GI Bleeding - Paediatrics

GI Bleeding

·        Causes:

o  Serious, life threatening bleeding rare: varices, stress ulcer, etc

o  Serious disease more common (the bleeding itself is not life-threatening):

§  Necrotising Enterocolitis (NEC)

§  Intussusception

§  Inflammatory bowel disease

§  Familial polyposis

o  Other differentials: Meckel‟s Diverticulum, A-V malformation, Anal fissure

·        History:

o  Is it really blood?  Is baby vomiting mum‟s blood (swallowed in delivery or cracked nipple), is it a

o   UTI not rectal?

o  Do they have clotting problem? (Did they get vitamin K?)

o  How much, how fast