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Helicobacter pylori and hypergastrinemia in children with recurrent abdominal pain
E Günel1, D Findik, O Cağlayan
1Departments of Pediatric Surgery, Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Pediatrics, Medical School of Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey.
Insights
Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection was equally prevalent in children with recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) and healthy controls. This study found no link between childhood Hp infection, gastrin levels, and RAP in the Turkish population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) is a common pediatric issue.
- Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is a potential factor in pediatric RAP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between Hp infection and pediatric RAP.
- To assess fasting gastrin levels in children with and without RAP, considering Hp status.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 42 children with RAP and 50 healthy controls (ages 3-15).
- Serological testing for Hp IgG antibodies and measurement of fasting gastrin levels.
- Comparison of Hp prevalence and gastrin levels between RAP and control groups.
Main Results:
- Hp IgG seropositivity was similar in children with RAP (71.4%) and controls (64%) (P > 0.05).
- No significant difference in mean fasting gastrin levels was observed between Hp-seropositive and -seronegative children.
- Gastrin levels did not differ significantly between children with RAP and healthy children.
Conclusions:
- Childhood Hp infection is not significantly associated with recurrent abdominal pain in this Turkish cohort.
- No correlation found between hypergastrinemia and pediatric RAP in the presence or absence of Hp infection.
Abstract:
Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) is a significant problem in the pediatric population, and there has been much recent interest in the role that Helicobacter pylori (Hp) might play in this disorder. In this case control study, the authors aimed to determine whether Hp is an agent responsible for RAP, and to assess fasting gastrin concentrations in children with and without RAP in the Hp-positive and -negative groups. The study was conducted in 42 patients with RAP and 50 healthy children attending routine day-case surgery as a control group, aged 3 to 15 years, over a 12-month period. Of the 42 children with RAP, 30 were seropositive (71.4%) for Hp IgG, and of 50 children in the control group, 32 were seropositive (64%) for Hp IgG (P > 0.05). We found that Hp infection was as high in healthy children as in children with RAP. The mean fasting gastrin levels in 62 Hp-seropositive children (60.4 ng/l) were not different from those in 30 Hp-seronegative children (57.3 ng/l) and those in 42 children with RAP (58.2 ng/l) were also not significantly different from those in 50 healthy children (62.9 ng/l). Thus, no association between childhood Hp infection, hypergastrinemia, and RAP was found in our Turkish population.