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Is Helicobacter pylori infection in childhood a risk factor for gastric cancer?

C Imrie1, M Rowland, B Bourke

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, University College Dublin and The Children's Research Centre, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Dublin, Ireland.

Pediatrics
|February 7, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Pediatricians should not screen children for Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection due to the low risk of gastric cancer. Current evidence does not support widespread H pylori treatment in children for cancer prevention.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection is linked to chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer.
  • The World Health Organization classifies H pylori as a carcinogen, with infection often acquired in childhood.
  • While most infected children are asymptomatic, the link to gastric cancer raises screening questions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the English literature on the association between H pylori infection and gastric cancer.
  • To determine if pediatricians should screen and treat children for H pylori infection based on cancer risk.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of English-language studies.
  • Analysis of the association between H pylori infection and gastric cancer development.

Main Results:

  • H pylori infection is associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer, but only about 1% of infected individuals develop it.
  • Other cofactors may play a significant role in gastric cancer development.
  • The impact of H pylori eradication alone on gastric cancer incidence remains unknown.

Conclusions:

  • Routine screening and treatment of H pylori infection in all children for gastric cancer prevention is not currently indicated.
  • The low incidence of gastric cancer among infected individuals and the unknown effect of eradication support this recommendation.

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