Patients (258) with juvenile polyps were reviewed. Ten patients < 20 yr of age had adenomas and therefore the points presented can be emphasized. Juvenile polyps are a distinct pathologic entity and can occur at any age and in either sex. Adenomas do exist in pediatric patients. It should not be assumed that every polyp in patients < 20 yr of age is automatically a juvenile polyp and, therefore, benign. Ba enema is recommended for any child or adolescent in whom 1 or more polyps are found. In multiple polyposis, the finding that 1 polyp is of the juvenile type does not necessarily rule out the presence of adenoma. Any patient with a solitary adenoma who has multiple polyps, whether adenoma or juvenile polyps, should be observed at appropriate intervals by sigmoidoscope, roentgenographic and possibly colonoscopic examination.