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  • Title: Paediatric endoscopy performed by adult-service gastroenterologists.
    Author: Hayat JO, Sirohi R, Gorard DA.
    Journal: Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol; 2008 Jul; 20(7):648-52. PubMed ID: 18679067.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Children often travel from district hospitals to teaching centres for endoscopic procedures by paediatric gastroenterologists. A 10-year district hospital experience of 'adult-service' gastroenterologists endoscoping children is reported with the aim of quantifying the workload, indications, sedation/anaesthesia practices, findings and safety of paediatric endoscopy performed by adult-service gastroenterologists. METHODS: Data on endoscopic procedures in patients younger than 16 years of age between 1997 and 2006 were obtained from hospital case-notes and computerized endoscopy/histology databases and were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 174 procedures (118 gastroscopies, 41 colonoscopies and 15 flexible sigmoidoscopies) were performed in 162 children. The median (interquartile range) age was 11.5 (5-14) years. Sixty-nine percent of patients were referred by paediatricians and 31% by general practitioners /other adult specialties. Children referred as outpatients waited a total of 50 (23.5-95) days from referral to procedure. Inpatient children waited 3 (1-4) days for their procedure. General anaesthesia was used in 89% (63 of 71) endoscopic procedures in children aged below 11 years and 100% of 47 procedures in children aged below 6 years. In contrast, 96% (99 of 103) procedures in children aged 11 years or older were done in the endoscopy unit with intravenous or no sedation. Organic disease was identified from 90 (52%) procedures. The most common diagnoses were coeliac disease (41), inflammatory bowel disease (26), gastro-oesophageal reflux (six) and foreign body removal (seven). No endoscopic complications occurred. CONCLUSION: General gastroenterologists supported by paediatricians can provide endoscopic services for children safely and promptly in their local hospital. This is appropriate for the management of common gastrointestinal problems affecting children.
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