CAUSES OF GASTROINTESTINAL HEMORRHAGE IN NEONATES AND CHILDREN

The causes of gastrointestinal hemorrhage in children were detailed in 1964 by Spencer. We investigated the causes of gastrointestinal hemor rhage in 165 children seen at our institution over a 13-year period. T he most common causes of gastrointestinal hemorrhage in the hospitaliz ed patients were necrotizing enterocolitis (44%), anal fissures (23%), and guaiac-positive stools of unknown cause (16%). The mortality rate was 5.4%. Necrotizing enterocolitis was the most common cause of deat h. Only 16 patients required surgery. Gastrointestinal hemorrhage is a n infrequent cause of mortality and morbidity in hospitalized pediatri c patients.