[Usefulness of colonoscopy in the diagnosis of colonic diseases in childhood].

We present here our experience in colonoscopy performed in 93 children between 1984-1988 at hospital J. M. de los Ríos de Caracas. Mean age was 5.44 y/o and the range was 2-13 y/o. Rectal bleeding in 91.36% of the cases was the most common indication of the procedure. Rectal and sigmoid polyps were found in 24.73%. Vascular malformations in 16.13%, studies informs as normal 13.98% and ulcerative colitis in 10.75% No complications were observed so we can suggest colonoscopy as the first tool in diagnosis and treatment of the colonic pathology in children of any age.