ETIOLOGY AND PATTERN OF PRESENTATION OF GASTRITIS IN CHILDREN, OUR EXPERIENCE AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Gastritis in Children

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to look in to the frequency of different causes and pattern of presentation of gastritis in children less than 16 years of age.
Study Design: Prospective cross sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was performed in the Children Hospital and the Institute of Child
health, Lahore, from Jan 2016 to Jan 2017.
Material and Methods: This study was performed in the department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Children Hospital and the Institute of Child health, Lahore, from Jan 2016 to Jan 2017. One
hundred and sixty children fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled in this study. All patients went through
endoscopy. Macroscopic findings were noted and gastritis was confirmed by histological analysis of gastric
mucosa. Biopsies were taken from gastric antrum, the body and pylorus.
Results: The mean age of children was 8.73 ± 3.70 years (range 2-16years), and majority were in the age range of 6-10years. Males were affected slightly more than females with a ratio of 1.3:1. Drug induced gastritis was the major contributor in 58 (36.2%) patients followed by food related gastritis in 55 (34.3%). H.Pylori positive gastritis was seen in 38 (23.7%) patients. No cause of gastritis was found in 5.6% of patients.
Conclusion: Our study concluded that drug induced gastritis and food related gastritis was more common than H. Pylori positive gastritis in children in our setting.
Keywords: Gastritis, Helicobacter pylori, Junk food, NSAIDS.