Peptic Ulcer in Children

Abstract

Summary A study has been made of 36 children with the established diagnosis peptic ulcer. All patients, with one exception, were children of school age. The following aspects of the disease have come to light. 1. The incidence of peptic ulcer among older children appears to be increasing. 2. These patients often present a strik ingly typical history. Delayed pains and/or relief of pain by food were noted in 26 patients. Other typical ulcer symptoms occur commonly. 3. Macroscopic bleeding was discovered in 5 cases, obstructive vomiting in 2. There was no case of perforated ulcer. 4. Recurrence was common. Of 14 children observed for a minimum period of 5 years, only 2 had been symptom‐free. 5. Constitutional factors are important in the causation of peptic ulcer in childhood. A high proportion of patients have a family history of the disease. Boys are affected more than girls. Patients of blood group O are present in abnormally high proportion. Psycho‐asthenic constitution is common among these patients. Environmental factors appear to be less obvious. Neuroses or emotional disturbances were not found to any great extent.