Aim This study estimated the diagnostic yield of oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) in young children with non‐acute, non‐specific gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms who were treated by a Finnish tertiary level referral centre. Methods A retrospective chart analysis was performed on 1850 Finnish children under 7 years of age who underwent their first diagnostic OGDs at Helsinki University Hospital during 2006‐2016. We noted the endoscopy indications, macroscopic findings, the histology of the mucosal biopsies and the follow‐up data. Results After the exclusion criteria were applied, we enrolled 666 patients (57.7% boys) at a median age of 3.5 years. The number of children with non‐specific symptoms referred for OGD increased 2.3‐fold in 11 years. A routine set of biopsies was obtained in 644/666 (96.7%) of the endoscopies. The OGD was both macroscopically and histologically normal in 519/644 (80.6%) of cases. The most common indication was to rule out gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease in 268/666 (40.2%) cases, and the most frequent histological diagnosis was mild to moderate oesophagitis in 57/644 (8.9%) cases. There was no erosive oesophagitis. Conclusion The diagnostic yield of macroscopic and histological OGD findings was low in our cohort. Unless there are alarming symptoms, younger children do not need OGD.

The non-IgE CM allergy with gastrointestinal symptoms diagnosed in infancy was a transient condition with good outcome. At an early school age, nearly all children have a good quality of life and a regular diet. The use of the double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge was well-endorsed.

Aim This study estimated follow‐up outcomes for children presenting with troublesome upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in early childhood. Methods We identified from our upper endoscopy registry children with undefined GI symptoms having undergone an oesophagogastroduodenoscopy to rule out oesophagitis at a median age of 2.6 years in 2006–2016. We included only those with normal findings. In early 2020, we performed a National Patient Data Repository and Prescription Service review to note patients' current GI symptoms, medications and medical consultations. We also employed a study‐specific questionnaire with a validated quality‐of‐life measure (the PedsQL). Results After a median of 7.9 years of follow‐up, the children (n = 199) had a median age of 10.6 years. Medical consultations related to upper GI symptoms were rare. However, parents reported recurrent GI symptoms in 24% of the children, and 41% followed a specific diet. Regular anti‐acid medication was in use in 3.5% of the cohort, more often when with a predisposing condition for reflux disease. The current quality of life was good. Conclusion Although some upper GI symptoms may persist after early childhood, patients without diseases predisposing to reflux disease have a good quality of life without GI‐related morbidity in school age.