Your Childrens Health

By definition, an ulcer is an open sore or wound.  Peptic ulcers are found in the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine (known as the duodenum).

In the past, ulcers were widely believed to have been caused by stress.  However, a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (or H. pylori) is now known to be the most common cause for these painful internal sores.

Children can become infected with H. pylori.  Some people are infected with the bacteria in childhood but don’t develop ulcers until later in life.  However, if the conditions are right, a child can indeed develop an ulcer.

Other factors are thought to increase a child’s chance of developing an ulcer, including diet (fats and spicy foods can contribute to the development and irritation of an ulcer) and certain medications, such as ibuprofen.  The stress from certian illnesses and injuries can also contribute to the development of an ulcer in a small child, such as a severe bacterial infection or injuries sustained in an accident.

H. pylori can be contracted through food, water, or contact with an infected person.  Infection by the bacteria increases the child’s risk of developing stomach cancer, peptic ulcer disease, or gastric irritation later in life.

Because ulcers are now better understood, treatment is much more effective.  People with ulcers no longer need to suffer through stomach pain and digestive problems for years on end.  Your doctor may order a series of X-rays to be performed on your child, to determine if they have developed an ulcer.  Another effective test is the endoscope procedure, where a small tube is inserted down the child’s throat to see if an ulcer exists.  This is performed under sedation to make it as painless as possible.

If your child has an ulcer, a few diet and lifestyle changes may be necessary, as recommended by your doctor.  They may also be prescribed a combination of acid suppressors and antibiotics to help the ulcer heal over a two week period.

See your child’s doctor if your child complains of any of the following symptoms:

• nausea or vomiting
• difficulty feeding
• pain in the abdomen
• dull chest pain
• frequent bouts of hiccups and burning
• loss of appetite
• blood in vomit or stools

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This entry was posted on Friday, May 5th, 2006 at 3:18 pm and is filed under Infections, Medical Care. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.