Gastrointestinal bleeding in children: an overview

Abstract

Introduction: gastrointestinal bleeding still represents a major problem in general and pediatric gastroenterology, despite many technological imaging and endoscopic features that have emerged in recent decades. Objective: to review causes and general thera­peutic procedures of importance to conduct a pediatric patient with gastrointestinal blee­ding. Data source: we reviewed the main publications on the subject of digestive he­morrhage in the pediatric age group, including national epidemiological data on the mor­bidity of the last 6 years of diseases that may occur with the aforementioned condition, mainly considering the etiology, clinical manifestations, general and specific examinations as well as aspects related to the patient’s conduct both from the general point of view of stabilization in the severe, and specific cases of medications and strategies aimed at the diagnosis and treatment of the children affected. Data synthesis: depending on the age of the patient, changes in the clinical examination and common laboratory tests, it is possible to diagnose a large number of episodes and guide initial therapeutic procedures in order to reduce hemorrhage until more complex tests are performed. Conclusions: general clinical and therapeutic strategies should be instituted and proper monitoring of the patient following an episode of gastrointestinal bleeding in the child is important in the diagnosis and follow-up of all cases.