Helicobacter pylori Infection in Children

Abstract

The review summarizes the articles published on Helicobacter pylori in children between April 2007 and March 2008. Evidence is emerging in different populations including developing countries that the prevalence of H. pylori is declining in all age groups. The reasons for this are unclear but it is unlikely that treatment of infection or improvement in socioeconomic conditions fully explains the decline. For the first time, differences in the inflammatory response between adults and children have been well characterized in a group of adults and children from Chile with similar levels of H. pylori infection. This study suggests that the reduced inflammatory response to H. pylori at a cellular level in children could be the consequence of an enhanced Treg cell response, which in turn down-regulates H. pylori -induced inflammation. The publication of the Paediatric European Register for Treatment of Helicobacter pylori study (PERTH) is important as it demonstrates the advantages of different centers working in collaboration for the benefit of children. It also highlights the fact that while bismuth-based treatment is more effective than proton pump inhibitor-based treatment in children, bismuth preparations are not widely available for use in children.

Association between <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> Infection and Pathological Changes in the Gastric Mucosa in Chinese Children

“…In the current study, the H. pylori-infected patients had a higher prevalence of lymphoid follicle formation than the uninfected patients, although the prevalence remained moderate in both groups. This finding confirms that lymphoid follicle formation is a highly specific but not sensitive indication of H. pylori infection in children (16). Kon et al also observed that the detection rate of nodular gastritis is positively associated with the pathological score of H. pylori-related gastritis (17).…”

“…This may be due to the unique immune response observed in children that resulted in limited polymorphonuclear neutrophil/monocyte infiltration of the gastric mucosa and maintained epithelial integrity (16,24). There were no patients with a normal gastric mucosa in our study.…”

The Effect of Helicobacter Pylori Infection on Plasma Ghrelin and on AnthropometrY Dyspeptic Children

“…H. pylori infection is associated with growth failure and possibly lower ghrelin levels (10). On the other hand, the likelihood of the association between H. pylori and growth failure still remains controversial (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17). Some researchers assert that the association of H. pylori infection and growth failure is not a cause-effect relation, but rather, a coincidence of these two entities in low socioeconomic conditions (19).…”

“…Although several articles have reported a decline in the prevalence of H. pylori infection in both children and adults over the last decade (13-14), poor socioeconomic status remains as a significant risk factor for H. pylori infection (15)(16)(17).…”

Role of Probiotics in Pediatric Patients with Helicobacter pylori Infection: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature

“…It is well known that childhood is an important period for acquisition of H. pylori infection although several recent articles have reported a decline in the prevalence of H. pylori infection in children over the last 10 years [1]. Intrafamiliar transmission of the infection, especially from mother to child, has been hypothesized as the major mode of dissemination [2].…”