Investigation of children with chronic diarrhoea.

OBJECTIVE: To study the lower G.I. endoscopic and histopathological findings in children with chronic diarrhoea. DESIGN: Prospective analysis. SETTING: Hospital based. SUBJECT: 83 children with age up to 14 years admitted in Umaid Hospital, Jodhpur including 33 subjects with chronic diarrhoea and 50 normal children in control group. METHODS: All 83 children including study (33) and control group (50) underwent lower G.I. Endoscopy using FUJINON-SIG-ET sigmoidoscope in older children and PENTAX FG-23H gastroscope in younger children after proper preparation. Rectal biopsies were taken in all the subjects except one and was sent for histopathological examination. RESULTS: Majority (90.8%) were in 0-5 year age group with median age of 3.8 years. We could finally reach to definitive diagnosis in 13% patients with chronic diarrhoea. Over all, colitis was the most common cause. CONCLUSION: Both, endoscopy and biopsy are needed to reach final diagnosis.