Reflux esophagitis and Helicobacter pylori: is there an association in children?

• Published in: Progress in health sciences Vol. 4; no. 1; p. 41
• Main Authors: Zagorski, S.E, Nazarenko, O.N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bialystok Medical University of Bialystok 01.06.2014
• Subjects: Demographic aspects; Development and progression; Distribution; Gastroesophageal reflux in children; Helicobacter infections; Helicobacter pylori; Risk factors
• ISSN: 2083-1617; 2083-6260

The role of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) in the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease remains disputable. This study was planned to determine clinical-epidemic correlations between reflux esophagitis (RE) and Hp in older children. 308 children with RE and 418 patients with chronic gastritis (CG) without RE between the ages of 12 and 18 were examined. Hp was diagnosed by histological (Giemsa and hematoxylin-eosin stain, with evaluation of dissemination grade) and rapid urease test. Subjective symptoms (heartburn, abdominal pain, other dyspeptic complaints) were analyzed by questionnaire. Hp infection was found in 44.5% of children with RE (no difference in patients without RE), and it does not increase the erosive esophageal defects risk. Clinical symptoms are not connected to this infection in examined patients. The frequency of Hp infection decreases with the disease duration increase. The development of RE is not connected with Hp, but the disease course has certain peculiarities in the conditions of Hp infection.