DUODENAL ULCER IN CHILDHOOD - A STUDY OF PREDISPOSING FACTORS

Follow-up studies were made on 36 children suffering from duodenal ulcer and particular reference was paid to gastric secretory capacity, blood group distribution, family history, and subsequent progress. Males were affected three times as often as females. Augmented histamine test meals were performed in 19 children, with results which suggested that acid hypersecretion might be a factor in causation, but the findings were inconclusive. Blood group 0 was present in excess. A positive family history was present in half of the patients, and a history of persistent recurrent ulcer symptoms was obtained in almost three-quarters. One patient was found to have sustained no adverse effects on growth and development following gastric surgery 6 years previously.