| Show Doctor Talk By ny JOIN JOHN B. B RE The Thc The problem of oC ulcers both gastric and duodenal arc are familiar familiar fa fa- fa- fa but hut when shen to all adults infants and md young children ulcer most are arc said to have ha an adults arc are quite surprised The diagnosis of ulcer in childhood is becoming more moie common and with this awareness on the part of the family physician more unexplainable abdominal nal nai complaints will be properly proper proper- ly h diagnosed In childhood ulceration of the fhe gastric or oi of the duodenum occurs most commonly com corn in the lie first year particularly particularly particularly from front the age of six weeks to five months The Thc symptoms in the youngest patients patients patients pa pa- usually are more seere severe se se- se vere ere bleeding obstruction or perforation and perhaps I these Ii ese severe s symptoms explain ex ex- pl plain n the greater number of cases in the very y young being correctly diagnosed IN THE TIlE infants of older age or 01 past the neonatal period the thes s symptoms tend to be more vague ague There may be a reluctance reluctance re re- to take lake feedings abdo abdominal ab ab- ab- ab do pains and colic with excessive crying and vomiting In the preschool years the thes s symptoms become more confusing confusing confusing con con- fusing and less acute acute acute-abdom- abdom abdominal inal mat complaints often having ing no relationship to meals The general feeling eeling now among most physicians is that thai recurring recurring recurring recur recur- ring abdominal pain regardless regard regard- less Jess of oC relationship to meals and abdominal location is probably peptic ulceration Until until until un un- til proven otherwise b by ray x-ray examination IN THE SCHOOL age child the school age child the complaint most often oHen heard is that thai of pain with meals or after after af at- ter meals In the school child up to about the age of 15 food also does not seem to give relief relief relief re re- re- re lief from rom the ulcer pain from Crom approximately age 15 on the symptoms follow the typical typical cal ones for lot adults chiefly that thaL food intake relieves the abdominal discomfort in most I cases Parents should be aware of or orthe the possibility of oC ulceration in infants and young oung children children- I so often the doctor is finally consulted by the parents who have felt fell that their child is complaining with abdominal cramps or vomit vomiting ng to gain attention or to be he allowed to get out ot of bed Ulceration in childhood is always a possibility it ity and with early diagnosis and ond proper treatment serious complications can be prevent prevent- ed |
