Gastrointestinal bleeding in children

Abstract

Gastrointestinal bleeding may be a serious problem in children because the total blood volume of a child is relatively small and blood losses from gastrointestinal tract can easily deteriorate the child. It is an uncommon but not a rare condition, and differential diagnosis is based on the age of the patient, the localization and characteristics of bleeding with accompanying symptoms. This article reviews the spectrum of gastrointestinal bleeding in children, including the etiology, diagnostic evaluation and management.