Helicobacter pylori gastritis in Jordanian children: persistence versus resolution

Introduction:
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the most common cause of infectious gastritis. Helicobacter pylori is an infection that is typically acquired during childhood.

Aim:
This study aims to describe children with H. pylori infection and compare the clinicopathological features of children with resolved and persistent infection.

Material and methods:
This is a retrospective review of all children with biopsy-proven H. pylori infection over a 6-year period. Hospital electronic files, endoscopic database, and histopathology database were reviewed. Patients who underwent follow-up endoscopy were identified, and their data was compared.

Results:
A total of 176 patients were identified, of whom 100 (56.2%) were females. The average age at presentation was 10.2 years (range: 2.5–17 years). Children older than 10 years were the most affected age group. The most commonly presenting symptom was recurrent abdominal pain (92 (51.69%)), followed by epigastric pain/dyspepsia and vomiting (44 (24.72%) and 18 (10.11%), respectively). The most common macroscopic feature was antral nodularity (76 (42.70%)). The most prevalent microscopic findings were moderate inflammation of moderate chronicity. None of the patients developed gastric atrophy. Forty-four (23.5%) patients had comorbid diseases. On follow-up, upper endoscopy was available for 42 (23.59%) patients. The resolution of H. pylori based on histological examination was observed in only 10 (23.81%) patients. Children whose infections resolved were older.

Conclusions:
A significant number of children with biopsy-proven H. pylori infection presented with abdominal pain. Female gender, older age, and less severe macroscopic and microscopic findings may be associated with a higher chance of infection resolution.