World journal of pediatrics : WJP
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Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) may present as hematemesis, coffee-ground emesis, or melena requiring esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) for diagnosis and/or therapy. Worldwide, differences exist for the etiology of UGIB reflecting geographical differences in common disease states. In the past 25 years, there have been improvements in endoscopic optics. This study was undertaken to determine: 1) if identifying a bleeding source in UGIB have improved with better endoscopic optics, 2) geographic differences in causes of UGIB, 3) differences in severity of UGIB based on clinical factors, and 4) the likelihood of finding a bleeding source based on symptom duration and time to endoscopy. ⋯ Improved endoscopic optics has not changed diagnostic ability for UGIB. Etiologic differences for UGIB in children from varying geographic areas are related to indication for endoscopy, patient selection, and co-morbid conditions. Duration of bleeding and time to endoscopy after a bleeding episode may help predict when endoscopy should be performed to determine a bleeding source.