Videocapsule-endoscopie van de dunne darm bij kinderen

Wireless video-endoscopy of the small bowel is a relatively new diagnostic tool with only limited paediatric experience. We report our observations in 2 children. The capsule was easily swallowed and passed uneventful through the digestive tract of a child with unexplained anaemia not older than 5 years, although the literature mentions 10 years as minimal age. In a second child, 8 years old, with recurrent episodes of acute abdominal pain, the capsule confirmed an ileo-ileal intussusception. The absence of any exposure to radiation and the non-invasive character of this technique render it of extreme interest for paediatric use. Unfortunately, the Belgian social security does not yet reimburse it. Further investigations will be needed to evaluate if video-endoscopy may replace contrast radiological examinations in children with unexplained small bowel disease.