All issues > Volume 46(3); 2003

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 2003;46(3):236-241. Published online March 15, 2003.

Solitary Juvenile Polyps and Colonoscopic Polypectomy in Children

Kyoung Whoon KW Cheon¹, Jae Young JY Kim¹, Sung Won SW Kim¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, St. Benedict Hospital, Busan, Korea

Correspondence Jae Young JY Kim ,Email: jykim9@korea.com

Abstract

Purpose
: This study was performed to know the clinical profile and effectiveness of colonoscopic polypectomy in patients with solitary juvenile polyp.
Methods
: This study included 19 children, aged 1.8 to 11.4 years, who underwent colonoscopic polypectomy and histologically proven solitary juvenile polyps between March 1998 and August 2002. We analyzed their detailed history, clinical manifestations, colonoscopic examination, method of anesthesia and results of colonoscopic polypectomy.
Results
: The mean age of the 19 cases was 4.7?.8 year. The male to female ratio was 1 : 1.1. Hematochezia, the main indication of colonoscopy, was present in all cases. Combined symptoms were mucoid stool or diarrhea(42%), abdominal pain(26%), constipation(11%) and anal fissure(11%). Anemia(Hb <10 g/dL) in four cases recovered spontaneously after polypectomy. Complications associated with premedication, sedation and colonoscopy itself did not occur. Bleeding developed in two cases(11%) after polypectomy. One of them was controlled with hemoclipping. The main site of polyps was the rectosigmoid colon in 15 cases(79%). The size of the polyps ranged from 0.5 to 3.5 cm. The interval between the onset of symptoms and polypectomy was from 0.1 to 42 months.
Conclusion
: Juvenile polyps are a common cause of benign, chronic and recurrent rectal bleeding. Colonoscopic polypectomy is a simple, safe and effective therapeutic method. So earlier colonoscopy might avoid uneffective treatment and prevent untoward problems such as fear of parents and anemia.

Keywords :Juvenile polyps, Polypectomy