Peptic Ulcer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Peptic Ulcer, including details on helicobacter pylori, diet, symptoms, treatment.

What is new related to Helicobacter pylori infection in children and teenagers?

Kato S, Sherman PM

Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Helicobacter pylori infection is a common bacterial infection for humans, and the organism is the most prevalent gastric microbial pathogen. However, the major route of transmission remains poorly understood. The outcome of chronic H pylori infection varies from asymptomatic gastritis to peptic ulceration and gastric malignancies. Recently, H pylori has been associated with the development of extradigestive disorders, including refractory iron-deficiency (sideropenic) anemia and chronic autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura. Virulence factors of H pylori and host genetic factors are both considered important determinants of disease outcome. Multiple tests, including novel noninvasive approaches, are available for establishing the presence of H pylori infection, but there is still little consensus about which study should be performed and in what clinical setting. Eradicating H pylori uses combination therapy, including a proton pump inhibitor and 2 antibiotics taken twice daily for 7 to 14 days. Antibiotic resistance is a growing and serious problem that interferes with the success of eradication therapy. Testing and eradication therapy for H pylori are currently recommended only for the subset of infected persons in whom the disease sequelae are proven or highly suspected.

Published 3 May 2005 in Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, 159(5): 415-21.
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