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Helicobacter pylori infection may undergo spontaneous eradication in children: a 2-year follow-up study
F Perri1, M Pastore, R Clemente
1Division of Gastroenterology, Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Hospital, I.R.C.C.S., San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy.
Insights
Helicobacter pylori infection may spontaneously clear in children, though recurrence is possible. This study tracked children with H. pylori, finding some cases of natural eradication over two years.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is typically acquired in early childhood.
- The potential for spontaneous H. pylori eradication in children remains largely uninvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if H. pylori infection can be spontaneously eradicated in pediatric populations.
- To assess the natural course of H. pylori infection in children.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 304 Italian children (4.5-18.5 years) were screened for H. pylori using the 13C-urea breath test.
- Infected children were followed for up to two years with repeat testing every six months.
- Parental records of antibiotic consumption were maintained.
Main Results:
- 27.9% of children were initially infected with H. pylori.
- Of 48 infected children followed, 16.6% showed spontaneous eradication after two years.
- One case of transient eradication with subsequent recurrence was observed.
Conclusions:
- H. pylori infection in children may exhibit a fluctuating pattern.
- Spontaneous eradication and potential recurrence of H. pylori are possible during childhood.
- These findings suggest a dynamic nature of H. pylori infection in pediatric patients.
Background:
Helicobacter pylori infection is generally acquired early in life. However, it is still unknown whether a spontaneous eradication can occur. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether H. pylori infection can undergo spontaneous eradication in children.
Methods:
Three hundred and four Italian children (age range, 4.5 to 18.5 years) were tested for H. pylori by means of 13C-urea breath test. Infected children were followed up every 6 months for as long as 2 years. Parents were instructed to record consumption of antibiotics. At each visit, children underwent a repeat 13C-urea breath test.
Results:
Eighty-five out of 304 (27.9%) children were H. pylori infected. Forty-eight out of 85 infected children (56.4%) participated in the follow-up study. After 2 years, 8 (16.6%) infected children had negative results on 13C-urea breath tests; 2 of them were given antibiotics for concomitant infections. One child was negative at 6 months but became positive again at the next 6-month 13C-urea breath test. Forty children remained persistently positive; of them, 10 were treated with a short course of antibiotics.
Conclusions:
Our findings support the hypothesis that, at least during childhood, H. pylori infection may be a fluctuating disease with spontaneous eradication and possible recurrence.