Background: Juvenile polyps (JPs) are the most common gastrointestinal polyps diagnosed in children. There is paucity of evidence differentiating polyp burden groups and the presence and significance of neoplastic changes. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients, ages birth through 18 years with nonsyndromic JPs was performed from 2003 to 2017. Abstracted data included basic demographics, age, clinical presentation, colonoscopy findings, and pathology report. Slides of polyps with neoplasia were reviewed by a pathologist. Results: A total of 213 subjects underwent 326 procedures and 435 polypectomies. Subjects with positive family history, positive gene mutations, or numerous (>10) polyps were excluded. Groups were defined by polyp number (1, 2–4, 5–10). Polyp recurrence on repeat colonoscopy was significantly related to polyp burden (1 polyp: 1.5%/2–4 polyps 19.2%/5–10 polyps 82.6%: P < 0.001). Polyp distribution was significantly different amongst different groups with isolated polyps favoring a distal distribution. JPs harboring adenomatous foci were reported in 26 (12%) patients. JPs harboring adenomatous foci were significantly more likely to be proximally distributed but the presence of adenomatous transformation within the polyps did not correlate with polyp number or the likelihood of polyp recurrence on repeat colonoscopy. Conclusions: JP recurrence is positively and significantly related to polyp burden. JP harbored adenomatous changes independent of polyp number, underscoring a possible malignant potential in JPs. In the absence of a consistent genotype or pedigree, the presence of adenomatous transformation within JPs cannot be construed as a biomarker for syndromic juvenile polyposis.

Although foreign body ingestion (FBI) is a common pediatric referral concern, intentional or recurrent FBI (RFBI) in youth is poorly defined. In adults, several subgroups of patients with psychiatric comorbidities account for a large portion of FBIs. A similar classification system and corresponding management recommendations are yet to be outlined in pediatrics. We report 3 patients with RFBI: a 16-year-old, African American boy with 22 admissions and 27 endoscopic procedures for FBI removal; a 4-year-old, African American boy with autism spectrum disorder admitted twice after delayed presentation of ingestion of magnets; and a 15-year-old Caucasian girl with a complex mental health history who presented twice after intentional ingestion to self-harm. We also present a literature review of pediatric RFBI. Patients with RFBI require a nuanced, multidisciplinary management approach to address acute concerns and reduce subsequent ingestion. A behavioral taxonomy and treatment considerations are presented.