7 Symptoms Of Stomach Ulcer In Children: Causes & Treatment

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Duodenal and stomach ulcers in children are rare, and the signs and symptoms can be nonspecific. These are also called peptic ulcers that can occur in the mucosa, the inner lining of the stomach and intestines. Ulcer diets and OTC medications may not heal the ulcers since they can be caused by infection of H. pylori (Helicobacter pyloriⁱXA pathogenic bacteria that causes chronic inflammation and ulceration in the stomach and small intestine ) bacteria. Children may require appropriate treatment, and eradicating causes can cure ulcers and avoid complications.

Read on to know the clinical features, causes, risk factors, diagnostic tests and procedures, complications, and treatments of peptic ulcers in children and ways to prevent them.

Signs And Symptoms Of Stomach And Duodenal Ulcers In Children

Sometimes ulcers can be asymptomatic. However, it is common to have a gnawing or burning pain in the stomach that lasts for a few minutes to hours.

The following symptoms may also be seen in the stomach and duodenal ulcers (1).

1. Nausea
2. Vomiting often with “coffee grounds” appearance or blood
3. Lack of appetite
4. Weakness
5. Bloating
6. Weight loss
   

   

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7. Anemia (pale skin)

People with a stomach ulcer may also experience acid reflux, indigestion, a burning sensation in the center of the stomach, and heartburn besides the above.

When To Call Doctor

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Seek medical care or visit a gastroenterology department if your child has signs and symptoms of peptic ulcer. An ulcer may cause burning pain in the stomach in the morning and between meals.

If you notice dark stool and “coffee grounds” vomiting, then make an appointment with the pediatrician immediately. Sudden onset of sharp abdominal pain in a child with a peptic ulcer can be due to perforation that requires emergency care. 

What Causes Peptic Ulcers In Children?

The leading cause of gastric (stomach) ulcers and duodenal ulcers is Helicobacter pylori infection although this is less often in children than in adults. Stress, diet, stomach acid and medication can all be causes of ulceration.

Here is the list of the likely causes of peptic ulcer in children (2) (3).

• Helicobacter pylori infection: These bacteria infect the inner lining of the stomach and duodenum. The inner mucous lining protects the stomach and intestine wall from stomach acid and digestive enzymes, such as pepsinⁱXEnzyme produced in the stomach that aids the breakdown of proteins and supports the digestion process . H.pylori may cause inflammation of these mucous membranes, thus resulting in ulcer formation.

• Stress: Physical stress such as injuries, severe burns, major surgeries, etc., may cause stomach ulcers. These stress-induced gastric ulcers are called Curling’s ulcers. However, emotional stress is not the cause of stress ulcer Psychological factors may only increase the perception of ulcer pain.

• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome or gastrinoma: This disease causes increased gastric acid secretion, thus causing ulcers. However, this disease is rare in the pediatric population.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs): Medications, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen, may cause gastric ulcers. These medicines could be a major cause of non-HP ulceration.

• Obesity: In individuals with excess weight, fat cells produce particles that can lead to inflammation. These particles can travel through blood vessels to various body parts, causing inflammation. Recent discoveries indicate that the cells lining the gut have an inflammatory presence, a crucial finding as persistent inflammation may result in weaker gut cells, making them more susceptible to ulcer formation. Therefore, if your child has excess weight or is obese, there is a significantly higher likelihood of them developing gastric ulcers (4).

Consumption of spicy food does not seem to increase the risk of peptic ulcers (1). Caffeine from coffee may increase the production of stomach acid. However, it is likely to aggravate pain in the existing ulcers (5).  A pediatric gastroenterologist can diagnose the cause for the ulcers. 

Who Is At Risk Of Peptic Ulcers?

Children who have increased risk of contracting Helicobacter pylori infection are at increased risk of developing stomach and duodenal ulcers. These bacteria can reach your child through direct contact with saliva, vomit, or fecal matter of an infected person or through contaminated food and water.

The following factors could increase the risk of H.pylori infection in children (6).

• Living in overcrowded conditions
  

  

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• Lack of clean water supply
• Unsanitary living conditions
• Living with an infected person
• Sharing utensils and other items with an infected person
• Not observing hand hygiene

Point to consider

Genetics may play a role in the development of stomach ulcers. Children with African-American and Hispanic backgrounds are found to be at a higher risk of developing the condition (3).

You may seek medical care if you notice persistent symptoms such as heartburn, indigestion (dyspepsia), abdominal pain, dark stool, etc., in your child. Early diagnosis and treatment of H.pylori infection could prevent its complications. 

How Are Peptic Ulcers Diagnosed In Children?

Pediatricians will listen to the history of symptoms and signs and conduct a physical examination. The following tests are ordered based on the assessment (7). 

• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and biopsy is also called gastroscopy, duodenoscopy, or endoscopy. A small, flexible tube (endoscope) with special cameras and light is used to monitor the inner lining of the digestive tract. Ulcers are visualized, and tissue samples are taken with special tools if required. Stomach tissue samples are tested for the presence of pylori. This is the best way of getting a definitive diagnosis.

• Upper gastrointestinal (GI) series or an abdominal x-ray or barium enema. Upper GI series helps visualize the upper part of the digestive system for any gastrointestinal issues. The child will have to drink a barium liquidⁱXA white liquid used in an imaging test to evaluate problems in the upper gastrointestinal tract (contrast) before taking an abdominal x-ray for visibility. This test is performed by a radiologist.

• Rapid urease test (CLO test) is a diagnostic test for pylori infection performed using biopsy samples. 

• Stool test could help identify the presence of pylori infection. Stool occult blood test may help to determine blood in the stool.

• In a breath test, the doctor may give food or drink with radioactive carbonⁱXCarbon isotope with radioactive properties used in tests to detect Helicobacter pylori infection and ask to blow into a bag after some time. pylori breaks down carbon and forms carbon dioxide, and this can be found in the breath sample if your child has an infection.

• Blood tests may help identify anemiaⁱXA condition characterized by reduced levels of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the body and the presence of inflammatory and infectious markers in the blood.

Treatment For Peptic Ulcer In Children

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Ulcer treatment may vary depending on the cause. The following medicines are generally considered for the treatment of peptic ulcer in children(8).

• Antibiotics destroy the bacteria in the stomach.

• H2- blockers, such as cimetidine and famotidine (Pepcid), help reduce the acid secretion in the stomach.

• Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as omeprazole and lansoprazole, reduce stomach acid production. 

• Antacids help neutralize stomach acid. They may help relieve symptoms but do not cure the ulcer.

• Cytoprotective agents protect the mucosal layer of the digestive tract from digestive enzymes and stomach acid. Carafate (sucralfate) and Cytotec (misoprostol) are cytoprotective agents. These are also used for ulcer prophylaxis (prevention of ulcers).

• NSAID-induced ulcers are treated with the withdrawal of NSAIDs and the introduction of PPIs.

Treatment protocols for peptic ulcers and gastritis with H. pylori infection are known as Helicobacter pylori eradication protocols. These treatments aim at eradicating the bacteria along with relief from symptoms.

Any of the below-listed combination regimens with antibiotics and proton pump inhibitor with or without bismuth subsalicylate is given for optimal eradication (9).

• Triple therapy: First-line treatment using antibiotics clarithromycin and amoxicillin or metronidazole with oral PPI is given two times a day for 14 days.

• Quadruple therapy: This is second-line treatment with PPI, bismuth subsalicylate, tetracycline, and tinidazole or metronidazole for ten days.

• Sequential therapy: It is a dual therapy involving treatment with PPI and amoxicillin for the first five days. It is followed by standard triple therapy for another five days.

Point to consider

Children should continue taking their medications and complete the dosage as per the doctor’s advice, even if their symptoms are gone. The absence of symptoms does not mean the condition has been treated completely (15).

Elective ulcer surgeries are rarely needed for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease since most children get better with medicines (5). However, perforated peptic ulcer requires laparoscopic omental patch repair (laparoscopic omentopexy) in pediatric patients.

Although several medications here are available over-the-counter, you may visit a pediatrician for diagnosis and exact dosage of medicines according to your child’s health status. 

Complications Of Peptic Ulcers

Peptic ulcers may cause severe complications if left untreated or not treated well. The most common ulcer complications are (5):

• Bleeding: If the ulcers or sores are deep and erode into blood vessels, then it could cause severe internal bleeding, including Upper GI Bleeding. It can lead to bleeding ulcers. “Coffee grounds” vomit and black tarry stool are signs of peptic ulcer bleeding. This can lead to anemia and the requirement of blood transfusion if untreated for a long time.

• Perforation: An ulcer may cause a hole in the wall of the stomach or duodenum. Stomach acid, digestive enzymes, and food could spill into the abdominal cavity through this hole and result in peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal wall). This is an emergency and will need urgent care.

• Obstruction: Ulcers at the end section of the stomach could block or narrow the intestinal opening. This prevents the entry of food to the intestines and results in severe vomiting.

• Gastric cancer: H. pylori infection and untreated stomach ulcers may trigger stomach cancer later in life. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals infected with H.pylori have a two to six-fold increased risk of developing gastric cancer and MALT (mucosal-associated lymphoid type) lymphoma compared to the uninfected population.

Tips To Prevent Peptic Ulcer In Children

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Preventing H.pylori infection is one of the best ways to prevent peptic ulcer disease. The following tips may help your child reduce the risk of peptic ulcers (9) (3).

• Wash hands with soap and water
• Avoid sharing utensils and other items with an infected person
• Drink clean water
• Avoid eating or drinking in unhygienic places
• Consume fruits and vegetables after washing them properly
• Avoid giving NSAIDs for a long time without prescription
• Always take the medications such as Pantop (pantoprazole) given for ulcer prophylaxis were indicated

Avoiding spicy food, oily foods, or acidic food or having ulcer diets, such as bland diet, are not known to offer a cure for gastric or duodenalⁱXRefers to the first part of the small intestine that absorbs water and nutrients from food from the stomach ulcers (10).

Infographic: Peptic Ulcer In Children– Risk Factors And Prevention Tips

Peptic ulcers are a common digestive disorder that can affect individuals of all ages. However, certain children may be at an increased risk of developing peptic ulcers due to factors such as lifestyle and hygiene practices. So, explore the different groups of children with a higher risk and how to prevent these painful sores in the digestive tract.

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