Korean J Pediatr.  2004 Mar;47(3):235-239.

Helicobacter pylori Infection in Children: Recommendations for Diagnosis and Treatment

• Choe YH

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection is mainly acquired in childhood. The prevalence of infection is still highest in children in the developing world. There has been a need for clinical guidelines for H. pylori infection in children. Therefore, the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition and the European Paediatric Task Force on H. pylori achieved consensus and developed clinical practice guidelines for the child with H. pylori infection, respectively. Although gastroduodenal endoscopy remains the diagnostic standard method for this infection, noninvasive tests, including serology, urea breath test and stool antigen test, showed good results in the different age groups. All children with a duodenal ulcer who have H. pylori infection should receive treatment for the infection. Children with iron-deficiency anemia which is refractory to iron therapy should be screened for H. pylori infection and if infected, treatment may be of benefit. In children, so far, there is no evidence demonstrating a link between H. pylori-associated gastritis and recurrent abdominal pain. In H. pylori-infected children with nonulcer gastritis, treatment of the infection has shown no proven benefit in symptom relief. Compliance and antibiotic resistance are main factors affecting the outcome of treatment.

Keyword

Helicobacter pylori; Gastrointestinal disease; Children; Diagnosis; Treatment

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Advisory Committees
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency
Breath Tests
Child*
Compliance
Consensus
Diagnosis*
Drug Resistance, Microbial
Duodenal Ulcer
Endoscopy
Gastritis
Gastroenterology
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Helicobacter pylori*
Helicobacter*
Humans
Iron
Prevalence
Urea
Iron
Urea