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Esophageal varices in children predictable via noninvasive tests
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Esophageal varices in children can be identified through a noninvasive clinical prediction rule and platelet count, according to study.
The researchers examined data from 108 children who received endoscopies at eight centers to evaluate portal hypertension from chronic liver disease or portal vein obstruction and measured the effectiveness of a clinical prediction rule to diagnose esophageal varices.
Among the 108 children studied, 74 (69%) had esophageal varices. Researchers obtained blood test and abdominal ultrasound scans within 4 months after endoscopy. An independent blinded review measured the grading of varices identified through endoscopy.
The positive predictive value for the clinical prediction rule was 87%. The positive predictive value for platelet count was 86%.
“[Esophagogastroduodenoscopy] is considered especially invasive in children,” the study authors wrote. “Noninvasive tests such as [clinical prediction rule] and platelet count can assist in triaging children for endoscopy to identify esophageal varices.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.