Peptic ulcer disease in infants and children

Preview

Ulcers affect children of all ages and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of abdominal symptoms. Newborns and infants are particularly prone to stress ulcers, which may cause life-threatening hemorrhage if not treated. Diagnosis of ulcer is facilitated by fiberoptic endoscopy, which is now a well-tolerated procedure in all age-groups. Fortunately, effective medication is available, and recurrent ulcer is generally as responsive to therapy as the initial lesion.