Peptic Ulcers: Not Just an Adult Condition

Your child has just been diagnosed with a peptic ulcer. While you assume he or she is under too much stress or has been eating the wrong foods, the real cause may be something you never considered.

“Peptic ulcers in children are typically caused by bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) that line the stomach,” said Edward J. Hoffenberg, MD, Director of the Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program at The Children’s Hospital. “Another frequent cause is the use of common non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or ibuprofen. While other things, such as trauma or viral infections, can cause ulcers, 90 percent are caused by H. pylori or NSAIDs.”

Peptic ulcer symptoms include:

• Burning pain in the abdomen
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting

If Your Child Is Diagnosed

The good news is that peptic ulcers are highly treatable. If your child has a peptic ulcer, antibiotics can be prescribed to heal it.

“Spicy or acidic food and caffeinated drinks such as tea and cola may cause more symptoms and should be avoided if your child has a peptic ulcer,” Hoffenberg said. “While these foods do not trigger ulcers, they can cause irritation, so your physician may recommend avoiding certain foods until the ulcer heals.”

For more information, visit www.thechildrenshospital.org and search keywords “peptic ulcers.”