Edkins, S. (Institute of Child Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, England). Anaerobic bacteria and deconjugated bile salts in the upper small intestine of infants with gastrointestinal disorders. Acta Paediat Scand, 63: 581, 1974.—Deconjugated bile salts have been reported in the upper small intestine of infants with protracted diarrhoea and secondary mono-saccharide intolerance. As deconjugated bile salts inhibit monosaccharide transport mechanisms in the small intestine of experimental animals both in vivo and in vitro, they may also cause monosaccharide malabsorption in these infants. In this study infants and children with protracted diarrhoea have been challenged with oral sugar loads to detect patients with glucose or lactose intolerance. The duodenal juice of all infants with protracted diarrhoea was examined by thin layer chromatography and fluonmetry for deconjugated bile salts and cultured anaerobically for bacteria with known deconjugating properties. In addition duodenal juice from infants and children with other gastrointestinal disorders was similarly studied. Deconjugated bile salts and obligate anaerobic bacteria were only associated in two out of thirty samples of duodenal juice, one from an infant with secondary lactose intolerance, and one from an infant with unexplained failure to gain weight. The absence of deconjugated bile salts in the duodenum of two infants with secondary monosaccharide intolerance and from other infants with protracted diarrhoea, does not support the suggestion that the action of deconjugated bile salts on the small intestinal mucosa, is an important causative factor in these disorders.     

Diagnosis of gastrointestinal graft‐versus‐host disease—Is rectal biopsy enough?

BACKGROUND: Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The clinical diagnosis of gastrointestinal GVHD can be difficult to establish and endoscopic diagnosis entails a procedural risk. The aim of this study was to determine whether rectal biopsy alone might be sufficient to establish or exclude the diagnosis of intestinal GVHD. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of children with histological evidence of gastrointestinal GVHD after allogeneic BMT at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, between January 1981 and July 2004. RESULTS: During the study period, 264 patients received allogeneic BMT. Thirty-three had either an upper or lower gastrointestinal endoscopy, or both. Of these, 14 (8 M: 6 F, mean age 9 years 5 months at the time of BMT) had histological features suggestive of GVHD in at least one gastrointestinal biopsy. Overall, 9 of 14 could have been diagnosed with GVHD on the basis of rectal biopsies alone (negative predictive value: 64%). Gastroscopy was needed to establish the diagnosis in a further five patients. Multiple biopsies obtained from each site in the lower gastrointestinal tract showed similar histological findings, but there was frequent non-agreement between biopsies obtained at differing sites within the upper gastrointestinal tract. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, we suggest that regardless of symptoms, rectal biopsy should initially be performed to identify gastrointestinal GVHD. Gastroscopy should be added only if the rectal biopsy is unhelpful and there is still good reason to suspect GVHD.     

STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL ABNORMALITIES OF THE SMALL INTESTINE IN INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN WITH ROTAVIRUS ENTERITIS

Abstract. Structural and functional alterations in duodenal mucosa from 17 children with rotavirus enteritis were assessed. Structural changes were found in specimens from all patients. Patients with the most severe mucosal damage were more likely to require intravenous therapy to correct dehydration. Depression of one or more mucosal disaccharidases was found in 14 of 16 patients. Repeat duodenal biopsy three to eight weeks later in six patients showed marked improvement. The study clearly shows that rotavirus can cause a marked structural and functional lesion in the upper small intestine which is rapidly reversible.     

Acute duodenal ulcer.

A series of 31 infants and children with acute duodenal ulcer verified by endoscopy was studied over an eight year period. Eighteen (58%) of them were under 2 years of age. The most common symptom was upper gastrointestinal bleeding (n = 27, 87%). Twenty nine patients (94%) had a preceding illness characterised by diarrhoea, upper respiratory tract infection, or fever, which was not necessarily treated with antipyretic drugs. Initial endoscopy showed that ulcer lesions were solitary in 14 patients and present on the anterior wall (n = 11), posterior wall (n = 2), or both (n = 1). Multiple ulcers were found in 17 patients, and present in the bulb with (n = 6) or without (n = 11) extension into the second part of duodenum. The most conspicuous finding was the irregularly shaped ulcers seen in eight young children with similar clinical and endoscopic features. Sixteen patients were re-endoscoped one to two weeks after the initial examination; the ulcers had entirely disappeared in 13, and there were only small residual ulcers in three. Thirty patients were treated medically and only one (with uncontrollable haemorrhage) required operation. Most patients were symptom free two to six years after the initial diagnosis. Our results suggest that young children may develop acute duodenal ulcers after viral illnesses whether or not they are treated with drugs, mainly antipyretics. This kind of acute duodenal ulcer usually heals quickly irrespective of the morphology, site, and number of ulcers.     

Routine jejunal endoscopic biopsy in children

The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare two methods of jejunal biopsy – endoscopic (EB) and suction (SB). Jejunal EB was performed using an Olympus GIF P20 endoscope in 119, and SB with a modified Crosby capsule in 254 patients. A light microscope with micrometer was used for the analysis and measurement of biopsy specimens. Calculated per patient, the total average number of all adequate specimens was: jejunal or duodenal mucosa – 2.97 in EB and 0.93 in SB; jejunal mucosa only – 2.82 in EB and 0.89 in SB group. Duodenal mucosa was unintentionally biopsied in 17.1% of EB and in 3.7% of SB. Jejunal mucosal specimens were selected for measurement at random – 82 from the EB and 24 from the SB group. The difference in height between EB and SB specimens was not significant (EB: 0.72 ± 0.13 mm; vs SB: 0.77 ± 0.14 mm). The difference in length was significant (EB: 2.57 ± 1.24 mm; vs SB: 3.22 ± 1.38 mm; P = 0.03). The advantages of the EB over the SB technique included elimination of fluoroscopy, no failures in obtaining biopsies and a 97% success rate in obtaining specimens adequate for histological analysis. It also enabled the biopsy site to be chosen and several specimens to be taken, providing additional tissue for various analyses. Conclusion Jejunal endoscopic biopsy is suggested as a good alternative to the suction biopsy, wherever paediatric upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is available. Received: 6 September 1995 Accepted: 30 April 1996     

Esophageal Crohn disease in children: a clinical spectrum

BACKGROUND: The incidence of esophageal Crohn disease (ECD) in adults ranges from 0.2% to 11.2% and in children is up to 43%. The aim of the study was to determine the clinical and endoscopic spectrum of ECD and its prevalence in our patient population. METHODS: Chart review of children with Crohn disease (CD). Esophageal Crohn disease was defined by accepted endoscopic and/or histologic findings. RESULTS: 210 children with CD were identified; 27 of those children had ECD. Nine children presented with specific upper GI symptoms; dysphagia, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and odynophagia. Esophagoscopy in children with upper gastrointestinal symptoms revealed deep ulcers (n = 2), aphthous ulcers (n = l), erosions (n = l), edematous nodules, (n = l) and normal mucosa (n = 4). In asymptomatic children aphthous ulcers (n = 5), erosions (n = 3), deep ulcers (n = 3), and normal looking mucosa (n = 7) were seen. Twenty children also had gastric lesions, 3 children had duodenal lesions, and 3 children had both duodenal and gastric involvement. All 27 children had evidence of ileo-colonic or colonic disease. Acid suppressive medications were given only to children with upper GI symptoms and endoscopic esophageal lesions. The mean duration of follow-up from diagnosis of CD was 3.02 years (range 2 months-11.7 years). At last follow-up review, 7 children were receiving acid suppression and no children were receiving steroids. There were no complications related to ECD. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of endoscopic ECD is 7.6% but as many as 17.6% of our patient population had histologic evidence of ECD. The clinical and endoscopic spectrum of ECD are highly variable and poorly correlate with each other.     

Cow's milk protein-sensitive enteropathy at school age.

OBJECTIVES: Cow's milk protein-sensitive enteropathy (CMSE) may persist in children to school age. We sought to define the morphologic and immunohistochemical features of persistent CMSE. STUDY DESIGN: We studied 15 children with a definite diagnosis of CMSE on the basis of a blind challenge, 12 children with suspected cases of CMSE, 11 children with celiac disease, and 12 control children. RESULTS: Typical findings in children with CMSE were endoscopically visible lymphonodular hyperplasia of the duodenal bulb and lymphoid follicles without villous atrophy in biopsy samples. The patients with definite CMSE showed significantly increased densities of intraepithelial T cells skewed clearly to gammadelta(+) cells, compared with the control patients but fewer than in the patients with celiac disease. The study children showed no aberrant upregulation of HLA-DR expression in the duodenal mucosa, and the prevalence of HLA DQ2 antigen among them was equal to that in the control children. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations corroborated the claim that CMSE at school age is an identifiable clinical entity. Immunohistochemical findings suggest the abrogation of antigen tolerance locally on the gastrointestinal mucosa. A careful clinical assessment that includes a long elimination-challenge test supported by typical endoscopic and histologic findings form the basis for diagnosis.     

Duodenal haematoma following endoscopy as a marker of coagulopathy

Background

Intramural duodenal haematomas (IDHs) are a rare complication of endoscopic biopsy but can cause significant morbidity and mortality, including duodenal obstruction, hospitalization and needing intravenous feeding. They are extremely uncommon in those with normal haematology.

Objective

To describe the occurrence of IDHs following endoscopic biopsy in our institution.

Materials and methods

We identified three patients who developed a post biopsy IDH during an 18-month period (2010–2012) in a retrospective search of our hospital pathology and imaging databases.

Results

All three children had complex medical problems and presented with gastrointestinal symptoms including severe abdominal pain, reflux, poor feeding and abnormal gut transit time. All underwent normal upper GI endoscopy with duodenal biopsy. Following endoscopy, they presented with intermittent GI obstruction with severe abdominal pain, distension and bilious vomiting or symptoms of pancreatitis, had imaging features of IDH and were managed conservatively making a full recovery. Initial haematology including platelet counts were normal, but two children were subsequently found to have platelet dysfunction and the third to have an unclassified coagulopathy.

Conclusion

IDHs may be the presenting factor in children with unsuspected bleeding problems. We present these findings to raise awareness of the imaging features and clinical impact of these cases because better understanding of these risk factors may help to avoid these complications in children in the future.     

Iron Deposition in Duodenal Mucosa; a Review and Report of Three Cases in Pediatric Age Group

Background

Ferrous sulfate drops are routinely used in Iran in infants older than 6 months of age. Effect of ferrous sulfate drops in preventive or therapeutic doses on gastrointestinal mucosa of infants is not studied as yet. Upper gastrointestinal complications due to acute iron poisoning are well known in this age group. In this article, we reviewed published articles on iron deposition in upper gastro-intestinal tract and also introduce clinical, endoscopic and histological findings in three cases with iron deposition in duodenal mucosa.

Cases Presentation

We encountered three cases of iron deposition in duodenal mucosa among about 8000 biopsies during a 10 year period which is a very low incidence despite routine use of iron supplement in children above 6 months of age in this country. One of our cases suffered from steatorrhea and another from failure to thrive, which raises concern about effects of iron deposition in small intestine.

Conclusion

The clinical significance and effects of iron deposition in pediatric age group is yet to be elucidated. Iron deposition as a solitary finding is not reported in duodenal biopsies of infants as yet. Since iron supplement is widely used in this age group, it is justified to consider its deposition and possible effects on absorption.     

Oral versus intravenous premedication for small bowel biopsy in children: effect on procedure and fluoroscopy times

Oral alimemazine and cisapride, or diazepam and cisapride, or iv midazolam and metoclopramide were given as premedication for small bowel biopsy to three groups of children from a total population of 185 individuals. The biopsy procedures were performed under intermittent fluoroscopy and times for both were recorded. The median biopsy procedure time was significantly shorter in children given iv midazolam and metoclopramide (6 min) compared to those given oral premedication (10 min) ( p < 0.001). The median fluoroscopy time was very short in all groups, ranging between 3 and 6 s. It is concluded that iv premedication is superior to oral premedication for small bowel biopsy in children because more effective sedation is obtained.     

Small bowel biopsy in Swedish paediatric clinics

AIM: A correct diagnosis of coeliac disease, one of the most common chronic diseases in Swedish children, demands small bowel biopsy, which can be performed endoscopically or by means of a peroral capsule. Recently there was a debate among Swedish paediatric gastroenterologists, with some advocating the cessation of capsule biopsy in favour of endoscopic biopsies. To gain information on which to base a recommendation for which technique to use, the Swedish Working Group for Childhood Coeliac Disease was commissioned to carry out a national questionnaire study on current small bowel biopsy routines in Swedish paediatric clinics. METHODS: A questionnaire concerning biopsy routines in the year 2000 was sent to all paediatric clinics performing biopsies. A reply was obtained from 39 of 40 clinics, covering 98% of the Swedish population. RESULTS: Some 1400 biopsies were performed, 64% of which were capsule biopsies and 36% endoscopic. Three clinics performed all biopsies endoscopically and 11 clinics all via a capsule. At endoscopy all children were under deep sedation or full anaesthesia, while most children undergoing capsule biopsy were under light or deep sedation. The oxygen saturation was monitored during endoscopy but less often or never during routine capsule biopsy. The presence of the parents during biopsy varied according to the degree of sedation: at 97% of the clinics performing capsule biopsy on children under light sedation, the parents were present during the whole procedure, whereas no parents were present at clinics where the biopsy was performed endoscopically under anaesthesia. CONCLUSION: Compared with the results of a similar questionnaire concerning biopsy routines performed in the early 1990s, children are now more effectively sedated. Furthermore, there is an obvious trend from capsule towards endoscopic biopsy. Both the endoscopic and the capsule biopsy techniques are useful and satisfactory for obtaining small bowel mucosal samples providing that the children are effectively sedated. For practical and economic reasons the capsule biopsy technique will probably continue to be used, although to a lesser extent than today.