Gastrointestinal disorders in children admitted to a tertiary care paediatric unit in Sri Lanka

Abstract

OBJECTIVES : Gastrointestinal diseases, including diarrhoea and abdominal pain, are common presenting complains in children admitted to hospitals. In those with abdominal pain, non-specific abdominal pain is the commonest diagnosis at discharge. This study evaluated the gastrointestinal disorders in children admitted to a tertiary care general paediatric unit in Sri Lanka. METHODS: Records of all neonates, infants and children admitted to University paediatric unit in North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka, during 12 month period from 01/10/2006 to 30/09/2007, were evaluated. Demographic information, details regarding the symptoms, exam nation findings, investigations, treatments and diagnosis at discharge were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the 5202 patients admitted during the study period, 167 (3.2%) had gastrointestinal disorders [90 (54.9%) were males, mean age 6.3 years, SD 2.5 years, range 2–13 years]. Common presenting complains were diarrhoea [79 (47.3%)], abdominal pain [62 (37.1%)], constipation [10 (6%)] and vomiting [8 (4.8%)]. Most common discharge diagnosis was acute gastroenteritis (AGE) [57 (45.5%)]. Of 62 children presented with abdominal pain, only 23 (36.1%) had exact diagnosis at the discharge (AGE 13, gastritis 3, constipation 4, gastro-oesophageal reflux 1, typhoid fever 1, functional abdominal pain 1). CONCLUSIONS: Diarrhoea and abdominal pain accounted for more than 80% of hospital admissions due to gastrointestinal disorders. Nearly two third of patients admitted due to abdominal pain had no diagnosis at discharge. Even though, Rome III criteria are widely available, only one patient was diagnosed as having functional gastrointestinal disorder.