title: Helicobacter pylori infection in pediatric patients.
abstract: Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative, spiral organism that colonizes the gastric mucosa and causes primary antral gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. Recent studies indicate that H. pylori infection acquired in childhood may cause gastric cancer in later life. H. pylori is present in both asymptomatic and symptomatic children as determined by various epidemiologic studies. The natural history of H. pylori infection is still an enigma. Its association with varied symptoms in children is considered controversial because it is frequently associated with nonulcerative gastritis in this age group. This article focuses on some of the newer developments addressing the epidemiology, transmission, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and treatment of H. pylori infection in the pediatric population.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Children's Hospital of Michigan, 3901 Beaubien Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tolia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001944:Breath Tests; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005756:Gastritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D017494:Proton Pumps / Q000187:drug effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014508:Urea
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D017494:Proton Pumps; D014508:Urea