title: Childhood peptic ulcer disease in Jamaica.
abstract: Thirty-one children with peptic ulcer disease (PUD) were diagnosed in two major hospitals in Jamaica between 1979 and 1988. There were 21 girls and 10 boys with a mean age of 9 years. There were 26 duodenal ulcers and 5 gastric ulcers. Five patients (19 per cent) with a duodenal ulcer had a family history of peptic ulcer. Recurrent abdominal pain was the predominant presenting feature in 68 per cent and pain was present for a mean of 20 months. Bleeding occurred in seven patients (23 per cent). Twenty-nine patients were successfully treated medically. Two with duodenal ulcers required surgery. The majority of patients have remained well after a mean follow-up of 14 months. Although uncommon in children peptic ulcers should be considered in patients with recurrent abdominal pain. The majority will respond to medical treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Kingston, Jamaica, W. Indies.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Golding
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007563:Jamaica / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy