History and Objectives: Gastrointestinal bleeding is life threatening at any given age. It is essential to determine the cause and location of such bleeding. The present study was undertaking in order to determine the referral justification and location of bleeding on patients referred to the Children Medical Center in 1995-1996, since the discrepancies on the reasons of referral has reported lately.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive study on children with gastrointestinal bleeding was carried. Endoscopy without anesthesia with direct vision was performed. Children’s personal information, reason for referral, location(s) and cause of bleeding was recorded.

Results: From 166 children under study (Mean age 6.7±3.6, 49% female), hematemesis (71%), melena (16%), hematemesis and melena (11%), hematochezia (2%) were the most prevalent reason of referral. The cause of bleeding in 90% of cases was determined and the 10% of patients had normal lower intestinal endoscopic pattern. Gastritis (70%), duodenitis (27%) and esophagus varicosis (22%) were the major cause of bleeding. In 48% of cases two or more of causes of bleeding was found where in one third of the cases, gastritis occurred along with duodenitis. In 65% of patients suffering from gastric and duodenal ulcerations, hematemesis was the major reason for referral.

Conclusion: The most prevalent cause of bleeding among children was gastritis and secondary peptic ulcers. Analytical investigations as to the underlying cause of such lesions and needed. Experimental clinical trials for therapy and prevention of such conditions are recommended.