A 2-year study of Helicobacter pylori in children.
From September 1990 to October 1992, Helicobacter pylori was searched for in 426 children, 2 days to 16 years old, requiring upper fibroscopy for various symptoms. H. pylori was detected in 77 children (18.1%). Recurrent abdominal pain was present in 63.3% of the patients with H. pylori versus 48.6% of a control group of 74 age-matched children negative for H. pylori, weight loss was present in 6.5% of the patients versus 0% of the control subjects, and a family history of peptic ulcer was present in 14.2% of the patients versus 5.4% of the controls. Micronodular gastritis was observed in 31 children with H. pylori infection (40.2%). Among the 24 children (31.1%) with H. pylori infection and a normal mucosa at endoscopy, 18 (75%) complained of recurrent abdominal pain. H. pylori was also found in 21 of 38 children (55.2%) being examined because of short stature. These findings indicate that H. pylori should be looked for in children with recurrent abdominal pain with or without weight loss or a family history of peptic ulcer. Its relevance in short-stature syndrome requires further clarification.
Raymond
J
J
Service de Microbiologie, Hôpital St. Vincent de Paul, Paris, France.
Bergeret
M
M
Benhamou
P H
PH
Mensah
K
K
Dupont
C
C
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D005756:Gastritis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D015431:Weight Loss