J Chan et al. JPGN 2023; 76: 494-497. Complications and Utility of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Post Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: An 11 Year Experience

In this study, sixty-six of 339 (19%) HSCT needed an “endoscopy episode.” Key findings:

• Four of 119 (3%) endoscopies had complications: septic shock (1), duodenal hematoma (1), GI bleeding (1), and colonic perforation (1). 
• Fifty-seven of 62 (92%) endoscopy episodes were “clinically useful,” and 41 of 62 (66%) had a change in immunosuppressive treatment.

My take: Endoscopy provides useful information in children following HSCT. However, the consent needs to reflect the much higher risk in this population.

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