Current Epidemiological and Clinical Issues Regarding Helicobacter pylori Infection in Childhood

Overview

H. pylori infection is common worldwide, and is acquired primarily during childhood. The mechanism of acquisition is not clear. In recent years the main focus of interest has been on the transmission of infection from family members to children. The main risk factor for acquiring the infection seems to be low socioeconomic status. H. pylori is associated with gastritis, duodenal ulcers, MALT lymphoma, and gastric adenocarcinoma. Extra-intestinal clinical manifestations have also been reported. However, the infection is often asymptomatic in children and the role of H. pylori infection in gastric manifestations is the subject of conflicting reports. Methods for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection in children are subdivided into invasive and noninvasive. There is a lack of consensus on treatment. The treatment of H. pylori is hampered by high macrolide-resistance. Treatment with proton pump-based triple therapy for 1–2 weeks gives the best eradication rates when combined with supplements containing probiotics. Multinational, multicentre studies in childhood are essential to extend current knowledge to avoid long-term gastroduodenal disease sequelae.

Key words:
Helicobacter pylori – childhood – epidemiology – clinical manifestations – diagnostics – therapy.