Symptomatic hemorrhoids and anorectal varices in children with portal hypertension.

There have been few reports of the anorectal problems encountered in children with portal hypertension. We report the incidence of anorectal symptoms in a retrospective study of 189 children treated by injection sclerotherapy for esophageal varices secondary to portal hypertension. Anorectal symptoms, proctoscopic findings and treatment have been recorded in this group. The incidence of symptomatic hemorrhoids and rectal varices was 4.2%. Hemorrhoids are rare in children and the increased incidence can be assumed to be secondary to portal hypertension. Treatment is advised only for symptomatic patients and injection sclerotherapy is satisfactory for the majority.