Retrospective evaluation of upper and lower gastrointestinal system findings of patients with anemia

Background and Goal: Anemia is most commonly associated with nutritional causes in developing countries, and Gastrointestinal Tract (GIT) disorders can also cause nutritional anemia. Preferring endoscopic examinations in order to diagnose GIT disorders and by the way taking tissue samples increased information about gastrointestinal pathologies in childhood. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between age, sex, and upper and lower GIS endoscopic findings by analyzing patients with anaemia who underwent upper and lower GIS endoscopy. Material&Method: In our study, anemia status of patients who underwent upper and lower GIS endoscopy between January 2008 and January 2018, in Division of Hematology Oncology and/or Gastroenterology, Department of Paediatrics, Karadeniz Technical University Faculty of Medicine, was evaluated. Gender, age at admission, additional complaints, upper and lower GIT findings, and complete blood count findings (Hb, Hct, MCV) were recorded. The patients' first upper and lower GIT endoscopic findings were obtained. Results: Anemia was present in 1219 (26.7%) of 4567 patients included in our study. 713 (58.5%) of the patients with anemia were female and 506 (41.5%) were male. The most common complaint on admission was abdominal pain. In endoscopic findings of patients with anemia, most common nonspecific gastritis (28.8%) and least likely esophageal polyp (0.1%) were observed. In patients with anemia, esophagus varicose (p<0.001), Helicobacter pylori gastritis (ulcer-) (p=0.001), Celiac disease (p<0.001), non-specific colitis (p=0.049), ulcerative colitis (p=0.001), allergic proctocolitis (p <0.001) was found statistically significant compared to those patients without anemia. Conclusion: In our study, it was shown that GIS endoscopy in children has a very important role in demonstrating the cause of anemia. If the patients who admit for anemia have severe anemia symptoms and/or the syptoms of anemia persist despite regular treatment, the blood loss from GIS should be evaluated in detail. Key Words: Anemia, Children, Endoscopy, Colonoscopy.