Abstract

Background: The application of rigid and flexible telescopes in the diagnosis and treatment of pathologies related to gastrointestinal tract of pediatric patients has achieved global acceptance and is widely performed.

Aims: To highlight the usefulness of diagnostic and therapeutic pediatric Gastro-Intestinal (GI) endoscopy in a developing country setting.

Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study of pediatric cases undergoing diagnostic and therapeutic gastrointestinal endoscopy in two health facilities in Port Harcourt metropolis, Nigeria from February 2012 to February 2018. The variables studied were demographics, indications, type of procedure, outcome and challenges. Statistical analysis of data was done using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 20 Armonk, NY.

Results: A total of 20 GI endoscopies were performed in pediatric patients. The age range of these cases was from 15 months to 18 years; mean age of 10.1 ± 5.7 years. There were 10 males and 10 females. Thirteen diagnostic GI endoscopies were done, and the therapeutic GI procedures were: 4 foreign body retrieval; 1 percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy PEG; and 2 injection sclerotherapies for GI bleeding. General anesthesia was used in all patients below 12 years of age.

Conclusion: The technology-based practice of endoscopic intervention in pediatric patients is useful, safe and feasible.

Keywords: Endoscopy; Gastro-intestinal tract; Pediatric