Ths.BS Nguyễn Hữu Hiếu - Pediatric Center, Bach Mai Hospital - stated that many people think gastrointestinal bleeding due to peptic ulcer disease only occurs in the elderly, but in reality, some young children can also suffer from it.
Gastrointestinal bleeding in children is a phenomenon of bleeding in the digestive tract commonly seen in children with clinical manifestations such as vomiting blood, passing black stools, or passing bloody stools. Gastrointestinal bleeding accounts for about 10 - 20% of cases visiting gastroenterology specialists. However, the severity of the bleeding can vary. The condition can be an emergency requiring timely diagnosis and treatment or it can also be a mild manifestation allowing for delayed diagnosis and treatment.
"We need to distinguish between the upper and lower gastrointestinal tracts. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding often has causes such as inflammation, esophageal ulcers, ruptured esophageal varices in portal hypertension syndrome, gastritis in poisoning, stress, Schönlein Henoch, food allergies, peptic ulcers...
Causes of lower gastrointestinal bleeding include small intestine hemangiomas, necrotizing enterocolitis, gastrointestinal infections caused by bacteria, parasites invading the intestinal mucosa, intussusception...", Ths.BS Nguyễn Hữu Hiếu said.
Some common clinical manifestations of children with gastrointestinal bleeding include vomiting blood, passing bloody stools... When the patient is admitted to the hospital, doctors will check the ear, nose, and throat area for signs of bleeding points, nasal polyps, pharyngeal lesions with corrosive substances or medications, check the abdomen for old surgical scars, intussusception or surgical abdomen symptoms; consider manifestations suggesting the cause: enlarged liver and spleen, collateral circulation, subcutaneous bleeding...
Parents and family members need to pay attention to detect some severe signs to take the child to the hospital as soon as possible, such as the child showing signs of anemia: dizziness, pale skin, fatigue; Poor or no eating and drinking; Epigastric pain, belching, acid reflux; Jaundice, abdominal distension or enlargement; Excessive thirst; Vomiting fresh blood or blood clots; Passing black or bloody stools, becoming more tired after each vomiting or bowel movement...
Parents should equip themselves with knowledge on how to care for children with gastrointestinal bleeding, especially recognizing early signs of anemia as well as growth retardation in children to have timely care and treatment measures, avoiding unfortunate incidents. When noticing the above symptoms in children, parents should take the child to the nearest medical facility immediately for timely treatment by doctors.
