Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy in the pediatric population has evolved during the last 30 years with an increasing number of diagnostic and therapeutic applications (Tringali et al., 2017). There are Limited comprehensive data are available on the complications of upper gastro intestinal endoscopy (UGE) in adults and particularly in children (Thakkar et al., 2007).
Objectives: The goals of this study were to identify complications and adverse events reported by patients and their parents after UGE under general anesthesia (GA).
Patients and Methods: This is a prospective study where pediatric patients who underwent GI endoscopy under GA at Al-Hussein University Hospital in the period from September 2016 to August 2017 were evaluated for 30 days after the procedure.
Results: A total of 100 patients (80 cases (80%) had upper GI endoscopy (UGE) and 20 cases (20%) had lower GI endoscopy (LGE)) participated in this survey. Of the patients, 45% who had UGE developed minor complications. Complications were cough (n = 31; 38%), sore throat or hoarseness (n = 28; 35%), fatigue (n = 7; 8.7%), headache (n = 10; 12.5%), excessive gas or burping (n = 13; 16.2%), nausea (n = 11; 13%), emesis (n =10; 12.5%), abdominal pain (n = 19; 23.7%), fever (n = 4; 5%), behavior problems (n = 9; 11.25%), upper respiratory symptoms (n = 6; 7.5%) and perioral rash (n = 2; 2.5%). In our study, patients who had LGE under GA we find that 30 % developed minor complications. These complications were abdominal pain (n = 5; 25%) and fever (n = 1; 5%).
Conclusion: Safety of performing upper GI endoscopy as no major complications or adverse events was reported by patients or their parents at 30 days after GI endoscopy under GA. No Complications of general anesthesia during the procedure were reported.
Recommendations: GI endoscopy is invasive procedure, may have risk for developing serious complications and should be done under standard precautions by perfect endoscopists in well-equipped centers. Complete history taking and physical examination is a main factor for good preparation and subsequent good result for endoscopy. In addition, Follow up of cases is important to detect and manage any complications that may appear.