Complications of pediatric EGD: a 4-year experience in PEDS-CORI.
BACKGROUND
Available estimates of the incidence and type of complications during pediatric EGD are inconsistent.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency and the determinants of immediate complications during EGD in children.


METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional database study.


METHODS
The study involved 13 pediatric facilities that use the PEDS-CORI (Pediatric Endoscopy Database System Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative).


METHODS
Children (0-18 years) who underwent EGD at 13 facilities between November 1999 and December 2003.


METHODS
We identified complications (recorded shortly after the procedure) and analyzed their occurrence with respect to procedure indication, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, sex, age, anesthesia type, and unplanned interventions.


RESULTS
We analyzed 10,236 procedures performed in 9234 patients. Immediate complications were reported in 239 procedures (2.3%, 95% confidence interval 2.0%-2.6%). The most common complications were hypoxia (157 [1.5%]) and bleeding (28 [0.3%]). Complication rates were significantly higher in the youngest age group, highest ASA class, female gender, intravenous (IV) sedation group, and in the presence of a fellow.


CONCLUSIONS
The study is limited by a lack of specific details and explicit criteria for reported complications.


CONCLUSIONS
The overall immediate complication rate of pediatric EGD is 2.3%. All complications were nonfatal, and most were hypoxia related (157/239 [66%]) and reversible. Young age, higher ASA class, female sex, and IV sedation are risk factors for developing complications.
Thakkar
Kalpesh
K
Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Hepatology and Nutrition, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
El-Serag
Hashem B
HB
Mattek
Nora
N
Gilger
Mark A
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019992:Databases as Topic; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000209:etiology; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors