[Spontaneous elimination of helicobacter pylori infection in children]

With the (13)C-urea-breath test, 6.6 % of 3 372 preschool children of the Leipzig area tested H. pylori positive in 1998.

In 2000, 5.6 % of 3 854 grade-two pupils of the same area tested positive.

2 235 children participated in both tests campaigns. Therefore, their H. pylori state could be reinvestigated after two years.

30 of the 104 children, who were tested positive in 1998 were negative in 2000. Using questionnaires completed by the corresponding parents and family physicians, possible reasons of individual elimination were analysed. It was found that 18 of the 25 children received a H. pylori triple therapy. Three children had been tested false-positive in 1998. Four children received antibiotics for other reasons and H. pylori was obviously eradicated too. Only three children were not treated with any antibiotics between 1998 and 2000. For these children, spontaneous elimination is assumed.

Conclusions about spontaneous elimination of H. pylori infections are problematic. Further investigations are needed in consideration of this object.