[Solitary rectal polyp and endoscopic polypectomy in a pediatric population: 3 years' experience].

During defecation, rectal polyps represent one most frequent causes of bleeding in infancy. The advent of endoscopic polypectomy has resulted very useful in their treatment. From January 1987 to March 1990, 113 children with rectal bleeding were evaluated; 22 of them had solitary rectal polyp, between 5 to 15 cm from anal margin at rectoscopy. 6 patients were excluded because they had autoamputation of the polyp, 16 patients, 9 girls and 6 boys between 2 and 11 years of age were studied with blood tests, series stools, contrast study with barium, colonoscopy with polypectomy and polyp histology investigation. 14 patients had chronic anemia, 10 had parasitic in stools. The barium enema identified rectal polyps in 14 patients (87.5%), colonoscopy and polypectomy was performed in every children. Juvenile histologic type predominated (82%). It is demonstrated that chronic anemia can follow rectal bleeding by polyps in children. Parasitic infections such as tricocephalous in conjunction with solid feces, may have a traumatic effect and produce chronic inflammation. Double contrast X-rays of the colon is useful to identify polyps. Non complications were observed during or after polypectomy. It is demonstrated that endoscopic polypectomy in children is a simple, safety and effective method.