RISK FACTORS OF HEMATEMESIS IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN AFTER CARDIAC SURGERY

Abstract

The upper gastrointestinal complications are uncommon after cardiac surgery but associated with high mortality and morbidity. One of the most important and most serious complications is Hematemesis. Hematemesis can results from diseases related to the esophagus, stomach and duodenum or related organ lesions either near or far from gastrointestinal tract.

This study was conducted on 18 infants and children in cardiothoracic ICU after cardiac surgery. They are divided into two groups; one having hematemesis, the other without hematemesis. An eighteen apparently healthy cohort infants and children were chosen among the relatives ofthe patients and serves as a control group. All patients were subjected to complete clinical assessment and laboratory screening.

The mean value of weight was significantly lower among patients compared to control. While the mean values of age, birth order and numbers of siblings were not statistically different between the control and patients groups.