Juvenile Polyp and Colonoscopic Polypectomy in Childhood

PURPOSE This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features of juvenile polyp and the usefulness of polypectomy with entire colonoscopy in children. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 83 children who were diagnosed with having juvenile polyps. RESULTS The mean age of the patients was 6.5±3.7 (range 1.3-14.5 years) years. The male to female ratio was 2.1: 1. Eighty one patients (97.6%) had hematochezia, of which the observed characteristics included red stool (74.1%), blood on wipe (13.6%). The time interval between the 1st episode of hematochezia and colonoscopy was 8.9±20.4 (ranged 0.1-48.0) months. The most proximal regions of colonoscopic approach were terminal ileum (96.4%). Sixty three patients (75.9%) had a solitary polyp and 20 patients (24.1%) had multiple polyps. The sites of the polyps were rectum (61.4%), sigmoid colon (23.5%). Eighteen polyps (15.1%) were found more proximal locations than rectosigmoid. The polyp size ranged from 0.3 to 5 cm. After the polypectomy, hematochezia recurred in 9 patients. Endoscopic hemostasis was performed in 2 patients due to severe bleeding. All procedures were carried out without using general anesthesia. CONCLUSION Juvenile polyp occurred in a wide range locations and had variable sizes and numbers, suggesting that colonoscopy on the entire colon is necessary. Colonoscopic polypectomy is a simple and useful therapeutic method in children with juvenile polyp.