An Investigation on the Prevalence of the Pediatric Esophagitis and Risk Factors

Abstract

Esophagitis is a common gastrointestinal problem in children and the gastroesophageal reflux is the most common cause of that. Children with esophagitis have nonspecific symptoms that vary depending on the etiology and age of the patient. Studies on pediatric esophagitis are limited. The aim of present study was to evaluate the pediatric esophagitis and its risk factors. Methods & Materials: In a retrospective cross-sectional study, 253 children under 18 years old who undergone endoscopy in Medical- Educational Children of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences during 2011 to 2016, were included the study. Patients' records were reviewed and demographic data were recorded. Risk factors of esophagitis were recorded along with endoscopic findings and pathological findings of patients. Patients' data were analyzed statistically. Results: The mean age of the patients was 9.27±3.63 years old and 109 patients (43.1%) were male and 144 patients (56.9%) were female. Heartburn (60.9%), failure to thrive (11.1%), and frequent vomiting (9.9%) were the most common main clinical symptoms in the studied children, respectively. According to the results of endoscopy, 89.7% of patients had grade I esophagitis and according to the pathology report 90.9% of patients had mild esophagitis. Endoscopy results in 91.7% of cases were consistent with pathologic results.