Peptic ulceration in children.

An analysis of 84 children with peptic ulcer disease seen at The Hospital for Sick Children, in London, revealed only 30 primary ulcers over a period of 30 years. While most of these responded to conservative measures, it is recognized that a significant proportion may ultimately require surgical treatment for recurrence of the disease in adult life. Secondary ulcers occurred with almost twice the frequency of primary disease. Hemorrhage was the first sign of the ulceration in 55 per cent of these seriously ill children and could be controlled with conservative measures in 14 of 17 patients. Only three patients required surgical treatment for uncontrolled hemorrhage. Secondary ulceration was largely a terminal event and despite intensive resuscitation carried a high mortality (77.7 per cent).