The role of video capsule endoscopy in children with intestinal diseases

Introduction. In adult practice, video capsule endoscopy is used much more often than in children, which is most likely due to the age and emotional characteristics of children, as well as the limited availability of this endoscopic examination in pediatric practice.

Aim. To determine the diagnostic value of video capsule endoscopy in children with inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Materials and methods. Between 2021 and 2025, 58 video capsule studies were conducted on 58 children, including 42 (72%) boys and 16 (28%) girls, with an average age of 9.7 years. Of the 58 children, 12 patients underwent video capsule endoscopy as part of a grant (agreement No. 1209-11/25) for inflammatory bowel diseases, with an average age of 12.25 years, including 7 (58%) boys and 5 (42%) girls. The children were divided into two groups: Group I consisted of 46 children who did not have any abnormalities in the small intestine or hidden sources of bleeding, while Group II included 12 children with inflammatory bowel diseases (as part of the grant). The youngest child underwent a video capsule study at the age of 3.

Results and discussions. When analyzing the results, patients were divided into groups according to the pathology identified. In 24% of cases, mucosal changes in the small intestine were detected in the form of hyperemia and edema; smoothness of folds, which corresponded to enteropathy, the second most common pathology was Crohn’s disease of the small intestine (22%). Peutz- Jeghers syndrome was detected in 9% of cases and in familial polyposis in 5% of cases; a rare pathology was detected in 3% of cases.

Conclusions. Video capsule endoscopy as a diagnostic method of the small intestine can be used in patients of child age from three years. The diagnostic value of video capsule endoscopy in detecting pathology of the small intestine is from 60% to 72%.

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