Summary:
Serological examination of specific antibodies against H. pylori in children must be interpreted
with regard to age groups. Examination by the breath test with 13 C urea is available but for
economic reasons it is not generally used in practice. Endoscopic examination therefore remains
under our conditions the „gold standard“ in the diagnosis of chronic gastritis and H. pylori
infection in children.
In children there is no specific gastrointestinal symptomatology associated with H. pylori
infection with the exception of peptic ulceration. General screening of H. pylori infection in
children with gastrointestinal symptoms is not suitable and screening for infection is reserved
for children with serious symptoms where organic disease is suspected. There endoscopy is the
method of choice. So far the question remains open if there is any of the long-term presence of
chronic gastritis in children and the incidence of serious H. pylori dependent disease in adult
age. Treatment of infection in children is essential in case of a peptic ulcer and in children with
serious symptomatology and confirmed H. pylori infection, namely in those children in whole
family there is H. pylori-positive peptic ulcer or gastric/carcinoma MALT lymphoma. Therape-
utic regimes respect general guidelines according to the patient’s age group..
Key words:
Helicobacter pylori infection - children - examination methods - symptoms treatment.
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