[Recurrent hemorrhage from a duodenal ulcer in a 5-year-old healthy boy. A case report].

Peptic ulcers in infants are rare. We report a 5-year-old boy who was admitted with recurrent bleeding from a huge duodenal ulcer. There were no concomitant disease and no preceding symptoms discovered. The only clinical symptom was bloody stool of light red color what led to diagnostic problems. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding was not considered initially. Short transit time through the gut may suggest a bleeding source within the lower intestine. Gastroscopy was performed delayed. Injection therapy of the ulcer once using fibrin sealant was followed by definite cessation of bleeding. Helicobacter pylori was not found. Hormone producing tumors could be excluded. There was a psycho-social situation of stress recognizable for the infant. The pathogenic mechanism of peptic ulceration due to psycho-social stress is unknown and somewhat doubtful at all. Peptic ulcer disease in infants and children should more often be considered when dealing with diffuse abdominal pain or with gastrointestinal bleeding.