The multi-center trial enrolled 56 patients ranging from age one and a half to eight. All patients underwent barium meal and follow through, and upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract endoscopy prior to enrollment. After 12 hours of fasting, patients were given the capsules. Twenty-three were able to swallow the capsule easily, and 33 required endoscopic introduction.
The capsule procedure was successful in all patients down to the age of one and a half. The images revealed important age-specific disorders, including suspected GI bleeding (n=23), Crohn's disease (n=15), abdominal pain (n=10) and protein loss (n=8). One adult endoscopic introducer proved to be quite traumatizing, yet important information in developing pediatric use was determined. The size of the capsule was too large and the weight of the batteries too excessive for the youngest children involved in the trial.
"This preliminary data shows that wireless capsule endoscopy is a viable and safe means of examining the small intestine in very young children and confirms the utility of this practice in detecting occult gastrointestinal bleeding in children, which has been a challenge in the past," said Annette Fritscher-Ravens, M.D., of Homerton University Hospital in London, UK, and lead author of the study. "Additional studies are needed to further validate the safety and efficacy of this practice, as it will lead to increased knowledge and earlier diagnosis of gastrointestinal problems in this age group."
Dr. Fritscher-Ravens will present this study on Monday, May 21, at 8:00 a.m. in Hall E.
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Contact: Aimee Frank
AFrank@gastro.org
301-941-2620
American Gastroenterological Association
22-May-2007