Primary Article

Causes of Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage in Neonates and Children

Authors: ERRINGTON C. THOMPSON MD, MARK F. BROWN MD, ELTON C. BOWEN MD, LOU M. SMITH MD, DONNA VANDER GRINTEN RN

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The causes of gastrointestinal hemorrhage in children were detailed in 1964 by Spencer. We investigated the causes of gastrointestinal hemorrhage in 165 children seen at our institution over a 13-year period. The most common causes of gastrointestinal hemorrhage in the hospitalized patients were necrotizing enterocolitis (44%), anal fissures (23%), and guaiac-positive stools of unknown cause (16%). The mortality rate was 5.4%. Necrotizing enterocolitis was the most common cause of death. Only 16 patients required surgery. Gastrointestinal hemorrhage is an infrequent cause of mortality and morbidity in hospitalized pediatric patients.

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References