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The procedure and results of 50 colonoscopies performed over a three-year period on a group of 43 children (range: 0.3-16 yr; median: 9 yr) are described. The main indications were evaluation for, or control of already known, chronic inflammatory bowel disease (n = 38) and rectal bleeding (n = 8). Following verbal and written information the children were admitted one to two days before the procedure for bowel preparation. Children10 years old received general anaesthesia during the colonoscopy (n = 25) and most childrenor = 10 years old received an intravenous sedation with pethidine and midazolam (n = 25). In only one case was intravenous sedation not successful. The coecum was visualised in 96% and the terminal ileum intubated in 77% (when intended) of the endoscopies. The most important results obtained were establishment of the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease in 21 of 30 suspected cases and the removal of a polyp in two cases. At the time of colonoscopy a "best guess" diagnosis of either ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease often predicted the histological diagnosis, but endoscopy tended to underestimate the severity and extent of the inflammation as compared to microscopy. There were no complications. We conclude that colonoscopy performed according to our recommendations is a safe and informative procedure for evaluation of the large bowel and terminal ileum in children with intestinal disease.

In total 199 oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopies (OGD) were performed in 71 female and 71 male paediatric patients (three months-15 years, median 8 years 2 months). The endoscopy was performed in general anaesthesia in children less than five years old, and in an intravenous sedation in older patients. The indications for OGD were: recurrent abdominal pain and concomitant positive antibodies against Helicobacter pylori as a part of a scientific project, upper dyspepsia, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, failure to thrive, coeliac disease, suspicion of chronic inflammatory bowel disease and a percutaneous gastrostomy. Seventy-two OGD were carried out in general anaesthesia, 86 in intravenous sedation with midazolam and pethidine and 41 in intravenous midazolam sedation. Complications related to the sedation or to the endoscopy were not observed. Amnesia was reported in 94/95 children who were sedated intravenously with midazolam and pethidine or midazolam alone. Six endoscopies could not be carried out in intravenous sedation because of agitation. In the primary OGD endoscopy revealed a normal mucosa in 121/142 (85%), oesophagitis in four (3%), nodular mucosa in six (4%), gastritis in four (3%) and a duodenal ulcer in one (0.7%). Histology disclosed active or inactive chronic gastritis at the primary endoscopy in 35/69 (51%) of the children with recurrent abdominal pain and antibodies against H. pylori. In children with failure to thrive an avillous duodenal mucosa was seen in 3/32 (9%). A comparison between histological and stereomicroscopical evaluation of the duodenal biopsies revealed agreement in 41/47 (87%). We conclude that OGD is a safe and tolerable procedure in paediatric patients, in whom possible morphological changes are suspected. The indications for an OGD need further evaluation.

Children of all ages, including neonates, can have gallstones. According to international data the incidence seems to be increasing, but Danish data are missing. The most frequent associated conditions are haemolytic anaemia, children treated with total parenteral nutrition, and children who have undergone abdominal surgery, while older children with pregnancy or obesity are disposed. Between 40 and 65% have cholelithiasis on an idiopathic basis. When spontaneous dissolution of the gallstones is not to be expected, the treatment is surgery, and laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a well-described, safe and mini-invasive treatment, which can also be recommended for children.