The feasibility of wireless capsule endoscopy in detecting small intestinal pathology in children under the age of 8 years: a multicentre European study.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate the feasibility and methodology to carry out wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) in children <8 years to define small intestinal pathology.

DESIGN: Prospective European multicentre study with negative prior investigation.

PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: 83 children aged 1.5-7.9 years were recruited. Initially, all were offered "swallowing" (Group 1) for capsule introduction. If this failed endoscopic placement (Group 2) was used and the Roth net, Advance or custom-made introducers were compared.

OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary endpoint: to determine pathology; secondary endpoint: comparison of capsule introduction methods.

RESULTS: Capsule introduction: 20 (24%) children aged 4.0-7.9 years (mean, 6.9 years; 14 male) comprising Group 1 were older (p<0.025) than 63 (76%) aged 1.5-7.9 years (mean, 5.25 years; 30 male) forming Group 2.

COMPLICATIONS: Roth net mucosal trauma in 50%; no others occurred. The available recording apparatus was inappropriate for those <3 years.

INDICATIONS: gastrointestinal bleeding: n = 30 (16 positive findings: four ulcerative jejunitis, four polyps, two angiodysplasia, two blue rubber blebs, two Meckel's diverticula, one anastomotic ulcer, one reduplication); suspected Crohn's disease: n = 20 (11 had Crohn's disease); abdominal pain: n = 12 (six positive findings: three Crohn's disease, two lymphonodular hyperplasia, one blue rubber bleb); protein loss: n = 9 (four lymphangectasia); malabsorption: n = 12 (seven positive findings: six enteropathy, one ascaris). No abnormalities overall: 45%.

CONCLUSION: WCE is feasible and safe down to the age of 1.5 years. 20 children >4 years swallowed the capsule. The Advance introducer proved superior for endoscopic placement. The pathologies encountered showed age specificity and, unlike in adolescents, obscure gastrointestinal bleeding was the commonest indication.