Approach to a child with upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Gastrointestinal bleeding in children: diagnostic approach

Different conditions may underlie gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in children. The estimated prevalence of GIB in children is 6.4%, with spontaneous resolution in approximately 80% of cases. Nonetheless, the initial approach plays a pivotal role in determining the prognosis. The priority is the stabilization of hemodynamic status, followed by a systematic diagnostic approach. GIB can originate from either upper or lower gastrointestinal tract, leading to a broad differential diagnosis in infants and children. This includes benign and self-limiting disorders, alongside serious conditions necessitating immediate treatment. We performed a nonsystematic review of the literature, in order to describe the variety of conditions responsible for GIB in pediatric patients and to outline diagnostic pathways according to patients' age, suspected site of bleeding and type of bleeding which can help pediatricians in clinical practice. Diagnostic modalities may include esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy, abdominal ultrasonography or computed tomography and, when necessary, magnetic resonance imaging. In this review, we critically assess these procedures, emphasizing their respective advantages and limitations concerning specific clinical scenarios.

Hemato-CHEESE-ia: A Case of Red Stools Caused by a Spicy Cheesy Snack

A 22-year-old male presented to the ED following an episode of acute-onset abdominal pain and passage of red stools. On a detailed review of his dietary history, the patient reported eating a whole large bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos the day prior to the episode. We describe a case of food dye mimicking hematochezia and explore the effects of capsaicin on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Causes of Melena and Effective Examination Strategies in Children

Background and Aim: Melena, or tarry black stool, is not a rare symptom encountered in pediatric clinical practice, and the bleeding source varies from the upper gastrointestinal tract to the small intestine. Endoscopy is effective in identifying bleeding, but it does not always identify the source of bleeding. Endoscopic examination in children is commonly challenging, and there are no detailed reports about the causes of melena in children. This observational study aimed to validate the cause of melena in children and to investigate more effective and less burdensome examination methods. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 55 patients who underwent examination for melena. Results: In this research, 38 patients had underlying diseases such as malignancy and severe mental and physical disorders. The bleeding source was identified in 39 patients. The most common final diagnosis was duodenal ulcer (n = 22), and the other diagnoses were gastric ulcer, esophagitis, and esophageal varices. The upper gastrointestinal tract was the most common source of bleeding (n = 34). In five patients, the bleeding source was the small intestine. Vomiting, abnormal abdominal ultrasonography findings, and a hemoglobin level of ≤ 3 g/dL than the lower normal limit were significant factors indicating that the bleeding source can be found on esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Conclusions: The upper gastrointestinal tract was the most common bleeding source of melena in children. As in adults, esophagogastroduodenoscopy is the primary endoscopic method of choice. Furthermore, small bowel capsule endoscopy may be useful in identifying the bleeding source in children without upper gastrointestinal lesions.

Non-variceal gastrointestinal bleed in children: surgical experience with emphasis on management challenges

PURPOSE

This exclusively surgical series on pediatric non-variceal gastrointestinal bleed (NVGIB) defines three levels of bleed site and describes etiology, bleed severity, diagnostic algorithm, and surgical management for each bleed site. Management challenges are detailed.

METHODS

Patients aged ≤ 18 years treated surgically for NVGIB were analysed.

RESULTS

Bleed site (n = 87) was classified as: upper gastrointestinal bleed (UGIB; n = 11); small bowel bleed (SBB: n = 52); and lower GIB (n = 24). Four etiology-based groups were identified: lesions with ectopic gastric mucosa (EGM; n = 33), tumours (n = 23), ulcers (n = 21), and vascular pathology (n = 8). Bleed severity spectrum was: acute severe bleed (n = 12); subacute overt bleed (n = 59); and occult GIB (n = 16). Preoperative diagnosis was obtained in all UGIB and LGIB lesions. Eighty-two percent of surgical SB lesions were diagnosed preoperatively on Tc^99m pertechnetate scan, computed tomography enterography-angiography, and capsule endoscopy; remaining 18% were diagnosed at laparotomy with intra-operative enteroscopy (IOE). Surgical management was tailored to bleed site, severity, and etiology. Indications of IOE and approach to management challenges are detailed.

CONCLUSIONS

The commonest site-specific bleed etiologies were duodenal ulcers for UGIB, EGM lesions for SBB, and tumours for LGIB. SBB presented diagnostic challenge. Diagnostic algorithm was tailored to bleed site, age-specific etiology, bleed severity, and associated abdominal/systemic symptoms. Management challenges were acute severe bleed, occult GIB, SBB, obscure GIB, and rare etiologies. IOE has a useful role in SBB management.

Clinical approach to the patient with acute gastrointestinal bleeding

Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a very common condition at all ages, with high rates of morbidity and mortality, especially in case of acute presentation. The optimal management of acute GIB requires a timely overview of vital signs and clinical presentation to stabilize the patient if necessary and set up the most adequate diagnostic and therapeutic approach, based on the suspected etiology. Endoscopy plays a major role both in diagnosis and treatment of acute GIB, as allows the application of several hemostasis techniques during the diagnostic session, which should preferably be performed within 24 hours from the acute event. The hemostasis technique should be chosen based on type, etiology of the bleeding and the operator preference and expertise. Nevertheless, several challenging cases need the cooperation of radiology especially in the diagnostic phase, and even in the therapeutic phase for those bleedings in which medical and endoscopic techniques have failed. Imaging diagnostic techniques include mainly CT angiography, scintigraphy with labeled erythrocytes and arteriography. This last technique plays also a therapeutic role in case arterial embolization is needed. Only those patients in which the previous techniques have failed, both in diagnosis and treatment, are candidates for emergency surgery. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Risk factors associated with clinically significant gastrointestinal bleeding in pediatric ED

INTRODUCTION

Gastrointestinal bleeding is a common problem in pediatric emergency department (PED). Some of these patients can lose significant amount of blood which may lead to shock. The aim of this study is to determine the risk factors predicting clinically significant gastrointestinal (GIS) bleeding in patients presenting to PED.

METHODS

This study was performed prospectively from January 1st 2013 to December 31th 2013 in patients with upper or lower GIS bleeding. Clinically significant GIS bleeding was defined as >2g/dL hemoglobin decrease at any time during observation in PED, need for erythrocyte transfusion or need for rapid endoscopic evaluation.

RESULTS

105 patients were enrolled, 81 of which were eligible for the study. Twenty two patients (26,8%) had clinically significant GIS bleeding. These patients have significantly more commonly have upper GI bleeding and symptoms of melena, pallor and tachycardia. Initial laboratory findings revealed lower hemoglobin, RBC and albumin levels with higher WBC and BUN levels. They need significantly more nasogastric tube placement and PPI and H2 blocker treatment. Final diagnosis included more gastritis and peptic ulcers. These patients have less hematochezia, less lower gastrointestinal bleeding and less commonly diagnosed as acute gastroenteritis or Mallory Weiss tear as a final diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric emergency physicians should be aware of clinical and laboratory parameters of patients with clinically significant GIS bleeding to predict which patients are under risk of life threatening blood loss. Patients who have melena, pallor, tachycardia, anemia and uremia at presentation are more prone to have significant GIS bleeding.

Pediatric gastrointestinal bleeding: Perspectives from the Italian Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology

There are many causes of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in children, and this condition is not rare, having a reported incidence of 6.4%. Causes vary with age, but show considerable overlap; moreover, while many of the causes in the pediatric population are similar to those in adults, some lesions are unique to children. The diagnostic approach for pediatric GIB includes definition of the etiology, localization of the bleeding site and determination of the severity of bleeding; timely and accurate diagnosis is necessary to reduce morbidity and mortality. To assist medical care providers in the evaluation and management of children with GIB, the “Gastro-Ped Bleed Team” of the Italian Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (SIGENP) carried out a systematic search on MEDLINE via PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/) to identify all articles published in English from January 1990 to 2016; the following key words were used to conduct the electronic search: “upper GIB” and “pediatric” [all fields]; “lower GIB” and “pediatric” [all fields]; “obscure GIB” and “pediatric” [all fields]; “GIB” and “endoscopy” [all fields]; “GIB” and “therapy” [all fields]. The identified publications included articles describing randomized controlled trials, reviews, case reports, cohort studies, case-control studies and observational studies. References from the pertinent articles were also reviewed. This paper expresses a position statement of SIGENP that can have an immediate impact on clinical practice and for which sufficient evidence is not available in literature. The experts participating in this effort were selected according to their expertise and professional qualifications.

Paediatric GI emergencies

Paediatric GI emergencies constitute a wide range of gut pathologies ranging from those that are common, easily diagnosed and treated to conditions that are rarer, often more severe and challenging to manage. Among a myriad of ordinary clinical symptoms and signs physicians have to identify the child with a serious, life-threatening pathology and initiate the appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic pathway. The aim of the review is to present and discuss a selection of key paediatric GI emergencies that provide challenges in diagnosis and treatment. These conditions are classified by their presentation or pathogenesis and include inflammatory conditions, those presenting with GI obstruction or haemorrhage and the ingestion of foreign bodies or caustic substances. The most recent advances regarding the management of these entities are discussed along with key areas of clinical practice and future research.