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Background and Objectives. Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is a medical field that has been evolving in the last decades. Innovative advances in pediatric endoscopy led to more accurate diagnosis of various GI diseases. This study aimed to assess the appropriateness of endoscopic procedures’ indications and to evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic yield of pediatric GI endoscopy, considering the limitations to access this facility. Material and Methods. Retrospective, cross-sectional, and analytical chart review was performed for children who underwent GI endoscopy at Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain, from 1995 to 2020. Demographic data, endoscopic indications, and findings were collected and compared. Results. Of 1,111 patients, 1,101 (99.1%) were included in the study. 589 (53.6%) patients were males. Median age at the time of endoscopy was 8 (interquartile range 3, 11) years. 1534 endoscopies were performed (1193 upper GI endoscopies (UGIE) and 341 colonoscopies) in 1296 sessions. The mean number of endoscopies per year was 59±30.9 procedures with 81.4% reduction noted after coronavirus pandemic (P

Background and Objectives. Benign strictures are the main cause of esophageal strictures in children. They can be managed by different modalities but endoscopic dilatation is the standard therapy. This study is aimed at reviewing the efficacy and safety of endoscopic dilatations in children with esophageal strictures. Materials and Methods. In this retrospective cross-sectional single center study, records of patients with esophageal strictures presented to the pediatric department, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain, in the period between 1995 and 2019 were reviewed. Demographic data, indications of endoscopic dilatations, the procedure success rate, and possible complications were assessed. Results. Forty-six children were found to have esophageal strictures. Twenty-five (54.3%) patients were males. Most patients presented during infancy (86.5%, 32/37 patients). Twenty-six (56.5%) patients required 88 dilatation sessions, while the remaining 20 (43.5%) patients did not require dilatations. The median number of dilatation sessions per patient was three (interquartile range=2–5). Savary-Gilliard bougienages were the main dilators used (80.8%, 21/26 patients). Anastomotic stricture (post esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula repair) was the main cause of esophageal strictures and was found in 35 (76.1%) patients. Patients with nonanastomotic strictures had more frequent dilatations compared to those with anastomotic strictures (P=0.007). The procedure success rate was 98.8%. Yet, it was operator dependent (P=0.047). Complete response to dilatation was found in 18 (69.2%) patients, satisfactory in seven (26.9%), and an inadequate response in one (3.9%). Those with satisfactory responses still require ongoing dilatations based on their symptoms and radiological and endoscopic findings. No perforation or mortality was reported. Patients with dilatations had more recurrent hospitalization (P