Abstract
H2 receptor antagonists changed the prognosis of peptic ulcer in adults, but long term follow-up studies in children after ulcer has been healed with ranitidine are lacking.
We carried a 5 yrs follow-up on 31 children (20 males) 3 to 14 yrs old with endoscopically diagnosed duodenal (23 cases) or antral ulcer (8 cases). After an 8 weeks course of ranitidine (5-10 mg/kg) 93% healed their ulcer and therapy was discontinued. Endoscopy was repeated every 6 months or when symptoms recurred. Campylobacter Pylori (CP) was searched in antral mucosa in 22 and serum Pepsinogen I (PG I) determined in 29 cases.
After 1 to 3 yeas 14 children (12 males) showed a recurred ulcer crater at endoscopy, an 8 weeks course of ranitidine was repeated and maintenance never discontinued. Serum PG I was higher in relapsed children (80.5 vs. 54.9 pg/ml P<.001), CP was present in 12 (85%) of relapse and in 5 (29%) of non relapsed children. None relapsed on maintenance treatment.
CONCLUSION: Peptic ulcer relapse rate in children is 45%, elevated serum PG I, CP in antral mucosa and male sex have an unfavourable prognostic value
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Oderda, G., Farina, L. & Ansaldi, N. 72 PEPTIC-ULCER IN CHILDREN: 5 YEARS FOLLOW-UP AFTER RANITIDINE THERAPY. Pediatr Res 24, 417 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198809000-00095
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198809000-00095