Peptic ulcer in children

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A peptic ulcer is a round or oval sore in the lining of the stomach or duodenum where it has been eroded by stomach acid and digestive enzymes.

Sores form in the lining of the stomach or duodenum.
Symptoms in children include gnawing pain in the abdomen and vomiting.
The diagnosis is based on endoscopy and sometimes imaging tests.
Treatment includes drugs to reduce stomach acid and sometimes antibiotics.

(For adults, see Peptic Ulcer Disease.)
Ulcers penetrate into the lining of the stomach or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). Ulcers develop when the normal defense and repair mechanisms of the lining of the stomach or duodenum are weakened, making the lining more likely to be damaged by stomach acid.
Peptic ulcers are much less common among children than adults. As with adults, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria can lead to the formation of peptic ulcers. In children, Helicobacter pylori is not as common a cause as in adults. Children whose parents have peptic ulcers are more likely to have ulcers especially if their parents are infected with Helicobacter pylori. Exposure to secondhand smoke is another risk factor for ulcers in children. Adolescents who drink alcohol or smoke are also more likely to develop ulcers. Children of any age can develop ulcers when they are extremely sick, such as after severe burns, injuries, and illnesses. These ulcers are referred to as stress ulcers.