To evaluate the demographics, possible risk factors, endoscopic treatments, and outcomes associated with gastric bezoars in paediatric patients, and to compare the results to previously published research. Retrospective chart examination of patients identified by International Classification of Diseases-9 codes 938 and 935, utilising the following Medical Subject Headings: 1. term bezoar; 2. keywords stomach bezoar or gastric foreign body Thirty paediatric patients, aged 2 to 18 years, were discovered to have stomach bezoars, with a female predominance. The majority of them were infected with a phytobezoar. Six individuals were identified with dysautonomia, suggesting that autonomic dysfunction may play a role in aberrant gastric retention. Abdominal discomfort, nausea and vomiting were common complaints, as was a reduction in appetite and unintended weight loss. Those with bezoars had a greater frequency of underlying gastrointestinal problems. Only four of the thirteen youngsters who had nuclear medicine stomach emptying scans were markedly abnormal. The bezoar was removed endoscopically in the majority of cases. Endoscopic removal was performed using a Roth net, which required many passes in most cases.
This is the biggest series of gastric bezoars in paediatrics. Phytobezoars may be under-reported in paediatrics, according to our research. Bezoars should be investigated in children who have chronic stomach discomfort, nausea, and vomiting, even if they are developmentally normal and have normal gastric emptying. The researchers believe dysautonomia and underlying gastrointestinal diseases might be risk factors.
Reference: https://journals.lww.com/jpgn/Abstract/2021/02000/Gastric_Bezoar__Retrieve_it,_Leave_it,_or.12.aspx
