Helicobacter pylori gastritis in a child with sickle cell anemia and recurrent abdominal pain.
OBJECTIVE
Recurrent abdominal pain is a common complaint in children with sickle cell disease. Helicobacter pylori gastritis has recently been described in association with recurrent abdominal pain in children.


METHODS
A case report is given of a 16-year-old black male with hemoglobin SS disease presenting with recurrent abdominal pain and hematemesis.


RESULTS
Endoscopic exam of the upper gastrointestinal tract revealed gastritis, and biopsy confirmed H. pylori infection. Serology studies demonstrated increased anti-H. pylori antibody titers. The young man responded well to treatment, with resolution of his symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Helicobacter pylori infection is a new diagnostic consideration for children with recurrent abdominal pain and should be included in the differential diagnosis of children with sickle cell disease, especially when abdominal pain is recurrent and accompanied by vomiting. Larger case studies will be necessary to determine the true incidence of H. pylori in children with sickle cell disease and recurrent abdominal pain.
Kennedy
L
L
Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA.
Mahoney
D H
DH
Redel
C A
CA
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000150:complications*; D000293:Adolescent; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications*; D005756:Gastritis / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male