Abstract
BACKGROUND: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in pediatric patients is a significant clinical concern requiring prompt diagnosis and management. This study aims to provide a descriptive analysis of the common causes of UGIB in pediatric patients in Kerman, Iran. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman, from January 2022 to December 2023. All pediatric patients under 18 years with UGIB were included. Data on demographics, clinical presentation, and endoscopic findings were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients were included, with a mean age of 8.8 ± 4.7 years. Hematemesis was the predominant presenting feature (57.5%). All patients underwent endoscopy, with a diagnostic yield of 88.4%. Gastric erosion was the most common cause of UGIB (33.3%), followed by esophageal varices (13.3%). The etiology varied across age groups, with Mallory-Weiss syndrome being the second most common cause in infants. Blood transfusion was required in 31.67% of patients. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the common causes and clinical features of pediatric UGIB in Kerman, Iran. Gastric erosion (33.3%) was the most frequent cause, and endoscopy achieved a high diagnostic yield (88.4%). Blood transfusion was necessary in 31.67% of patients. These findings emphasize the need for age-specific diagnostic strategies and reflect regional differences in UGIB etiology.