The Role of Esophagogastroduodenoscopy in the Initial Evaluation of Childhood Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A 7-Year Study

Abstract

Endoscopic and histologic abnormalities were found in the upper gastrointestinal tracts of a significant number of children with inflammatory bowel disease. While the mechanism(s) underlying these abnormalities in patients with ulcerative colitis is unclear, the pathology can contribute to the patient's clinical condition. Pathology in the upper gastrointestinal tract should not exclude a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. Granulomas, confirming the diagnosis of Crohn disease, were found in the upper gastrointestinal tracts of 28% of our patients with Crohn disease. In some cases, granulomas were found solely in the upper gastrointestinal tracts. Based on our data, esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy should be performed in all pediatric patients with suspected inflammatory bowel disease.