Peptic ulceration in adolescence

Abstract

Abstract The fate of 22 adolescents (mean age 14 years) with proved peptic ulceration is reported. Five presened as an emergency with performation of haemorrhage, whilst the remining 17 had typical ulcer dyspepsia. Despite intensive medical measures 17 patients required difinitive surgery. Ten patients were under 18 years of age at the time of operation and all were opearted on at under 25 years of age. the results were excellent in 14 out of 17 patients at 5-year followup, suggesting that surgery should not be withheld on the grounds of age alone. The role of histamine H2 receptor antagonists needs to be assessed in this type of patient.