Helicobacter pylori-associated large gastric ulcer during treatment for childhood leukemia.
During treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, serious gastrointestinal complications rarely occur in children. Helicobacter pylori is not known as a pathogen causing peptic ulcer in children with leukemia who are receiving chemotherapy. We describe a 14-year-old girl with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in whom, during the most aggressive part of treatment, a large, life-threatening H. pylori-associated gastric ulcer developed. H. pylori infection played a role in the origin of the ulcer, as confirmed by the clinical resolution after its specific treatment. This case points to a possible role for H. pylori as a pathogen in children with leukemia who have either evident or occult gastrointestinal bleeding.
Fioredda
Francesca
F
Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Largo Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16148 Genoa, Italy. francescafioredda@ospedale-gaslini.it
Haupt
Riccardo
R
Castagnola
Elio
E
Barabino
Arrigo
A
Micalizzi
Concetta
C
Dini
Giorgio
G
Dufour
Carlo
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011899:Ranitidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003907:Dexamethasone; D011899:Ranitidine