DRUG INDUCED GASTROPATHY: AN ENDOSCOPIC EVALUATION IN PAEDIATRICS

Abstract

NSAIDs and steroids are widely used in the pediatric age groupfor sev ral indications. Unfortunately as a group, they provide the largest number of adverse effects. Gastrointestinal side effects are the most· common and most often life-threatening adverse reactions to the long-term NSAID therapy, especially gastritis and duodenitis which have been known to play a part in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease. Accumulating evidence points to a leading role for Helicobacter pylori in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease and chronic active gastritis and this has led one group of investigators to1designate no H. pylori, no ulcers as the new dictum for chronic DHs. This work aimed at: Spot light on the exact impact of ulcerogenic drugs on the morphology of the gastric mucosa through endoscopic evaluation. Identification of H. pylori as a factor that might increase the risk of developing a gastritis or gastric ulcers while receiving NSAIDs.

Fifty-six patients of different disease entities (31 males and 25 females) on long term NSAIDs or steroid therapy were included in this work. Their ages ranged between 4 and 13 years (mean 9.39 ±2.73 years). All cases were subjected to thorough history taking regarding the nature of symptomatology of the original disease, the GIT symptoms including epigastric pain, nausea