Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and gastritis in Children
🧒 Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and gastritis affect the lining of the stomach and duodenum in children.
⚠️ Early recognition prevents complications such as bleeding or perforation. PUD occurs when open sores (ulcers) form in the stomach or upper small intestine (duodenum).
🧾 Causes
- 🦠 Helicobacter pylori infection
- 💊 Use of NSAIDs
- 🔥 Excess stomach acid
- 😰 Stress-related ulcers (rare in children)
⚡ Symptoms
- 🔥 Burning epigastric pain, worse after meals
- 🤢 Nausea & vomiting
- 🍽️ Loss of appetite & weight loss
- 🩸 Dark, tarry stools (GI bleeding)
- 🎈 Bloating or early satiety
🚨 Note: Complications include bleeding, perforation, or obstruction → urgent medical care needed.
🌿 Gastritis
Gastritis = inflammation of the stomach lining, acute (sudden) or chronic (long-term).
🧾 Causes
- 🦠 H. pylori infection
- 💊 NSAIDs
- 🦠 Viral or bacterial infections
- 🩹 Stress/trauma (injury, surgery)
- ♻️ Bile reflux
- 🧬 Autoimmune gastritis
⚡ Symptoms
- 🤕 Epigastric pain/discomfort
- 🤢 Nausea, vomiting, indigestion
- 🎈 Bloating, early satiety
📌 Chronic gastritis may → ulcers or ↑ risk of gastric cancer. Early treatment matters.
🔬 Diagnosis
- 👩⚕️ Clinical history & exam
- 🩸 Blood tests (anaemia, infection)
- 💩 Stool antigen test (H. pylori, blood)
- 📷 Endoscopy (visualise ulcers/inflammation)
- 💨 Urea breath test (H. pylori)
💊 Treatment
- 🦠 Antibiotics → eradicate H. pylori
- 💊 PPIs (reduce acid)
- 💊 H2 blockers (acid suppression)
- 💊 Antacids (symptomatic relief)
- 🚫 Avoid NSAIDs / use safer alternatives
- 🥗 Dietary: avoid spicy, acidic, or fatty foods
👩⚕️ Note: Refer to a paediatric gastroenterologist for persistent/recurrent cases.
💡 Clinical Pearls
- 📍 Epigastric pain relieved by food → duodenal ulcer; worsened by food → gastric ulcer.
- 🧪 Always test for H. pylori in suspected cases.
- 📉 Anaemia in a child with PUD may signal chronic bleeding.
- 🧃 Milk can temporarily soothe pain but stimulates acid → not a long-term fix.