Pediatric gastroenterology is a branch of medicine that deals with diseases of the digestive system (esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas and gallbladder) in children. Although it has existed for many years in developed Western European countries, it was accepted as a branch of science in our country by the Ministry of Health and YÖK in the early 90s.
Since there are many organs that make up the digestive system, naturally there are many diseases. . Children with these diseases may come to the doctor with various symptoms. The most common of these are vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, decrease in weight gain, short stature and jaundice.
Vomiting is one of the most common symptoms in children. It is most commonly seen in the disease called gastroesophageal reflux. This disease occurs in 8-9% of children. Looseness of the valve at the junction of the esophagus and stomach causes this disease. Slowdown in weight gain as a result of excessive vomiting, ulcers (sores) in the esophagus called esophagitis, pneumonia due to vomited food entering the respiratory tract, recurrent asthma attacks, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, recurrent respiratory tract infections (pharyngitis, laryngitis, otitis media), Even hoarseness may be observed. Vomiting can also accompany all infectious diseases, diarrhea, hepatitis (jaundice disease), gallbladder diseases, gastritis and ulcers.
In developing countries, children under the age of 2-3 may suffer from a diarrheal disease 2-3 times a year. With prolonged diarrhea, that is, frequent pooping, decreased weight gain, growth retardation, and deficiency of various vitamins may occur. In case of prolonged diarrhea, it is necessary to investigate diseases such as intestinal parasites, insufficiency of the body's immune system, celiac disease (allergy to floury foods), food allergies, impaired digestion or absorption of some nutrients (sugar, protein and fats).
Constipation is minor. It is the condition of pooping less than once a day in babies, less than 3 times a week in older children, or having difficult and hard pooping. It may cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and bleeding. It is a disease that is very common but is not given enough importance. Life comfort of children who are treated appropriately improves, appetite and weight increase in a short time.
Lack of appetite and eating problems are common in children. Loss of appetite may accompany many diseases, and as a result of excessive exertion by the mother, the child may reduce eating and start vomiting. Babies with slow weight gain (below 500 grams per month) must be seriously examined. Slow weight gain or weight loss and slow growth in height are common in digestive system diseases. For example, the disease we call celiac disease can only occur with short stature.
Abdominal pain can be seen in 25-40% of children. It can accompany many diseases such as gastritis, ulcer, gallbladder and pancreas diseases, jaundice, celiac disease. In cases where abdominal pain recurs, is accompanied by vomiting, interferes with the child's play or school, is related to food, or wakes up at night, there is a high chance that it is related to the digestive system. In addition to these symptoms, the fact that the abdominal pain is at the level of the stomach suggests that it is related to the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. Studies conducted in our country have shown the presence of gastritis caused by a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori in 65% of children with recurrent and unexplained abdominal pain who are investigated by endoscopy (examination of the digestive system with the help of a camera). It is well known that if this microbe living in the stomach is not treated, it can cause diseases such as ulcers, digestive system bleeding and cancer.
Jaundice is seen in children of all ages. Although it may rarely accompany blood diseases, it is most often a sign of liver and gallbladder disease. Jaundice caused by infection is very common in our country. Hepatitis A comes first among these. 90% of our people encounter this virus before the age of twenty. Although hepatitis A is usually cured, it causes death with liver coma at a rate of 0.3%, according to American statistics. In addition, there are many hepatitis viruses denoted by letters of the alphabet such as hepatitis B, C, D, E. Every child with jaundice should be monitored very well and in competent hands due to potential dangers.
Read: 0
