Therapeutic Effect of Helicobacter pylori Eradication in Children with Recurrent Abdominal Pain Associated with H. pylori

Uhm, Ji Hyun; Chung, Ki Sup

Abstract

PURPOSE
In order to clarify the role of Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) in recurrent abdominal pain, we investigated prospectively the effect of eradication of H. pylori based on symptom improvement in children with recurrent abdominal pain.
METHODS
Children with recurrent abdominal pain were evaluated with diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to rule out peptic ulcer disease, etc. During endoscopy, biopsies were taken and sent for CLO test and histologic evaluation with H-E stain and Alcian-Yellow stain. Twenty four out of 28 H. pylori infected children didn't have peptic ulcer disease. They underwent triple therapy with bismuth subcitrate, amoxicillin and clarithromycin. Four weeks after the end of the therapy, patients were evaluated with regard to their symptoms.
RESULTS
In patients with H. pylori eradication, the mean total symptom score decreased significantly at four weeks' follow-up after the treatment(9.1+/-3.6 vs. 1.4+/-1.5; P<0.001). The frequency of abdominal pain per week also decreased significantly from 26.0+/-21.1 times/week to 1.4+/-1.5 times/ week after eradication of H. pylori(P<0.001). Age, duration of symptom and endoscopic findings did not prove to be positive predictive factors of significant improvement of symptoms after H. pylori eradication.
CONCLUSION
We strongly recommend looking for H. pylori infection in children complaining of recurrent abdominal pain. Eradication of this organism will effectively and significantly reduce the extent of symptoms associated with recurrent abdominal pain.