Consider Medication as the Culprit in Children with Upper GI Complications

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, oral corticosteroids, and antibiotics were associated with increased risk.

Oral medications are associated with upper gastrointestinal (UGI) complications in adults. To examine this association in children, researchers in Italy compared medication use in 486 children (median age, 41 months) hospitalized for UGI complications (cases) and 1930 controls admitted for neurological conditions in 2010. UGI complications were defined as clinically defined hematemesis (67%), melena (6%), or both (6%), or endoscopically confirmed gastroduodenal lesions (21%). Half the cases underwent endoscopy.

Frequency of chronic GI and other chronic diseases was low and similar in the two groups (about 15%). On the basis of parent report, cases were significantly more likely than controls to have received at least one drug during the 3 we…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)