Assessment of Practice of Colonoscopy in Pediatrics in Brazzaville, Congo

摘要

Background: In Congo, there is no pediatric gastroenterology department and the activity of colonoscopy has never been evaluated. The aim of this study is to report the indications and the results of pediatric colonoscopy in Brazzaville. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted from January 2016 to August 2017 by analyzing reports of colonoscopy performed in the gastroenterology department in Brazzaville. Sex, prescribers, indications and results of colonoscopy were the variables study. Results: over the 19-month period, 489 colonoscopies have been performed, in which 13 (2.7%) colonoscopies were performed in children under 17 years, with an average age of 9.8 ± 4.6 (8 males and 6 females) and the extreme ranging from 1 - 17 years. The sex ratio (H/F) was 1.6. The prescribers were gastroenterologist (n = 4), pediatrician (n = 4), surgeons (n = 2), general practitioners (n = 2), pediatric students (n = 1). Chronic bowel inflammatory diseases and polypectomy was the most frequent conditions for colonoscopy indication. Seven (7) colonoscopies were normal. 4 cases were recto-polyps, and 2 cases were ulcerative colitis. Conclusion: pediatric colonoscopy is a powerful diagnostic and therapeutic means. The pediatricians should think about it to improve the management of children with digestive symptoms that meet the indications of pediatric colonoscopy.