[Primary gastroduodenal ulcers in children. A multicenter study of 58 cases of endoscopic or surgical diagnosis].

A retrospective cooperative survey allowed analysis of 58 endoscopically (56) or surgically (2) proven ulcers in children. Drugs or stress induced lesions and ulcers in neonates were excluded from the study. The distribution was as follows: 39 (67%) males, 19 (33%) females, 42 (72%) duodenal, 16 (28%) gastric; 45 children were older than 7 years; a family history of ulcer was present in parents and/or siblings of 12 patients (38%). Ulcer was diagnosed on the occasion of a complication in 39 children (67%). Endoscopy performed in 53 children first detected the ulcer in 51 (in 5 instances at the second examination only). In the remaining 5 children, ulcer was proven endoscopically after radiologic examination was performed. The endoscopic and radiologic data were compared at the time of diagnosis and during follow-up. 31 children were checked endoscopically 3 months after diagnosis and lesions were still present in 21. 10 children were operated on. In these children, evolution is unpredictable and endoscopic check-ups are necessary.