Continuous esomeprazole infusion versus bolus administration and second look endoscopy for the prevention of rebleeding in children with a peptic ulcer

Introduction: the majority of studies of acute gastrointestinal bleeding in children are retrospective, focusing on therapeutic endoscopy. Previous studies performed in adult patients have demonstrated that both scheduled second look endoscopy and high dose continuous omeprazole infusion are effective in the prevention of peptic ulcer rebleeding. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of these two strategies using esomeprazole for the prevention of rebleeding following primary endoscopic hemostasis in children with peptic ulcers. The main outcome was to assess the rebleeding rate within 30 days after the initial hemostasis. Methods: consecutive pediatric cases who underwent endoscopic treatment for bleeding peptic ulcers were randomized into two treatment groups following hemostasis. The first group received esomeprazole as an intravenous bolus every 12 hours for 72 hours and a routine second look endoscopy within 12-24 hours with endotherapy retreatment in the case of a persistent stigmata of bleeding. The second group received a continuous high dose esomeprazole infusion for 72 hours without endoscopic reassessment unless required due to rebleeding. Results: a total of 63 children were randomized to the second look endoscopy group and 64 to the esomeprazole infusion group. Rebleeding occurred within 30 days in four patients (6.3%) in the first group and in three patients (4.6%) in the second group (p = 0.7). Conclusions: a pharmaceutical approach using a high dose continuous esomeprazole infusion in children after an initial endoscopic hemostasis has a similar efficacy compared to second look endoscopy and bolus esomeprazole administration for the prevention of peptic ulcer rebleeding. Thus, the discomfort of a second endoscopy in children can be avoided and is only recommended for selected high risk cases.