School absenteeism after upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in children.

Background And Aims: To examine the functional impact of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy as a day procedure, particularly in relation to subsequent school attendance.

Methods: Symptoms and morbidities were prospectively recorded from school-aged children during observation in hospital and for 3 days at home after endoscopy by using a structured questionnaire. Reasons for school absence were identified.

Results: Sixty children (31 boys, 29 girls) were enrolled in the study (mean age 10.6 +/- 2.8 years, range 6.1-16.2 years). Following the procedure, symptoms were reported at home in 68.3% (same day), 56.7% (day 1) and 20% (day 2).The commonest symptoms were sore throat, tiredness and dizziness. Twenty-nine children (48.3%) did not attend school on the day following the procedure but most (26 of 29) had returned to school by the second day. The main reason for their absence was residual physical discomfort related to the procedure (55.2%).

Conclusions: Persisting physical discomfort and school absenteeism are common following upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in children.