अमूर्त

Gastrointestinal bleeding in infants and children

R Bhanu Pillai and Vasundhara Tolia

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in infants and children is an alarming symptom to both the patient and parents. It can present orally and/or rectally. While minor GI bleeding is usually a self-limited condition, requiring only minimal intervention, it can certainly be a lifethreatening condition at times. An initial focused review of the history and physical examination, followed by a detailed history, investigations and management, is necessary to identify the etiology of the bleeding and aid in its treatment. This article reviews the different etiologies, investigation and therapeutic options for management of GI bleeding in infants and children.