Helicobacter pylori Infection in Children: To Eradicate or Not to Eradicate?

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori infection is usually acquired during childhood and represents one of the most common infections in humans. It is well known that H. pylori has belonged to humankind for hundreds of thousands of years and it accompanied the human migration from Africa. The adult international guidelines recommend treating all infected patients as H. pylori was classified among the first‐class human carcinogens by the WHO in 1994 and it is one of the main factors involved in the development of gastric cancer. Conversely, the pediatric international guidelines are more restrictive in recommending the eradication of the infection in children. Although many studies have shown evidence regarding the pathological role of H. pylori regardless of the age of the infected patients, many others have highlighted its protective/positive role in several extra‐gastric diseases in children. In this review, both points of view regarding the eradication in children are critically analyzed.