Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori gastritis in children using the 13C urea breath test

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Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR)-Based Rapid Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Antibiotic Resistance
06:40

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR)-Based Rapid Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Antibiotic Resistance

Published on: July 28, 2023

M Eltumi1, M J Brueton, N Francis

  • 1Academic Department of Child Health, Imperial College School of Medicine, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom.

Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology
|April 7, 1999
PubMed

Insights

The 13C urea breath test (13C-UBT) accurately diagnoses Helicobacter pylori infection in children with recurrent abdominal pain. This noninvasive test shows high sensitivity and specificity, aiding clinical decisions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Diagnostic Medicine

Background:

  • Recurrent abdominal pain in children often presents diagnostic challenges.
  • Clinical recognition of Helicobacter pylori gastritis is difficult in pediatric patients.
  • Endoscopy is invasive and reserved for specific indications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the diagnostic value of a simplified 13C urea breath test (13C-UBT) in children with recurrent abdominal pain.
  • To compare the accuracy of 13C-UBT with histology, urease test, and serology for H. pylori detection.
  • To assess the reliability of 13C-UBT as a noninvasive diagnostic tool.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 50 children with recurrent abdominal pain meeting endoscopy criteria.
  • Gastric antral biopsies analyzed histologically and by quick urease test.
  • Comparison of histological results with H. pylori serology and 13C-UBT.

Main Results:

  • 32 patients had gastritis; 19 had H. pylori gastritis confirmed histologically.
  • 17 of 19 patients with H. pylori gastritis tested positive via 13C-UBT.
  • 13C-UBT demonstrated 89% sensitivity and 90% specificity versus histology.
  • 13C-UBT showed higher specificity than H. pylori serology.

Conclusions:

  • The simplified 13C-UBT is a reliable, noninvasive method for diagnosing H. pylori infection in children.
  • 13C-UBT offers a valuable alternative to invasive procedures for H. pylori diagnosis in this population.
  • The test aids in managing pediatric patients with recurrent abdominal pain potentially linked to H. pylori gastritis.

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