Helicobacter pylori Infection Up-date in Pediatric Population

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is the main cause of ulcerous conditions affecting half of the world population. Previously the symptoms described only in adults but recently the studies focusing on chronic childhood gastrointestinal diseases. Besides the chronic inflammation resulting in gastritis and peptic ulcers, the H. pylori thought to be the root of some malignancies, like adenocarcinomas and lymphomas of gastrointestinal system. As long as the presence of H. pylori in stomach can be observed lifelong without treatment, the serious complications of the infection need to be prevented even in childhood. However, the presenting signs and symptoms are not clearly described in pediatric population and also the screening is not resolved; recent recommendations are well defined the therapeutic strategy in children.

Keywords: Helicobacter pylori, pediatrics, epidemiology, peptic ulcer disease, pathomechanism, extraintestinal manifestations