Gastrointestinal bleeding in children

Pediatric gastrointestinal bleeding can occur at any age and manifests as vomiting, blood in the stool, or both. The causes of bleeding are complex. In addition to the disease of the digestive tract itself, it may also be a local manifestation of systemic disease. The bleeding can be in the upper or lower digestive tract. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding refers to the gastrointestinal tract above the Treitz ligament, such as bleeding caused by lesions of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum or pancreas, gall bladder; lower gastrointestinal bleeding refers to the gastrointestinal tract below the flexor ligament , Such as bleeding in the small intestine, colon, rectum, and anus. Pediatrics have poor tolerance to blood loss, and their clinical symptoms vary. Some have large and rapid bleeding rates, and can have fatal hemorrhagic shock. Others have no obvious clinical symptoms, and only show positive fecal occult blood. Repeated small amounts of bleeding can lead to anemia in children over time, and correct diagnosis and treatment must be made in a timely manner. Although the current diagnostic methods have been greatly improved and the understanding of the pathophysiology of hypovolemic shock has been greatly improved, the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding in children needs further research. Pediatric gastrointestinal bleeding is not uncommon in clinical practice. In terms of weight and circulating blood volume, the risk of bleeding in children is greater than that in adults. Therefore, the rapid determination of the etiology, location and timely treatment of bleeding is of great significance for prognosis.

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