IDENTIFYING THE CAUSE OF RECTAL BLEEDING IN CHILDREN THROUGH ENDOSCOPY AT CAREPLUS

IDENTIFYING THE CAUSE OF BLOODY STOOLS IN A CHILD THROUGH ENDOSCOPY AT CAREPLUS

❗️A 13-year-old boy was recently brought to the Pediatrics Department at CarePlus Clinic after experiencing intermittent episodes of bloody stools over a 2-month period. Notably, the child showed no accompanying symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever, constipation, nausea, belching, bloating, indigestion, or loss of appetite. At the time of the visit, the rectal bleeding had resolved, and physical examination of the anal area revealed no abnormalities—making it difficult to determine the cause initially.

👩🏻‍⚕️To investigate possible gastrointestinal bleeding, the doctor ordered a fecal occult blood test, which can detect small amounts of blood not visible to the naked eye. The result came back positive.

⚠️Importantly, a review of the family history revealed that the child’s grandfather had been diagnosed with stomach cancer. Given this context, the doctor recommended an upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy to ensure accurate diagnosis. The procedure was performed using painless endoscopy technology available at CarePlus.

🔎 Endoscopic findings revealed the following conditions:

• Gastric and duodenal ulcers

• Rectal ulcers

• Rectal polyps

🔺The child is currently under treatment and close monitoring by a gastroenterologist at CarePlus. His condition has shown significant improvement, but regular follow-ups every 6–12 months are required to monitor disease progression and prevent long-term complications.

🔔 Dr. Le Thi Kim Dung (MSc), Pediatric Specialist at CarePlus, shared:

“There are many potential causes of bloody stools in children. Some gastrointestinal conditions can progress silently and become dangerous if early signs are ignored. That’s why it’s crucial for any child with rectal bleeding to receive thorough evaluation to identify the underlying cause.

Timely endoscopy not only ensures accurate diagnosis but also helps detect early warning signs—especially in patients with a family history of gastrointestinal disease.

Ultimately, identifying the root cause is the key to effective treatment and long-term health for the child.”

🔸 At CarePlus, our painless gastrointestinal endoscopy service uses modern and safe techniques, recommended by both the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and Asian Consensus Guidelines. This method offers a comfortable experience and delivers high diagnostic accuracy—making it an effective tool for detecting and screening for gastrointestinal cancers.

📢 Parents are encouraged to seek medical evaluation promptly whenever their child experiences unusual digestive symptoms—even minor ones.
Early detection – Accurate treatment – Ongoing monitoring are the pillars of long-term health for your child.