2 yr. old admitted for UGI Bleed, Anemia, and Tachycardia

[Melinda-Haris]

  I have a question I need answered for my own piece of mind.  My son was
  admitted to the hospital when I found his diaper full of a bloody stool.
  His H&H were at 8.1 and 22.6 at admittance.  The conclusion of the UGI
  Bleed was from Naproysn suspension.  We were in the hospital for 5 days
  where my son was continously monitored and tested.  My question is on his
  admittance paperwork they listed under Diagnosis:
  1.UGI Bleed - with hematochegia
  2.anemia - 2(with a degree symbol) to #1
  3.tachycardia - 2(with a degree symbol) to #1
  4.contracture L knee
  No one ever mentioned his heartbeat being in question during all this.  I am
  curious as to 1-why and 2-was it serious.  Could he have died?? What do
  the 2(with a degree symbol)to #1 mean anyway?  
  He is doing better now, but it took almost 7 weeks for his H&H to return
  to normal.  I know this is after the fact, but if you could answer
  these questions, you would really put a young mother's heart at rest.  
  Thanks!

[CCF CARDIO MD APS]

_
Dear Melinda,
Tachycardia means a heart rate above/more than 100 beats a minute, and it is EXPECTED TO OCCUR under any stress (examples of stress being exercise, anger, blood loss!!!!!)  If your son did not have tachycardia when his body had/was losing a significant amount of blood then there would be concern reagarding his heart.  Nonetheless, his heart responded appropriately with a tachycardia to the blood loss (called UGI bleed/hematochezia on the Diagnosis sheet) and so his heartbeat was "normal".
I hope this information is useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for
general purposes only.  Only your physician can provided specific diagnoses and therapies.
Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck!